Codename Courtesan Autumn Page 5

  “Please. No teasing. I ache too badly.” Tremulous and needful, her voice was barely recognizable.

  “For what do you ache?” Positioning himself at her entrance, he moved his fingers to her clit. “Tell me exactly what you want.”

  “Your cock deep inside me! Please, fuck me now.”

  With one arm wrapped around her waist and his free hand stroking her clit, he thrust into her snug pussy and gave her exactly what she wanted.

  Chapter Five

  Autumn’s heart thudded in her chest as she approached the central embassy, Ra’jen at her side. They’d spent the night exploring each other, and she’d slept snuggled against his side. He’d warned her again before they left the base that he would need to be harsh and commanding. Controlling others through fear kept actual violence to a minimum.

  Dressed in his sleek gray-blue armor, with his hair bound in a queue, he looked hard and deadly, far different from the tender lover who had awakened her with lingering kisses and gentle caresses.

  Located just off the mall in Washington, DC, the embassy had once been an art museum. With stately columns and marble floors, the Greek revival architecture added a sense of culture to the world’s oldest profession.

  Excitement rippled through the occupants as Autumn and Ra’jen were escorted into the main common room. Autumn spotted Rebecca and Celinna immediately as well as at least a dozen of the ambassadors. Ra’jen wrapped his arm around her waist, his hand dipping low on her hip. She was dressed in black pants and another of his dress shirts. She’d tied the shirttails around her waist so the outfit didn’t appear so oversized.

  “Where is Belietta?” she asked the room at large.

  Her phrasing was met with speculative murmurs. Belietta insisted on being called Mistress. Only Celinna used her given name.

  “She hasn’t come down yet,” Celinna volunteered. “I’ll let her know you’ve returned.”

  Rebecca eyed her with open hostility before her gaze shifted to Ra’jen and stuck. The reaction was repeated by everyone in the room. The armored general was far more interesting than their wayward coworker.

  Celinna hurried down the staircase and smiled at Ra’jen. “She’ll be right down.”

  “Good,” he replied. “My time is valuable.”

  “Of course it is. If Autumn had warned us of your visit, we would have been prepared.”

  “Autumn was unaware of my plans, and you should be prepared to receive VIPs at any time. You are here for the pleasure of my men, anytime night or day.”

  “I apologize for the oversight, sir. It will not happen again.”

  “I know it won’t.” He flashed an enigmatic smile that made Autumn’s insides quiver, and she wasn’t the only one affected by him. She heard giggles to her right, and Celinna was blushing like a schoolgirl.

  Belietta rushed down the wide staircase, dressing gown billowing out behind her. Without benefit of makeup and styled hair, she looked even older than her fifty-four years. Autumn wasn’t looking forward to this confrontation, but it was essential if she were to claim her new place in the embassy.

  Flustered and annoyed, Belietta started to extend her hand then chose a stiff bow instead. “I apologize for making you wait, General Noirte. How can I be of assistance?”

  “My woman was savagely beaten at the hands of one of your whores. I would like to know what action was taken.”

  “Your w-woman?” She manufactured a smile and motioned toward Autumn. “Are you referring to our whipping girl?”

  He stepped forward with a menacing glare. “Autumn is my woman, and she will be afforded all the respect and deference due that position. Am I clear?”

  “Absolutely.” Belietta straightened her shoulders and tightened her belt. “From this moment forth, Autumn shall have anything she wants.”

  “Yes, she will. That’s why I’ve left your fate in her hands. But that doesn’t answer my question. What happened to the bitch who whipped her until her back was bloodied and bruised?”

  “She was reprimanded.” Belietta’s voice was suddenly thin and shaky.

  “Verbally?”

  “Yes.”

  “And that’s all?”

  “Tell me what you want done, and I’ll see to it.”

  “There is no need. Autumn will make that decision as well.” He waved Belietta away and turned to Autumn. “I must leave. Kiss me good-bye.”

  She wrapped her arms around his neck and parted her lips for his tongue. Frustrated by the armor separating them, she kissed him with more passion than she’d intended, boldly rubbing herself against his thigh.

  “Gods, woman, you’ve bewitched me!” He ripped the front of her shirt open and bent her over his arm, suckling her breasts with noisy gusto. She gasped and wiggled, clasping the back of his head. “I can’t get enough of you.”

  He suddenly turned her toward the back of a nearby sofa and bent her over the high cushions. “Wait, love.” She struggled a little, wishing there were another way. “Let’s go to my room.”

  “No time.” He unfastened her pants and dragged them down past her knees. “I need that hot, wet pussy right now!”

  Pulse pounding in her ears, Autumn bent forward, contouring her body to the arch of the couch. His armor felt cool and strange against her bare ass, but the thick thrust of his cock was blissfully familiar. He grasped her hips and pulled her higher, onto the balls of her feet. Her sharp cry didn’t need to be faked. His hot shaft stretched her inner muscles, driving deeper and deeper until he had no more to give.

  “So fucking tight.” He groaned loudly. Then to her surprise, he slipped his hand between her body and the couch, lightly cupping her mound. “Come for me. I love the way you squeeze me when you come.”

  His fingers parted and searched, finding her clit. She’d expected a quick show for the benefit of the others, undeniable proof that she was his. Instead, he rubbed her with focused determination, and her body surrendered to his demand. Warm cream bathed his cock and sensations swirled through her pussy, following the circular motion of his finger.

  “Don’t be shy,” he reminded her. “Let me hear how much you want this.”

  She tossed her head and pushed back against him, making more room for his hand. “Yes! Right there. Oh God, that feels good.” He pulled back then slid deep. His languid movements drew another cry from her throat. “Please, fuck me hard!”

  “Come now if you want it hard.”

  She closed her eyes, blocking out the fascinated stares and envious gazes watching their every move. It was just Ra’jen touching her, making her senses sing. Her inner muscles tightened, and the sensations wound. Then he squeezed her clit and she screamed his name, coming hard around his thrusting cock.

  His hand moved back to her hip, and he adjusted the angle of her body, allowing him to shuttle smoothly in and out. She cried out with each thrust, lost to everything but Ra’jen.

  He pulled her feet off the floor and buried himself inside her, releasing his seed with a strangled cry. His armor rattled as the spasms shuddered through him. He held her for a long, silent moment. Everyone in the room seemed afraid to breathe. Then he slowly withdrew and tucked his cock away as if this happened every day.

  Turning her to face him, he kissed her deeply, and his hand slipped between her thighs. “I want my scent on you when I return.” He coated her nipples with his cum, his gaze burning into hers. “You are mine. Never forget it.”

  She touched his face and smiled, unashamed of her disheveled appearance. “I miss you already.”

  He pulled her pants up and closed her shirt over her breasts then paused for one final kiss. Tingling with aftershocks, she watched him leave the embassy.

  “How the hell did you accomplish that in one night?” Belietta demanded with equal parts anger and awe.

  Tying the shirttails at her waist, Autumn smoothed down her hair before she turned to confront her ex-madam. “Ra’jen said you would be too dangerous to leave alive, but I’m going to risk it.” />
  “Ra’jen? He lets you call him by his given name?” Celinna stayed a step back from the madam as they advanced across the room.

  “And what have you decided instead?” Belietta asked with obvious dread.

  Autumn had expected a power struggle, at least some sarcastic repartee. “The southeast embassy is the least profitable. I’m having you transferred there to see if you can turn things around.”

  Belietta gasped, hands planted on her hips. “That’s an impossible task. The refineries around the embassy are played out. The only customers they get are offshore workers who venture inland on leave.”

  “I have confidence in your abilities. The embassy will turn a profit within a year, or I’ll reconsider General Noirte’s recommendation.”

  “Autumn, please. I’ve been fair with you. I allowed you to ease into this life and I never --”

  “Threatened to withhold the compound if I failed to seduce the most powerful man in the Protectorate? A man who made no secret about his disdain for pleasure ambassadors. Sounds rather like an impossible task to me.”

  “Give me the West Coast. I’ll make so much money for you --”

  “I’ve made my decision. A transport is waiting outside. Pack what you need for a day or two, and I’ll have the rest boxed up and delivered.”

  “Autumn --”

  “That’s Mistress Autumn to you. Now get out of my sight!” Motivated by two embassy guards, the madam rushed back up the stairs, and Autumn turned her attention to Rebecca. “Come here.”

  The ambassador ran across the room and threw herself at Autumn’s feet. “Please, Mistress. I am so sorry. I was jealous and petty and --”

  “You’re going with Belietta. You better hurry. If they leave without you, I’ll let Ra’jen deal with you when he returns.”

  Easily seeing the wisdom of Autumn’s choice, Rebecca darted up the stairs after the madam. Autumn looked around the room. The others watched her with a mixture of fear and hope. Belietta had been selfish and entirely focused on the profit margin. Maybe Autumn could develop new policies that would focus more on the safety and well-being of her girls. Her girls? This was all happening so fast.

  “Mistress Autumn?”

  She looked at Celinna, deciding she liked the sound of the title. “Yes.”

  “I would very much like to stay. I will serve you faithfully as I did…” Apparently she decided any mention of Belietta was counterproductive to her cause.

  “I have no quarrel with you, Celinna. You’re a patient and talented trainer. I will need your assistance in the coming days.”

  “Thank you, Mistress.”

  It was imperative that Autumn surround herself with people she could trust. Loyalty would be nurtured and rewarded while the slightest betrayal would be met with harsh consequences. She was setting precedence here today.

  “Would you like Belietta’s room?” she asked the trainer. “I prefer to keep mine.”

  Celinna’s gaze widened and she nodded. “I would like that very much.”

  “Then come to the office once they’ve gone. I’m going to audit the records.”

  “Of course, Mistress. Is there anything else I can do for you?”

  Giddy with pleasure and triumph, Autumn embraced her new role. “Coffee would be wonderful when you have time. There’s no hurry.”

  * * *

  “We’ve got to stop meeting like this.” Ulrick Brant sauntered into Ra’jen’s office and sat in one of two chairs situated in front of the general’s desk.

  “Thanks for responding to my request. I really didn’t want this conversation to go out over a comlink.” Deactivating his display, Ra’jen gave his full attention to his visitor.

  “Don’t trust your own security?”

  “I don’t trust anyone.” Ra’jen pushed his chair back from the desk and stood. “Would you like a drink?”

  “I’m on duty.” Brant grinned. “For that matter, so are you.”

  Ra’jen dropped several ice cubes into a glass then filled it with water. “What percentage of your workforce is female?”

  “Maybe half of one percent. Why?”

  “Are they given separate accommodation? Who is responsible for their protection?” He moved back toward his desk, but leaned against the front rather than returning to his chair.

  “Each plant is different. Some don’t have onsite accommodations for the workers. Those that do are basically self-policed. The strongest make the rules and force the others to obey. We’ve tried implementing formal structure but it always compromises productivity. Law of the jungle seems to work best, so I leave well enough alone.”

  “How are infractions reported if these places are ‘self-policed’?”

  Brant crossed his legs, impatience hardening his friendly expression. “Cut the bullshit, Noirte. What’s stuck in your craw this time?”

  “Rape. Are your female workers being gang raped on a regular basis?”

  His forehead wrinkled and genuine disgust filled his gaze. “Of course not. Females are quickly claimed by the strongest male, and it’s his responsibility to protect her. She’s free to seek a new protector at any time. If women are being raped, I’m certainly not hearing about it.”

  “Which doesn’t mean it’s not happening.” Ra’jen set his glass down and narrowed his gaze on Brant’s face. “According to my source, it’s a much bigger problem than you know.”

  “Who’s your source? I’d like specific names and locations.”

  “Just check into it. My source gains nothing by making the accusation.”

  Brant’s brows arched and he uncrossed his legs. “Then why won’t you let me speak with them?”

  “Because it’s not necessary. I found the report disturbing, but this doesn’t fall within my jurisdiction.”

  Pushing to his feet, Brant looked into his eyes. “Does your source claim to be a rape victim?”

  “No.” Ra’jen returned to his chair, ready for the conversation to end. “You lose nothing by asking around. Maybe talk to a few of the women.”

  “You’re right. If they’re being victimized, it needs to stop. I’ll look into it.”

  “Thank you.”

  Brant nodded and left the office. Ra’jen wasn’t completely satisfied with Brant’s reaction. He’d check back in a couple of days to make sure Brant was giving the accusations the attention they deserved.

  “Sir, this just arrived for you.” Ethan Dorsey stood in the doorway, an embossed envelope in his outstretched hand.

  “Bring it here.”

  Ethan crossed the office and handed him the small package. “The men are saying you kept the whipping girl with you all night. Is this true?”

  Ra’jen raised his eyebrow as he looked at his lieutenant. “Do I answer to the men? I was under the impression they answer to me.”

  “You misunderstand the reason for my concern, sir. Was she hurt badly or were the wounds some sort of theatrical effect? Most of the men think it was a trick.”

  “The wounds were real. I took her to my quarters to heal her back.” That was how it began at least. Keeping her there all night had disregarded the same rule his men had ignored. And he’d been furious with his men. Leave it to Ethan to point out the hypocrisy of his actions.

  “Was the other woman punished for the attack? No one deserved what she gave that poor whipping girl.”

  “The situation was resolved to everyone’s satisfaction. But I have a question for you.”

  “Yes, sir.” Ethan clasped his hands behind his back and straightened.

  “If you were so concerned about the whipping girl, why did you do nothing to stop the abuse?”

  “At first, I was like the others. I thought it was part of the show. Once I realized she was in real pain, I rushed forward and insisted the woman stop.”

  “But you ran like a frightened rabbit when I arrived. She was left bound, gagged, and in agony all alone in that room.”

  Ethan’s lips thinned and his nostrils flared. “My
actions were cowardly. I will accept whatever consequence you find fitting.”

  Ra’jen chuckled and motioned for the younger man to sit. “I’m glad to see you still have a conscience.” He triggered the door and activated a frequency jammer before he went on. “Everything worked out for the best. I’ve recruited the whipping girl as our new courier.”

  “That makes perfect sense. I see pleasure ambassadors all over the place and never pay much attention to what they’re doing.” He scooted to the edge of his seat. “Are you sure you can trust her?”

  “I’m hopeful, but I’ll start out slow, give her nonessential messages.”

  “The Governor’s Ball might be the perfect opportunity to have her circulate.” He indicated the envelope. “I know you’ve never bothered to attend, but it might be worth your time this year.”

  Ra’jen opened the envelope and pulled out the invitation. As Ethan said, it announced the annual ball hosted by Gerald Duval, Governor of Sector Three. Several important contacts would doubtlessly attend. It would be a wonderful opportunity to establish lines of communication. He could legitimize Autumn as a member of the network without drawing undue attention to her.

  “Excellent idea, Lieutenant.” He smiled at his subordinate. “I knew there was a reason I kept you around.”

  Chapter Six

  A polite knock on the office door drew Autumn’s attention away from the spreadsheet she’d been perusing for the past three hours. “Come in.”

  The door swung inward, and Celinna smiled. “General Noirte is here to see you, Mistress. Shall I show him in?”

  “Of course. General Noirte is always welcome.”

  Celinna turned and motioned Ra’jen inside.

  “Thank you,” he said as he brushed past the trainer. She blushed to the roots of her platinum blonde hair and pulled the door closed behind him.

  “If you ever touched her, she’d probably swoon.” Autumn stood and came around the desk. “Is that for me?”

  He held a large red box wrapped with a wide velvet ribbon. “Yes, but you’ll have to earn it.”

  Dressed in khaki pants and a solid black T-shirt, he’d never looked better. His hair was bound with a black cord at the base of his neck. The cord wrapped around the wrist-thick mass, crisscrossing as it descended, creating dramatic Xs against the light strands.