Chapter Fourteen

 

“Do I look all right?” Cam asked again. Before Kievan could respond, she turned to study herself nervously in the mirror. She was wearing a short, dark blue silk dress which clung to her breasts and midriff before flaring gently over her hips. The softly draped neckline only exposed the upper edge of her cleavage in front but dipped to the small of her back behind. The color brought out her eyes and accented the red highlights in her hair. Her hair had been smoothed into soft waves and her makeup was heavy and shimmery but didn’t hide the fact that her eyes were wide and panicky. For the first time she was going out into the station with Kievan, accompanying him to a reception for some visiting merchants and then to the fight pit.

“Exquisite, little flower,” Kievan murmured. She felt his lips against her neck and turned to him with a grateful smile.

“But perhaps a final touch or two…” He turned and picked up a small box from the nearby cabinet. She caught a glimpse of gold before he fastened something around her neck. Looking back to the mirror, she gasped in delight. A heavy gold collar rested just above her collarbone. Descending from the collar were multiple fine gold chains, each a different length and each tipped with a small diamond that caught the light and danced against her skin. She could feel longer strands whispering against her bare back.

“It’s beautiful,” she whispered. “Thank you, honey.” She went up on tiptoes to kiss him. The kiss started off short and grateful but as soon as their tongues met, Kievan’s mouth turned hard and demanding. Cam melted against him, all thoughts of their excursion disappearing. When Kievan finally raised his head, he paused a minute to look at her, his face soft. He stroked her cheek with one finger and then the soft look disappeared.

“You understand that you must behave tonight?”

“Yes, Master.” Cam was only too aware that Kievan was taking a risk by allowing her to accompany him. Her submissive behavior must be perfect.

“Then perhaps one more touch—to help you remember.” His face remained hard but his eyes heated.

“Master?”

Without responding, he pushed down the front neckline of her dress until her breasts were exposed, cradled by the soft silk. His mouth closed over her nipple, drawing it deep with a pull that went straight to her womb, while his hand twisted her other nipple. Her back arched and her hands went to his head to hold him closer. Each time he sucked, she felt the corresponding pulse in her pussy. His mouth lifted, and cool metal circled the swollen peak and clamped down. Another spasm hit her aching clit as she felt the nipple ring lock in place. Before she could react, he flicked his tongue over her other nipple, already tight and ready from his fingers, and clamped the other ring in place.

His hand moved to her arms and he stepped back to look. She followed his gaze. The dark blue silk framed the creamy curves of her breasts, still swollen from his attention, the engorged red peaks held captive by the gold rings. Her breath caught at the erotic sight. She shivered when he made no move to pull the neckline back into place.

“Will you wear the dress this way?” he asked

Fighting back her immediate protest, she whispered, “If it pleases you, Master.”

“Very good, pet.” He smiled. “But I think you’re tempting enough without it.” He drew the neckline higher, covering her nipples, but pulled out the gold chain to nestle in the soft folds of the dress. He tugged it once, gently. A bolt of desire shot through her and she swayed toward him.

“Later, pet.”

He turned away to fetch her matching cloak and her eyes following him hungrily. For once, he had abandoned his standard white. Instead, he was wearing dark blue as well—tight pants which clung to the muscled strength of his legs and tucked into high matching boots, and an equally tight blue vest which stretched across his broad chest but left the tattoo exposed on his back. Heavy gold bands circled his massive biceps. He looked barbaric and powerful, and her mouth watered.

As she watched him, her gaze went to the now smooth wall next to the bed. When she had returned to their rooms the day after the incident with Talasi, the golden play sculpture had been gone. The wall gleamed white, the only adornment the framed print she had bought in the Market. Of course the chains on the bed remained and Kievan was extremely creative about putting them to use but Cam didn’t object to those at all.

The wall wasn’t the only change. All three of the remaining pleasure slaves were gone. Kievan had assured her that Talasi’s new master would take care of her. Sonda and Leeda had left as well, accompanying a party of Gliesh merchants back to their home planet. Cam missed them but they had been so happy and excited she couldn’t feel badly about their departure.

She studied the scroll, her heart skipping a little as it did every time she regarded it against the bare wall. Her eyes went back to Kievan, now walking toward her, even more beautiful from the front because she could see his eyes. She bit her lip, fighting the temptation to throw herself into his arms. Her nipples throbbed a slow beat of desire but it was more than that, she wanted his arms around her, his big body surrounding hers. She didn’t even want to leave their rooms; she wanted to stay here with the man she loved.

Loved? The thought blind-sided her, terrifying but settling into her bones with a sure knowledge. Her eyes filled with tears.

“Sweetness. Is something wrong?” Kievan was in front of her, gently raising her chin so he could study her face. His was so soft that the tears almost over-flowed but she blinked them back and tried to smile.

“Just scared,” she lied.

He smiled at her. “You’ll be fine.” He bent to whisper in her ear, his voice low and deep. “And if you’re not, I get to punish you.”

A shiver of desire slid up her spine and her nipples tightened impossibly harder.

“Yes, Master.”

Kievan placed the cloak around her shoulders and she followed him through the door.

 

Cam stood at Kievan’s side, perfectly positioned, her eyes on the floor. They were standing to one side of a large reception chamber. The room was ornately decorated and filled with a bewildering array of aliens, all dressed to match their surroundings, but neither the room nor the occupants captured her attention. Her mind was still poking cautiously at the idea that she loved Kievan, probing the concept like a sore tooth, unable to resist exploring the idea. Logically she knew it was too fast, too dangerous, but it didn’t seem to make any difference to her heart. She reminded herself that Kievan had given no indication that he felt the same way—in fact, he had constantly reminded her that they would only be together for a limited time. She knew he could be hard, cruel, and arrogant. Yet she also caught glimpses of pain in him; a pain that matched the one that had haunted her since her mother died. And when she thought of the things he had done to make her comfortable, the way he held her every night, the way he felt inside her, she couldn’t repress the hope that her feelings were not entirely one-sided.

Kievan nodded at the man he had been speaking to and moved away. Cam followed obediently. The movement made her conscious of the nipple rings and she fought the spike of desire as her swollen breasts brushed the soft silk of her gown.

“Lord Kievan,” called another alien, halting their progress before immediately launching into a complaint about fuel prices. She shot a quick glance at him under her lashes, noting that he was large, green, and blustery before returning to her thoughts.

“Very pretty. Very pretty indeed,” he said loudly.

The words penetrated her concentration as Kievan drew her forward, resting his hand lightly on her shoulder, fingers playing with the golden collar.

“Yes, I’m quite pleased,” Kievan said.

“Is she available? I heard you were selling off your stock,” the other man asked, and Cam froze. Kievan’s fingers tightened almost imperceptibly on her neck but he shrugged casually.

“You know me, Kauskip. I’m easily bored.” Kievan was using the cool, mocking tone he was so good at.

“When you get bored with this one, let me know,” Kauskip said, and laughed heartily. He returned to his complaints. Kievan kept his hand resting on her as she forced herself to remain calm. The other man was so sure Kievan would get bored with her. Was that what he meant when he told her that they were only together for now? Could what she felt be that one sided? Her earlier sense of hope that he had begun to return her feelings faded.

The conversation finished, they continued to circulate. Instead of sending her back behind him, Kievan kept her at his side, his hand on her shoulder—possessive but undeniably comforting. Unfortunately, the increased closeness and the warmth of his touch added to the constant arousal of the nipple rings and her body ached with need, distracting her from her thoughts.

A loud, angry voice asked, “Is this how you punish disobedient slaves, Lord Kievan?”

Kievan turned and Cam turned with him, remembering to keep her expression blank. She almost bit her lip as she recognized Tael. Kievan released Cam’s shoulder and she immediately stepped back into position. His eyes went to Tael’s face.

As Tael met Kievan’s gaze, her face paled but she didn’t stop talking. “Now I understand. You didn’t want to see me any more because you are obsessed with a slave.”

Several people were turning in their direction now. Cam maintained her pose and fought to keep her face calm.

“I don’t want to see you anymore, Tael, because you’re a terrible fuck. You’re lazy and selfish. Neither your mouth nor your cunt satisfied me,” Kievan said coldly. Tael’s mouth dropped open.

“On the other hand, my slave satisfies my needs quite well. She is very responsive.” He tugged on the nipple chain and the spike of pleasure pain went straight to Cam’s clit. She bit her lip to keep from moaning but she knew the interested spectators saw her response.

“Also delicious,” he continued thoughtfully. It took every ounce of discipline she had learned to hold still while he reached under her dress and ran a finger though her soaking folds. He brought the finger back out and there was a murmur of appreciation as their audience saw her wetness coating his finger before he slipped it in his mouth and sucked it clean.

“And far from disobedient,” he said. “If I tell her to go to her knees and suck my cock now, she won’t hesitate.”

Oh god, would he really make her do that? Fighting back tears, Cam immediately knelt. She couldn’t—wouldn’t—challenge his authority in public. She tucked her feelings away behind the disciplined facade of an obedient slave. As soon as she knelt, he put his hand on her neck and pressed her head against his thigh but didn’t make any further moves.

“However, I prefer to keep my activities private. Something you would have done well to remember, Tael,” he said. Without waiting for a response, he summoned two of his guards. “Take this…female to Madam Hora. Perhaps a week of remembering her origins will teach her the value of privacy. With any luck she may even learn a skill or two.”

Tael screamed and launched herself at Kievan. The guards grabbed her before she reached him and hauled her off. She was still screaming when the doors closed behind her.

Cam was frozen in place, unable to process what had just happened.

“I apologize for the disturbance, my friends,” Kievan said smoothly.

The large green man had reappeared and he chuckled at Kievan’s words. “Never a dull moment around here, is there?” His eyes dropped to Cam, still kneeling next to Kievan. “You may prefer privacy but I’ve never been shy. I’d be happy to demonstrate her talents for you.”

Kievan’s hand clamped down on Cam’s neck so hard she barely bit back a cry but his voice was casual. “You know I don’t share, Kauskip.” He laughed softly. “And, as a matter of fact, I intend to take advantage of those talents myself. Stand up, pet.”

Unable to prevent her blush, Cam rose to her feet and followed Kievan meekly through an open doorway into a small alcove. Eyes wide, she watched as Kievan drew a thin silk curtain across the opening and stalked toward her. The curtain gave them visual privacy but she could still hear the voices from the larger room and knew that any sounds they made would be just as audible.

“Are you serious?” she whispered. “They can hear us.”

“Then you had better be very quiet, pet.” He was already pulling down the neckline of her dress and she moaned softly as his fingers brushed her swollen breasts.

Fighting back the surge of arousal, she asked, “But why?”

“Because I was challenged. Because Kauskip wants you. Because I want you. Now.”

Her tongue flicked out to touch her lips and his eyes darkened.

“Hands on the wall, pet.”

Biting her lip, she turned to face the wall and placed her hands on it. He immediately moved behind her, the heat of his big body surrounding her. One hand went to her breast, the other sliding under her dress and straight to her clit. His hands felt so good that she moaned again. She felt the vibration of his laughter against her back.

“If you are worried about anyone hearing you, you are going to have to do better than that.”

The warm, teasing note in his voice made her stomach flutter. Then his hand moved deeper between her legs and one thick finger slid inside her tight channel. She barely managed to restrain another moan.

“Very good, pet. Let’s see what it takes to shatter that control,” he whispered in her ear, and slid another finger inside her. His thumb moved up to stroke teasing circles around her clit.

“You’re very wet, pet. I think you can take more.” He added a third finger and her whole body shuddered.

“Master, please...”

“Fuck yourself on my fingers, pet,” he ordered.

Helplessly, she followed his order, hands pressing into the wall as she thrust against his fingers. His thumb kept circling, his other hand tugging gently on the nipple chain, and she was close, so close that her breath was coming in gasps.

“Please,” she begged, her voice soft and needy. Her hands started to lift so she could reach for him.

“Hands on the wall,” he reminded her. “What do you want, pet?”

“I want to touch you. I want your cock.”

Through the haze of her arousal, she heard him growl. Her hands slid down the wall as he pulled her hips back.

“Tilt your ass, sweetness,” he demanded as his fingers eased free. Almost sobbing with need, she obeyed immediately. His hands went to her hips and he buried himself to the hilt in one hard smooth thrust. Her cry was definitely loud enough to be heard outside the room but she was beyond caring. She moaned again as he withdrew until only the tip of his cock remained inside her tight passage. Leaning forward, he lowered his body over hers, surrounding her with his heat. His mouth went to her shoulder, biting into the sensitive flesh and adding another spike of pleasure pain. She turned her head toward his, blindly seeking his kiss.

He found her mouth, forcing her lips apart. As soon as his tongue touched hers, he moved back to her clit and pressed down hard as he slammed back into her. Her body arched and he absorbed her cries into his mouth as she came in a long shaking wave. She freed her mouth enough to gasp for breath while he kept moving in and out of her in long slow strokes.

“Kievan,” she whispered.

This time he groaned and his hand tightened on her hip, holding her in position as he started thrusting faster. His thick cock sliding back and forth over her still sensitive nerves sent her spiraling back into arousal. She pushed her hips back, demanding more.

“Harder,” she pleaded.

Another groan and his pace increased. Both hands were on her hips now and he began pounding into her. She braced her hands against the wall, thrusting back to meet each stroke. He pulled her hips higher, changing the angle slightly and hitting a spot inside her that made her moan.

“Come for me, pet,” he ordered, voice hoarse. His fingers dug into her hips, hard enough to bruise, and he plunged so deep her whole body shook. With a helpless cry she obeyed his order, convulsing around his cock as he sent jets of hot liquid into her trembling body.

His body dropped forward again, his arms sliding around to support her body as her knees threatened to collapse. Still buried inside her, he kissed her neck while she recovered. When she finally stopped shaking he slipped free and straightened, bringing her upright as well but keeping her pressed against the front of his body. She turned in his arms and buried her face in his chest, overwhelmed by the intensity of the experience as well as her emotions.

“You weren’t very quiet, pet,” Kievan said softly.

Cam blushed and looked up. “You make me forget about everything but you.”

“Sweetness,” he whispered. His arms tightened around her and they stood together in silence for a long moment.

Finally, he released her, pushed her gently into a chair, and disappeared through a small door in the back of the alcove. She felt too tired and confused to move and simply sat where he left her. She heard water running and then he returned to clean her gently with a warm cloth. Laughter sounded in the reception room and her mind went back to the earlier events.

“Did you really send Tael to a brothel for a week?”

His hand stilled momentarily before he answered. “Yes.”

“You can do that?” It wasn’t exactly a question.

“Yes, pet.” He was kneeling between her legs and he looked up to meet her eyes.

“Because you’re the only law on the station?”

“Yes.”

He waited, as if expecting her to say more, but she only touched his jaw briefly with her fingers. Something flickered in his eyes again but he turned his attention back to his task. When he was done, he pulled her gently to her feet.

“Back to protocol, pet,” he reminded her.

“Yes, Master,” she said quietly.

He gave her a short, hard kiss and led the way back into the larger chamber. Cam felt her cheeks heat as a number of eyes turned in their direction. Amused smiles and speculative glances were equally abundant. She was grateful that she could let her gaze drop to the floor. Kievan ignored the stares and returned to circulating through the room with a complete lack of concern.

Cam had started to relax a little when J’Ssett appeared at Kievan’s elbow. After a brief whispered conversation, Kievan turned to his current companion.

“Please excuse me. I find that I must attend to some business,” he said smoothly. “My servants will escort all of you to the games.”

“Certainly, my lord.” The man’s eyes sharpened. “Problems?”

“Not at all,” Kievan returned calmly. “However, a delay would impact my profits so I must put business before pleasure.”

Without waiting for a response, he turned and headed for the door. J’Ssett had retrieved Cam’s cloak and he draped it around her shoulders as the two of them followed Kievan from the reception chamber.

As soon as they left the room, Kievan’s hand fastened on Cam’s wrist and he pulled her along as his pace increased. She struggled to keep up.

“Status?” he demanded.

“First squad is in position, second squad moving now,” J’Ssett replied.

“What’s wrong?” Cam asked breathlessly.

“Two rival gangs have decided that this is an ideal time to start a war,” Kievan said. “I intend to stop them before they do any damage or the fight spreads.”

“Can you stop them?”

“Yes,” he said, voice cold and completely certain. “And then I will remind them who is in charge.”

By this time, they were at the elevator. He pushed her gently inside, nodded for J’Ssett to accompany her, and reached for the button to close the door.

Cam grabbed his hand. “You aren’t coming?”

He smiled and it was so beautiful and so deadly that her heart skipped a beat. “No. I’m going to teach them a lesson about who rules Sigrast.”

Before he could move away, Cam leaned in and kissed him quickly. “Be careful, honey,” she whispered.

His face softened and he touched a finger to her cheek.

“Don’t worry, sweetness.”

Then the door closed and he was gone. Cam collapsed back against the wall of the elevator and looked at J’Ssett. He returned her gaze silently.

“Our masster never loses,” he said finally.

She nodded and looked away, fighting back the tears filling her eyes.

After J’Ssett left her, Cam showered and pulled on one of Kievan’s shirts. The shirt provided a little comfort but as the night wore on she grew more and more anxious. No matter how she tried to distract herself, her mind insisted on providing images of Kievan hurt and bleeding. Even though she knew how fast he was, she kept remembering the scars that already marred his perfect skin. It was very late when the door finally opened and Kievan slipped into their rooms. Barely able to see him through the tears that flooded her eyes, she raced to him and threw her arms around his neck, breaking into the violent sobs she had restrained all evening.

His strong arms closed around her immediately. “Shh, sweetness. Everything is fine.”

She sobbed harder and pressed deeper into this body until she felt him flinch. At once she drew back, dashed the tears from her eyes, and realized for the first time that he was covered with blood.

“On my god, you’re hurt.” Fighting back a surge of panic, her hand fastened around his wrist and she pulled him toward the bathroom.

He winced but laughed as he followed her. “Most of it isn’t mine.”

“That means some of it is yours,” she whispered. Her eyes filled again but she forced the tears back. As soon as they entered the bathroom, she turned to him.

“Strip,” she ordered. “I want to see where you’re hurt.”

He leaned against the counter and raised an eyebrow at her tone. “I think you’re forgetting the nature of our relationship,” he said.

She ignored his words and glared at him. “Take your clothes off.”

Turning her back, she hurried to the shower to start the water. When she turned back he was standing motionless, watching her. With an exasperated huff, she reached for the laces on his vest, noticing that somewhere along the line his blue silks had been replaced by unadorned brown leather. He pushed her hands away but started removing his clothes while she studied him anxiously. He looked pale, his mouth drawn in tight lines, and he wasn’t moving with his usual grace.

As the clothes came off, so did much of the blood but enough remained that her hands were shaking when she led him into the shower. As the blood washed off, she took a relieved breath. Nothing appeared too serious. He let her wash him, only taking a few hard breaths when she reached a sensitive area. His ribs were heavily bruised and there were several gashes, fortunately shallow, across his arms. The worst wound was a deep knife wound above one hip, still seeping slowly. He winced as she drew the cloth across it.

“Am I hurting you?” she asked anxiously.

“Yes, but it needs to be cleaned.”

She returned to her task, biting her lip while she cleaned the wound as gently as possible. She was so focused on her task that she didn’t notice his erection until he grabbed her hands and moved them to the hard shaft.

Startled, she looked up. “Now?”

“Sweetness, I love that my woman wants to take care of me but my blood is still singing from battle. You’re wet, tempting, and not nearly naked enough.”

Cam’s mouth went dry and her nipples tightened. The brush of wet silk against the taut peaks reminded her that she was still wearing his skirt. Her hands went to the buttons but before she could unfasten the first one, Kievan ripped the shirt off, shocking her with his speed and strength. He hauled her against his chest and forced her lips open beneath his, fucking her mouth with his tongue.

“I need you,” he growled.

“Yes,” she said. As soon the word left her mouth, he lifted her, braced her against the wall and thrust into her. She cried out and her back arched against the wall. He felt huge and she was barely ready for him but he didn’t pause, driving into her body with a fierce intensity that she was powerless to resist. Impaled, stretched open and helpless, she balanced on the edge of pleasure and pain. Her hands went to his shoulders, desperately holding on as he fucked her hard and fast until he shuddered. A groan escaped his lips and his face went to her neck as she felt the heat of his release exploding inside her. She expected him to release her but he started moving again almost immediately.

He raised his head, looking at her face as he kept fucking her, no longer quite as frantically but with deep hard strokes that fired every nerve ending in her pussy.

“Touch yourself,” he ordered.

Locking her eyes on him, she slid her fingers between their bodies. As soon as she touched her swollen clit, she started to shake. Her fingers circled the engorged flesh and she moaned.

“Come for me, sweetness,” he ordered. She pressed down and came immediately, her back arching against the wall and her legs clamping around his waist. He kept stroking as her pussy pulsed around his rigid cock. She came down enough to open her eyes. His eyes were intent on hers, his hips still moving.

“Honey?” she whispered.

“Not done, sweetness.”

“Okay,” she agreed breathlessly. They both felt her shiver.

His lips twitched before his face hardened. He moved one of the hands supporting her ass, dipped his fingers in their combined wetness, and pushed a digit into her rear entrance. She cried out and almost came again at the increased fullness. As soon as her muscles relaxed a little, he added another finger. He never slowed down, finger fucking her ass while he thrust deep inside her pussy. The dual sensations rolled over her, firing her nerve endings with pleasure, and she could hear herself moaning breathlessly. She hovered on the edge of climax.

“Please,” she begged.

She felt his muscles tighten and then he slammed into her, surging against the head of her womb as his fingers spread her wide. She screamed and came, her muscles spasming so hard she was barely conscious, but she still felt him exploding inside her and heard him groan her name.

He cradled her while the aftershocks traveled their bodies and then he finally put her down. Too weak to move, she let him wash her. It wasn’t until he reached for a towel that she remembered his injuries.

“Give me the towel,” she scolded. “You’re wounded and I’m supposed to be taking care of you.”

His lips curved. “You did take care of me.”

She blushed and tugged on the towel. He let her take it, standing patiently as she dried him and somewhat less patiently as she smoothed healing gel into his wounds. As soon as she was finished, he picked her up and carried her to the bed.

“Dammit, you’re going to open your wounds,” she yelled. “What are you doing?”

“I’m going to let you take care of me again,” he promised. Then he dropped her on the bed, covered her with his big warm body, and smiled at her. He looked so beautiful that her breath caught.

“Okay,” she whispered. His smile broadened, his head descended, and she abandoned any further protests.

 

Later that evening, Cam was curled into his side, her fingers tracing lazy designs over his chest. His mind went back to the reception, analyzing the event. Cam had behaved perfectly. His own actions had been possessive, perhaps a little too much so, but he didn’t think he had betrayed any hint of weakness, any indication that he was not in total control. Satisfied, he let his hand move to her ass, preparing to tease the tender crevice between her cheeks to prepare her for their next round.

“What are the pink stones?”

Cam’s voice interrupted the pleasant direction of his thoughts and he froze at the reminder of Prince Ustrod, the source of the stones.

She felt his tension and raised her head, looking at him curiously.

He kept his voice light, “Why do you ask, pet?”

“I’m curious. I saw a few in the Market and then more last night. It just seemed odd that so many people chose the same jewelry.”

“They’re not jewelry.” Despite his tension, a smile curved his mouth. “They’re called Bliss Stones. They’re pleasure enhancers.”

“Pleasure enhancers?”

“They make you feel good—blissful, hence the name. For some races, they also significantly enhance arousal.” His hand slid lower, probing her damp folds and she shivered. “Humans are especially sensitive to them.”

“Humans?” Her eyes widened and he cursed silently. Ignoring her question, he flipped her to her back and covered her breast with his mouth while his finger went deeper. When she was arching against him, question forgotten, he raised his head.

“Do you want a pleasure enhancer, pet?”

Blue eyes dark with desire, she smiled and rubbed her body sensuously against his. “I don’t think I can handle any more pleasure.”

An answering smile curved his lips. “Let’s test that theory.”