Werewulf Journals 3: Hungry Pleasures (10 page)

this time I see what you find attractive. Isn’t he luscious? Wonderful eye-candy…that’s what the young women call good-looking men nowadays.”

“Speaking of young, don’t you think he’s a little immature for you, Lucinda?”

“Pot calling the kettle black, Sara. You’re just as old as I am. Besides, I don’t want to keep the boy, just sample him once or twice.”

48 Camille Anthony

Kaila opened one eye and glared at the elderly sluts. Both women, unaware of her

scrutiny, laughed salaciously, putting their heads closer together to whisper risqué musings in each other’s ear.

She didn’t care to listen to them serving Pavel up as a beginning entrée to their

insatiable appetites. He was worth much more than that. She would make an entire meal out of him, not just an appetizer.

“Well, Sara, you’ll probably have nothing to worry about on that score. You’ll probably be the first to earn a punishment. You can’t go a day without sneaking a candy bar or something sweet. I doubt you’ll ever get the chance to think up an award session.”

Huey took offense at that. “Oh, I will, too! I’m determined to lose my weight this time.

I bought this season’s Blasé in a size ten. When I go home, I’m going to throw the biggest gala this side of the Rio Grande. G.W., himself, will come and dance with me.”

Lucinda-Dewy twisted around to confront her companion, her expression skeptical in

the extreme. “G.W. comes to every party you throw -- the man is a campaign fund whore.

But if his wife lets him dance with you, I’ll give you the India diamond necklace you’ve been salivating over for the last seven years.”

“Lucinda! Will you, really?”

“No, silly, I won’t have to. You’ll never get those extra pounds off in time for this year’s entertaining.”

Sara’s rounded shoulders slumped. She was the shorter of the two and her hunched

posture made her appear much more so. Kaila, peeking through her lashes, caught a satisfied glint shining in Lucinda’s eyes and realized she’d deflated her companion’s joy and

anticipation on purpose.

Now, Huey, that was just downright mean.

Pursing her lips, Kaila closed her eyes and leaned her head back, having seen and heard enough. She would keep an eye out for that vindictive Lucinda. If she could treat someone she knew -- the two women were obviously acquainted, had probably signed up together for support. They might even be best friends -- as she’d treated poor Sara, she was capable of anything.

God save me from the like! Kaila shuddered. With friends like Lucinda, she would feel safer surrounded by enemies.

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Turkish Delight

Pavel sat in the foremost vehicle, mind and heart racing as he resisted the urge to twist in his seat and luxuriate in another glimpse of Kaila’s sweet form.

She’s here! He’s sent her to me! But there’s a new look in her eyes -- she’s shed some of her innocence. His jaw firmed as he thought of the direct gaze that had clashed with his on the plane. Growing wary, his eyes narrowed, wondering just what Rickard’s testing had consisted of.

While I can’t help being glad she’s lost that air of timidity, it had better not be because he took his testing too far. Damn it, I forgot what a greedy bastard Rickard can be! If he’s fucked her, I’ll strangle him with my bare hands.

Just that quickly, the territorial anger faded, leaving him drained and despondent.

Pavel sighed. No, he wouldn’t strangle Rickard. How could he? He knew his prince didn’t have the most developed sense of patience or self-control, being used to reaching out and grabbing whatever caught his interest.

Besides, he’d done nothing more than stake a nominal claim to Kaila. As of yet, he had no right to his anger. As long as it had been consensual, he had no say in what Kaila did or didn’t do with Rickard or any other man.

Still, he’d like to know how far Rickard had gone, how intimate the interaction

between the two had been. He needed some clue how to proceed in his courtship of her --

because he definitely intended to court her.

It had only taken getting close to her in the small confines of the plane, letting her exquisite scent surround him, for that initial attraction to leap into renewed flame. He bit back a groan.

As a child, he had often overheard the elders speaking of how their kind chose a mate.

The animal part of them cared little about the outward appearance, concerned with more 50 Camille Anthony

visceral things. They used a combination of smell and touch, knowledge and intuition to make that important decision.

Living in chosen exile from his pack since his youth, he had no one to turn to for

instruction, no one to lead him through the clan’s mating rituals. His mother had not spoken to him since he’d challenged her mate and won. Now, ready to settle down with a forever mate, Pavel desperately needed to find out if he could develop this instant olfactory and sexual attraction for Kaila into something deeper, something lasting.

Pavel shifted uncomfortably on the tram’s bench seat, trying to ease the growing ache in his groin. That she was here -- enrolled in the program -- was a mixed blessing. As the director of Sated Pleasures, he answered to no one. Like a Sultan of old, his word was law, his desires paramount. Turkish delight had not always been the name of a sugary delicacy. The original title had referred to the sticky-sweet morsel found between the thighs of the Sultan’s favorites.

Only his own strictly ethical standards kept him from taking Kaila from the tram and

disappearing into the brush with her, discovering what delights might lurk between her creamy brown thighs.

Pavel chewed on his bottom lip, wishing he were sinking his teeth into some part of

Kaila’s delectable body. He’d have to take on her assignment himself. There was no way in hell he could assign her to one of the triads. First, she would be odd man out. Rickard had waited until the last moment to wire he was sending one extra client, giving him no time to assemble another team. More importantly, he couldn’t risk losing control and ripping the throat out of any man who raised his hand to her. Just the thought of her receiving

punishment at the instigation of another made him break out in a sweat. Imagining her full-bodied figure flipped over his lap, her flushed bottom writhing under his punishing blows, caused him to swell and throb as his body produced enough heat to rival the island’s tropical temperatures.

Teeth clenched against the agony of his arousal, Pavel stoically endured for the

remainder of the ride to the Sated Pleasures compound.

It would tickle Rickard to learn he’d been hoist on his own petard. To think, he had

argued against the severity of the treatments, declaring them barbaric and crude, insulting to women. Now he sat, nerves in chaotic disorder, praying Kaila would commit some infraction that would allow him to mete out the very punishments he’d so verbally deplored.

He knew it was only a matter of time before he had an excuse to get his hands on her.

Once he did, he didn’t plan to ever let her go. The difficulty would be holding out till Rickard arrived.

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Bon Appetite!

The trams pulled up under the awning-covered walkway that led to the impressive

double doors guarding the main entrance to Sated Pleasures. The central building consisted of two wings stretching east and west, flanking the three-storied, Mediterranean style complex that greeted all visitors with a display of leaping water fountains surrounded by pockets of flowering gardens in the internal courtyard. Every room on the first floor looked out onto the courtyard, tall windows open to the reflected light.

A folder strategically placed to shield his hardened penis, Pavel ushered the new clients into the plush interior and down the long, airy main hall. Reaching the public parlor, he nodded at the staff to open the doors so the women could enter.

As the women trooped in, they all paused as one, frozen upon the threshold of the

doorway. Inside the opulently decorated room, wide, linen-covered tables groaned under an assortment of beautifully catered, decadently high caloric foods and drink.

“This is your goodbye feast, ladies.” Pavel entered the room, brushing past the stunned women to stand beside the tables, laden with every foodstuff imaginable. Fresh fruit, pasta dishes, garnished with bright red marinara sauces, pizza, lasagna, quiche, and a long list of exotic dishes graced the board.

A sweep of his hand indicated the vast array. “I thought it only fair to allow you this one night of freedom. Since this is the last time most of you will see anything like this, I encourage you to indulge yourselves, enjoy what is before you. If you desire something that is not presently available, you have but to inform your staff. We will see that you receive the item you as soon as possible.”

“I thought we were supposed to be starting our diets.” The hesitant question in the

speaker’s voice spoke volumes about her confusion.

52 Camille Anthony

“Jessica, Sated Pleasures is not about deprivation. Here, we will always try to substitute one pleasure for another. But tonight, you have all come from differing places -- some have traveled farther than others. You are all tired, confused, and a little off balance. You’re in a strange place, surrounded by people you don’t know, and facing a situation that has loomed large in your minds for at least a month. Piling on the added stress of beginning your regimes on top of all that would not be very thoughtful of me.”

“So, when will we start our program?”

“You already have. This is simply the meet-and-greet portion of your personalized

treatments. Tonight is for making the acquaintance of your trainers and the other team members. I advise you to use this time to bond with your support team. They will have a great part in helping you achieve your success.”

“I’ve looked on the board. My name isn’t there. Who is my support team?”

Just the sound of her voice tightened things low in his belly. He’d scented her, felt her presence behind him before she spoke. That knowledge gave him time to school his features into a semblance of disinterested calm.

“Unfortunately, the owner didn’t radio information of your inclusion soon enough for

me to arrange another team. Sated Pleasures was designed to cater to a very specific number of clients at one time. The maximum number of clients was never to exceed fifteen. You are number sixteen.”

Kaila tilted her head, looked up from under drawn brows. “What does that mean,

exactly? There’s no place for me? You’re going to send me away? Why accept my application and my money if there wasn’t room for me?”

Pavel was stunned. Her agitation was real. Rickard must have sent her in cold, set her up as a real client, though, as far as he, Pavel was concerned, Kaila had nothing to lose except her low self-esteem. She was a luscious bundle of feminine flesh he couldn’t wait to sink his cock into.

Wondering what games his prince was playing now, Pavel stared at the woman who

didn’t seem to know she had been gift wrapped and shipped out like an early Christmas present. “First of all, you are here, and here you will stay. Arrangements were set in motion early this afternoon.”

A smile parted her full lips, twinkled in her dark brown eyes. “So, where will I be

staying and when do I meet my trainer?”

Pavel returned her smile, bemused at how infectious it was. “I introduced him to you

on the plane. I am your trainer. You’ll be staying in my private quarters.”

Her smile faltered and fled under her obvious consternation. “What? But I-you-we-

what…?” She scrubbed at her forehead, lost for words. “I don’t understand.”

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“It’s simple. Sated Pleasures was created to cater to fifteen clients or less, at a time.

With that in mind, we built a total of fifteen suites. The director’s wing has several guest suites and so, since I am to be your trainer, I have placed you in one of those.”

“But what will everyone else think?”

Pavel stared at her, his mouth relaxed, but not quite smiling. “All the other trainers are situated as close to their charges. This will be no different.” His smile widened. She had him so worked up he had to work at keeping his fangs hidden. “Besides, I don’t give a damn what everyone thinks. I am the director of this program. No one, not even Rickard has the right to question or overrule my commands.”

Kaila’s body stilled and Pavel’s mouth tightened, catching the almost instinctive

response she gave at hearing the prince’s name. “It seems you’ve become better acquainted with our behind-the-scenes-owner. Is that how you became odd-person out?”

“Wh-wh-what do you mean?”

“I mean, I’ve known Rickard for a long time. He’s never been partial to full-figured

ladies, but you are lovelier than most. Perhaps he’s made an exception in your case.”

Kaila’s brown face twisted into a scowl. “If you’re asking did I fuck my way into this session, the answer is no!” Hands balling into fists, she spat the next words hard and low.

“You know I’ve met Prince Rickard. I met you at the same time. He showed up at my house about a month after the restaurant fiasco and he offered to fit me in.”

Pavel returned her glare with a calm regard. “I’ve no need to ask if he fucked you.”

“You don’t? Aren’t you in the least curious?”

“No.”

“Good.” A questioning frown replaced the scowl. His lack of curiosity didn’t seem to sit well with her. She cleared her throat. “Well, why not?”

“Rickard wouldn’t fuck you and then send you here. To me.” He’d thought that very

thing earlier this afternoon, but there was no need to inform her of his momentary lapse of trust and good sense.

Kaila fisted her hands on her hips and narrowed her pretty sable eyes at him. “You

know this, why…? Why wouldn’t he fuck me? You think I’m too fat for him? Maybe I’m too fat for anyone to want to fuck. Maybe your cousin didn’t really want to fuck me, either!”