The Commander's Woman

Attraction is easy. Trust is like reaching for the stars. Celestial Soul-Mates, Book 2 Eva’s anticipation of a free Bo...

Author: Carew Opal

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Attraction is easy. Trust is like reaching for the stars.

Celestial Soul-Mates, Book 2 Eva’s anticipation of a free Bona Vista Resort getaway is as sweet as the welcome mixer cocktail in her hand. When she steps aboard a VIP elevator, though, she ends up a whole lot farther away than expected. An alien spaceship, loaded with twosomes, threesomes—and more—having lusty sex at the drop of a zipper. Worse, they’re trying to sell her on the idea that the mouthwateringly hot first officer is her soul-mate. While Commander Larson Raa-ling makes her knees weak, she’s not buying. In her experience, men want only one thing from women, and it’s not everlasting love. Larson easily senses his soul-mate’s desire for him, but it’s trapped inside her lovely body like a caged bird. Only patience will win her trust. Every time his touch draws her one step forward, though, she withdraws two steps back. Eva tries desperately to remember her vow to never again surrender control. But as Larson chips away at her defenses one sensual pebble at a time, her resistance is crumbling by the second…

Warning: The author is not responsible for heart palpitations brought on by anticipation, suspense and smoking-hot sex. These aliens have talents that fit every woman’s needs—literally. ’Nuff said.

eBooks are not transferable. They cannot be sold, shared or given away as it is an infringement on the copyright of this work. This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental. Samhain Publishing, Ltd. 577 Mulberry Street, Suite 1520 Macon GA 31201 The Commander’s Woman Copyright © 2011 by Opal Carew ISBN: 978-1-60928-509-8 Edited by Linda Ingmanson Cover by Kanaxa All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. First Samhain Publishing, Ltd. electronic publication: August 2011 www.samhainpublishing.com

The Commander’s Woman Opal Carew

Dedication

To Matt, the traveler

Chapter One

Eva glanced around at the three other women, virtual strangers, who sat at the table with her. Ever since she’d received word she’d won this all-inclusive vacation at the Bonavista Resort, she’d been looking forward to getting away—from her hectic job as office manager at Keye Electronics, from the frigid January weather in Toronto, and definitely from her aggravating ex-husband. Her fists clenched under the table as she remembered how he’d done everything he could to delay the sale of their house just to hold up the funds she needed for a down payment on a great new condominium on the west side. With the deadline on the offer looming and no sign of the money becoming available, she’d been stressing out. Finally, she’d decided to hell with it, and she’d let the condo go. It was all about control with Roger, so she simply decided not to play along. Crystal, across the table, said something Eva couldn’t hear. Jenna, the woman to her left laughed, and Kate, next to her, giggled. Eva smiled, feeling the tension of the past few months slipping away. She glanced around the large ballroom where the welcoming party to the luxury resort was in full swing. This next week, she intended to relax on the beach, swim and make some new friends. But no men. That jerk of an ex-husband had shown her what men were really all about, and she had decided she could do without a man in her life. Period. Now, if only she could convince her libido of that. Allowing her gaze to wander over the women in glittering evening gowns and men in well-tailored tuxes swirling around the dance floor, she felt her insides quiver when she imagined being held in the arms of one of the many gorgeous men here, yet her stomach knotted at the thought of letting any man touch her. Damn, how had she let her ex-husband screw her up so thoroughly? Eva noticed the hostess leading another woman, holding one of the sweet red cocktails in her hand, to their table. In a black linen power suit, her golden-blonde hair tugged back tight from her face, she seemed more appropriately attired for a business meeting than a party. The woman glanced around uncertainly, tugging at the hem of her trim jacket. Ordinarily, Eva would have held back from this high-powered, business-woman type, since she’d found most to be cold and full of themselves, but this woman seemed lost and a little vulnerable. “This is where you’ll be sitting this evening,” Eva heard the hostess say over the music and laughter as they approached the table. “Please help yourself to drinks and appetizers, and someone will come and get you for the orientation in about twenty minutes.”

The Commander’s Woman

The newcomer nodded her thanks and sank into the empty chair. Eva smiled at her. “Hi. My name’s Eva.” Eva offered her hand, and the other woman shook it. “Hi. I’m Aria.” Aria’s grip was firm and her fingers frigid. Poor thing must realize how out of place she was in her current attire. Eva’s fingers glided along the simple string of pearls she wore at her neck. She was glad she’d chosen to wear her favorite dress, a black wrap-around which made her feel feminine and sophisticated. “This is Jenna, Kate and Crystal.” Eva introduced the women clockwise around the table. They all smiled and nodded. Each wore an evening gown. “I feel a little out of place.” Aria fiddled with the clip holding her hair in a twist at the back of her head. “I should have worn something else.” “Don’t worry about it,” Eva said. “You look great.” “Thanks.” “This is so exciting!” Kate, the young woman across the table from Aria, pushed her long, auburn hair behind her ear, her green eyes glittering with enthusiasm. “I wonder what they have planned for us.” Aria sipped the drink she still held in her hand. “I don’t know, but I hope there are men involved.” Crystal, the tall blonde on Aria’s right, settled a lascivious gaze on the hard, muscular butts of three guys, gorgeous and in their early twenties, as they passed by. Eva couldn’t help admiring the hard, masculine flesh too, which sent her pulse thrumming. “There certainly are a lot of good-looking men here,” said Kate. “And women.” Jenna, a woman with a sweet smile and short feathery black hair, sat on Eva’s left, watching a pair of blonde women in low-cut gowns pass by. Their generous, round breasts practically bounced out of their dresses. “Don’t worry about those two, honey. They’ve got lots out here…” Crystal indicated her chest, then waved her hand by her head. “But not much up here. Not like you.” She laid her hand on Jenna’s. “You’ve got brains and looks. In fact, you’re way better looking than most of the women here.” Eva smiled at Jenna and nodded in agreement. Jenna had been the first at the table and Eva the second. They had shared an interesting conversation about books and it turned out Jenna taught English at a college. Jenna, with her wide eyes, high cheekbones and flawless complexion, was stunning. In fact, the other three were all gorgeous too. Crystal sizzled with glamorous sexuality. Kate was rosy-cheeked and innocent. Aria, with her natural golden-blonde hair, slender nose and heart-shaped lips, was a classic beauty. Jenna smiled at Crystal but tucked her hand under the table as soon as Crystal drew hers away.

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Opal Carew

Crystal locked gazes with a man two tables over and sent him a seductive smile. “With all these sexy hunks to choose from, I plan to get laid every night by a different man.” She winked. “Or two.” Eva cringed at the thought. After her selfish ex, she couldn’t even handle the thought of one man, let alone two. A waitress stopped beside the table. “More drinks, ladies?” Eva nodded. The waitress took away the empty glasses and set down five new ones. Eva picked one up and sipped. “And here comes contestant number one,” Crystal purred. The man Crystal had been making eyes at approached the table. He leaned over Crystal and murmured something in her ear. She chuckled, a deep throaty sound, and her lips curled up in a wicked smile. He took her hand and led her to the dance floor where he drew her into a close embrace. Her red strapless dress, with a light sprinkling of sequins, glittered in the low light. They quickly disappeared among the crowd of dancers. Eva admired Crystal. She knew what she wanted, and she went after it. If only everyone was as welladjusted as her. Kate giggled. “Do you think she really means it? I mean, that she’d go to bed with two guys?” “I’m sure it was just talk.” Eva’s gaze followed the couple across the dance floor as they came into view, wove past several couples, then disappeared into the crowd again. “I don’t know. I think she’s up for anything,” Jenna piped in. “And more power to her.” Jenna was probably right. Crystal was confident and didn’t seem to care what others thought of her. A formidable combination. Ever since Crystal had joined them at the table, the men had all been eying her. Eva could understand why they found Crystal fascinating. She exuded potent sexuality. After Eva’s divorce and her total disenchantment with men, she had actually considered going the other way. Another woman would likely be very giving sexually—the total opposite of Roger—and that’s what Eva needed now. If any woman could ever convince Eva to switch, it would be someone like Crystal, but Eva knew it wouldn’t work. The simple fact was that Eva was attracted to men. She just didn’t trust them. Damn this thrumming sexual need which had been vibrating through her for weeks. She toyed with the stem of her glass. The hunger coursing through her heated her blood even now. She found her gaze wandering to the tall, muscular physiques of the men around her. So hot. So handsome. A man at the next table leaned close to his companion’s ear and murmured something. The woman laughed. Eva could imagine him sitting next to her, his strong arm brushing against hers, his breath whispering into her ear. Desire, like a flash fire, burst through her, searing her nerve endings. Oh God, but she needed a man.

8



She fought back the urge. No, she didn’t need a man. She could take care of herself. Her thoughts turned to the big blue vibrator sitting in the drawer of the bedside table in her room. As soon as this party was over, she had a date with “big blue”. The song changed, and a moment later, Crystal returned to the table. She wrapped her hands around her glass and stared into it. “He was nice but not exactly what I’m looking for.” “And what are you looking for?” Kate asked. “I don’t know, but I’m sure I’ll know it when I find it.” Crystal stabbed the cherry in her glass with the sharp end of the swizzle stick and brought it to her lips. She gently tugged it off with her teeth, then drew it into her mouth, closing her lips around it. Jenna watched with fascination, then nervously glanced down at her hands when she realized Eva had noticed. Did Jenna admire Crystal’s easy sensuality? Or, like Eva had, was Jenna considering the possibilities? “You know, I won this vacation in a contest.” Jenna twirled the tip of her finger around the rim of her glass “Really? I did too,” Eva responded. Kate’s eyes widened. “Me too.” Crystal pointed a finger trimmed with a long, well-manicured red fingernail at Aria. “And you?” Aria nodded. “Same here.” Crystal sipped her drink. “Omigod.” Kate giggled. “What a coincidence.” “Not a coincidence, sweetie. They probably want to get a photo of all of us. You know, for marketing, yada yada yada.” Crystal rested her chin on her hands. “And we’ll probably have to sit through some long, boring pitch to buy a timeshare.” “I don’t think so,” Aria chimed in. “We’re not exactly the demographic they’re looking for and—” “Ladies, my name is Terrien. It’s time for the orientation.” A stunningly handsome man smiled at them with dazzling white teeth. Eva’s insides quivered. Did the parade of temptations never end? “Would you all come with me, please?” He drew Kate’s chair back. Kate sent him a glowing smile and stood. “Lead on.” Crystal leaned toward Aria and murmured, “I would absolutely come with him. Anywhere. Anytime.” Aria giggled. Eva just clenched her teeth and tried not to stare at his rock-hard butt as he walked away from the table. She and the others stood and followed Terrien. He led them out of the ballroom, then turned left. “Aren’t the elevators the other way?” Jenna asked.


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Opal Carew

“The normal ones, yes,” Terrien answered, “but we’re taking the VIP elevator.” “Mmm, VIP. That’s my kind of action,” Crystal purred to Aria and Jenna. Kate walked beside Terrien up front, Eva walked a couple feet behind them, and Jenna, Crystal and Aria followed. Terrien led them down a narrow corridor, then pushed open a door labeled “Authorized Personnel Only”. At the end of another narrow corridor, they came to an elevator. Terrien pushed a key into a lock on the control panel and the doors opened. They crowded into the small space, and the doors closed. “This doesn’t look very VIP to me,” Crystal grumbled. The elevator seemed to speed up. It jostled a little from side to side. Aria swayed sideways and grabbed onto Crystal’s arm. Crystal placed her hand over Aria’s. “You okay, honey? You look a little green.” In fact, her face had gone completely pale. Eva clasped Aria’s other hand. “You don’t look well, Aria.” “I’m sure she’ll be fine in a minute,” Terrien said. The doors opened, and Kate, Terrien and Jenna stepped out. Aria took a step or two, then her knees started to buckle. Eva grabbed one of Aria’s arms and Crystal the other. They steadied her as they helped her from the elevator. They entered a moderate-size room with upholstered armchairs facing one wall. The décor had changed dramatically from the coral and green they’d seen everywhere else in the hotel. Also missing were the wooden details. This room was cool blue with very minimalist, clean lines. Eva led Aria to a chair. “I don’t know what came over me.” Aria’s cheeks flushed red. “The transporter has that effect on some people.” “The what?” Aria’s eyes widened, and Eva turned toward the unfamiliar female voice. A woman stood beside Terrien, who was taking off his suit jacket. The woman handed him a dark green jacket just like the one she wore. It looked like a military uniform of some sort. “The transporter,” she repeated. She pushed a button on a small console on the wall beside her, triggering a loud humming. The wall started to slide upward, revealing windows beyond. Aria gasped, echoed by several of the others, as a stunning vista of stars was revealed. “It transported you to our starship.” “That’s ridiculous.” Crystal stepped up to the glass and peered outside. “I don’t know, Crystal.” Kate’s voice sounded on the edge of panic. “Look!” She pointed upward. Eva followed her gaze. The wall panels continued to retreat over the ceiling, revealing a beautiful but quite disturbing view of Earth.

10



“Oh my God.” Eva sank into a chair, a queasy feeling in the pit of her stomach. “We’ve just been abducted by aliens.”


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Chapter Two

“You.” The uniformed woman pointed at Aria. “Come with me.” Anger jolted through Eva. “We stay together,” she insisted as she stepped toward Aria protectively. “No, actually, you don’t,” the woman responded. As the stranger grabbed Aria’s arm and dragged her to her feet, Terrien stepped in front of Eva. He wasn’t menacing, exactly, but Eva was reluctant to push past him. He was tall, strong and masculine. She didn’t think he would hurt her, but he could definitely stop her. She could imagine his strong hand clutching her arm, the heat of his body close to hers as he restrained her. The thought sent mild, barely contained terror through her. She licked her lips as she watched the uniformed woman lead Aria to a door, which slid open as they approached. A couple more uniformed men appeared and herded Eva and the others toward another door. Eva caught Aria’s eye and mouthed the words Everything will be all right. Eva felt the need to reassure the frightened, singled-out woman. Eva and the others were jostled together as they were urged into a corridor, led past several doors, then around a corner to the right. A moment later, they found themselves in another room, this one smaller than the last, with a couple of easy chairs and a couch around a large, oval coffee table. They sat on the couch and huddled together. Eva glanced at the other women, and her already tight breathing nearly strangled to a halt as she realized that Jenna and Crystal sat beside her, but there was no sign of Kate. Jenna seemed to notice at the exact same moment. “Where’s Kate?” Jenna asked, her voice thin. Eva patted her hand. “It’s okay. Everything will be all right.” She forced the words out in a calm tone, even though she felt anything but calm right now. Crystal glared at the two uniformed men standing between them and the door. “What is going on?” she demanded. The door slid open, and a tingle danced along Eva’s spine. She spun her head around, and her gaze locked on the chiseled features of a breathtakingly handsome hunk as he stepped into the room. His honeycolored hair fell in waves to his shoulders, and his uniform jacket, adorned with three small gold ovals on


the stand-up collar, hugged his broad, tautly muscled chest. Her pulse quickened, and her insides turned to hot, liquid velvet. A potent yearning pulsed through her. The man’s eyes, the clear turquoise of the tropical waters of the Caribbean, turned on her, and her breathing stopped. He smiled, and her breath expelled. She could not tug her gaze from him as he moved to stand in front of them. “Good evening, ladies. I’d like to welcome you to our ship, the Patira Alana. I am Commander Larson Raa-ling, the first officer. I’m sure this has been quite a shock for you.” “Yeah, no kidding,” Crystal said. “I want to assure you, you will not be harmed,” he continued. Eva wanted to protest and demand to see Aria and Kate, but she couldn’t find her voice. “What do you want from us?” Jenna asked, her voice quavering. “Let me explain why we have brought you here.” He sat in the chair facing them and settled back into the cushioned upholstery. The tapered line of his uniform accentuated his broad shoulders and slim waist. Eva could imagine him stripping away his dark green jacket, followed by the shirt beneath, to reveal bulging arms and taut, well-defined stomach muscles. “There is a power in the universe that takes a hand in our lives,” he said. “We call it nata’tai. It provides the means to keep us healthy, as individuals and as races.” “We don’t want a lesson in alien religion,” Crystal sniped. “To stay healthy,” Commander Raa-ling continued, “a race must grow. It must embrace other cultures. It must open its gene pool to other races, otherwise it will stagnate. Physically, emotionally and culturally.” His words jerked Eva out of her hazy reverie. Open its gene pool. It sounded like— “Oh my God, they’ve brought us here as breeding stock.” Jenna’s face paled. Exactly what Eva had been thinking. She glanced at Jenna and squeezed her hand, trying to lend her strength, but wondered how long her own strength would last with images of tall, menacing aliens wanting to impregnate her marching through her brain. Her gaze returned to Commander Raa-ling. Would he be the one to take her? Her breasts felt heavy, the nipples tightening. She wouldn’t agree, of course. He’d have to tie her up, or—she glanced at his big, strong hands—hold her down. She could imagine his masculine fingers wrapping around her wrists with a grip as firm as steel, imagine his lips dancing along her neck, seeking the sensitive hot-spot that turned her into a wild woman. She shifted in her seat, her throat suddenly dry, a tingling heat rippling through her abdomen. The image frightened her as much as it turned her on. She couldn’t be sexually used by a man. Not again. “You have not been brought here to be sex slaves,” the commander reassured. “As a race matures, nata’tai gives its people the ability to sense their tanash’ae—what you would call their soul-mate—even


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Opal Carew

over great distances. To ensure a mingling of races, nata’tai directs the spirits of tanash’aei—soul-mates— to be born in different races on different planets.” “Soul-mates?” Jenna repeated in a hushed tone. “That’s right. Each of you is the soul-mate of a member of this crew. That’s why you’ve been brought here. To meet your tanash’ae.” Eva felt her throat tighten. “So you intend to convince us we’re in love with some guy, then use us for breeding,” Crystal scoffed. “This has nothing to do with procreation. I’m talking about love.” He focused directly on Eva. “The love of two people destined to be together. Of people who make each other complete. Soul-mates. Tanish’aei.” His turquoise eyes, like deep tropical pools, mesmerized her, and his words resonated through her as if they held a special secret meaning just for her. “Excuse me, Commander.” Eva dragged herself from the almost hypnotic trance and glanced to her right, toward the voice. The woman who’d dragged Aria away stood in the doorway. Eva noticed the woman had two gold ovals on her collar while the two men who stood by the door had none. They must be a symbol of rank. “Captain wants to see senior staff.” “Thank you, Casey.” The commander rose. “Excuse me, ladies. You will remain here until someone is free to take you to your quarters. Make yourselves comfortable.” He followed Casey, the female officer, out of the room, followed by the other two men. The door slid closed behind them, leaving Eva and her companions alone in the room. Crystal rose and approached the door, but it didn’t open. She flattened her hand on it, then dragged her fingers along the edge, clearly looking for a way to trigger the mechanism. “Are you okay, Eva?” Jenna asked, sliding her arm around Eva’s shoulders. “Did you feel…funny…when that man came into the room?” Eva asked. Could the aliens have drugged them? Maybe something in that last drink at the resort? “What do you mean?” Jenna asked. “She means were we hot for him.” Crystal turned to face them. Eva shot her a glance, and Crystal shrugged. “You were practically drooling over him, sweetie.” She crossed the room and sat beside Eva. “He is definitely a hunk, but I find that other one—Terrien, I think they called him—much hotter. I really would love to jump his bones.” “Crystal, how can you think about that now? We’ve been kidnapped by people from another planet,” Jenna said.

14



“That’s the key. They are people. Just like us.” Crystal’s calm in the face of this incredible situation amazed Eva. Eva shook her head. “How can you treat this so lightly?” “We’re here,” Crystal responded. “I figure I’ll make the best of it. At home, a lay is a lay, but here…” She shrugged. “Well, who knows what special talents these alien hunks have?” “They said they know who our soul-mates are.” Jenna stared into space. “That might be what they believe, but I don’t buy it,” Crystal said. “Me, neither,” Eva agreed.

After about twenty minutes, the door slid open and Commander Raa-ling entered, followed by Casey and Terrien, the man who’d brought them here from the planet. Eva’s skin tingled with awareness of Raaling’s masculine presence. “You’ll be taken to your quarters now,” he said to all of them. “If you have any more questions, pose them to your tanash’ae.” Terrien stepped toward Crystal who now sat in one of the easy chairs, and Casey approached Jenna. Crystal and Jenna stood and followed their assigned guards. Ice water pulsed through Eva’s veins. She couldn’t just let this happen. Eva leapt to her feet and stepped in front of them. “Don’t go with them. If we stay together, we have a better chance.” “A better chance to what, Eva?” Crystal asked. She leaned close to Eva’s ear and murmured, “Look, I don’t believe in soul-mates, but I’m damned curious about sex with an alien. Especially one that looks like this hunk.” She glanced toward Terrien, then back to Eva and winked, then followed him toward the door. Casey gestured to Jenna to follow her. Eva grasped Jenna’s sleeve. “Don’t go,” Eva implored.


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Chapter Three

Eva’s gaze locked on Jenna’s. “I’m sorry, Eva.” Jenna’s large, blue eyes pleaded for understanding. Jenna followed Casey quietly. They went out the door, and it slid closed behind them. Eva glanced at the one remaining person in the room besides herself. Commander Raa-ling. He stood less than a yard away, a half foot taller than her, oozing strength and masculinity. Her gaze darted to his— then held. His turquoise eyes had darkened to teal, and he stared at her with an intensity she found unnerving.

Larson gazed at this woman he’d never met before, the woman he would spend the rest of his life with, the woman he’d longed for with a demanding ache that would not relent. He needed her with a desperation that overruled everything else. He loved her. He took a step forward, and she took a step back. He stepped forward again, and she backed up until the wall thumped against her back. Although she seemed intent on resisting her attraction to him, that attraction was quite evident. Her nipples hardened to tight beads, thrusting against the thin fabric of her black dress. Peaking toward him. He longed to slide the black fabric aside and brush his fingertips over them, then run his tongue around the rigid buds and the pebbling flesh surrounding them. He curled his fingers tightly into his palms, knowing he had to control himself. He had to fight the desperate need to throw her onto their bed and drive into her. To make her his immediately. His cock throbbed with the need as it strained against his trousers. As he stood mere inches from her, chaining in the desperate ache pummeling through him, he knew he had to touch her silky skin. He raised his hand and stroked her cheek lightly. The feel of her soft skin beneath his fingertips sent his nerve endings dancing and heat shuddering through him. “Do you know how long I’ve yearned to touch you?” “You don’t even know me.” The words trembled from her lips. He knew she would resist. She had been torn from her world and thrown into an unknown environment. She had lost all control of her destiny, or so she believed. This would not be easy for her. His heart ached at her pain. He would make it as easy on her as he could. If only he could make her understand how much he loved her. If she let go of her fears, she would see how much she loved him too.


He stroked the line of her jaw. “I know you. More than I’ve ever known anyone before. Our hearts and our souls are linked.” He wanted to nuzzle her neck and breathe in the delicate scent of her. His fingers forked through her hair and curled around the back of her head. Her lips trembled as he leaned toward her. What he wanted even more was to feel those delicate lips beneath his. He hovered within an inch of her mouth. Her eyes widened, and she stiffened. Shock prodded him as he realized she was afraid. Of him. His gut clenched. He eased away, then smiled warmly, hoping to reassure her. “I am sorry,” he murmured. “I could hardly contain myself. I have ached for you for so long.”

Eva stared at him, relieved he’d backed off a little. As soon as his fingertips had brushed her cheek, she’d wanted to push his hand away and shoot across the room, far out of reach, but the allure of his touch had mesmerized her. When his lips had hovered so close to hers, she’d felt as if she’d die if he did not kiss her. And that’s when blinding fear had consumed her. “I won’t have sex with you,” she blurted. “I know, my love.” A sadness tinged his turquoise eyes. “Don’t call me that, Commander.” “To you I am not Commander. I am simply Larson. I am your tanash’ae.” She folded her arms across her chest. “I don’t believe that.” “It is true nevertheless.” They stood in silence for a moment. Her pulse drummed loudly in her ears. She dearly wanted to put distance between them, but was afraid to push past him. A memory shot through her…of Roger grabbing her wrist, then viciously twisting it until she crumpled beneath him…of being helpless to his will. “Are you going to take me to my quarters?” she demanded, keeping her voice strong and steady. “These are your quarters. And mine.” “Yours? But—” “Don’t worry, laiya. You have your own bedroom.” Laiya. The way the word slid off his tongue like silk sent goose bumps tingling across her skin. Clearly, it was an endearment of some kind. “I don’t want to stay here. I want you to send me and my friends home.” “I can’t do that, but we don’t have to stay here right now. I’d like to take you somewhere we can have a drink and get to know each other.” They have bars on starships?


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He took her hand and led her to the door. As they walked along the familiar corridor, she tugged her hand free, so he lightly grasped her elbow. “It’s near shift change. The perfect time,” he said. He drew her into an elevator of sorts, but its movement seemed horizontal rather than vertical. After a five minute ride, they exited, turned a few corners, then entered a large room with round tables and chairs, like some kind of restaurant or club. The light was softer than the office-level lighting of the corridors. A handful of people sat at different tables, most staring at what looked like small, portable DVD players. From the quick glance she got as Larson led her to a table, some had text and some video. This must be some kind of lounge where the crew came to relax. Commander Raa-ling had mentioned something about a shift change. “This is the red room,” he explained as they sat. “Would you like a drink?” “Wine.” She needed something stronger than water. He smiled and stood. “Aren’t you afraid I’m going to run away?” she couldn’t help asking. He shrugged. “Where would you go?” She sighed. She’d been wondering the same thing. He returned in a moment with a slender, purple bottle and two tall, slim glasses. He poured clear liquid into the glasses and handed one to her. She sipped it. At first, it seemed totally tasteless; then her taste buds blossomed with a delicate, dry, fruity flavor that delighted her senses. A few moments later, a woman entered the room, followed by a man, both in uniform. Instead of sitting at one of the tables, they moved to a large alcove recessed in the wall near Eva and Larson. They nodded to Larson and smiled at Eva. The horizontal surface started about two and a half feet above the floor and extended about seven feet wide and several feet into the wall, with a plush surface and filled with cozy-looking cushions. The two newcomers sat, and Eva realized the floor of the alcove was padded. Was this a place for crew members to take a nap between shifts or while on a break? “Do you want to wait for Kairo?” the man asked his companion. “I only have twenty minutes. We’ll have to start without him.” Commander Raa-ling leaned toward her. “The woman is Adeira, and her partner is Jano.” Adeira stripped off her uniform jacket, then, to Eva’s complete horror, began to unfasten her shirt buttons.

18


Chapter Four

Eva glanced at Larson, and he smiled, his turquoise eyes glimmering in the soft light. Her gaze flew back to the couple in the alcove. Adeira opened her top, baring her round firm breasts, then began to stroke her nipples. Jano lay back and watched her with keen masculine interest, following the small movements of her fingers as she stroked and pinched the hard nubs. He opened his pants and drew out a growing erection. Every muscle in Eva’s body tensed as she watched the scene, unable to tug her gaze away. Was this a preamble to dragging her onto this…stage? Were they going to force her to have sex with them, with everyone watching? Many more people had entered the lounge, and they all seemed to be watching the couple. Eva was intensely conscious of Commander Raa-ling’s presence beside her. Of the heat emanating from his body. Jano’s hand glided along his cock as Adeira unfastened her own pants, then pulled them down and kicked them aside. They landed in an unkempt pile on the floor. Her fingers stroked down her belly, then slid beneath her lacy green panties. She watched her companion stroke his long, purple-veined cock as her fingers gyrated in small circles between her legs. Her eyes fell closed, and she eased herself back onto the stack of cushions on one end. Jano leaned forward and tucked his fingers under the thin, lacy elastic at her hips and drew the delicate garment down, sliding it over her thighs, then her calves and off. He crumpled them into a ball and drew them to his face, breathing in her aroma, a blissful smile on his face. He crouched over her and kissed her ribs, then took her busy hand and kissed it. When he drew her fingers into his mouth, she smiled and arched her lower body toward him. He lifted her thighs, drawing them apart, then kissed her pussy. He thrust out his tongue, licking her folds and swirling his tongue over her clitoris. She moaned. As his tongue pulsed against her, her moans grew louder and wilder. Eva realized some of the people around them had started to stroke each other. The man at the table to their right slid his hand inside the shirt of one of the two women sitting with him while the other woman stroked the bulge in his pants. Eva could see Commander Raa-ling from the corner of her eye, could tell he watched her more than he watched the performing couple. Adeira arched and twisted under Jano’s mouth. Finally, she wailed in orgasm. The woman at the next table tugged down her male companion’s zipper, drawing out his rigid cock while he sucked at his other companion’s now naked breast.

Opal Carew

Jano kissed Adeira’s belly, then sat back and flung away his jacket and shirt. Adeira relieved him of his pants. He leaned back, the top of his head toward the audience, his erect rod standing straight up. Adeira shifted one knee over his hips, then mounted him, facing her onlookers. Eva watched in fascination as the long, hard cock slid into the woman’s wet opening. Adeira moved up and down, again and again. Each upward movement revealed Jano’s long, slick erection. It moved into her smoothly and effortlessly. The couple both sighed and moaned, climbing the heights of passion. He grunted and shuddered as she rode him hard, her generous breasts bouncing up and down. Finally, she stiffened and threw her head back. Her breasts rose and fell with her labored breathing. Eva realized her own breathing had accelerated and dampness pooled between her thighs. Oh God, she was turned on. Another man stepped toward the stage, tossing his clothing aside. “That’s Kairo,” Commander Raa-ling whispered. His arm brushed hers, and her whole body jerked in reaction. Kairo sat beside the couple in the alcove and stroked one of Adeira’s nipples while wrapping his hand around his semi-erect cock. He stroked it as Jano began to stroke Adeira’s other nipple, his cock still buried inside her. She moaned softly, a smile turning up her lips. Jano ran his fingers down her ribcage, then along her stomach. She began moving on him again. Kairo cupped both her breasts, stroking the tips, then cupping underneath, holding them up. Jano’s finger fondled her clit as she bounced up and down. She wailed in delight, pounding down on him harder and faster. “Oh yes, I’m coming again.” Kairo wrapped his hands around her waist and helped lift her. Jano’s face tightened, and he groaned. She gasped several times, then slumped down on him. His arm slid around her. While Jano cuddled her close, Kairo stroked the long hair draped across her back. After a few moments, Adeira pushed herself up. Jano’s penis slid from her depths, wilted. She sat on the edge of the alcove, her feet on the floor, then spread her legs wide. Flushing, Eva couldn’t help but stare at the slick, wet pussy open to them, white juices flowing down her thighs. Kairo stood in front of her, and Adeira swallowed his cock into her mouth. His tight, hard buttock muscles flexed and relaxed as Adeira sucked him. Jano whispered something in Kairo’s ear, and he nodded and stilled Adeira’s head, then drew his cock free. “You only have a few minutes left,” he said to her. She nodded and opened her legs wider. He shifted forward, burying his cock inside her. He thrust deep and hard and she clung to him. Eva felt the room closing in around her. Too hot. She sipped her wine, her gaze locked on the couple. Her nipples felt raw against the lace of her bra, pushing against the coarse fabric.

20



After several more thrusts, the couple moaned their release. Eva’s thigh muscles tensed, locking her legs tighter together, as her body begged for release too. Kairo drew away and sat down beside Adeira. She kissed him, then collected her clothing from the floor and walked away, naked. The men glanced around expectantly, their rigid cocks sticking straight out. Eva’s breath caught as Jano’s gaze landed on her and he smiled. Her gaze dropped to his cock, long and hard, and her heartbeat accelerated. She could imagine lowering herself onto it, just as Adeira had done. Bouncing up and down and screaming in climax as his hot, hard flesh plummeted into her. She felt faint. She couldn’t allow this. Commander Raa-ling’s hand rested against her wrist. “Are you all right?” he asked. Her clenched fist opened long enough to grasp his hand, despite the electrical effect of his touch, because she needed to cling to something. “I have to get out of here.” This wild spectacle had thrown her hormones into turmoil. She feared staying here. Feared what she might do. “Whatever you wish, laiya.” He drew her to her feet. As he led her to the door, she realized there were several other alcoves with naked or partially clad people enjoying each other’s bodies. She held her neck rigid and her gaze straight ahead until they reached the corridor and the door closed behind them. She followed the commander back to the cabin. Once inside, she realized she still clutched his hand and immediately released it. The severed contact jarred her senses, and she sucked in a deep breath, trying to recapture her composure. With wild hormones flying through her body, augmented by the heat of the man so close, she wasn’t very successful. “Let me show you the rest of the quarters.” He rested his hand lightly on her elbow, setting her senses tingling again, and urged her forward. He led her toward another door. It slid open, and her breathing stopped as she stared at a large bed dominating the room. “This is my bedroom.” She stiffened, afraid he’d push her onto the bed and have his way with her. And even more afraid she’d let him. Her pussy twitched at the thought of his cock brushing against her, then driving into her hot flesh. He leaned in close, his breath tickling her ear. “I could take you to your room now…or we could stay here.”


21

Chapter Five

With the heat of his body only inches from hers, her body thrummed like a high voltage wire. She’d love nothing better than to strip off her clothes and lie back on that bed so he could plunge deep inside her. But fear pulsed through her at the thought. “My room.” The words tumbled from her mouth. He led her past the bed to another door. It opened to reveal a second bedroom. She stepped inside and glanced around. The only door was the one that led back to his bedroom. That meant she had to go through his room to get in or out. As she stepped farther into the room, she noticed a paper-thin screen hanging on the wall across from the bed. Commander Raa-ling stepped to a small control box on the wall to the right of the screen and pressed a button. The sounds of sex filled the room, and on the screen were naked bodies moving together. She glanced sharply at him. “Let me show you the controls,” he suggested. She stepped beside him, agitated by the wails and cries accompanying the video display and anxious to get the thing shut down. “Push this button to select another display location,” he explained. Above the button, a display indicated “Red Room—A4”. She pushed the button and it switched to “Red Room—A5”. She didn’t glance at the screen, but from the sounds she could tell similar activities were taking place. She pressed the button again. “Q36—B1”. Still the same kind of sounds. “You can also see my bedroom, Q55 dash B1, the shower, Q55 dash S, and the living area, Q55 dash L. You can key in exactly what you want right here.” He pushed a button, revealing a small keyboard. “How do you turn it off?” she demanded. “You can’t. I want it as a constant reminder of what you and I should be doing. I am your soul-mate. Once we make love, you won’t be able to deny it any longer.” Hot blood pounded through her body, threatening a core meltdown. Shakily, she drew her hand from the control panel. He stepped closer and curled his hands over her shoulders from behind, his breath brushing the back of her neck. His lips brushed her ear. She sucked in a breath at the sensual onslaught of his touch.


“Eva, I know you’re intensely turned on. The effect of being near your tanash’ae acts like a powerful aphrodisiac. Why don’t you give in to the feeling?” She was sorely tempted to lean back against him, to draw his hands around her and press them against her breasts. But she steeled herself against the traitorous demands of her body. “I don’t believe in tanashays.” He eased away and sighed. “I’ll be nearby if you need me. For now, I’ll give you privacy.” He moved to the door but stopped and glanced back at her. “Eva, your discomfort will only increase until you do what your body demands. Check the drawer beside the bed for something to help you through this.” The door slid closed behind him. She gazed at the table to the left of the bed, focusing on the drawer. Had he supplied some kind of medication to reduce the sexual fever that held her in its grip? Did he really think she’d take alien drugs? She approached the table, then grasped the brass-colored knob and pulled. A selection of brightly colored dildos filled the drawer. She slammed it shut, her cheeks burning.

Eva’s whole body was on fire. She lay on the bed, still fully clothed, trying to ignore the screen, but her gaze kept returning to it. The scene currently on the display showed a tall, red-lipped brunette lying back on a bed while a man licked her pussy. A second man kissed her breasts while a blonde woman sat beside them, stroking her own pussy. Eva tried to ignore the display, but her gaze kept returning to it. The man stopped licking the brunette’s clit and positioned his cock at her entrance. The blonde slid her finger inside her visibly wet opening. Eva’s hand slid inside her dress and tweaked one hard, aching nipple, triggering an incredible explosion of pleasure. She longed to open her dress and grasp her naked breasts in her hands, to feel her hard nipples thrusting into her palms, but she was too conscious of Commander Raa-ling in the very next room. What if he came in? She licked her lips as she glanced at the door. Her groin ached painfully. She reached under her dress and drew down her panties, then tugged them off. The man repeatedly thrust into the brunette, while she pumped the other man’s cock with her hand. The blonde stroked her breasts as she thrust her fingers inside her pussy. Eva’s fingers stroked her own slit. Wet and hot. Oh, how she wanted something inside her. She slid in three fingers and pumped, but it wasn’t enough.


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Opal Carew

The brunette moaned faster and louder, and the man groaned. Eva’s fingers moved faster and harder. The man grunted and stiffened while the woman wailed in climax. Eva moaned in frustration. She found her clit and stroked frantically. The man collapsed on his partner, then rolled aside, his flaccid penis slipping out of her wet opening. The woman rolled over and prowled toward the second man. He stretched out on his back, his cock a tower of hard flesh pointing straight up. She mounted him. Eva’s vagina clenched at the thought of the long, hard cock pushing inside her. She could stand it no longer. She sat up and tugged open the drawer, then grabbed a long, purple dildo with a suction cup on the base. A trailing cord with a controller attached showed her it was a vibrator too. She glanced around for somewhere to attach the suction cup. A narrow, leather-padded bench of just the right height sat by one wall. The brunette on the video moved up and down on her lover. Eva’s insides ached with need. She skittered across the room and dragged the bench away from the wall, positioning it so she could see the video. Would the suction cup hold on leather? She noticed a raised ridge on the surface of the bench that looked the same size as the suction cup. She pushed the dildo against the side of the ridge, and the suction cup slid into place. Clearly, that’s what it was for. She climbed over the bench and positioned the cool dildo against the hot flesh between her legs. She eased herself downward, sighing as the firm device pressed against her moist folds, then slid inside. Her muscles clamped around it. Oh yes. The hardness pushing inside her felt like heaven. She tugged open the tie of her dress and slid it off her shoulders. Her fingers slid under her bra and dabbed at her nipple while she used her other hand to turn the little dial on the controller. The vibration sent ripples of pleasure through her. The woman on the screen bounced up and down on her lover. Eva shifted up and down on the vibrating dildo. As the woman moaned, Eva tweaked her hard nipple, squeezing and tugging, ramping up her pleasure. The woman on the screen wailed, and Eva rode the dildo harder. It rammed deep and fast into her as she bounced up and down, faster and faster. The woman screamed in climax as Eva felt her own pleasure blossoming. Waves of bliss burst through her, and she couldn’t stifle her wail of release. She slumped forward, the long rod buried deep inside her, still vibrating. She turned it off and sighed. Her hunger had diminished a little, but not as much as she’d hoped. Her cheeks flushed at the thought that Commander Raa-ling might have walked in on her at any moment. What if he had heard her? What if he knew exactly what she’d just done? She dismounted the dildo and tugged it from the bench. The two lovers on the screen wailed in another climax. Her gaze locked on the screen, and a horrid thought tumbled through her brain.

24



Was this room being broadcast? Had she just given a show to the entire crew? She shoved the vibrator back into the drawer, wanting it out of sight immediately, then climbed into bed and tugged the covers up around her neck, barely able to breathe.

A moment later, a buzz sounded at her door. But it wasn’t a moment, she realized as she came more fully awake. She must have fallen asleep almost instantly. Her sexual release must have relieved enough of her tension to allow exhaustion to take over, despite her anxiety at the thought that others—maybe a huge many others—might have seen her riding that vibrator last night. “Eva, may I come in?” Commander Raa-ling’s words sounded through a speaker somewhere in the room. Her face flushed. Obviously, he expected to hear her answer. That meant he must have been able to hear the sounds she’d made last night. “Eva?” She clutched the covers to her neck. “Come in.” She forced the words from her clenched throat. The door slid open, and he leaned against the door frame, a broad smile lighting his face. Heat crept into her cheeks. “I have breakfast ready for you. Would you like it in here or the dining room?” She couldn’t handle the intimacy of him bringing her breakfast in bed. In fact, she desperately wanted to leave this room and the memories of what she’d done last night, probably in front of a huge audience. “The dining room.” She continued to clutch the blankets to her chest, waiting for him to leave. He smiled and watched her for several long moments. So long that she almost protested, but then he pushed away from the door jamb and left her alone, the door closing behind him. She pushed back the covers and stood, glancing around, wondering what she would do for clothes. Her gaze landed on the pool of black fabric on the floor. She certainly didn’t want to traipse around in an evening gown indefinitely. She opened a door on a built-in cupboard and found two pairs of jeans, one faded blue and the other black, a selection of cotton shirts, a couple of sweaters and a red velour robe. The items could have been from her closet at home. They were exactly her size and her favorite type of colors: blues, mauves and soft greens. She selected a lavender shirt paired with the black jeans.

Eva stared at the bowl of oatmeal Commander Raa-ling placed in front of her. She tried to ignore the quivering of her hormones anytime he came near, but it was damn difficult. “Darjeeling tea is your preference, right?” he asked as he set a metal urn on the center of the table. “Actually, blackcurrant,” she answered, trying to be arbitrary. She picked up the spoon to the right of the bowl and poked at the steaming cereal. She noticed a bowl of brown sugar to her left.


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Opal Carew

He smiled, undaunted. Damn but he was an attractive man. “My understanding is that your favorite is blackcurrant, but you prefer Darjeeling in the morning.” She plunked down her spoon and stared at him. “How do you know so much about me?” “I know a great deal more than your eating habits. I know you got married shortly after college. After less than a year, he’d had an affair. Then another.” Her eyes widened as she stared at him. Pain lanced through her as she remembered those early years. “By the fourth year, he didn’t even hide it anymore.” Her throat tightened. As the years had passed, she’d become numb to her husband’s cheating, but she’d never gotten used to the feeling of emptiness at the fact she hadn’t been worthy of his love. He’d never even bothered to try to please her in bed. A quick roll and tumble was all she’d been worth to him. A handy female body to satisfy his lust. That’s all she’d been. And, it seemed, she didn’t even fill that role well enough, because he’d always been looking elsewhere. Intellectually, she knew he was just a lazy bastard who couldn’t be bothered to consider his partner’s needs—probably the reason he couldn’t even keep a regular lover—but her selfesteem had taken a huge jolt. ”By the time you left him, just over a year ago, both of you had lost count of the other women.” “Shut up, damn it,” she snapped, curling her arms around herself. She didn’t need him reminding her how lousy her marriage had been. How lousy men were. This man was no different. Dragging her here against her will. Trying to force his beliefs on her. Breath labored from her lungs. “Were you watching me last night?” she demanded, unable to silence the question burning through her.

26


Chapter Six

Commander Raa-ling’s smile faded a fraction. “Yes.” His openness threw her off balance. “You can watch me too. Anytime you like,” he said. “In fact, if you’d like to watch me while I was watching you, you can.” He stood and moved to the living room, then pressed a button on a small control box on the wall. A screen just like the one in her room lowered from the ceiling. He pressed a couple of buttons on the control panel, and his image showed on the screen, his face intently watching the camera. “Do you see how turned on you make me?” Her gaze shifted to the image of his huge erection. Amazingly, as his hand slid up and down, it grew even longer. “You can change the viewing angle here.” The image shifted. Eva could now see the image he watched and flushed hotly as she saw herself riding that damned dildo, her breasts bouncing up and down. She glanced away. He switched the view back to himself staring directly at the camera, but she could still hear her moans in the background. She strode to the monitor and jabbed at buttons until it switched off. “So everyone on the ship has seen me?” Her strong, angry words belied the weakness she felt inside. “No, these quarters are not broadcast to the whole ship.” Relief surged through her. “Well, thank God for that.” “You shouldn’t be embarrassed. Sex is a beautiful thing.” She exhaled sharply. “Not in my experience.” His eyes glittered in intensity. “Eva, I know your husband didn’t treat you right, but I’m not like him. You are my whole world.” He reached for her hand, but she snatched it away. The intensity of being this close to him was already too much to handle, throwing her seriously off-balance. “You don’t even know me.” “I do know you.” He flattened his hand on his chest. “In here. My heart knows you. My soul knows you. Eva, if you let me make love to you, you will understand. The bliss you will find in my arms will change your mind. And open your heart.”

Opal Carew

She raised her eyebrows. “You think a lot of yourself, don’t you?” “No. I think a lot of you. I know joining with you will be the greatest experience I will ever know.” His turquoise eyes acted like magnets. She could not help but gaze into them. He meant it. Everything he’d just said. She could see it in those warm, serenely honest eyes. “I love you more than life itself.” She dragged her gaze away. She didn’t want him to love her. Didn’t want him to want her. “I don’t love you,” she tossed back. His hand brushed against her cheek tenderly, and she melted inside, wanting so much to give herself over to this vibrant need. “You would if you let yourself.” Her throat tightened as tears prickled at her eyes. “No,” she choked out, then marched to her room.

Damn the man. Eva sat on the easy chair in the corner of her room, her knees tucked against her chest. He had left to tend to his duties during the day, but as soon as he’d returned, Eva had gone back to her room. She’d sat in this room for hours, trying to come to terms with her situation. Staying on this ship was intolerable, but she had no choice. Listening to that damned sex constantly displayed on the video device was driving her insane. She couldn’t stop thinking about sex, couldn’t stop thinking about Commander Raa-ling. She didn’t want to want him…didn’t want to feel anything for him…didn’t want to feel anything for any man ever again. She could take care of herself, including satisfying her own sexual cravings. What she wanted was to go back home. To Earth. She pushed herself to her feet and browsed the books in the small corner bookshelf beside the chair. Romance novels. Erotica novels. More romance novels. Damn, she didn’t want to read about love, and she certainly didn’t want to read about sex. She’d almost succeeded in tuning out the sexual sounds from the video device. Almost. She didn’t need books to stir up her hormones. She plunked back into the chair. Who was she kidding? She couldn’t stop thinking about sex. She couldn’t stop thinking about the way Commander Raa-ling’s honey-colored hair curled over his broad, muscular shoulders. About how his dark teal eyes glittered when he gazed at her with passion— which was most of the time. How his erection had felt pressed against her belly. She squirmed in her seat. Sucking in a deep breath, she tried to calm the tornado of hormones accelerating through her. She longed to see Commander Raa-ling. Larson. To just look at him.

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She glanced at the screen, ignoring the view of a man kneeling over a woman licking her pussy while another woman lay beneath him, swallowing his cock deep into her mouth. So why not?


29

Chapter Seven

Eva stood and strode to the video control panel, then pressed the button to change the video view. She tried “Q55-L”, but the video image didn’t change. That meant Larson was not in the living area. Hesitantly, she flicked it to “Q55-B1”, quelling her guilt by reminding herself he had been quite adamant that she was welcome to watch him anytime she wanted. Again, the video image didn’t change. Maybe he’d left the quarters. She stepped toward the door. When she moved within a foot of it, it opened. She peered into the bedroom beyond—Larson’s room. As she stepped into the room, she breathed in his scent. Musky male. Her vagina clenched in need. His uniform jacket hung over the back of a chair, along with his shirt and pants. Socks and underwear lay strewn in a path to another door. The bathroom. He was taking a shower. Before she could even think, she’d slipped back into her room and switched the view to “Q55-S”. Shower. Her breath caught as a back view of his long, lean and quite naked body appeared on the video screen. Water droplets sparkled across his broad shoulders as water streamed down his back. She followed the flow over his muscular torso, down past his trim waist, then over his—she sucked in a breath—tight, round buns. Oh God, she could imagine sliding her hands over those and squeezing. He turned around, and her eyes widened at the sheer length and girth of his penis. It had to be nine or ten inches long and as big around as her wrist. She felt a bit light-headed. He pressed a button on a dispenser on the tile wall, and a translucent blue gel streamed into his palm. Foam followed his hands as he ran them over his shoulders, then down his chest. Mesmerized, she watched the suds glide over his muscular frame, down his rippled abs, over his strong legs. She slid onto the bed and plumped the pillows behind her. She gasped as he stroked his long penis, luxurious suds foaming over it. Oh, how she longed to stroke him like that, to feel the hot, slippery flesh within her hands, to wrap her fingers around his steel-hard shaft. He glanced straight at the camera and smiled. Oh God, did he know she was watching him? But he glanced away, and she simply couldn’t drag her gaze from his gorgeous, naked flesh. He rinsed the soap from his body, and she sighed as he stepped out of the shower. He grabbed a white towel from a drying rack and patted his body. His shoulders, his chest, his legs, then his groin. In fact, he paid very close


attention to his penis, holding it out and patting it from base to tip. He grasped the towel at each end and shimmied it back and forth across those incredible buns. Finally, he hung the towel on the rack and left the bathroom. As soon as he stepped into the bedroom, the video view changed to follow him. Rather than getting dressed, he stacked up the pillows on his bed and sat propped against them, still totally naked. His hand curled around his penis, and he started to stroke it. His flaccid member grew. He seemed to stare straight at her. Maybe he actually could see her. He could be watching her right now. Of course, that didn’t mean he knew what she was watching. He knew her video was on all the time. He would expect her to be watching it sometimes. He would expect her to be getting turned on. And she was. His hand stroked up and down the length of his cock. It inflated, growing larger and fuller. The scene cast a hypnotic spell on her. Long, smooth strokes. Soon it was fully erect. She licked her lips. She wanted to feel that cock. To stroke it. To taste it. And she could. All she had to do was walk toward the door and step through. He would be happy to accommodate her. Her vagina clenched, feeling so empty. Wanting to be filled. She clenched her fingers around the edge of the bedclothes, reminding herself she did not want to be with a man. That path led only to pain. Larson stared straight at her and smiled as though gazing directly into her eyes, as though seeing the blatant need on her face. He tweaked one of his nipples, and it stood pebble hard. Her fingers slipped under her shirt and stroked over her own nipple. Her areola pebbled under her touch, and the nipple grew long and rigid. She pinched it, and sparks of pleasure burst through her, spiraling down to her groin. She could see a clear droplet form on the tip of his penis, and his head dropped back onto the pillows, his eyes half-closed—but never leaving her. A rigid ache pulsed between her legs. She tugged open her top, freeing her breasts. She stroked enthusiastically, every brush of her fingertip over the nipples sending sharp pangs of pleasure lancing through her. What if he was watching her? After all, he had before. On the other hand, he could just be watching some sex scene on his video. All she knew was that he was staring at his screen. Thinking about the possibility that he was actually watching her, that their gazes were actually locked together, she became more aroused. She could feel moisture drip from her pussy. He smiled, and she actively imagined he was watching her. Appreciating her. Her hand found its way to the bedside table, then tugged open the drawer without shifting her gaze from the image of his long cock pulsing up and down within the grip of his large hand. She snatched out a


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Opal Carew

vibrator and turned it on, then tugged open the buttons of her shirt. It dropped off one shoulder, then the other, and she slipped her arms free. She kicked off her jeans, then her panties and tossed them aside, then stretched out on the bed and opened her legs. On the screen, Larson’s lips pursed together and his hand moved faster as Eva slid the device between her legs. The vibrating cock sent ecstatic sensations quivering through her. He stroked faster and faster as she plunged the cock between her legs, thrusting it in and out, following his rhythm. Incredible starbursts of light shimmered across her vision as her heart pounded louder and faster, and her whole body seemed to tighten into a single column of pulsing pleasure. She cried out in climax. At the same time, a burst of white erupted from his cock. She collapsed on the pillows, breathing heavily. After a moment, her eyes fluttered open, and the intensity of his gaze caught her off guard. Her cheeks flamed. Oh God, she’d done it again. This time, knowing full well he was probably watching. What had come over her? He stood and strode forward, no longer looking at the screen. She scrambled sideways and tugged her shirt from beneath her. As she pushed herself to a sitting position on the side of the bed, the door slid open. She clutched her shirt to her breast. Incredibly, he was still hard, even though he’d clearly climaxed only a moment ago. He pushed through the door and stormed toward her, looking big and threatening with his massive erection swaying from side to side. Her pulse fluttered. Was he going to drive that enormous cock into her? She didn’t know if the tightening in her chest was from fear or intense excitement at the thought. “Do you know how turned on I am?” he demanded. “How much I need you?” He glared at her. “It’s torture knowing you’re in here, not being able to have you. Watching you pleasure yourself.” He paced a couple of times, his big cock bouncing erotically. “I shouldn’t watch, but I can’t help it.” He turned to face her, the longing in his eyes almost painful to behold. Sobering her. “I need to touch you,” he said through gritted teeth. He stepped toward the bed. “No.” She wanted to scurry to the other side, out of his reach, but she sat frozen. Thoughts spiraled through her head, making her dizzy. He needed a woman to satisfy his lust, so he would use her. Just like her husband always had.

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Chapter Eight

Larson wrapped his hands around her shoulders and drew her to her feet, then dragged her into his arms. The feel of his hard muscular chest pressed against her soft breasts, with only the thin fabric of her shirt mashed between them, took her breath away. His lips captured hers in a long, passionate—totally disorienting—kiss. When he released her mouth, she had to gasp for air. Her whole body trembled. “I need to hold you. To feel your body close to mine.” His lips covered hers again, and his tongue stormed her mouth. Her arms wrapped around his shoulders as a war waged within her. One side insisted she give in to him or she’d die of need, the other that she resist, terrified by her desperate hunger for him. Her groin tightened as his tongue spiraled in her mouth. Her breathing became labored, her pulse erratic. She felt his erect penis—hot and naked—brush against her legs. She shifted, and it speared between her thighs, caressing her moist flesh. Her vagina ached. She desperately wanted him to slide inside her, to accidentally impale her. His hand brushed past her belly as he grabbed his erection, and she waited for the intense physical pleasure—and emotional pain of betrayal. But he drew his cock away and flattened it against his stomach, keeping it from penetrating her. She almost moaned in frustration. “Oh, nata’tai, Eva, I need to be close to you, but my willpower has limits. I can’t keep holding you without going over the edge.” He tried to draw away, but her body betrayed her. Her arms tightened around him. She could not let him go. He stroked her cheek. “Laiya, does this mean that you want to…?” She knew what he was asking, and tears prickled at her eyes as she shook her head. He kissed her temple, the light brush of his lips igniting a flash fire across her skin. “I know you don’t trust me yet, my love, but I will do whatever you want.” He took her hand and kissed her palm, sending her pulse thrumming. “You may not want me to touch you, but I saw the way you were looking at me on the video.” He stepped back, exposing his naked body to her view. “Do you want to touch me?”

Opal Carew

She hesitated. The thought of stroking his hard, taut muscles, of wrapping her hand around his incredible cock, sent her senses into a whirl. The need must have shown clearly in her eyes. “What if you knew there was no way I could touch you in return?” Her hot gaze glided over his broad shoulders to his bulging arms, caressed his muscular chest and torso, then came to rest on his enormous cock. She nodded. He turned and walked toward the door. She discarded the shirt she still clung to, then grabbed the robe from the cupboard and slipped it on as she hurried after him. He led her into his room and stepped to a panel on the wall. He typed something in, then opened a sliding door about a foot square and retrieved some black bands from inside. He wrapped one around each of his wrists and handed her a small device, about the size and shape of her small, oval MP3 player. The device had two round buttons beside each other. When she glanced at Larson again, he stood at one end of the room, his hands pressed against the wall about a foot from his head on either side. “Press the button on the right,” he instructed. She did. A loud hum sounded. Then there was silence. “I am now at your mercy.” “Yeah, right.” Did he really expect her to trust a pair of cuffs to keep her safe from his lust? If he got too turned on and lost control, he’d simply break free from the cloth bands and ravage her. “If you don’t believe me, come and test them.” She dropped the control device on his bedside table, then stepped to his side and tried to slip her finger between the cloth and his skin, but the band conformed exactly to the shape of his wrist. She pushed on the outside of the band, but it didn’t give. It felt as firm and hard as steel. She grabbed his arm and tried to pull it from the wall, but it wouldn’t budge. Standing back, she stared at him skeptically. “Eva, move back a bit more.” She did, and he dropped forward. She gasped, but the movement of his body jolted to a halt. Muscles bulged down his arms as his wrists, fastened tight to the wall, held the full weight of his body. “Now…do…you…believe…me?” She nodded, and he pulled himself back against the wall. “I’m all yours.” She smiled as she realized the implications of the situation. She could do whatever she wanted to him without danger. She had her own personal man-toy.

34



Her nipples tingled, and her pussy throbbed. She opened her robe and dropped it to the floor, watching the lust in his eyes blaze brightly. Her gaze locked on his huge cock. As she stroked her nipples, it twitched. She couldn’t resist. She reached out and touched it, her fingers gliding over the hot, rigid flesh. It felt divine. She wrapped her fingers around him and stroked. The look of rapture on his face held her in awe. She kissed his hard, muscle-ridged shoulder, then down the silk-over-steel flesh to one nipple. She dabbed it playfully with her tongue, then sucked hard. He gasped. She kissed down his rigid stomach, over the rippling muscles, then pushed her twirling tongue into his navel. She leaned back on her heels and admired his erection. At least nine inches of hot, marble-hard flesh. She stroked it, feeling the soft kid-leather flesh glide over the rigid muscle beneath. His cock was incredible. Her pussy twitched, wanting it inside her. She slid her body up his, dragging her nipples against him. He moaned. She skimmed her hands up his arms, then linked her fingers with his. Feeling powerful as she held his hands against the wall, she kissed the nook where his neck met his shoulder, then sucked. When she glanced at the red welt she’d raised, a sense of satisfaction whirled through her at the thought she’d marked him as her own. She slid her hands to his pelvis, stroking around but not touching his twitching cock. Finally, she crouched down and grasped him around the base, then swallowed him deep and sucked. He groaned. She cupped his balls as she slid back, releasing him, then licked his cock from end to end. Swallowing the head, she twirled her tongue around the ridge. His balls tightened, and his whole body stiffened. “Nata’tai, Eva. That’s so—” She sucked him deep again, and he groaned as hot liquid filled her mouth. She swallowed and sucked, swallowed and sucked, until she’d milked him dry. She released the rigid flesh and licked up his body. She smiled at him, and he cocked his head forward to capture her lips, his arms straining against the bands. She cupped his cheeks and kissed him back, loving the feel of his tongue plundering her mouth. “Is that all you want to do?” he asked. “Don’t you want my cock inside you?” She looked him up and down, considering. “I don’t see how that’ll work like this.” He smiled. “Is that all that’s stopping you? You can release the bonds from the wall and set them anywhere. I won’t be able to move from that spot.” She smiled. “Like on the bed?” He grinned. “Exactly.” She picked up the control and stared at it. “Click the left button. That will turn off the position lock. When I lie down, you can position my hands anywhere you like, then press the button again to lock them in place.”


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She pushed the button, and his hands dropped forward. A devilish smile curled his lips as he strode toward her. Alarm skittered through her, and her hand tightened around the remote control, but the small, curved device slipped from her trembling fingers and bounced across the floor.

36


Chapter Nine

Larson grabbed Eva and dragged her into his arms. His mouth captured hers, and she melted against him. Her breasts throbbed against his hard, hot chest. A moment later, he released her, then crouched down and retrieved the remote control. He handed it to her, then lay down on the bed. She sucked in a breath, exhilaration pulsing through her. She arranged his hands, wrist-to-wrist, above his head, then pressed the left button again. Amazingly, after climaxing only moments ago, his cock still stood straight up, tall and proud. She considered climbing straight onto his erection, but her wet pussy wanted a different kind of attention first. She straddled him and sat on his chest. The feel of his rock-hard muscles against her slick, hot pussy as she shifted forward almost sent her into orgasm. She pushed back the waves of pleasure, not wanting this to end so soon. “Since you are so willingly playing my sex slave, there’s something I’d like you to do.” He smiled wickedly. “It would be my pleasure.” She pushed herself onto her knees, widening her legs as she tilted her pelvis forward. He tipped his head toward her, and his long, hot tongue licked her slit. She moaned at the exquisite feel of slick flesh on slick flesh. He dabbed at her clit, then twirled in tight circles. Pleasure pounded through her like surf against the shore. His tongue slid inside her, licked and thrust, then returned to her clit. She nearly fainted at the intensity. The need to feel his cock inside her became overwhelming. She moved back, and he gazed up at her, surprised. She grasped his enormous cock, then lifted herself and thrust down on it. It penetrated her deep and hard, just as the first wave of orgasm raged through her. She lifted and dropped on him again and again as her moans steadily increased. The most intense pleasure she’d ever experienced exploded through her. She wailed in ecstasy. Vaguely, she heard his groans of release and felt his semen spill into her. She clenched around him, pulling at his cock, wanting his seed inside her. Up and down, she rode him, fast and hard, fading into forever, her entire body glistening in blissful delight. A joyful abandon claimed her, and she cried out. Finally, she collapsed on him, snuggling into the crook of his neck. She brushed her lips against his collar bone, allowing herself to float away, enjoying the feel of his cock still buried deep inside her. Exactly where it was supposed to be.

Opal Carew

Eva awoke feeling a little stiff. She was lying on her stomach with something hard beneath her. Her vagina twitched. And something hard inside her. She gasped and jolted straight up. Larson’s cock, still erect, filled her vagina. How long had she been asleep? She gazed down at the man she held captive between her legs. He smiled up at her. “Oh my God. You must be stiff.” His cock twitched inside her. “That I am.” Her cheeks blazed. “I mean…” She shook her head, then dragged herself from his body, feeling a sad emptiness as his cock slid from her depths. Sitting on the side of the bed, she glanced at the clock on the side table. She’d been asleep for several hours. “Larson, I’m sorry for… I mean, I slept so long. You must have been…uncomfortable.” He smiled broadly. “It was sheer heaven.” Heaven. She’d dreamed of being in heaven. With him. She stood beside the bed, a little unsteady, and fumbled with the device that controlled his bonds, then glanced at his still rigid cock and hesitated. Clearly, he was ready for sex again. But she trusted him now— at least that he wouldn’t force himself on her. A funny warmth filled her. She pressed the button to release his hands. Shakily, she grabbed her robe from the floor and tugged it on, then tied it securely at her waist. “I’m going to get some sleep.” She hurried to her room, relieved when the door closed behind her. Okay, so he wouldn’t shove her down and ravage her. That didn’t change the fact he’d kidnapped her and refused to take her home…and insisted she was his soul-mate. Her heart ached. If only she could believe him. But she couldn’t. That sort of thing was nonsense. Despite the desperate yearning she felt for him, even though she’d just left his side. If anything, her need for him seemed to have increased since making love. Like a throbbing ache that threatened to consume her.

It took only about an hour for Eva’s euphoria at having the best sex of her life to turn to despair. She had fallen victim to Larson’s potent sexuality. Now she wanted him more than ever. She needed him. Anger built in her as she realized she’d been duped. Played by him. Betrayed by her own body.

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He had stolen her independence. Made her an addict. Resolute, she decided, here and now, she would break the addiction. She would not allow him to make love to her again. Ever. She glared at the screen and the incessant erotic images playing across its surface. She marched toward it, then grabbed the bottom of the thin material and jerked, trying to rip it from the ceiling. It resisted, much stronger than it appeared, but she threw her whole body into it and, finally, it tore away from the ceiling, leaving behind a thin, frayed edge. The sound continued, and she stormed to the cupboard and grabbed her high-heeled shoe which she’d stored inside, then strode across the room and smashed the heel against the control panel. It survived several blows, but finally the device sparked and crackled. At long last, silence filled the room. Eva climbed into bed and curled into a tight ball. The next morning, Larson brought breakfast on a tray. His smile turned to a frown when he noticed the damaged equipment, but said nothing. He left her alone with her breakfast, which she picked at but couldn’t quite find the appetite to finish. An hour later, when she heard the door whoosh open, she pretended great interest in the book she’d been trying to read for the past twenty minutes. In her peripheral vision, she could see him glance at her speculatively. When she said nothing, he set down a handled box he’d carried into the room with him and set to work on the broken video. Her stomach knotted in guilt. “I’m sorry.” She glanced in his direction. “I shouldn’t have broken it.” His steady gaze unsettled her. “No harm done. I can fix it.” He replaced the screen and control panel in silence but did not turn it on. When he finished, he strolled toward her. He stood a few feet away, his masculine presence sending her hormones into frenetic activity. Her breathing became shallow, and her pulse accelerated. She could imagine his hand stroking her cheek, sliding down the curve of her neck, stroking over her chest. Her nipples turned rigid as images of his hands cupping her breasts came unbidden to her mind. “Eva, now that we’ve made love, you must realize the truth of what I’ve been telling you. That we are soul-mates.” She hugged herself tightly. She had to fight the traitorous response of her body. Her gaze fell on the new video equipment, then shifted to him. “I realize that you took advantage of me. That you eroded my power of reason with constant exposure to sex until I fell victim to desire, even though I didn’t want to.” His lips compressed into a straight line.


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Opal Carew

“You wanted to then, and you want to now. You’re just too stubborn to admit it.” He paced. “Ignoring me won’t help. Putting distance between us won’t help. The hunger will always be with you. Forever.” He crouched in front of her and leaned forward, his hands planted on the arms of her chair. He leaned in close, his face inches from hers, his full, masculine lips within kissing distance. Her skin prickled from his nearness, the heat of his body stoking her desire. “Having a soul-mate can bring you the greatest happiness in the universe—or the greatest misery.” His intense, turquoise eyes burned through her. “You decide which.” He pushed himself to his feet, then strode from the room. An ache started deep in her stomach and echoed through her entire body at the loss of his closeness. She slumped deeper into the chair and buried her face in a cushion, unable to fight back her tears. She simply couldn’t accept being tied to a man for the rest of her life. No matter how miserable it made her to be away from him, the reality of depending on a man would bring her greater misery.

For the next few days, Eva continued to keep to herself. She felt a little guilty that Larson prepared and served all her meals and cleaned up after them, but then, she hadn’t asked to be kidnapped. There was little to do but read, and she found herself getting caught up in the passionate romances, despite herself. She glanced up from her book when Larson entered the room. “Eva, how long are you going to ignore me?” She closed her book and laid it on the table beside the bed. “No matter how long you keep me here, I will never accept this bond you insist we share.” His mouth flattened as he stared at her intently. She fought the impulse to squirm under his scrutiny. He pulled up a chair and sat across from her. “Eva, I’ve been asked to do a favor for a fellow crewmate.” Silence hung between them. She gazed at him quizzically. Why was he telling her this? “This favor… It involves making love with another woman.” The words sliced through her. Old wounds puckered open. Memories of her adulterous ex-husband, Roger, strolling in the front door with another woman’s perfume wafting around him, of finding lipstick marks on his shirt collar and the occasional stray earring embedded in the car seat. Yet the blistering ache in her heart at the thought that Larson might leave her for another woman far outweighed any pain she’d ever experienced at Roger’s indiscretions. “Why are you telling me this?” she asked. “So you can tell me not to do it.” He was giving her a choice. Images of Larson taking another woman into his arms, of him kissing her, then thrusting into her body, stabbed through Eva like a jagged blade.

40



All she had to do was say one word. Don’t. Her insides coiled. She wanted to scream it out loud at the top of her lungs…but she couldn’t. “I have no right to stop you.” His eyes flashed. “You have every right. You’re my tanash’ae.” Her hands twisted together, and she turned away from him. “This is no game, Eva.” His hard-edged words sliced through her. “I will do this unless you say not to.” A twinge of despair crackled through her at the thought of him in another woman’s arms, but she couldn’t exercise a control she didn’t believe in. His lips compressed to a hard line as he realized she would not protest. Scowling at her, he plucked the book from her hands. “If I’m going to do this, you’re going to watch.” His cold, blue-green gaze lingered on her, hard and challenging. He moved to the video control and turned on the device, then set the display onto his room. He marched to the door and it slid open, and remained open even after he passed through. “Feel free to join us.” His words wafted in from the other room as she saw him on the video screen exiting toward the living room. Less than ten minutes later, the door opened again.


41

Chapter Ten

As Eva watched, Crystal, still wearing her red strapless evening gown, entered Larson’s bedroom, Larson strolling in behind her. Shock rippled through Eva. She had assumed it would be one of the constant parade of female crewmembers she’d seen disrobing on her video screen. Why was Crystal here? Why wasn’t she with Terrien? Of course, Crystal had clearly felt that being with an alien would be an adventure, and when they were at the party, she’d stated outright that she’d be willing to sleep with more than one man. She must not be content with just Terrien. But why did she want to be with Eva’s man? Shock raced through her at the thought. Larson was not Eva’s man. What the hell was she thinking? Still, jealousy surged through her as she watched Crystal’s arms slide around Larson’s neck, and their lips meet. His mouth moved expertly on hers, and Crystal’s body seemed to melt against him. She stroked his neck and the back of his head, her fingers forking through his honey-colored hair. Eva licked her lips as she remembered the feel of Larson’s mouth on hers—the warmth of his lips, the gentle stroke of his tongue, the heady male taste of him. Her heartbeat accelerated, and her breasts swelled, longing to be pressed against his hard chest. Tingles danced along her skin as she thought of his hands meandering over her body in a relaxed exploration. But it was Crystal he was holding now. In a few moments, he would be making love to her. Eva’s heart compressed. How could he be with another woman? Why hadn’t she stopped him? His mouth moved on Crystal’s ardently, and she clung to him. Her body arched against him, and she moaned, a low, erotic sound. He stroked her back and pulled her closer, and she gasped, then groaned into his mouth, as her body undulated against him. Finally, she slumped in his arms, and Eva realized Larson had brought Crystal to orgasm. Their lips parted, and Crystal stared up at him, wide-eyed. “My God, that was fabulous.” Crystal’s voice was breathless. She unzipped her dress and dropped it to the floor. Her nipples, hard and thrusting forward, peeked out over the red, lace demi-bra she wore. Larson’s gaze wandered over her mostly naked breasts, an appreciative glint in his eyes. The tightening of Eva’s chest crushed the breath from her lungs as Crystal unfastened the buttons of his shirt and pushed the fabric aside, admiring his solid, broad chest. Crystal ran her hand across his hard muscles, then leaned forward and licked his nipple, then drew it into her mouth. Eva could imagine his pearl-hard nipple rolling against her own tongue. Larson’s eyes fell closed, and blinding jealousy flashed through her. Larson was her man! How dare Crystal touch him?


As the thought lanced through her brain, she cringed and hugged her knees to her chest. Larson was not her man. No one would ever be her man. Then why did it hurt so much to see another woman touching him? Larson’s hand stroked over the curve of Crystal’s hip, and the lacy strap of her matching thong panties. As his finger stroked under the fabric at her hip and started to move forward, Eva’s breath held. Crystal reached around behind her and released her bra, then dropped it to the floor. Larson’s gaze locked on her breasts—firm and full, the pink nipples jutting forward. When his hand stroked over one generous mound, pain lanced through Eva’s heart. He took the stiff nipple into his mouth. Crystal cooed, then offered the other. He nibbled and sucked for several moments, leaving Crystal gasping. Her breath caught and held several times. Clearly, she was close to coming again. Eva’s nipples jutted forward, aching for the magic of his talented mouth. Finally, he sent Crystal over the edge, moaning on a long, ecstatic note. “Honey, you are exceptionally talented.” Crystal stepped back and stripped off her panties, then arranged herself on the bed in an artfully sexy pose, her hands behind her head. Smiling, she sent him a come-hither look. He approached the bed slowly, his gaze gliding over her sexy body. “Do you like someone watching you, Crystal?” His words jarred Eva. “Mmm. Is someone watching us?” Crystal stroked her nipples with her fingertips. “Eva, come on in,” Larson called out, his gaze never straying from Crystal’s sexy, naked body. At the sound of her name, Eva started. “Eva?” Crystal sat forward, her eyes widening and a smile curling her lips. “Where is she?” Larson’s head nudged toward Eva’s bedroom door. Crystal got up and walked naked through the open door. Her gaze settled on Eva, then pivoted around to see the screen Eva had been watching. On the screen, they could both see Larson tossing his pants aside and lying on his bed. His enormous cock stood straight up. “Oh, you naughty thing.” Crystal grabbed Eva’s hand and pulled her to her feet, giving her a big hug, unmindful of her own nudity. “I’m glad you’re okay. Is this guy your tanashay?” Eva shifted uncomfortably. “So he tells me.” “And you’re willing to share him?” Eva shrugged. “I don’t believe in the soul-mate relationships.” “Yeah, I know what you’re saying.” Crystal tugged Eva forward and led her to the other room. “Doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the situation, though.” Crystal stopped and admired the naked man in front of them. “What an incredible cock, don’t you think?”


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Opal Carew

Eva stared at it—tall, hard and purple-headed—and nodded. “Since you’re willing to share him with me, why don’t I share him with you?” Crystal suggested. Eva shook her head, not understanding. “Oh, come on. You’ve probably been making love with him nonstop—I would have been—” Eva shook her head. “You mean, you haven’t? At all?” “Not exactly,” Eva responded. Larson smiled. “Only the time she tied me up and had her way with me.” “Oh, kinky. I love it,” Crystal cooed. “Well, come on, let’s both give him head.” To Eva’s complete surprise, the outrageous suggestion turned her on enormously. She stared at Larson’s erection and her mouth watered, but she hesitated. “Okay, honey, you watch and join in anytime,” Crystal said. Crystal sat on the side of the bed and licked the length of his shaft, then drew him into her mouth. Watching Crystal’s dark pink lips slide up and down Larson’s cock sent ripples of need pulsing through Eva. Larson moaned appreciatively. Eva couldn’t help herself. The compelling need to touch Larson drew her to the bed. She sat on the opposite side from Crystal, who smiled at Eva and released Larson’s cock from her mouth, then licked one side of the shaft. Eva leaned forward and licked the other side. Larson groaned. The feel of his hot, intimate flesh against her tongue felt divine. Her vagina ached. Crystal reached toward Eva and untied the belt at her waist, then tugged open her robe, revealing her black lace bra beneath. Eva hesitated, then stood and dropped her robe to the floor. Crystal smiled approvingly, then crawled toward Larson. His gaze lingered on Eva as his large hand stroked over Crystal’s soft, round behind. She leaned forward, nudging her breast toward Larson’s lips. Mesmerized by the sight of Crystal’s hard nub disappearing into Larson’s mouth, Eva let her bra fall to the floor, then shed her panties. After several moments, Crystal offered Larson her other breast. Eva’s fingers stroked her own aching nipples. She kneeled on the bed beside one of Larson’s long, muscular thighs, watching. Finally, Crystal sat back on her heels. “Sweetie, don’t forget Eva. She needs some of that wonderful tongue.” “I can’t. I promised not to touch her unless she asks me to.” “Oh really.” She smiled at Eva. “You like control.” Crystal stroked down Eva’s belly and across her slit. The gentle, female fingers stroking her moist flesh shocked Eva, yet aroused her too. “Honey, you’re way past ready. Tell him what you want. Don’t let me being here stop you.” “No, I…”

44



“Okay, well, I didn’t make any such promise.”


45

Chapter Eleven

Crystal tumbled Eva down and climbed over her, dipping her tongue into Eva’s slit, then dabbing the clitoris. “No, I…” The feel of Crystal’s tongue sent her head into a spin. “Oh God.” Crystal’s hand stroked over Eva’s nipple. Eva wanted more… Oh, so much more…but Crystal stopped. “Honey, do you want me to touch your breasts, or Larson?” Her nipples ached. She wanted someone to touch them. “Larson.” “Then tell him.” Larson sat up. The gentleness and need in his teal eyes melted her heart. “Do you want me to, sweetheart?” he murmured. She nodded. “Tell me,” he whispered hoarsely. “Please touch my breasts.” His hands covered her, stroking, bringing her exquisite pleasure. “Suck them,” she pleaded. He covered them with his mouth, and she moaned. His tongue swirled around one tip, then the other, and her moan vibrated through her entire body. He squeezed her nipple, then sucked. She wailed as a sudden orgasm washed over her. Crystal sat back on her heels and smiled approvingly. “Why don’t you ask him to lick your clit?” she suggested. Eva’s pussy ached for his touch. “Larson, please kiss me down there.” “It’s called a pussy, honey,” Crystal offered. He moved to Eva’s intimate flesh, his tongue nudging into the folds; then he flicked her clit, and she moaned, feeling tiny waves of pleasure pulse through her, close to climax again. She saw Crystal settle under Larson’s kneeling form and suck his cock deep into her mouth. Larson continued to cajole Eva’s intimate flesh and the tiny waves turned to a pulsing tidal wave, sweeping her to a gasping climax. She fell


back, and he stroked her breasts as Crystal sucked his cock, his face contorting with pleasure, but he never looked away from Eva. He captured her lips and shared his orgasm with her. “It’s my turn now, people,” Crystal announced. “Eva, why don’t you help Larson get hard for me.” Eva reached for his flaccid penis, and after two strokes, he stood straight up. Crystal’s eyes widened. “Wow, you should teach me that trick.” Eva had to taste him again. She slid her mouth over his hard, hot flesh, and he twitched. She swirled her tongue around the tip, and he groaned in pleasure. Crystal stroked her own breasts as she watched, then stroked one finger along her slit. Eva pulled away from Larson, then shifted behind Crystal and wrapped her arms around her, then stroked Crystal’s breasts while staring at Larson over Crystal’s shoulder. “Larson, why don’t you kiss Crystal’s pussy?” “Do you want me to, Eva?” She smiled and nodded. “Do you want me to, Crystal?” The soft skin of Crystal’s back pushed against Eva’s breasts as the other woman leaned back and spread her legs wider. “You bet.” He dipped his face into Crystal’s pussy, and Eva felt Crystal tense and arch. Eva continued to stimulate Crystal’s nipples, her flesh pebbling under Eva’s fingertips. Crystal arched and moaned, then wailed in a long climax. Larson licked up Crystal’s body and captured one nipple in his mouth, along with Eva’s fingers. When Eva tried to draw her hand away, he grasped her wrist. He lapped at the nipple, then sucked it and Eva’s fingers tight into his mouth. Eva stroked the wet nipple, enjoying Crystal’s hard flesh and Larson’s hot mouth at the same time. He moved up and claimed Crystal’s mouth in a passionate kiss; then his mouth covered Eva’s. He eased Eva back against the cushions, with Crystal settled in front of her. Eva watched him slide his cock into Crystal, remembering what it felt like when it had slid inside her. He thrust into Crystal, and she cried out. He plunged into her again and again. Eva felt her breasts crushed against Crystal’s back with each forward thrust Larson made. Eva found herself arching forward to meet him. Larson’s hands cupped Crystal’s butt, then he twisted one around and his fingers sought Eva’s clit. His intimate touch seared through her. She gasped. He continued to stimulate her sensitive nub as he drove into Crystal. Eva continued to tease Crystal’s nipples with her fingertips as he pounded into her. “Oh God, I’m coming,” Crystal cried, then wailed on a long, rising note. “Oh God, me too.” Eva joined her, following the same trail of pleasure. Larson grunted, and Eva could imagine the feel of his hot semen flooding her pussy.


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Opal Carew

They all slumped in a mass of satisfied flesh. Larson kissed Crystal, then his lips captured Eva’s, and her whole body seemed to ripple at the exquisite pleasure. Crystal squirmed, rubbing all kinds of sensitive flesh. “That was great, you two. There’s one more thing I’d like.” She eased out from between them. Larson’s heavy, damp cock fell on Eva’s belly. “I want to watch the two of you.” Larson glanced at Eva but shook his head. “I can’t.” He started to roll away from Eva. Crystal pushed him back down. “Well, it will take a little work, but…” Eva could already feel him harden against her thigh. “It’s not that,” she answered. “He’s waiting for me to ask him.” Eva slid her arms around him. “Larson, please. Make love to me,” she murmured against his ear. His lips grazed her neck, and he nuzzled. “Are you sure?” he whispered against her ear so Crystal wouldn’t hear him. Eva nodded. “Absolutely.” Immediately, he slid inside her, and she moaned at the exquisite feel of his hard length. “Oh yes, Larson. Make love to me.” He slid back, then forward again. “Do you like that, sweetheart?” “Yes, oh God, yes.” He sucked one of her nipples deep into his mouth, then thrust forward. “Deeper, Larson.” He propelled forward, filling her deeper. “Faster and harder.” He drove hard and fast. His solid length pounded into her. She wrapped her legs around him and moaned in pleasure. His fingers slid to her clit, and he stroked. She cried out, a powerful orgasm sweeping over her. Still he filled her again and again, then added a spiral twist. Her orgasm intensified, and she screamed in abandon. He tensed, and his hot seed burst into her, soaking her insides with liquid heat. She held him tightly against her, his hard, hot cock still stretching her insides, pulsing as it filled her. She squeezed him tightly. Finally, they both collapsed against the pillows. His lips brushed hers in a tender, loving kiss. “Thank you, darling Eva. That was incredible.” He scooped her onto his lap and into his embrace. “Thank you, Crystal. You were fantastic,” he said.

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Somehow he thanked Crystal for sex while still making Eva feel like the most important woman in the world. Crystal leaned forward and kissed him lightly. “Thank you, sweetie.” Crystal’s lush lips brushed Eva’s too. “Hang on to this one, honey. You two are obviously meant to be together.” The words jarred Eva from the sweet spell of Larson’s lovemaking. Suddenly, she realized what she’d done. Again. Eva closed up, not willing to accept Crystal’s words. How had she let herself be drawn in so deeply? Clearly sensing her emotional withdrawal, Larson shifted away.

Larson tugged on his clothes and left the quarters, promising to return with Terrien, the man who’d led Crystal away when they’d first arrived aboard this ship. Eva assumed he was her supposed soul-mate. Eva pulled on her robe while Crystal dressed; then they went into the living room. “What’s wrong, sweetie?” Crystal sat in one of the armchairs in the living area. “Aren’t you happy with your guy?” “I could ask you the same thing.” Eva settled in the chair across from her friend. Why did you come here to be with Larson?” Crystal shrugged. “You might have guessed by now, I’m not the type be with just one guy. I’m not wired that way. I told Terrien that I wanted to sample more of the local cuisine, so to speak. I take it he chose Larson because they’re friends, so he trusts him.” “And Terrien was okay with you being with someone else?” Crystal shrugged again. “I’m sure he figures this will prove to me that he’s my one-and-only. That no other man can satisfy me the way he can.” “And?” Immediately, a shadow crossed Crystal’s face, and Eva realized she shouldn’t have asked. Crystal was obviously struggling with her own demons. “I told you, I don’t believe in soul-mates.” She sank back into the chair. “So tell me what’s going on with you and Larson?” Crystal insisted. “Why all the rules?”


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Chapter Twelve

Eva eyed Crystal. They had just shared a pretty intense, intimate experience. Eva felt open to the other woman like she never had to anyone before. Maybe talking would help. “I… Ever since my divorce, I decided I’m in charge of my own pleasure.” “In other words, you think Larson’s going to hurt you.” Eva shifted uncomfortably. “Your husband screwed around, right?” Crystal asked. Eva nodded. “But even before that, when he made love to me, if you could call it that, he didn’t care about me.” “He never gave you an orgasm?” “No, he never even tried.” Crystal leaned forward and took Eva’s hand. “Look, honey, that was him, and Larson is Larson. Obviously, Larson knows how to make love to a woman, and it’s obvious he really loves you. He’ll always make sure you’re happy.” Eva stared down at their linked hands. “But how can I know?” She drew her hand away. “How can I take the chance?” “Oh God, honey. How can you not? How can you turn your back on a guy who’s going to love you and bring you pleasure at every opportunity? Look how he held back when he obviously wanted to make love to you. He left himself totally at your mercy. How can you chance losing that?”

A few moments later, a buzz sounded, and the door to the quarters slid open. The man named Terrien stood in the doorway. Despite his somber expression, Eva could see all too clearly the love in his eyes as he gazed at Crystal. And the pain. Crystal clasped Eva’s hand and squeezed, then stood. Crystal avoided looking at Terrien as she crossed the room. Clearly, the two of them had some issues to work out. Crystal had said she couldn’t be with one man, and clearly, she denied the link between them, but it was so obvious. To Eva, anyway. The same as Eva’s link to Larson seemed to be obvious to Crystal. The door closed behind them, leaving Eva alone. She sank into the chair.


Could it be true? Was Larson really Eva’s soul-mate? That would mean she could find true happiness in his arms. He wouldn’t stray because, according to his own beliefs, she was the perfect woman for him. And he was the perfect man for her. Oh God, she wanted to believe. If he loved her…truly loved her…they might find a happily-everafter. A love that could endure time. A few moments later, Larson stepped into the room. He sent her a guarded glance, his hands balled into fists at his sides. “Don’t worry, Eva. I know you were caught up in the moment. I’m not expecting you to jump into bed with me again.” He was angry with her. She could see it in his stance, in the tautness of his muscles, in the set of his jaw. She walked toward him, drawn to him like a magnet, and gazed into his eyes. No, not anger. Restraint. He wanted her, but he would not push himself on her. As she continued to gaze at him, his eyes softened. She could see love in the teal depths. Tender and sweet. If she allowed herself to accept that love, it would fill their lives with bliss. She felt her barriers breaking down, bit by bit. Could she trust him? No question. He’d proven himself time and again. Would he stay by her side? Absolutely. He believed he was her soul-mate, and that was forever. Her heart swelled as love bubbled up from deep inside. She wanted him. Heart and soul. She closed the distance between them and cupped his cheeks, then brushed her mouth against his. The sweetness of the contact almost brought tears to her eyes. He slid his arms around her gently as he answered her kiss with a light brush of his tongue across her lower lip. She opened and swirled her tongue against his. “Come with me,” she murmured in his ear, then took his hand and led him to his room. “Where are those bands?” His eyes lit up, and he opened the drawer on his bedside table and pulled out the two black bands. He started fastening one around his wrist, but she caught his arm and took the band. “On me,” she said, and released the tie on her robe, then dropped the garment to the floor. His gaze lingered on her round breasts, then roamed lower, his eyes simmering with heat. He took her wrist and stroked up her arm, then kissed her inner elbow. Heat melted through her, and her eyelids fell closed. His fingers brushed delicately against her skin as he slid the band around one wrist, then the other. Her eyelids fluttered open as his lips teased the palm of one hand. “Can you get another pair?” she asked. His smile broadened. “Anything for you, laiya.”


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He strode to the cabinet on the wall, pressed some buttons, then retrieved another pair from inside. “My ankles,” she instructed. His fingers tickled a little as he fastened them. “I want you to do all the things you’ve dreamed of doing to me.” He stepped close and rested his fingers tenderly on her cheek, his eyes glittering as he stared into hers. “I’ve dreamed of making love to you willingly.” “And you did. When Crystal was here.” She brushed her lips against his. “I was totally willing.” He kissed her, his tongue swirling over hers. She melted against him, enjoying his gentle onslaught, but then eased away. She backed up against the wall, then placed her hands about a foot from her head on either side and opened her legs. “Larson, I love you, and I want to show you how much I trust you.” “You love me?” he asked in awe. “Yes. And I know you love me. Now show me how much.” She arched her breasts forward in encouragement. He smiled and pushed the controller button. It hummed, and she felt the bands tighten against her flesh, forming a snug, but comfortable fit. She released the muscles holding her arms up, allowing the bands to do the work. Her wrists felt no discomfort at holding the weight of her arms. It was as if they were light as a feather. He stroked along her arms, then over one breast. The nipple jutted forward painfully, needing his touch. He leaned forward and drew it into his warm, moist mouth. She moaned as pleasure spiked through her. One of his hands stroked up and down her body—along her waist, over her hip, down her thigh—as the other cupped her other breast. His tongue dabbed at her nipple and she arched forward. His mouth captured her other nipple, the first swelling in the cool air. He shifted downward, his lips tracing a line down her ribcage, then over her hip and down her thigh. As his mouth moved back up, along her inner thigh, she tensed, ready for him to cover her pussy, but he ignored it as he moved back to her breasts. He lingered over each one, laving the nipples with his tongue, sucking them deep into his mouth, leaving them hard and needy. He shifted downward again, but this time kissed a straight line to her pussy. He leaned back and just stared at her slit. With her legs held wide open by the bands, he had a clear view of her intimate flesh. He stared at it so intensely, she tingled inside. Her breathing accelerated. Her whole body tensed with need, teetering on the brink, sure she would orgasm if he kept staring at her like that. He touched her with his tongue, and she jumped, pulsing with pleasure. He stroked her slit with his thumb, then licked her clitoris. Her body seemed to fold in on itself, contracting to a tight ball, as she wailed in an intense, thrilling orgasm. He sucked her clit, then dabbed and licked mercilessly, driving her over the edge again and again. Finally, he showed her mercy and let her pleasure subside.

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“Oh God, Larson, I want to feel you inside me. Drive your huge cock into me. Hard and fast.” He positioned himself at her opening. “Ready?” “Yes. Oh God, yes. Do it now.” He thrust forward, ramming her into the wall. The exquisite pleasure of his rod buried deep inside her shot her over the edge again. She began to climax. He pushed forward again, banging her into the wall as she wailed in pleasure. His semen shot into her as his cock drove deep inside. He leaned against her, holding her hard against the wall, crushing her breasts with each heavy breath he sucked in. His cock remained steel-hard inside her. He swirled his hips, spiraling his cock inside her, stimulating her vagina. She plummeted over the edge again. “How many orgasms do you think you can have in a row?” he murmured against her ear. She’d already had four, or was it five? His cock slid in and out of her at a leisurely pace while his finger found her clit and vibrated over it. “Oh yes.” Again, a frenzied orgasm flamed through her. Slowly, it subsided, and he claimed her lips. “Let me down,” she murmured. He released the bonds, and she eased him backwards, pushing him to the floor. It was incredible how his cock stayed hard even though he’d just ejaculated inside her. Not when he’d been with Crystal, though. Then it had taken Eva’s touch to bring him back to life. Now he stood erect without pause. She had that much control over him. She climbed on top of him, longing for his pulsing cock inside her again, impaling herself on his erection. She moved up and down, taking his cock deep inside on each downward pulse. “Eva, I can do something…different. I think you’ll find it quite exciting.” “What is it?” she asked, still moving on him. He curled his fingers around her face and drew her forward, then brushed his lips against hers. “Do you trust me?” he murmured. She paused and met his solemn gaze. “Totally.” He cupped both her cheeks and kissed her soundly. When their lips parted, joy danced in his eyes as his lips turned up in a broad smile. “Okay, here goes.” She felt his cock swell inside her, stretching her vagina, the head dragging on her sensitive tunnel as he drew out. “Oh my God, that’s incredible.” She kissed him and urged him sideways. They rolled, and he stared down at her.


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“Now, take me.” His cock grew a little more, stretching her. “Oh yes.” He pulsed forward, stimulating her sensitive, stretched flesh, and she moaned. “Longer, baby. Can you make it longer?” He did, and she wailed as another orgasm pulsed through her. He lay still, pushing deep inside her. His organ shortened and narrowed, then swelled and lengthened. Again and again he changed within her, extending her orgasm forever. Then he grew long and wide, and he started moving again. “Oh… Yes…” He pounded into her, deeper and harder than she’d ever felt a man before. She screamed at the intensity of the pleasure rocketing through her. Finally, she collapsed onto the floor, unable to handle any more, even though she was certain he could keep her in orgasm indefinitely. Eva smiled. “What about you? You haven’t come?” “Yes, I did,” he responded. “I mean this time.” He kissed her. “It doesn’t matter, sweetheart. Being with you is my greatest pleasure.” She almost cried at his words. As she sucked in air, staring into his warm turquoise eyes, she realized this man truly loved her. How could she not have seen it before? She rolled him under her, then kissed down his belly and swallowed him into her mouth. Too enthusiastic, she gagged, and his penis changed shape in her mouth, filling it comfortably like a large pacifier. She sucked him until he spilled his seed into her mouth. She swallowed and smiled. “I won’t allow my man to go unsatisfied.” “Your man?” He smiled. She snuggled into his arms. “That’s right. My man. And don’t you ever forget it.” He stroked her hair back from her face. “I love you, Eva.” Warmth spread through her body as she gazed at him. “And I love you.” This man, she knew, truly was her soul-mate. Her tanash’ae. He kissed her with a passion she’d never known before and would cherish for the rest of her life.

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About the Author

Opal Carew writes erotic romance. She was named “Fresh Face of Erotic Fiction 2009” and her books have won the Award of Excellence and the Golden Leaf Award, and been finalists for the National Readers' Choice Award, HOLT Medallion, Laurel Wreath Award, and Passionate Plume Award. Opal loves crystals, dragons, feathers, cats, pink hair, the occult, Manga artwork, and all that glitters. She earned a degree in Mathematics from the University of Waterloo, and spent fifteen years as a software analyst before turning to her passions as a writer. She lives in Canada with her husband, two sons and two cats. To learn more about Opal, visit her website at www.OpalCarew.com, or contact her at [email protected].

Look for these titles by Opal Carew

Now Available: The King and I

Ever had one of those days?

The King and I © 2011 Opal Carew Celestial Soul-Mates, Book 1 Aria’s career fills the void that foster care left behind, and keeps her grounded in reality. But recently, steamy, erotic dreams make her think she’s working too hard. A free trip to a luxury resort is just the ticket. Until she’s ushered to a “VIP party” and abducted by an alien who insists she’s his king’s soul-mate. Love at first sight, let alone sight unseen, is a myth. Her increasing attraction to the ship’s captain, though, is weak-in-the-knees real. Captain Tai Gaman’s mission was simple. Kidnap Aria and deliver her to wed his twin brother, King Zander. It must be the sibling psychic link that’s fueling his own blinding desire for the Earth woman. As the ship approaches his planet and her sexual hunger reaches unbearable heights, it must be simple compassion that won’t allow him to let her suffer. One night leaves him stunned, facing an emotional choice. Claim her as his own, or fulfill his duty to the king. After a lifetime believing love doesn’t exist, Aria finds her hands full with the love of two men. And considering the possibility there’s room in her heart for both… Warning: This book is full of red-hot sex and smoking hot alien studs (and one studette), along with their human abductees who don’t mind getting it on with one or more partners. With or without an audience. Watching the heroine find love and the hero lose his heart may cause a strong desire to be beamed up.

Enjoy the following excerpt for The King and I: “You.” The uniformed woman pointed at Aria. “Come with me.” “We stay together,” Eva insisted as she stepped toward Aria protectively. “No, actually you don’t,” the woman responded. As the stranger grabbed Aria’s arm and dragged her to her feet, Terrien stepped in front of Eva, preventing her from rushing to Aria’s side. The uniformed woman led Aria to a door, which slid open as they approached. Aria glanced back to see her bewildered companions led out another door by Terrien and a couple of other uniformed men. Eva mouthed some words to Aria that she didn’t understand, then the door closed behind her. “Where are you taking me?” Aria couldn’t hide the quaver in her voice. “To meet the captain.” The woman’s heels clicked sharply on the floor as they marched along. “You should be honored.” Maybe she should be, but she wasn’t. In truth, she was frightened and confused.

Despite that, thoughts of her steamy, nighttime adventures stirred within her and a sexual buzz quivered through her entire body. A part of her hoped this captain was a tall, dark, sinister hunk who wanted to have his way with her. She trembled in anticipation. Good God, where is my brain? This is real, not some sexual fantasy. Yet she felt heat flush through her, hotter and hotter, as they progressed. They stopped in front of a door and her captor pushed a button beside it. A bleep sounded. “Send her in, Casey,” a deep voice said. The door slid open. “You heard the captain. Go on in.” Fear cooled her blood a little as Aria stepped through the doorway, peering ahead of her to see a sitting room but no captain. The door swooshed closed behind her. She stepped farther into the softly lit room, which looked like private quarters. A big, comfy-looking armchair and couch occupied most of the room. Not exactly how she’d pictured a spaceship. “Welcome.” A rich baritone voice came from her left. A tremor rippled along her spine. She spun around. At six foot four and all muscle, he was the most gorgeous man she’d ever seen. His dark, slightly wavy hair brushed his shoulders and his silver-gray eyes glittered like moonlight rippling on water. Her heartbeat accelerated at the sight of him. He would definitely be the star of any sexual fantasy. Her insides seemed to melt into a pool and her vagina tightened. Good heavens, she had to get a grip on herself. This man had kidnapped her! “Who are you?” she asked. “I’m Captain Tai Gaman. And you are Aria Jenkins.” He pointed to a chair. “Sit.” She perched on the edge of the chair, keeping a wary gaze on him. He strolled to the couch and settled onto it, his masculine aura filling the room. “I’m sure you’d like to know why we’ve brought you here.” “Yes, please.” With her hands folded in her lap, and her tight, prim words, she must look like a schoolgirl summoned to the principal’s office. She noticed her hands trembling, so she clasped them tighter. “Relax. I’m not going to bite.” Warmth emanated from his smile. Relax? Was he kidding? She stared at him with wide eyes, waiting. He leaned forward slightly. “There is a power in the universe that takes a hand in our lives—we call it nata’tai. It provides the means to keep us healthy, as individuals and as races. To stay healthy, a race must grow. It must embrace other cultures. It must open its gene pool to other races, otherwise it will stagnate. Physically, emotionally and culturally.”

A shiver raced down Aria’s spine. Had she and the others been brought here as breeding stock? Were they to provide genetic material to keep his race healthy? Nausea tightened her stomach into a quivering ball as she imagined herself chained to a bed, a trail of men lined up to impregnate the alien female. She imagined him first in line, his mouth capturing hers in a passionate onslaught, his naked body compressing her breasts tightly against his chest. She felt her cheeks flush and she tried to drive the thoughts from her mind as she concentrated on his words. “As a race matures, nata’tai gives its people the ability to sense their tanash’ae—what you would call their soul-mate—even over great distances. To ensure a mingling of races, nata’tai directs the spirits of tanash’ae—soul-mates—to be born in different races on different planets.” “Are you trying to tell me that you’ve brought me here because you think I’m one of these tannashays?” She sucked in a breath. “Do you think that you and I…” Her finger flicked between them. “That we are…soul-mates?” He raised an eyebrow. “Would that be a problem for you?” No, a voice inside insisted, but she ignored it and sucked in a breath. “Yes! Of course it would. I don’t even know you. I don’t intend to marry a man I don’t even know.” He flashed a devil-may-care grin. “Who said anything about marriage?” “Oh, I see.” A blush crept up her cheeks. “When you said soul-mate I assumed you meant, you know, love and marriage.” This was all too much for her. The reality of the situation was finally sinking in. She didn’t even want to think about what he actually meant. That image of the chain and the bed swept through her brain again and not as an attractive fantasy this time. Her head sagged forward as tears pooled in her eyes. “Aria, I’m sorry. I was teasing you. I’m not your tanash’ae.” “Then why—?” “Your tanash’ae is our king.” Her head jerked up. “I’m supposed to marry a king?” “Does the thought appeal to you?” “If I believed you, which I don’t, I would be honored, of course. It’s like a fairy tale, in a nightmarish sort of way, but I’m not going to marry some stranger on another planet, king or not. I don’t want to leave my family and friends behind.” He leaned toward her, his silver gaze piercing her delicately maintained composure. “Aria, you don’t have a family. You were separated from your mother at a very young age and she refuses contact with you.” She felt as though he’d stabbed her heart. The pain of long, lonely years in an orphanage, then a group home and foster care, slammed through her.

Of course, anyone would understand why her newly widowed mother might decide to give up her young baby when she barely had the resources to care for her other four children. It had been the responsible thing to do, given the situation. Supposedly, she’d wanted Aria to have a better life than she could provide—but wasn’t being surrounded by brothers and sisters and a parent who loved her a much better choice than leaving her all alone in the world, rejected by the one person who should love her no matter what? Logic dictated that her mother could not have truly loved her. Aria stiffened her back against the debilitating pain, refusing to meet the man’s gaze. “I don’t want to leave my world behind.” He leaned toward her, his hands folded between his knees. “If he weren’t a king, you could have negotiated where you’d live. Our home world or yours. But in this case, nata’tai has given you no choice.” No choice. Déjà vu or what? She knotted her fingers together and sighed heavily. “Will I be expected to have sex with this guy?” He smiled, kindness lighting his eyes. “That’s usually what two bonded people do.” She glared at him. “Why do you think I’d have sex with a strange man after being abducted?” He smiled broadly. “You mean, you’d have sex with a strange man if we hadn’t abducted you?” She stared at him blankly. She couldn’t believe it. This alien captain was teasing her. Alien. Oh God. Although he looked quite human, he was an alien. A man from another planet. She felt trapped. Fear and pain built inside her as she realized this was really happening. This man— this alien—had kidnapped her and intended to drag her untold light-years from Earth. She was being torn from her home, again, regardless of what she wanted. All the tension that had been building in her ever since she’d taken that strange elevator ride curled around her chest and tightened painfully. Dizziness overwhelmed her and breathing became difficult. Everything went black.

Duty…or desire? It will take two men to answer that question…

Wicked Empress © 2011 Anitra Lynn McLeod The Onic Empire, Book 4 Bithia, newly crowned empress of Diola, indulges herself with as many men as it takes to satisfy her voracious passion. Now that it’s time to continue the family line, though, her advisors expect the unthinkable: for her to submit to one man from a sexually primitive planet. Drahka disobeyed his tribe’s strict sexual rules once. The shame still haunts him. He longs for a fresh start, but breaking one cardinal rule—a man gives, a woman takes—is not an option. His struggle to learn local customs is complicated by a mentor whose eyes hunger for the empress…and for him. Viltori is exhausted. He’s tried to teach Drahka that there many ways to find pleasure, only to be met with anger, even violence. Touching the handsome primitive only sharpens his unbearable lust for Bithia, making him wonder if execution for failure wouldn’t be a blessing. When Bithia witnesses the results of Viltori’s training, she realizes only these two men can fill her empty heart, inspiring her to take command of the throne at last. Except those who’ve held the reins thus far have a sinister reason for keeping Bithia—and her new consorts—in their place. Warning: This erotic romantic fantasy contains a lusty empress, a primitive alpha male, a dedicated acolyte with domineering tendencies, copious amounts of hot m/m and m/f/m sex, secret torments, burning desires clashing with duty, and a little bit of meddling by future gods.

Enjoy the following excerpt for Wicked Empress: Viltori settled into the softest chair he’d ever sat upon as he motioned for Drahka to sit across from him. For a long time they simply sat, using the furniture as a way to teach each other new words. Even in the unfamiliar room, they fell to their usual form. Point, ask, explain and repeat. Immersed in learning, Drahka was oblivious to the fact that his robe, unlike his trousers, did not stay closed when he shifted about. Each time Drahka moved, he revealed more of his hairy calves, then his thighs. Each time he celebrated his understanding, Drahka lifted the crimson fabric up higher, getting ever closer to the juncture of his legs. After grasping a particularly difficult word, Drahka lifted his hands in triumph, which wrenched his robe apart, exposing his hips, cock and both legs. Viltori tried not to gape, but the man was huge, hairy and, hottest of all, uncut. Most men on Diola, even those in the barbaric outer regions, were circumcised shortly after birth. Viltori had not known of the difference until he’d traveled to Oughun. As he stood with several other men urinating directly into a rushing stream, they’d excitedly pointed to his differentness. The Oughun men asked a hundred questions and Viltori hoped he’d answered them fully. Oughunian men had never seen a cut cock and Viltori had

never seen one that wasn’t. Culturally they exchanged much that bonded them together. Viltori knew Drahka was uncut, and he’d tried to tell Drahka that he should inform Bithia, but when he’d tried to show him this information, he’d lashed out. Oughnians had clearly defined taboos about same-sex touching of any sort. To his horror, Drahka noticed the direction of Viltori’s gaze. Before he could babble out an explanation, Drahka cupped his cock and asked, “What is wrong with my cock?” Lowering his head he said, “You tried to touch, to show me, and I tried to hit you. I’m sorry. Please now show me what is wrong with my cock.” Gulping, Viltori said, “Nothing.” Not a damn thing he could see, anyway. He’d like nothing better than to do to Drahka what Rown had done to him earlier. “What makes you think there is anything wrong with your cock?” “Bithia say something uncute.” After a moment, where he couldn’t imagine anyone, even Bithia, calling a cock cute or not, Viltori understood. “Not cut,” he said. “Uncut, not un-cute.” Briefly, he explained the difference between the two words, then tried valiantly to convey the meaning behind Bithia’s comment. Thrusting his finger at Viltori, Drahka demanded, “Show me yours that is cut.” Concern filled his stoic face as if he were genuinely worried that someone had cut up Viltori’s cock. Eyeing the door, wondering just how much longer Bithia would be gone and if she’d be upset about him teaching her consort this, Viltori moved to a seat that blocked him from view of the doorway. If she did enter suddenly, he could pull his robe closed before she saw what he was doing. Drahka seemed to understand the furtive nature of their discussion. Frowning, Drahka moved to the couch, sitting next to him. He eyed the door that was well over the high back of the couch. When Viltori parted his robe, showing Drahka his painfully hard, circumcised cock, Drahka leaned over. Breathing hard enough to brush hot air over the pounding length of Viltori’s cock, Drahka said, “You not cut.” Reaching out his left hand, Drahka wrapped his fist around Viltori’s cock. “No cut.” Lowering his head, placing his face a bare breath above the tip, Drahka bellowed, “Ah! Cut off tip!” Pulling back, yanking open his robe, Drahka grasped his own cock and tugged his foreskin. “Cut off tip, not cut up cock!” Proudly displaying his penis, Drahka considered Viltori’s for another moment, then grasped him again. Running his fingers up and down, hardening him further, Drahka leaned close again and asked, “When you were cut, were you hurt?” “I was a baby when they cut me.” He thanked the gods for that. He couldn’t imagine what having that done as an adult would be like. “You no feel pain now?” Drahka ran a fingertip along the faint circumcision scar that encircled the hardest part of Viltori’s prick.

“No, it doesn’t hurt now.” Of course, that wasn’t quite true. He was so hard and excited his prick truly did hurt. If not for Rown’s generous gift, he would have erupted all over Drahka’s hand. Drahka nodded, turning his attention to his own cock. “Mine hurts. Bithia’s servants scrubbed under the tip.” Viltori cast a wary eye to the door, than to Drahka’s hand-held prick. “Does it hurt now?” “Some.” Frowning, Drahka looked toward the door Bithia had exited. “She take twice, then suck once. Still I am excited thinking of her.” Nodding, Viltori asked, “On Oughun, do men seek solo pleasure?” Horrified, Drahka yanked his hand off his cock. “I not doing that, just showing!” “Calm down. I’m not accusing, just asking.” However, clearly by his response, the men of Drahka’s tribe did not masturbate. In a way, such a taboo made perfect sense. His tribe was relatively infertile. Each ejaculation was sacred and necessary for the continuation of his people. Self-fulfillment would be considered the height of selfishness. Not only had Drahka been a virgin when he’d gone to Bithia, he’d been relatively untouched. If he could have swooned, Viltori would have. Drahka was a blank slate. Anything he or Bithia taught him about their culture he would believe, accept and likely perform. Heady with the erotic possibilities, then cautioned by the ethical dilemma, Viltori reluctantly wrapped his robe around his body. Following suit, Drahka covered himself up too. “Is looking wrong?” “No, I’m cold. Did you want to see more?” Gods, why was he asking? He should let this matter drop. Drahka considered for a moment, then whispered, “Do you do solo touching?” Technically, he wasn’t supposed to, but then he realized he was teaching and letting Drahka watch him masturbate could be considered a form of education. Or maybe he was just desperately trying to justify doing what he wanted to do. “Do you want me to show you?” Viltori caught their reflection in a mirror strategically placed across from the couch. They made a wicked contrast: he in white, Drahka in crimson, his finger-length blond hair glowing, and Drahka’s long black hair gleaming. Drahka was bigger, broader, the silk of his robe caressing massive muscles below. Viltori was muscular too, but not like Drahka. In his tribe, Drahka had been a hunter, felling great beasts to feed the entire group. He also cut trees for their fires. Such hard labor gave him a remarkable body, one the elite would pay handsomely to mimic through surgical enhancement. Drahka nodded. “Show me solo touching.” Parting his robe, Viltori took his cock in hand, cradling his shaft with his dominant right hand as he cupped his balls with the left. “The trick is not to rush.” Gods no, he wasn’t going to rush. He wanted to enjoy every bit of this encounter. Desperately he prayed to the god of Harvesters that Bithia would not return until he was finished with his lesson.

Drahka watched intently for a moment, then parted his robe. He gripped his cock with his right hand and stroked, fumbling. “Use your dominant hand.” Viltori nodded to his left. Drahka switched to his left hand. Now his motions were sleek and exact, mimicking perfectly what Viltori did. “Slowly?” Drahka asked. “Faster would feel better.” “Stroke too fast and it’s over too fast.” Viltori had to summon the very depth of his will to continue with his measured, even strokes. “Solo touching is a way to learn to last longer when with a woman.” “Ah, that is good to learn. Bithia happy with longer lasting.” “Bithia will be happier with me lasting longer,” Viltori corrected automatically. “Bithia will be happier with me lasting longer.” Drahka repeated the words, then looked to him for confirmation that he’d spoken correctly. Viltori nodded, knowing full well his interest at the moment was not with Bithia’s pleasure. His gaze darted between his own hand, Drahka’s, and the mirror where he could see them both. Drahka’s body was big and covered in dark hair. Muscles flexed as he tightened his form to keep his mounting passion at bay. “Feels good,” Drahka said, squeezing his fist a bit tighter, causing his foreskin to move smoothly up and down his shaft, exposing the slick, dusky-red tip. Viltori thought he would climax right there. Drahka kept his gaze on Viltori’s hand, mimicking each motion. He followed along so exactly that when Viltori looked into the mirror he felt he was stroking Drahka’s cock. His mouth watered, desperate for a taste of him. Behind them, they heard a click. Their eyes met, widened, and they hastily jumped to their feet. Viltori had his robe down covering his prick in an instant, but Drahka struggled with the open ends and the tied sash. Before he could determine if the couch was high enough to shield him from Bithia’s view, she looked directly into his eyes through one of the mirrors. “Tell me, Viltori, exactly what have you been teaching my consort?”

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