Pirate's Price (11 page)

“If I hadn’t?” He stood perfectly still,
forcing her to earn her credits. She began to rotate her hand as
she slid up and down his shaft.

“Security is less intrusive in the pits.
People are more apt to look the other way. That’s why no one stays
down there unless they have no other choice.”

Pressure built in his balls and he grabbed
her wrist, not yet ready to come. If the conditions on the lower
tiers were worse than this level, it was likely Rana was being kept
somewhere else. Still, it was worth checking out.

“Finish me with your mouth. I have work to
do.”

Rana nibbled at the food Vihlok had arranged
for them. Worry about Kashi nagged at the back of her mind, but
there was nothing they could do about it. Vihlok had asked the
spaceport’s central communications center to relay a message for
them. Even the comm center had been unable to establish a link with
the cruiser.

“It’s a simple communications malfunction,”
Vihlok assured her. “As soon as they reach Devaunt, Kashi will
check in.”

“I’m sure you’re right. I just hate not
knowing.”

“Fibros found a ship. He’ll be leaving for
Peronite shortly.”

“Why is he going back to Peronite? Kashi is
on her way to Devaunt.”

“When Fibros gets one of his feelings, I
don’t ask questions. If we haven’t heard from him by the time the
cruiser is ready, we’ll head to Devaunt ourselves.”

Relieved to have a course of action, she
smiled at him. “We’ll just continue my lessons on the ship.”

He refilled her wineglass and handed it to
her. “You didn’t eat very much.”

“Neither did you.”

“I think we’re both distracted.”

She couldn’t argue with that. “How do we
accommodate the distractions without squandering our time
together?”

“We could renegotiate our contract.”

Mischief gleamed in his eyes and her stomach
fluttered. “What did you have in mind?”

“We were supposed to have six days entirely
devoted to pleasure. Each time a conflict or stress intrudes on our
time, I suggest we extend the contract by another day.”

“I’m not opposed to that condition.” She
wasn’t opposed to anything that would allow them to spend more time
together.

He rested his chin on his palm and searched
her gaze. “I don’t want to keep coming back to this, but the pieces
still don’t fit. Tell me the rest of the story.”

“The rest of which story?”

“You agreed to marry Vega to help the people
of Devaunt. I have no doubt that’s true, but there has to be
something more. What did your mother have on you?”

She pushed back from the table and crossed
her legs. “Do I get to interrogate you when you’re finished with
me?”

“If you like.”

Except for her highly abridged recounting to
Vega, she hadn’t spoken about Jaque with anyone. She wasn’t ashamed
of what had happened; however, there were elements of the story she
didn’t like to examine too closely.

“I had an affair with one of my guards and
my mother found out.”

His eyebrows drew together as he mulled over
the fact. “True, but not complete. Aren’t royal bodyguards supposed
to be of an incompatible sexual orientation with whomever they’re
guarding?”

With a frustrated harrumph, she stood and
crossed to the window, staring out into the star-dotted blackness
of space. “Jaque was in a long-term relationship with another man.
He’d never been attracted to a woman until he was promoted to my
personal guard. Don’t even look at me like that. I am not a
home-wrecker. His lover, Pavel, assured us both that he wasn’t
upset by the attraction and he wished us well.”

“And,” Vihlok prompted.

“And I found them in my courtyard one night.
They were arguing about me. I told Jaque I would not jeopardize his
primary relationship and Pavel explained that the source of his
jealousy was not that Jaque made love with me, but that there was
now a part of Jaque’s life they didn’t share. He wanted to know if
I would consider a sexual triad.”

“Was Pavel bisexual?”

“No. He didn’t want to have sex with
me…”

“He wanted to participate whenever you
summoned Jaque.” She nodded then he asked, “Did you consider
it?”

With her hands buried in the pockets of her
bathrobe, she turned around. “It was awkward at first, but
eventually we figured it out.”

“Did your mother find you with both
men?”

“Yes. I insisted it was the first time and
it would never happen again, but she knew she had me. With a word
she could have exiled them or worse.”

“What did she do?”

“They were persuaded to relocate. I made
sure they had enough credits and suitable references so they could
start over somewhere else.”

“Then you negotiated with your mother,
bowing to her will as you protected your people.”

Rana shook her head, releasing the past with
a sigh. “You make it sound almost noble. I took the coward’s way
out. I should have stood up to her from the beginning.”

“You eventually found your way.” He crossed
the room with long, lazy strides. “Did you enjoy having two
lovers?”

“I didn’t have two lovers, Jaque did.”

“Good point.” He grasped her elbows and
pulled her away from the window. “Did you ever wish you were
Jaque?”

“We’re back to my fascination with the woman
in the alley.”

“Yes. Would you like to be adored by two
men, to have them completely focused on your pleasure?”

The erotic image resurged and she shivered.
“Not on a regular basis. I’ve experienced the complications of that
kind of relationship.”

“I’m not talking about a relationship. I’m
talking about living out a fantasy.”

“Why are you being so persistent with
this?”

He drew her hands from her pockets and
raised them to his lips. “Because I arranged more than food.”
Threading their fingers together, he led her into the bedroom.

A man stood beside the bed in a bathrobe
similar to hers. His short, spiky blue hair drew her attention to
his sculpted features. Not just striking, he was beautiful in an
utterly masculine way. Concentric rings of varying shades of blue
made up his eyes.

“This is Bhakati,” Vihlok told her. “He will
join us for your next lesson.”

Rana licked her lips and tried not to stare.
Bhakati was exotic and inherently sensual. His lips parted and he
inclined his head. “Do I have a choice in this?”

“Of course. One word from you and this
lesson is canceled. Do you remember the word?”

“Yes, Sir.” If she called him a pirate, he’d
send Bhakati away.

“Undress,” -- his tone grew more assertive
-- “both of you.”

Rana unfastened her robe and froze. Bhakati
slipped his garment from his shoulders and let it slide to the
floor. Lean, graceful, perfect, his body made her mouth go dry.

Vihlok chuckled at her reaction. “The Elloni
are exceptionally beautiful. That’s why other pleasure givers
emulate their appearance. Touch him. Bhakati, you do not yet have
permission to touch her.”

“Yes, Sir,” the Elloni replied.

Shaking herself from her stupor, Rana
dropped her bathrobe and circled Bhakati. “Your markings are
incredibly intricate.” She followed the pattern with her
fingertips, up one side of his body and down the other.

“You may speak freely, Bhakati. My thrall
tends to be talkative.”

“Thank you, Sir. And thank you, Mistress.
The intricacy of an Elloni’s markings is one criterion in
determining his or her value.”

She knew nothing about the Elloni’s social
structure, so she didn’t respond to the comment. Still, pleasure
givers were notoriously exploited. She would not be party to any
abuse. “Is this your chosen profession? Are you treated well?”

“I was born into this life, but I am
content. Mistress Bliss will not allow any mistreatment of her
children.” He met her gaze with the hint of a smile. “Have no fear,
seratu
, I enjoy my job.”

“If you’re not going to touch him…”

Prompted into action by Vihlok’s impatient
words, she ran her hands over Bhakati. His skin was silky smooth
and warm. He watched her closely, his gaze burning with sensual
promises. She reached his hips and paused. His shaft was as long as
Vihlok’s, but not nearly as thick. She closed her fingers around
him and heard his soft exhale. He was not nearly as unaffected as
he seemed.

She cupped his balls with one hand and
pumped him with the other. He could enter her ass more easily than
Vihlok. A staggering rush of heat gathered in her feminine core.
Was this why Vihlok had chosen him?

“Kiss her, Bhakati. I want to see your hands
on her fair skin.”

The Elloni swept her into his arms, cradling
the back of her head in the crook of his arm. She gasped as his
mouth covered hers. He had been so passive. Carefully controlled
and precise, his kiss lacked the knee melting intensity of
Vihlok’s.

Hands stroked her back, from her shoulders
to her behind, then around to cup her breasts. Bhakati’s arms still
held her, so Vihlok was touching her. “Are you wet, princess? Did
you enjoy touching him?”

She dragged her mouth away from Bhakati’s.
“I’d enjoy touching you.”

“Not tonight. This lesson is about your
pleasure, fulfilling your fantasy.” His fingers pushed into her
hair and he turned her face. “Kiss me, sweet slave. Offer me your
mouth.”

Even whispered like an endearment the word
was shocking. She wasn’t anyone’s slave. His lips covered hers, his
tongue gently stroking. Two gorgeous men were focusing entirely on
her pleasure. How could that be a bad thing? Hands slid and fingers
squeezed. She lost track of who was touching her where.

She reached back and grabbed Vihlok’s hip,
despite his directive.

“Oh, no you don’t.” He pulled her away from
Bhakati and guided her hands to the small of her back. “Hold her
for me. Restraints are too much trouble for what I have in
mind.”

Bhakati grasped her wrists firmly, pulling
her backward until her shoulders pressed against his chest. “May I
continue to touch her, Sir? You are fortunate to have found such a
treasure.”

“Stroke her breasts, while I lick her pussy.
She’ll enjoy that.”

Vihlok knelt in front of her and
anticipation twisted inside her. His mouth never failed to arouse.
He did things with his tongue that amazed her. He wrapped his
fingers around the backs of her thighs and looked up at her. “Do
you want my mouth on you?”

“You know I do.”

He smiled and shook his head. “That’s not
the proper response.”

“Yes, Master.” She let a facetious edge
sharpen her tone. His gaze narrowed and he stood up. “Wait! I’m
sorry, Sir. I didn’t mean to offend you.”

“I’m not offended. I’m disappointed. I
thought you were starting to trust me.”

She said nothing. Arguing with him now would
only prove his point. She’d requested these lessons in
submission.

A sharp voice command opened a compartment
above her head. He reached up and grabbed the wrist cuffs. “Raise
your arms.”

Bhakati let go and stepped back. With a
frustrated sigh, she lifted her arms above her head and Vihlok
fastened the cuffs. He said something to Bhakati in a language she
didn’t understand and tension mounted within her. Would he punish
her?

Even if he did, he would not expect anything
she wasn’t ready to give. She had known more pleasure with Vihlok
than she’d dreamed possible. She had no reason not to trust
him.

“Move your legs apart.”

She immediately obeyed.

Bhakati stepped up behind her and slipped
his hands under her hair. He rubbed her shoulders and traced her
spine, while Vihlok stared at her. A considerable bulge tented the
front of his black pants and his shirt was open at the throat. He
must not be too angry. His erection was still going strong.

“Tease her nipples, while you suck the side
of her neck.”

Strong hands cupped her breasts and a warm
mouth fastened onto her delicate skin. She shivered and twisted
away from the ticklish caress.

She licked her lips, aching for Vihlok’s
mouth and the pleasure of his carnal kiss. “I’m sorry,” she mouthed
the words, not daring to speak again.

His gaze warmed and his expression relaxed.
“Why?”

“Because I didn’t show you the proper
respect.”

“I don’t want your respect. I want your
surrender.”

“I’m ready to surrender -- Sir.”

He moved closer, his gaze locked with hers.
“Are you ready to
submit
?” She parted her lips, but he
placed his fingertips over them before she could speak. “It means
the same thing, but submission sounds demeaning. I will never
demean you, never humiliate or harm you. Do you believe me?”

“Yes, Sir.” Her lips moved against his
fingers.

“Who am I?”

“My Master,” she whispered and he
smiled.

Trailing his fingers along her sides, he
knelt again and peppered kisses across her belly. “You are
important to me.” His tongue circled her navel; then he licked a
path downward. “I love your softness and your scent.” He pressed
his face against the juncture of her thighs, inhaling deeply. “And
I crave your taste.”

His tongue pushed into her crease,
effortlessly finding her clit. She moaned, rocking back against
Bhakati. Vihlok parted her outer flesh with his fingers and adored
her inner folds with gentle licks. His lips moved against her,
while his tongue stroked, pushing deeper with each teasing
pass.

Bhakati caught both her nipples between his
thumb and forefingers. Rolling as he pulled, he created a sensation
very much like a mouth. Her nipples tightened and her clit tingled.
She twisted restlessly.

“Lift her onto me. I need more.” There was a
growing desperation in Vihlok’s tone that sent another wave of
shivers through Rana.