“No,” he said roughly. “Not enough. You wanted to come, you can do better than this.” Why did his cock become less greedy when only his fingers absorbed her pleasure? Perhaps the deep satisfaction wasn’t physical at al , but from having a woman find such utter delight in his ministration. Her abandon made something more than his cock swel . Little affected his ego these days. It certainly got stroked by her performance. Her head snapped up, pitching a cascade of hair to her back. She spread herself wide to offer better access.
She’d accept anything from him then. He’d give much to keep her coming.
“Nngh, Gage,” she said. Then more desperately she begged, “Gage, please!”
Her hips rol ed as his fingertips plundered. He needed to be in her in some manner and would only take her maidenhead with his cock. If he acted on current inclinations, her first experience could potential y become quite brutal with al he felt. He withdrew from between her legs and hesitantly spread her ass cheeks. He knew what would sate certain desires without causing pain. With a moist finger in position, he demanded, “Push back against me. Take it. Bear down and open your ass to me.”
She’s still coming but differently now. You’ve gotten inside and she’ll still bleed and cry when you stick your cock in her pussy. Such a hot little fuck your raven is.
He stopped the minor penetration to let her enjoy the last spasms of release, affording her time to slow the rapid pounding of her heart and labored breathing. She’d done wel in fol owing where he led. He’d make sure her reward was lasting and pleasant. Unfortunately to leave her wel sated and without pain would require the punishment of his own hard flesh. To suffer the ache would be a trifling matter. He believed it more important to let her bask in the gentle play they’d shared rather than finish the session and batter that sweet little pussy.
His fingertips came slowly out and away from her body. Every noise she made told him she regretted the loss and could take more. She straightened and knelt before him. Warm, wet breasts came to his tunic and he wished his chest was bare to feel the moisture. He rather liked the strangeness of desire dripping from her nipples. He brought her cheek to his shoulder, held her careful y and whispered, “Hush now, sweet woman. It’s time we rest.” Her hands clasped his neck as she hung her head. “Sir?” The formal title disturbed him.
“Yes?”
“I feel I must explain something.”
“Go on.” Most issues at the moment seemed right in his mind. By the tone of her voice, he anticipated some form of foolishness to come forth.
“I feel terrible after you—after we just…”
He understood the words he’d taught her no longer felt right with passion ebbing rather than flowing. He helped by asking, “After we’ve been so close?”
“Yes,” she said, letting out a breath. “You didn’t hurt me.”
The words seemed hard for her to get out. He wondered at their meaning. “I’m glad.” His could only view the top of her head but the sagging of her body relayed remorse. “Your compassion after you touched my back—I wanted you to know pain hadn’t made my arms give way. You didn’t hurt me.”
Her fal ing into the wal had started the entire event. How could she now state she hadn’t felt pain? He wouldn’t be made a fool of. Not by a virgin raven. “Explain yourself immediately. Tel me why you col apsed when I touched your wounds.” The glance she stole al owed him to see eyes brimming with tears. With her naked and vulnerable, he feared what she’d say next. “The cat didn’t hurt me, Sir, and neither did you. It was my cowardice that made me weak.”
“You’re talking in circles again and I won’t have it. Spit it out, Lady, plainly so I can understand you for once.”
“You demanded my shirt, which I gave. You had me stand against the wal and brace myself.” She sniffled and so help her, if she thought to gain effect for her story he’d—
“And I thought perhaps with your anger present, you’d prepared me for the whip.” One’s stomach should remain in a certain place in the body. His sank low and the effect disturbed and pained him. “You know how I feel about the use of a whip,” he said, his voice neutral.
“And I realized after a bit you hadn’t intended to use it. But by then you’d cal ed me sweet one and no one’s cal ed me such a dear name in many, many years. The name you cal ed me prior more closely fits my character.” She stole a breath and her tumble of words relayed the urgency to have him know everything. “At any rate, I couldn’t explain because you’d started kissing me, Sir, and when you kiss me, I don’t remember important things. But to tel you why my arms wouldn’t bear my weight and I went to the wal … It took you a moment to come back to me. You were extremely angry and I’m afraid I feared the worst. When you touched me, I overreacted and truly I try not to be a coward. I’d just never been whipped while standing, General, and I was afraid—”
“Enough,” he said harshly before wrapping her in his arms. “Enough, please, Lady.” The whip should be brought out and used on him. He’d frightened her so badly, her arms lost strength. I’d just never been whipped while standing.
He spoke quietly against her ear so the tension would leave her. “You’ve no fear of me now, do you?”
“No, Sir.” Her answer was automatic and therefore truthful. Again, she’d put fear aside and placed her wel -being in his hands. Seldom had matters between a man and a woman resulted in his humbling. He discovered it wasn’t entirely objectionable.
“And tel me, Reina, what name did I cal you prior to sweet one? What other possible name could there be for you?”
“Idiot.” He barely heard because she spoke so quietly.
His stomach went back to where it belonged. It’d been kicked there by a single name given by him, softly repeated by her. And had he not asked she would’ve carried the moniker about in her memory without correction. Had he become so hardened and cal ous in a decade that he no longer knew how to treat a woman?
“Reina, please look at me.” She did and it hurt to see her eyes fil ed with tears. “Wil you forgive me?”
“Of course but I didn’t want an apology, Sir. I wanted to apologize to you for the misunderstanding.”
“You could’ve said nothing about any of this.” And she could have, al owing him to carry the burden of assuming he’d caused her grave pain when tending her back.
“My heart wouldn’t be right if I didn’t correct your misconception. The cat didn’t hurt me, the wounds didn’t hurt and you certainly didn’t cause any pain.”
“Not even when I fil ed your mouth with my flesh or stole my fingers against your warmth?” Final y coaxing a smile from her, he al owed his own lips to turn up at the corners. It felt good to make things right between them. “No, Gage, especial y not then.”
The use of his name and her smile fil ed him with emotion. He gently pressed his lips to hers, demonstrating the difference between passion and the simple desire to breathe the same air for a moment. The damn tears she’d previously held chose that instant to leak.
“Sweet one?”
“Yes?”
“Should anyone stricken your ears with the term idiot again, no matter where we are or how far away I am, promise me you’l reach me.”
“Why?”
“I have access to a whip and would wield it against anyone who addresses you thusly in the future.”
“You’re joking.”
“I’m serious.” He gazed into amber eyes and gently stroked her cheek and jaw.
“Materna Nakita?”
“Certainly. I personal y found the woman quite annoying and wouldn’t hesitate.”
“Materna Marianna?”
“Her old bones would break, but I’d thrash her twice as hard because I witnessed her cruelty with you.” She laughed and he smiled. “Maternas Christina, Bartino, Suzanna?”
“That many?”
“More, I’m afraid.”
“My arm would probably fal off and the Governance would get highly sick of my flights to and from Ha
ven but I’ve given my word and I’l keep it. I’d bet though, after whipping no more than ten or twenty, the rest of your clan would treat you more careful y.” She leaked more tears before asking, “May I kiss you now?”
“I wouldn’t turn away.”
He didn’t.
Chapter Six
Reina ran about the Raze with a heavy itinerary, experiencing al the things she’d wanted to see. Gage al owed it, arranged it and insisted she investigate what interested her on board. Seated in the mess hal that eve, surrounded by his officers, her eyes sparkled with delight.
His men were utterly cordial but he closely watched Lieutenant Wil iam Brach. The young lieutenant was tal , wel -conditioned and had hair the color of Reina’s. Rumors stated he’d partaken of many young female officers on board. His reputation somewhat preceded him. Too, of the four men seated with him at the table, Brach acted the slightest bit odd in her presence.
She ate the meal slowly, appearing entranced with the routine dialogue about the ship. Her fork remained in the air at times in anticipation of an answer to a question. She undoubtedly found the conversation stimulating. With business concluded, Brach took the opportunity to question her. “Lady Reina, have you learned much this day?”
“Indeed, Sir, with the guidance of the crew I’ve advanced my understanding considerably.”
“Surely the botanicals, engine room, communication center and medical couldn’t have been so interesting.”
“Oh, but they were, Lieutenant, especial y medical. Although I’m perplexed why the various plants in your botanical are located so far from your healing place. Some of those pretty greeneries have wel -documented properties in medicines.”
“We don’t use such outdated methods of healing. We rely on science, not voodoo. Most of those plants wind up on our plates.” Gage would’ve reprimanded Brach on his poor manners but Reina spoke first. “Your pardon, Sir.” Her gaze dropped and she appeared a backward creature, not the woman who took flight to find the major. He despised it, but again, before he could bring the lieutenant to heel, she added, “I’ve not been off world prior to this first experience.”
“Obviously,” Brach said, the condescension unmistakable despite his forced smile. Reina wasn’t equipped to decipher his conflicting and rude banter and therefore couldn’t defend herself. Gage was about to use his authority to put an end to the situation when Brach finished his statement. “But each of the worlds does what it must to survive and I suppose when resources are limited, potions and such are necessary on planets like Haven.”
“Oh, indeed they are, Sir. How barbaric it must seem to a lieutenant of your sophistication to break bread with a raven.” Had any portion of her declaration been said with the least amount of heat, he might’ve unwound. The others at the table bristled because of Brach’s atrocious behavior and her quiet acquiescence to his rudeness. LeRoy and Nare both appeared ready to defend her but Brach verbal y took a step back in an attempt to regain decorum. “Now I must beg your pardon, Lady, for speaking of your home in such a manner. Of course your customs and way of life seem completely adequate to you. And it’s not your fault you were reared in such a wretched place.”
“My utter lack of exposure to al the worlds have to offer must seem pathetic. But alas, here I sit in your presence with my humble upbringing.” She shook her head as if regret weighed heavily. “And for such a smal , insignificant task as to find the child of your supreme commander.” Brach’s face paled before color rose brightly up his neck. Her eyes narrowed the slightest bit and her expression became less foreboding. “Not to worry, Lieutenant, I’l remember your sensitivities and wil pointedly forgo the animal sacrifice before the hunt. At least I won’t do it within your view.” She turned to regard Gage. “General, wil the lieutenant accompany the party to retrieve Major Blaize?” Not trusting his voice, he sealed his lips to avoid laughing and shook his head. She sighed and appeared greatly relieved. “Good, then I can bite the head off the bat once we’ve set foot on Infur.”
Brach stood abruptly and threw down his napkin. “Sir?” he asked.
Gage waved his hand, the gesture granting him permission to leave. And Gage had been concerned about her ability to stand up to one measly lieutenant! Her lack of travel certainly hadn’t stunted her abilities to discern certain aspects of socialization. She wasn’t unknowing in al facets of life beyond Haven. She glanced after him and straightened her posture. She mumbled, “I would, you know.” Dunn cleared his throat, the smile not entirely hidden, and asked, “Lady?”
Her gaze rose to meet his before she picked up her fork. “Bite the head from a bat so the lieutenant can sleep easy, secure in his vast knowledge of lesser peoples.” They burst into laughter. “Your forgiveness, gentlemen, please. That was rather uncal ed for and my manners are at times—”
“Impeccable, Lady,” Dr. Nare interrupted. The older, gray-haired, chief medical officer finished by saying, “He had it coming and you measured it out.
He’s lucky to have suffered only embarrassment.”
“He’s a youngun, but should know better. He thinks he’s above his upbringing,” LeRoy agreed.
The food moved about her plate with the steel tines of the fork rearranging it. Gage asked, “Have you finished, Lady?” She placed the fork on the table before folding her hands. “Yes I have, Sir. Thank you.” Gal ey servers took the dirty dishes away and replaced them with smal er dessert plates holding rarities he’d requested from the kitchen. He said, “I’m curious to see which of these are to your taste, Lady. Would you sample them and let me know?” The others waited and he wondered if they also anticipated her response. Nare spent time with her in medical. LeRoy showed her every aspect of the bridge and communications while Dunn tolerated another visit to the engine room before she finished in the botanical with Sergeant Heridan.
She chose his favorite first and took a smal piece of the yel ow tart. Holding the bite in her mouth, she angled her head to the side as her eyes lit up.
Clearly dismayed, she said, “It’s sour and sweet al at once.” Swal owing, she laughed softly before her cheeks drew inward and her eyes rounded. Taking a breath, she reached for the water.
Such expressions! They laughed in delight of how acutely she relayed what she tasted without saying a word.
“We should’ve warned you, Lady. I believe yellow fever is an acquired taste,” Nare commented.
“It’s aptly named,” she said while catching her breath. “It begins as the dawn, which is sweet. Sour as the light takes your last pleasant dream. And then burning when the clouds run and hide, leaving you with more color over your skin—happy but thirsty.”
“Such beauty,” Nare said absently while studying her. “Your descriptions relay everything in such an artistic manner. And most of what you see is alarmingly and refreshingly pleasant.”
He seemed to realize where he was and cleared his throat. “You must’ve been reared quite gently by those in your clan, Lady Reina, to have such an outlook on things.”
“I’m afraid it’s more likely from having been seated in a corner for hours. While deliberating on transgressions, my mind tended to wander, Sir.” Reina wiped the corner of her mouth when suddenly the floor trembled as everything in the mess hal shook. She grabbed for the table as a massive jolt threw them from the chairs into each other and across the room. The lights flickered before an alarm sounded. Dazed, Reina sat up and tried to come to her feet. She heard Gage say, “LeRoy, bridge. Dunn, engine room. Don’t wait, go!” An overhead speaker crackled as a man’s voice asked, “General?”
Gage spoke loudly amidst the confusion and voices in the room. “Shields up, Lieutenant. Battle stations. Deploy thrusters for evasive maneuver.
Distance us until I’m on the bridge.”
“Understood, Sir.”
Dr. Nare cal ed out, “Casualties?”
Grunts and negative affirmations murmured in response. Abruptly pul ed to her feet, a wave of dizziness swept over her. Gage asked, “R
eina, are you hurt?”
“No, Sir, I’m fine. Go to your crew.”
“Have Nare escort you to medical. You’re bleeding.”
“It’s nothing. See to your people.” Her hand settled against her throbbing temple.
Confused for a moment, she felt an arm at her back while her vision cleared. Gage stared at her, touched her chin before walking from the mess at a fast clip. Dr. Nare said, “Come with me, Lady. You appear to be the only one damaged. Let’s take you to medical and I’l have you fixed right up.” Dr. Nare’s hand remained firmly on her back as he escorted her from the room and down the corridor. As her sense returned, she spotted an injured man in the hal way and ran to him. She and Dr. Nare knelt beside him. Dr. Nare checked to see if more than the soldier’s arm had been broken.
A strange sound gained her attention and she stood to decipher its direction. She stil ed and listened intently as the soft padded gait of a four-legged creature drew near. She sensed and could practical y smel fear. Its presence became so strong, she fought the urge to rush toward its origin. Focusing her mind, trying to fly low and not go too deep into the trancelike state, she searched.
She vaguely heard Dr. Nare say, “Your eyes, Lady! Come with me. Your skin’s like ice and you’re in shock.” Her tongue grew thick as her brain tried reading two worlds at the same time. She couldn’t explain the situation to Dr. Nare. She heard a loud roar before a cat rounded the corner and spotted them. Her favorite cat, Walter, crouched a short distance away, terrified and angry. She saw recognition in the feline’s eyes. He didn’t view her as a threat. He scrunched himself lower and prepared to pounce, the muscle beneath his fur twitching with anticipation. He eyed the doctor.
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