Jerred's Price (12 page)

She gave a haunted little smile. “He’s not as easy to work with as you might think,”

she said softly. “I thought you were the better bet. What have they been doing to you?”

She gave his bare groin a pointed look, and he sighed.

“Torturing me, in a way,” he said softly. “Josiah sent Celia to me.”

He saw her breath catch, and she turned away quickly.

“I suppose you couldn’t help yourself,” she said softly. “She is beautiful.”

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“Not as beautiful as you are,” he whispered, trying to make every word sound as sincere as he felt. “All I could think about was you. I managed to fend her off in the end.”

“You mean you didn’t have sex with her?” she asked. “They taped you, Jerred. I know you did.”

“And how did the tape end?” he asked. “Did they show you that part?”

She stayed silent, then abruptly turned and started to work at the cuffs holding his left arm.

“It doesn’t matter, Jerred,” she said. “I’ve made my choice and there’s no going back. Do you think there’s any chance that we’ll get out of this alive?”

“No,” he said softly. “I don’t think we’ll get out of this alive.”

She sat back, forgetting the cuffs. “I guess I expected you to at least try lying about our chances,” she said after a moment. “You aren’t very encouraging.”

“Would you rather that I lie to you?” he asked, fighting back a laugh. “I really wish you hadn’t come here. I don’t want you dead, Giselle.”

She started to work on the cuffs again, managing after a few tries to free his legs.

She crawled up to his head and attacked his hands.

“I don’t want me dead, either,” she said. “But I think it’s too late for that.”

She looked into his face and smiled at him. He only shook his head sadly at her.

“I only have one thing left to trade, Giselle,” he said softly. “That’s information. If I give him what he wants, he might let you go.”

She didn’t reply, focusing instead on the cuffs. He took in a breath to speak again, and she shook her head every so slightly.

He looked confused.

“What—?” he started to ask, but she cut him off, kissing him deeply.

Every time they’d kissed before, he had taken the lead. Not this time. She kissed him hard, like she really meant it. Like she’d wanted to for a long time, she realized. She could feel that attraction leap between them, but she tried to hold her libido in check.

This wasn’t the time for sex—she needed to think. There had to be some way to get through this and get them out. She wasn’t ready to give up yet, and she wouldn’t let Jerred sacrifice himself for her.

Either both of them got out together, or they wouldn’t get out at all. There was nothing in the middle she’d accept. She pulled away from his mouth slowly, and he shifted awkwardly. He seemed dazed, and then he pulled himself together and flexed his arms, still cuffed above his head.

“I’d really like it if you’d finish the job,” he said softly. She shot a look down his body to his erect member.

“Which job?” she asked archly. “I can see a couple of things that need attention.”

He laughed at the joke, although the noise sounded a bit strained.

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“As much as I’d like you to take care of other things, I think my hands need to come first,” he said. “I wish this wasn’t true, but I’m glad to see you, Giselle. Even if you are an idiot for coming to me.”

“What a touching sentiment,” she replied dryly, turning her attention to the cuffs once more. “You’ll turn my head with talk like that.”

He laughed and she joined him, feeling some of the tension ease. Things weren’t looking good, it was true, but she was still glad to be with him.

Now she just had to figure out how they were going to escape.

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Chapter Ten

Josiah sat on his bed, watching Giselle and Jerred on a large vid screen on his wall.

He could see how much Jerred cared for her easily enough. Now if he could just tell for sure how she felt about Jerred. There was a tenderness in the way she worked to free him. And the kiss…well, that had been spectacular. Either the woman cared or she was an amazing actress.

The woman sucking his cock make a mewling noise, and he run his fingers through her hair absently as she moved over him. Karia was stunning, of course. All his women were. But even as she worked her mouth around him, he couldn’t help but feel a bit of boredom.

How long had it been since he’d kissed anyone with the fervency he’d seen between Giselle and Jerred? He couldn’t remember.

Karia took his soft caress as encouragement, and he let himself fall back among his pillows to enjoy. Her mouth worked up and down him steadily, each stroke sending streaks of sensation through his body. He managed to watch Giselle and Jerred through slitted eyes, although he no longer paid close attention to them. They whispered together, nuzzling like puppies. His guards were monitoring them, of course, and he’d be able to hear the playback later if they said anything of interest. Still, he liked to watch their faces. Maybe he was crazy, but he really did think the woman cared for Jerred.

He realized with a start that he was more than a bit jealous of his old friend. The thought disgusted him.

With a snort, he waved the vid off and turned his attention to Karia. Her long, curly black hair spilled over his stomach in a way that couldn’t help but arouse him. He shifted his hips beneath her, and she wrapped her arms around his waist. He could feel his body pulling together, energy building at his center. His response was purely physical, his body reacting to hers the way men had responded to women since time began. Her mouth was hot and moist around him, sucking him deep within, and then pulling slowly back until he felt like screaming.

He didn’t want to come in her mouth tonight, though. He wanted her beneath him—he wanted this time to be mutual. The thought startled him. He had been with Karia many times, and her mouth was definitely her best feature.

Still… if she came too, he had a feeling it would be a bit more like what Jerred and Giselle seemed to share. What would it be like to have sex with a woman who really cared? Karia didn’t care—he knew that. But she was very good at pretending.

He reaching down and pulled her up his body. She came hungrily, her eyes large and brown and smoky. He pulled her across his chest, kissing her deeply and running 76

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his hands down the smooth length of her back. She wiggled against him, all but purring in his arms, and thoughts of Jerred and Giselle faded.

He gripped her round, firm ass in his hands, pulling her close, and then slowly rolled her over on to her back. She seemed a bit startled but more than willing to go along with him. He kissed her again, this time rubbing the spot between her legs with his thigh. He could feel moisture there; her response wasn’t feigned. He started kissing down her chin, and then followed the long, smooth line of her neck. She twisted against him appreciatively, her fingers curling into his shoulders.

He reached her chest, nuzzling the hollows between her soft, rounded breasts. Her nipples were hard, and he reached over to nuzzle them with his lips and tongue.

She growled.

He moved lower now, kissing his way across her stomach, dipping his tongue into her navel. She shuddered beneath him, and her nails dug into his shoulders sharply.

The slight pain shot through him, and for the first time he felt a shock of real interest in her.

How jaded had he become?

She dug her nails into him further, and he moved lower. Her mound was smooth and shaved, almost unnaturally perfect, and he wondered if she’d had surgery. Not that it was any of his business; he hardly cared what she chose to do with her body. Giselle had never had surgery, he was relatively sure of that. She seemed to be utterly comfortable with herself just the way she was… He shook off the thought. He reached Karia’s clit, a small, hard point of desire that called sweetly to him. He licked the tip, and then sucked the small organ into his mouth softly. Her fingers dug into him again, and he sucked harder.

The harder he sucked, the more she seemed to respond, until he realized that she liked it rough. This was a side of Karia that he’d never seen. He’d never followed her lead before, never tried to truly please her.

No wonder he didn’t have a woman like Giselle; he was a selfish lover.

The thought threw him off balance, and he grazed her clit with his teeth. Instantly, he pulled back, but she sighed in pleasure and murmured, “Do it again…”

He did.

Soon he was nipping at her, taking care not to hurt her but growing steadily rougher. The new sensation was exciting. He felt himself getting harder, and suddenly it wasn’t enough to simply pleasure her. He wanted to experience it with her. He pulled his head back and knelt to look at her. Her eyes were glazed, a strange little smile twisting across her face.

“What are you gong to do to me now?” she asked, her voice almost taunting. “You want to play; I can see it in your eyes. I like to play games.”

He watched her steadily for a moment, trying to decide what to do next. She seemed so sure of herself, so different from the deferential lover he was used to having 77

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warm his bed. She slithered up the bed on her butt, and slowly leaned forward on her knees so she faced him.

She cocked her head, looking at him strangely.

“How far will you go?’ she asked softly. “Would you rape me? Would you fuck me even if I screamed at you to stop?”

He smiled slowly. “Would you scream at me to stop?” he asked.

“No,” she whispered in reply. “I wouldn’t. There’s nothing you could to do me that I wouldn’t want you to keep doing.”

Something about the way she said it, the intensity in her eyes, frightened him. It was too arousing, almost too much for him to comprehend. Nothing touched him any more, but the thought of chasing her did. He wanted to chase her, catch her, take her in the strangest ways he could imagine.

He felt a slow smile steal across his face. “Turn around,” he said.

“Make me.”

He nodded his head, holding her eyes as he reached out to grab her shoulders. He rotated her slowly, and then pushed her down roughly onto the bed. She wiggled her ass at him, and he slapped it lightly.

“Hold still,” he said softly, allowing a touch of menace to creep into his tone. She shivered, and he reached down between her legs to feel her slit.

She dripped for him.

He fingered her for a moment, trying to decide what to do with her. She writhed, thrusting up at him and offered herself without thought.

“Lay your arms out flat,” he said abruptly. “I want to see them above your head.”

He leaned down over her, allowing his cock to rest against her ass as his chest touched her back. He reached out along her arms, feeling the smooth flesh and sleek muscles of her young, hard body.

His arms were longer, of course, which made it easy enough to grab the tasseled cord that held back the heavy hangings surrounding his bed. Within moments he had her hands tied. He was careful to keep the soft ropes loose enough to allow circulation, but they were tight. He felt her pull against them, and then felt the quiver run through her body as she realized she wasn’t going to get free. Not until he let her.

He raised himself again, rubbing his hands against her back and digging his fingers into the muscles. He was careful to be gentle, working the flesh in a way that made her shudder in a new kind of sensual pleasure. Usually she gave
him
backrubs, he realized.

It had never occurred to him to return the favor. His hands moved lower and lower on her body, grasping the globes of her ass and squeezing them tightly.

She wiggled at him again, and he squeezed tighter. This time his fingers left marks, and she moaned.

“More,” she whispered.

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Bemused, he slapped her. Her butt bucked up, and when he reached down to touch her slit again she was sopping. He slapped her harder, this time hard enough to leave a reddish mark.

She writhed harder, her ass bright red from his blows. His cock tightened painfully.

It was time take her.

He reached down around her waist and roughly pulled her up into position. She struggled a bit, but her knees came up to support her weight. He positioned himself at the opening between her legs and abruptly thrust in, hitting home with the first motion.

His cock was big, and it bumped against her cervix. She gasped and moaned, wiggling around as he impaled her. Normally he was careful to hold himself back, realizing that he was big enough to hurt a woman.

Karia liked it, though.

He slammed into her again, harder this time. He knew it had to hurt her, but she just pushed back at him, as if she wanted him to go into her body even harder. He reached down under her body and grasped one breast firmly, pinching it as he slammed down into her again. Her muscles spasmed around him and she arched back at him.

“More,” she muttered under her breath, her voice rough. “I want more.”

He slammed into her again and again, each time harder than the next. She pushed back at him, and he could feel her body growing tense. She was near her orgasm, and that was a good thing. He wasn’t sure how much longer he’d be able to hold out. Her vagina was like an exquisite, painfully tight glove encasing him, squeezing him, milking him so hard it hurt. He heard the blood roaring in his ears, felt his heart pounding in a staccato.

She bucked against him once more, and struck with inspiration, he pulled himself up and slapped her ass one more time. Hard. She squealed and came. Her entire body seized, gripping him as if in a vise, and he exploded into her. Again and again his body pumped into her. Finally, spent, he collapsed on top of her. She lay still for a while, and then started testing the ropes holding her hands.

“Are you going to let me up?” she asked in a sooty voice. “Or am I just going to lie here under you forever? I think I could stand that if I had to.”

He reached forward and loosened the ties. Normally he would dismiss her, but there was a sparkle in her eyes that intrigued him. He leaned in closer, as if to kiss her.

She struck swiftly, biting his lip hard enough to draw blood. Once again, that new awareness came over him. It was as if he could feel again for the first time in ages.

“Do you like that?” she asked, her tone arch. “Because I do. I want to play with you in ways that redheaded girl couldn’t even begin to imagine.”

The image of Giselle in Jerred’s arms leapt into his head one more time. He didn’t want to think about them, about the bond they shared. Angrily, he leaned forward and took Karia’s mouth harshly, grinding her lips under his, pushing her down again on the 79

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bed. Her legs wrapped around his hips, pulling him against her body even as she dug her sharp nails into his ass. Pain seared through, sweet and cleansing.

“Do you think you’ll be ready for another round any time soon?” she asked in a whisper when he finally released her mouth.

He ground against her, feeling the beginnings of an erection. “Yes,” he replied softly.

“Good,” she said. “I want you long and hard, and this time I want it in the ass.”

He shuddered, taking her mouth once more. Jerred and Giselle were forgotten.

* * * * *

Giselle leaned against Jerred, enjoying the strong warmth of his body as she tried to think of some way to escape. She knew they were being watched, and almost certainly taped. She needed to find some way to let him know what was going on, but she didn’t want to tip her hand.

He wasn’t helping. All he had talked about since she arrived was how foolish she had been. She should have stayed with Josiah. She should have saved herself. She should have sold him out. Finally she’d told him not to talk to her at all.

Instead, he held her, softly nuzzling at her neck and causing all kinds of new problems. She knew all too well that anything they might indulge while in the cell was bound to amuse their watchers. As she felt his length grow against her leg, she almost decided she didn’t care. She wanted him, and every cell in her body sang out for her to mate with him. But she had a feeling Josiah would enjoy that a little too much, and she’d already provided him with far too much entertainment.

He made her think of those hideous insects that lived on Hector Prime. They wove a silky, sticky web, then hid themselves to one side and waited as other insects caught themselves in it. She had read somewhere that the creatures liked to eat their prey alive.

Definitely similar to Josiah, on so many levels.

She felt exhausted. Jerred stroked a finger through her hair slowly, and the sensation soothed her until she was dozing. She slipped into a dream, blessedly free from worries for the moment. She and Jerred were sitting in the middle of a field of green grass. A child sat near them, several children, in fact. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she knew they were Jerred’s nephews. A woman came walking up to them, carrying two tall, cool glasses filled with water. She looked like Jerred—same strong features, same black hair, although hers was streaked with gray, lending her an air of authority and dignity.

She knelt beside them gracefully, and turned to Giselle with a smile.

“I’m proud of you, child,” she said. “You’ve been taking very good care of him. But I think it’s time for the two of you to come home.”

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Giselle nodded at her, agreeing. Unfortunately, she couldn’t remember how to get home. She opened her mouth, ready to ask the woman for directions, but one of the children called out. The woman’s face creased with concern, and she turned away.

Giselle tried to speak, but nothing came out. The woman stood and started walking away. Giselle wanted to get up after her, but Jerred’s head was heavy in her lap. She looked down at him and saw something dreadful.