Take Me (8 page)

He may kill you
. The thought sent a new stream of terror through her, dousing her desire for him. Perhaps she was just being paranoid, but what reason would he have to keep her around? There was certainly no shortage of women on this planet. And from all she'd heard about Belton from the Council, the humans on this planet were uncivilized heathens. There would be no reason not to terminate her life.

“You may as well kill me now,” she ground out, tears pricking behind her eyelids. “As I have said before, I refuse to tell you anything.”

“Kill you, Talia?” He laughed, and the cold sound sent chills through her. His hand tightened in her hair. “What gives you the idea that I want to kill you? That would bring me very little…pleasure.”

He stepped away from her and she opened her eyes, watching as he moved back into the room. He went to the cabinet behind his desk and brought out a bottle of wine, followed by two glasses.

“How long have you been the Council's little sex slave, Natalia?”

Her teeth snapped together. He'd called her Natalia. Only the Council had called her by that name. Obviously he was trying to put her back in the mind-set of her Rosabelle status.

“Answer me.” His voice sharpened.

“Four years. Since I turned eighteen.”

“Hmm.” His gaze narrowed. “You are younger than I originally thought.”

She looked away and outside, to where people—women as well—walked freely through a courtyard.

“Come, sit beside me on the couch.”

Her throat tightened and she glanced toward the door. She could always try to escape, but she'd be lucky to reach the hall.

“It was not a request, Natalia.”

She closed her eyes and then nodded, crossing the room to sit next to him. He handed her the glass of wine and she took a hesitant sip.

“That's better.” He touched a strand of hair and held her gaze. “When was the first time you heard them discuss attacking Belton?”

She glanced away. “I don't recall them ever speaking of such things.”

He twisted a strand of hair around his finger and tugged. “You're lying, Talia.”

Of course she was. They both knew it. “Perhaps. But how can you know for sure?”

“I don't understand. Why do you protect them?”

Irritation sparked in her blood. “I am loyal by nature. If you knew me well enough, you would know this line of questioning is pointless.”

“They treated you like shit. Worse than shit. And yet you cover up for them.” He took her glass of wine and set it on the table next to his, then grabbed her chin and forced her to look at him. His gaze sparked fire. “Did you fancy that they loved you, Natalia? That they loved their Rosabelle? Or perhaps that you were in love with them?”

Images flitted through her head. Of all the times she'd been forced to tolerate their touch, forced to pleasure them. How brutal they'd been the first time they'd taken her when she'd been a terrified virgin.

No. Love was not an emotion that came to mind when she thought of the Council. She clenched her teeth, refusing to answer Ryder. Her heart pounded heavy beneath her breast.

Something else flickered in his gaze. Something hard. “Or maybe you got off on it. Three men taking turns fucking you.”

Her stomach churned, bile rose in her throat. “Stop. You know nothing about my life.”

He gripped her shoulders and leaned over her, heat and anger in his eyes now. “Did you like it, Talia?”

“Why are you asking me these questions? You have no right,” she ground out and shoved her hands against his chest to try and push him away.

“I have every right. Answer me. Did you enjoy being their personal whore?”

She freed her hand and brought it hard across his cheek. “No! I hated it. You fucking bastard, I hated it!”

Relief flashed in his eyes, before his mouth crushed down on hers. He grabbed her wrists, pinning them behind her back in one of his hands.

She groaned, tried to turn her head but his mouth followed. His tongue slid past her lips and beyond her emotional defenses. Everything inside her melted. Nothing mattered but his touch and the resulting fire that raged inside her body.

H
e leaned her back on the couch, transferring her wrists above her head. Using his free hand, he jerked the thin nylon dress off of her breasts. His mouth covered one rigid nipple and he sucked hard. Pleasure arrowed from her breasts to her pussy, and the ache between her thighs built.

His teeth caught the nipple and he bit just enough to make her cry out. He soothed his tongue over the tip and then began to suck again.

A moan tore from her throat and she arched her back, pressing her breast farther into his mouth.

“Talia.” He turned his attention to the other nipple, blowing a stream of warm air against the pink tip before wrapping his lips around it and suckling.

He released her hands and pushed the dress over her hips until the fabric just covered her stomach. His massive hands closed over her thighs, spreading them wide as his thumb honed in on her swollen clit.

She dug her fingers into his hair, clutching the short strands, and pressed herself against his hand.

He dipped his thumb into her cunt, coating it in her own slippery juices before moving it back to rub over the sensitive ball of nerves.

“I want to taste you, Talia.” He slid down between her thighs and she could feel his hot breath against her pussy. “Have wanted to the moment I first saw you in the corridor yesterday.”

“Please.”

“That's right, princess. Beg me.” He moved his thumb up and down the slit of her cunt. “You're going to beg me to eat your pussy and then beg me to fuck it.”

“Ryder…” She squirmed against him, her thighs wet with her own arousal.

“Say it. Say you want me to fuck you.”

She groaned. “I want you to fuck me.
Please
.”

His tongue thrust into her slit and she gasped. He moved it in and out of her cunt, before sweeping it up and around her clit.

Her hips lifted up and he pressed them back down, pushing two fingers inside her. The sounds of her wetness filled the room as he started to fuck her with the digits.

His tongue flicked faster against her clitoris, circling and pressing, before he finally drew it into his mouth and sucked.

Her stomach clenched and she closed her eyes, throwing back her head. The pleasure built, spiraling higher and harder, and then exploded in her head. Her thighs clenched around Ryder's head, her hands held his mouth to her cunt as he kept licking and sucking on her.

The shaking of her body finally eased and he moved off her. Flipping her onto her stomach, he then lifted her onto her knees.

“Who am I?” He grabbed her hair and tugged, jerking her head back.

She pressed her ass back against him and groaned. “Ryder.”

“And you're going to let me fuck your hot little pussy Aren't you, princess?” His hand moved between her legs, rubbing her wet cunt.

“Yes. Oh gods yes.” She gasped when he pinched her clit.

“Beg me.”

“Please, Ryder!”

His hands gripped her hips, and then she felt his erection probe the folds of her cunt. The thick head of his cock moved oh so slow into her.

Oh gods he was big. She closed her eyes, the air hissing from her lungs. He stretched her to the point of near pain, pushing deeper and deeper still. Gods, he was long and thick.

He made one hard thrust and embedded himself to the hilt. The walls of her cunt stretched to accommodate his girth and she groaned.

“Talia. You feel so fucking good.” His fingers bit into the flesh on her hips and then he started to move.

He pulled out, bringing the head of his cock to her entrance and then thrust hard back in. Again and again he repeated the process. Each long pull of his cock against her vaginal walls dragged a shudder through her.

His thrusts became faster and harder. Her knees grew weak against the leather couch. She fell forward and her ass lifted higher into the air. He pressed a hand against the back of her shoulders, holding her down while slamming his cock deeper into her.

“Talia.” He pressed deep and then she could feel his cum thick and warm inside her.

He stayed inside her for a few seconds, didn't move. Her heart raced and she rubbed her ass against him, their bodies both slick with sweat.

When he pulled out of her, she knew immediately he was upset. She hesitated before standing up and glancing over at him.

His jaw was tight as he pulled his clothes back on. He was not angry with her. Instinctively she knew it. He was angry with himself.

Once dressed he turned and approached her. He reached out a hand and grasped her jaw, the fingers on her skin soft yet controlling.

“Talia…In general I don't mix business with pleasure, but with you I'm making an exception.” He dropped a hard kiss on her mouth, his tongue thrusting deep and showing just who was in control.

When he lifted his head again there was no emotion in his eyes. “I'll have Ines escort you back to your room. We'll continue the questioning tomorrow.”

 

The shock on her face still lingered in Ryder's head an hour after Talia had left. Gods, why had he treated her like that? Said such harsh words when it was all the woman had ever known?

He was no better than the fucking Council who had spent four years tearing her down physically and emotionally.

He thrust a hand through his hair and shook his head. Fuck, he'd even gotten himself off in the shower so he wouldn't lose control. And look where it had gotten him. Balls deep in the sweetest cunt on the planet.

“Fuck.” He crossed the room and stared out the window. Tonight had been a complete failure on his part. He hadn't gotten her to confess anything…except that she hated her life as a Rosabelle.

Some of the tension eased from his shoulders. He needed to stop being hostile toward her. If anything she was just a victim in this whole mess. She didn't deserve that life. If she would confess what she knew about the suspected attack, then maybe he could help her.

He'd been naïve to think she'd just confess everything. She didn't trust him. What reason had he given her to?

There was a knock on the door and he glanced toward it wearily. Surely it wouldn't be Talia. He'd sent her back to her room with instructions that she be guarded until further notice.

He took a deep breath and went to open the door.

Krystal grinned at him from the hallway and then walked past him into his office. That's right. Dillon had mentioned she'd wanted to speak with him.

“Hello, big brother. How are things?”

Things are shit. I just fucked the prisoner and am no closer to preventing a planned attack on our planet
.

He gave a brief smile. “Fine, kid. Everything is fine. What are you up to?”

“Oh, not much. This and that.” She wandered around the room, picking up books off his desk and glancing at them before setting them back down. “I had the opportunity to spend some time with Talia today. She's quite nice.”

“Is she?” he answered ambiguously.

He'd forgotten that Krystal had been assigned to check in on her. Perhaps that hadn't been the wisest idea. Krystal was soft, tended to only see the good in people.

“She really is, Ry.” She folded her arms across her chest and, even though she was a good foot shorter than he was, managed to stare him down. “And I'd like to know why you've condemned her to being treated like a dangerous prisoner.”

So Talia had managed to charm his sister as well? Shit. He didn't need this. Krystal might have just turned eighteen, but she had never been afraid to voice her disagreement with him.

Their parents had died in a pod accident some years back, and Ryder had taken the responsibility of raising her. She adored him and had made it her goal to wrap her big brother around her little finger. She was spoiled and always had been. He didn't mind indulging her, though he could see the error in his ways now. It made her stubborn and determined. And now here she was again, trying to get him to back off Talia.

“Krystal, this is business you know nothing about.” And she didn't. She had no idea their lives were in danger. That any moment a supposed allied planet could attack them.

“Yes, but I think I know when someone is being treated in a manner that they don't warrant.”

“This is ridiculous,” he finally shouted. “She is not locked in some dark dungeon, being forced to only eat bread and water.”

“No, of course not, brother. If she had been I would have ordered someone to have you beaten within an inch of your life, not come in here to try and reason with you.” She glared at him. “You have a vulnerable woman locked in a room with no company, no access to the outside, and nothing but the fear in her head to occupy her thoughts.”

He closed his eyes. Except for when he'd had her dragged in here and then had damn near forced himself on her.

“All right. You may escort her outside the building for one hour, twice a day.” He opened his eyes again and gave his sister's shoulder an affectionate squeeze. “And you may have the teletron installed and show her how to use it.”

“Oh thank you, Ry!” She squealed and leaned on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. “You're the best. I will ensure she stays out of trouble.”

“Do that.”

There was a knock at the door, saving him from adding onto the warning.

“You may enter.”

The door beeped as the code was being dialed, and then opened. Dillon strode in, his steps faltering as he spotted Krystal.

“Hey, Dillon.” She turned her grin on him.

“Hello, Krystal.” His gaze lingered on her just a little too long before he cleared his throat.

Ryder fought the urge to shake his head. Any time he forgot how fast Krystal was blooming into womanhood, he just had to watch Dillon when he came near her. The man was besotted at best. Which suited Ryder fine. If his sister had to grow up and run off with some man, then he'd prefer to know who the lucky bastard was and keep an eye on him.

“I came to check on how the questioning went with the prisoner. I saw Ines escorting her back to the room.”

Krystal gave a heavy sigh and poked her finger into Dillon's chest. “She has a name, you know. It's Talia. And like I just got done telling my brother, you better start being a little nicer to her.”

Dillon's brows drew together. “Excuse me? What would you have us do? Have flowers delivered and send in a masseuse?”

“Your sarcasm is unbecoming, Dillon,” she chided. “Really, my brother was so much more reasonable. Anyhow…I must be off. Have a good night, gentlemen.”

Krystal sauntered out of the room without a second glance.

“Tell me she's lying.” Dillon finally jerked his gaze from the door she'd exited. “Did you agree to better conditions for the prisoner?”

Damn, he should've expected this from Dillon. Hell, he deserved it. Everyone on the planet knew Krystal had her big brother in the palm of her hand.

“I may have agreed to a few allowances.”

“You spoil her.” Dillon's jaw clenched. “If anyone else had made the request, you would have turned them down. Natalia is a prisoner, not a guest on our planet. She's the only key to saving—”

“I know.”

“Do you?”

“I know,” Ryder snarled. Fuck. Krystal hadn't been the entire reason he'd agreed. He still felt like shit for the way he'd treated Talia earlier in the evening. Sisterly pleading had only gone so far; the guilt had sealed the deal.

“I don't understand you, Ryder.” Dillon shook his head. “You haven't become involved with her, have you?”

Ryder didn't answer. He'd never lied to Dillon and saw no point in starting now.

“Son of a bitch, Ryder.” Dillon strode across the room and looked out the window. “You should let me take over the questioning.”

“I'll deal with it.”

“How? At least I can promise to keep my dick in my trousers.”

“Yeah? And how do I know that? She's beautiful, educated, sexually trained—”

“I have no feelings of lust or attraction to our prisoner,” Dillon interrupted quietly. “I think we both know that I am only interested in one woman.”

The tension eased from Ryder's shoulders. His friend sure picked a hell of a time to have the talk about Krystal. “I was wondering when you would make mention of it. Though of course I knew.”

“You knew?” Dillon turned from the window, his gaze searching. “Does this mean I have your blessing?”

Ryder gave a brief nod. “Of course you do. There is no other man I would trust more to be with my sister.” His mouth twisted in amusement. “However, I must ask if Krystal returns your feelings.”

Dillon hesitated. “I do not think she considers me anything but a friend, nor is she aware of my feelings for her. But I believe that she will come to love me in time.”