Captives of New Pompeii Page 6
“You’re married, sweetheart. As tempting as the possibilities are, that’s one place I won’t go.”
Chapter Five
Flinching as if Caleb had slapped her, Laetif raised her chin. “How noble of you.”
Her tone was tight and hostile, so Caleb suppressed his sarcastic retort. “May I escort you back to your cabin?”
“No! I can’t go back there.”
“Why not? Is something wrong with your cabin? Is that why you’re wandering the halls in your nightgown?”
Blushing to the roots of her silky blonde hair, she snapped the sides of her bathrobe together over her nightgown. The cut of the gown hadn’t been particularly revealing, but the clingy material had given him an eyeful. Madame Xyell had beautiful breasts, high and full with nice tight nipples.
“I didn’t realize… I’d honestly forgotten I’d changed out of my clothes. I hadn’t expected to leave the cabin.”
“Which brings us back to the original question. What prompted your exploration?”
“I was… He… Oh shit, it’s all so fucked up.”
Her profanity surprised him. She had always seemed polished and elegant, the epitome of a refined lady. “What is ‘so fucked up’?”
She took a deep breath and tossed her hair, sending the wavy strands back behind her shoulders. Anger burned through the pain in her blue eyes until she stared at him with some unknown purpose. “My darling husband sent one of his guards to seduce me. I was not amused.”
“Is this man still in your cabin? I can take care of that.”
“I don’t know, and I’m not sure I care. I couldn’t stomach that room right now anyway.”
“Where shall I escort you? I can’t have you loitering in the corridor.”
Her fingers loosened and the robe gaped across her breasts, revealing just a hint of cleavage. “If my husband is determined to delegate my pleasure to someone else, I think it should be a man of my choosing. Don’t you?”
Easily seeing her neatly laid trap, he sidestepped it. “It doesn’t matter what I think. I have nothing to do with it.”
“And there is nothing I can say to change your mind?”
“I’m sorry, Laetif. I don’t bed married women.”
Her eyes flashed frustration and pain. “Even if her husband has pawned her off on an employee?”
“You’re angry and you’re hurt, but you’ll feel different in a day or two. I don’t want you to do something you’ll regret later.”
“So if I still want you in a day or two, you’ll fuck me?”
He sighed and moved closer. She was gorgeous and so damn vulnerable, he longed to hold her, just hold her. Which was totally out of character for him. “It’s not a good idea.”
“I don’t care.”
She grabbed the front of his jacket and pulled him up against her warm body. His dominant nature surged and he pressed her against the wall, drawing her hands above her head as he searched her eyes. “There can be no regrets. If we do this, you go in with your eyes wide open. I’m a bastard, and I’m the first to admit it. I’m offering you nothing but a few hours of pleasure. Are you sure that’s what you want?”
Her lips trembled and uncertainty flared in her gaze, but she nodded.
“Not good enough.”
Slipping her hands out from under his, she wrapped her arms around his neck. “I want this. I know it’s just for tonight.”
“No regrets?”
“No regrets.” She sounded certain, but disappointment still shadowed her eyes. He should walk away. She wasn’t jaded enough to deal with his brand of passion. As if to prove him wrong, a wicked smile parted her lips. “Let’s do it right here. I don’t care if we’re caught.”
He laughed. “I think you’d enjoy that, but I wouldn’t. I’m technically your husband’s employee.” Tears flooded her big blue eyes and he cursed his stupidity. “I’m sorry. Let’s go to my cabin and get you something to drink.”
She followed half a step behind him, silent and sullen. This would never do. She needed an outlet for all these emotions or she’d be bawling the entire time he fucked her, and he hated that.
Seconds after he closed and locked the door, his companel lit up. It was head of security, so he accepted audio only. “What’s going on? I really need some shut-eye.”
“Ambassador Xyell is inquiring about the location of his wife. I was unable to locate her, so I figured I better notify you.”
“The lady had a bit of a scare. She’s unharmed and nearly recovered. I’ll escort her to her cabin as soon as she feels comfortable returning.”
“Then she is with you now?”
“Affirmative.”
“I’ll notify the ambassador.”
Caleb put an emergency-only interrupt on his com channel before he turned from the panel. “You do realize this gives you another option.”
“What do you mean?”
“Your husband knows we’re together, alone in my cabin. He will likely presume the worst. You can have all the fun of torturing him without the guilt of actually sinning.”
She let the robe swing open the shrugged it from her shoulders. “And why would I want to do that? I’ve been alone for a whole lot longer than this voyage. I’m ready to sin.”
Her beauty stole his breath, but the pain in her eyes held him back. She wasn’t ready for him, not really. If she fucked him now, the only person she’d be hurting was herself. She was doing this to punish her husband, and her husband didn’t give a shit about her.
Without a word he took off his jacket then pulled his shirt off over his head. Her gaze followed him, wide and limpid, aware. She might not be ready for his cock, but she needed release and she needed it badly. Not just a quick orgasm, she needed to purge her soul of years of pain, to unburden herself from all the disappointment.
“That’s some tattoo.” Her voice broke and her lips trembled. What an odd reaction to his ink. She said nothing more, so he didn’t pry. They had more important things to discover than the reason for her aversion to body art.
“Undress slowly. I want you naked and on your knees.”
Her eyes widened and her lips parted. He thought she’d object, but she didn’t. She kicked her slippers to the side and hooked her finger under the thin strap holding up one side of her nightgown. The midnight-blue silk brought out the blue in her eyes and made her skin look especially creamy. Who was he kidding? Women like this spent a fortune on procedures and products that kept them looking good.
She paused with both straps around her elbows and slowly turned around. Drawing her hair over her shoulder she exposed her back. Then she lowered the gown to her hips, giving him an unobstructed view of her elegant spine.
“Keep going.” The silk hissed as it slid down her legs to pool around her ankles. Holy fuck, her ass was tight and round, her legs long and sleekly muscled. Why would Xyell ever leave her bed? Heat flooded his groin and hardened his cock. This was going to be a lot more challenging than he’d thought. “Turn around.” His throat was so dry he barely formed the words.
After a distinct hesitation, she obeyed. Her hair covered her breasts and she kept her face averted, so he let his gaze descend along her body. Nice tight abs and gently flared hips. Her mound was bare, which he liked. He’d enjoy all that smooth, soft skin beneath his lips and against his pelvis as he thrust into her.
But not yet, perhaps not tonight.
“Move your hair and lock your hands behind your head.” That wide-eyed innocence stole over her expression again, and he wanted to laugh. She was so far out of her depths it wasn’t funny. “If you can’t obey without hesitation, this isn’t going to work.” He moved closer, invading her personal space without actually touching her. “My lovers must submit. It’s the only way I can be truly satisfied. Do you still want to do this?”
“Yes.” Her response came quickly, but he didn’t miss the tremor in her voice.
“Show me.”
She raised her arms and entwined her han
ds behind her head. “Very good. Now these are the rules. You ask permission to speak. You ask permission to come. If you come without permission, I will punish you.”
“Punish me?”
Fear burst through her uncertainty and she started to lower her arms. He placed his hands below her elbows, preventing the retreat. “I will elicit intense sensations, but I will only hurt you if I see that pain will amplify your pleasure. I will give you a safe word, but you must understand that I need you to trust me. If you are unable to trust me, again, this won’t work.”
She lowered her gaze to his chest and pressed her lips together. They trembled anyway. “I’m afraid.”
“That’s natural for your first time. I’ll go slowly.” She nodded and hesitantly met his gaze. “It’s best if you choose the safe word. It’s easier to remember that way.”
“Pompeii,” she whispered.
The choice troubled him. Her mind was still filled with connections to her husband. This was why he avoided married women. He hated complications. Refusing to dwell on the obstacle, he moved behind her and inhaled her scent. Clean, light, surprisingly feminine.
He cupped her breasts and pressed against her back. “Your hair smells like flowers.”
“Is that good or bad?”
Pressing her nipples to the point of pain, he reminded her, “You must ask permission to speak. And right now I want you to listen. Listen to the sound of my voice and pay attention to your body. In fact, close your eyes. I want you to feel, just feel.”
They were reflected in the mirror above his built-in dresser. Her eyes drifted closed and her head rested lightly on his shoulder. His hands appeared dark against her pale skin. The contrast fascinated him. He moved his hands to the bottoms of her breasts, squeezing gently while he enjoyed the sight of the firm mounds rising from his palms.
He rolled her nipples, beginning with gentle caresses and gradually increasing the pressure. She finally squirmed when he pulled and twisted just a bit. She preferred a firm hand, but her body responded better to pleasure than pain. Understanding his course, he pushed onward.
One of his hands continued to stimulate her breasts while the other drifted lower. “Spread your legs. Give me access to your pussy.”
Her chest quivered beneath his hand, but she moved her legs apart. He pressed his palm over her mound, slipping his fingers between her thighs. Her folds were already damp and incredibly hot. He parted her, allowing the air to caress her.
She fidgeted in his arms, restless and needy. “Be still.” He lightly stroked her clit with his middle finger and she startled. “Don’t tense up. Let the sensations flow through you.” A soft, distressed sound escaped her throat and she rubbed against his fingers, trying to bring his touch back to her clit. “Not yet. You haven’t earned an orgasm. On your knees.”
Without hesitation, she slid down his body and knelt in front of him. He imagined himself kneeling behind her and thrusting deep into her slick passage. The image sent lust stabbing into his balls, but he fought back the urge, knowing it would be that much more intense when he finally fucked her.
She still had her hands locked behind her head. The position raised her breasts and arched her back. “You can relax for a minute. Lower your arms.”
Her hands unlocked and she lowered her arms, pausing to roll her shoulders before resting her hands on her thighs. He moved in front of her and unfastened his belt. Her gaze moved expectantly to his fly, but he had no intention of taking off his pants just yet. Instead, he drew the belt from its loops with a slow, firm tug.
“Wha—” She bit off the word and remained silent.
“Crawl over to the bunk then stand up and bend over it, legs spread wide, forearms on the mattress.”
She didn’t look at him or argue. She crawled across the floor, offering him a delightful view of her flushed slit. Then she stood and bent from the waist, widening her stance as he braced herself against the bed. Wow. This view was even better.
“You will answer my questions honestly. Don’t think about your answer just respond.” He rubbed one silky ass cheek and then the other. “Have you ever had anal sex?”
She looked back at him, eyes wide with concern. “Yes. Is that what you’re going—”
He swung his belt, lightly spanking her across both cheeks. “You will only answer my questions.” Even with the light swing her skin produced a fiery welt. He was going to have to be so careful with her. “Did you find pleasure in the act?”
“Not when Mikko did it, but…”
“Go on.”
“One of my other lovers used a toy that drove me crazy.” Sadness crept into her voice as she added, “He knew all sorts of ways to make me crazy.”
Rewarding her openness with a caress, he stroked her ass cheeks and the backs of her thighs. “What happened to him?”
“Mikko had him killed,” she whispered. “The authorities said he was mugged, but I knew better.”
He brushed up the inside of her thigh and gently teased her folds. “Why would Mikko send a man to bed you if he’d been jealous enough to kill your lover?”
“It hadn’t been his idea then. I dared to step out on Mikko, and my lover paid for it with his life.”
He let the details slide for now. They had too many other hurts to vanquish. Moving to her side, he found her clit from in front and gently circled the puffy nub. “Did you intentionally put your lover in danger?”
“No.” She hissed out a breath and rotated her hips, attempting to keep his fingers over her clit.
“Did he know who your husband was when you fucked the first time?”
“Yes.”
“Then it wasn’t your fault. He knew what he was risking when he went to bed with you.” He draped the belt over his shoulder so he could use both hands. Slowly pushing into her from behind, he gave her two long fingers to squeeze while he caressed her clit with his other hand.
Her hips rocked, driving his fingers deeper. “Please let me come.”
“Not yet, but soon.” Her inner muscles fluttered and then resumed their firm clasp around his sliding fingers. He drew out suddenly and retrieved the belt, swinging it with careful force. The leather slapped hard enough to make her jump but well short of real pain. “That was Mikko offering you to his guard. Feel the heat, the pain. Let it build.”
“I don’t want to think about that,” she cried.
“Trust me, Laetif. Open your mind and give your emotions free rein.”
“I hate him. Oh God, how I hate him.” She shook with suppressed emotion, powerless and trapped.
Caleb moved his hand away from her sex, straightening so he had more control over the belt. “Feel it.” He swung—a moderate snap.
She screamed, the sound strangled and clenched.
“Say it. Tell me what you’re feeling.”
“I want to hate him! I need to hate him, but I can’t forget the man I married.” Great racking sobs interrupted her words. “I hate who he’s become, but I ache for the man he used to be. More. Please, I need more!”
He swung the belt again and again, careful not to hit the same place twice. He tempered his strength and controlled each swat, unwilling to cause any lasting harm. She screamed and wept, releasing her emotions in cathartic waves.
Finally he tossed the belt aside and stood behind her. She moved her legs farther apart, obviously expecting him to fuck her. Instead he wrapped his arms around her and pressed his chest against her back. “You’re safe now,” he whispered. “There are no games here, no emotional manipulation. I will always be honest with you.” She rested against the bed, limp and fragile. He caressed her sides and her hips, careful not to rub against her sore behind. He soothed her, relaxed her and prepared her for a different kind of tension. “I want to watch you come. Will you do that for me?”
“Yes…Sir.” She added the title after a short pause, making him smile.
“Then turn over. See if you can sit. If it’s too painful we’ll have to be creative.”
“Did you come while I spanked you?” He’d been focused on her emotional barricades and hadn’t realized she was responding sexually.
“Yes. I think it would have been even better if I hadn’t been so upset.”
“We’ll have to find out. Next time.” He grinned.
“Next time? I’m not sure my ass will heal before we dock in Fedoros.”
The reminder sent an odd wave of regret through him. Wasn’t he the one who’d made her promise she’d have no regrets? He better pull his shit together. He hadn’t even fucked her yet.
She spread out on her back and raised her arms over head. “Now what?” Her gaze had turned dark and smoldered with heat he’d never seen there before. God, she was beautiful!
He raised her ankles to his shoulders and smiled when she blushed. He’d been looking at her pussy ever since she took off her nightgown, but she’d been facing the other direction for most of it. “Your body is amazing.” Pushing two fingers into her snug heat, he watched her face as he gently fucked her. “Now take anything that’s left over, every scrap of anger and every twinge of pain.” He moved faster, thrusting deeper. “Let them build inside you. Feel it gather and tighten.”
Reaching around her hip, he used his thumb on her clit, and she went wild. She canted her hips and rocked into the steady glide of his fingers. Her inner muscles rippled and clung, drawing him deeper and warming his skin.
“Look into my eyes. Let me see your pleasure, let me share in your release.” She cried out softly as the intensity built. Her back arched and her hips bucked, her feet scrambling for purchase against his shoulders. “Let go, Laetif. Turn loose of all those emotions and fly!” He gently squeezed her clit and watched her last barrier fall.