Captives of New Pompeii (19 page)

She gaped at him. “I have no funds and you
know it.”

“But you do have something that greatly
interests me. Perhaps we can barter.”

“I will never sell my body.” She ground out
between clenched teeth.

“Deduct her passage from the second half of
my payment,” Aiden said, his gaze openly challenging. “I will buy
her indenture.”

Xyell’s brow rose at that. “Her indenture
would cost the majority of what you have coming. Will your brother
agree to that?”

“He will have no choice.”

Torn between gratitude and sorrow, Felicia
faced Aiden and placed her hand on his chest. “I cannot desert my
people. I am flattered by your offer, but I belong in New
Pompeii.”

For a moment he looked wild, as if he would
lose his temper and find a physical solution to the conflict. Then
he stilled and his expression became resolute. “Then I’ll go with
you.” He turned to Xyell and continued. “I’m a skilled physician.
Surely you can use medical personnel in your city.”

Xyell chuckled, tilting his head as he
considered the offer. “Everyone who joins my staff signs a ten-year
commitment and agrees to the noninterference clause. Are you really
interested in signing away ten years of your life and living in
such a primitive environment?”

“Why won’t you just let her go?” Aiden
snapped.

Xyell shrugged. “The decision to stay was
hers not mine. I made an offer for her release.”

“An offer you knew she had no hope of
fulfilling.”

Ignoring the charge, Xyell looked at Felicia
and smiled. The warm expression fell short of his eyes. “You are an
important member of Pompeian society. People on all twelve ships
asked about you. Apparently, you’re what we call a celebrity.”

“And having a celebrity encourage people to
accept the new situation and respect the new administration would
benefit the founders?” she mused.

“Obviously.”

“Perion has been victimizing women for
years. I want him permanently removed from power.”

A wicked gleam hardened Xyell’s gaze. “How
permanently? Speak the word and I’ll add his name to the roster for
the next gladiator games. Wouldn’t that be fun?”

An undercurrent of temptation flowed through
the offer.
Join me
, it whispered, stirring the darkest
corners of her soul. “His punishment is not my decision. He should
be subjected to the law like anyone else.”

Xyell sniffed, obviously disappointed. “As
you wish. I’ll turn him over to the magistrate.” He paused, his
gaze drifting from her to Aiden and back. “You will come with me
now. I will talk to Prince Tarhee about the good doctor’s offer and
let him know what we decide.”

“No fucking way!” Aiden flared. “She is not
going anywhere with you.”

“That’s not your decision to make.” Xyell
opened the door and ordered his men to restrain Aiden then held out
his hand to Felicia. “Come, priestess. It’s time we got to know
each other better. I’ve heard so many fascinating stories about
you.”

Quade sat in a chair angled toward the bed,
his gut twisting tighter with each passing minute. Why had he
agreed to this? His cock had been hard ever since Caleb walked into
the hotel room eager for his “session” with Laetif.

Encouraging Laetif to seek out another man
had been one of the hardest things he’d ever done. But he
understood her pain, understood that she needed to purge years of
hurt and betrayal before she could even begin to heal. He had tried
to surround her with tenderness, create a nurturing environment
where she would feel safe. She responded well to the affection and
offered herself—up to a point.

He wasn’t sure why he cared. She was an
assignment, a task like any other. The more he allowed himself to
feel for her, the more dangerous it was for both of them. Still, he
couldn’t suppress his protective instincts or ignore the
inexplicable connection he’d felt with her the first time they
touched.

She cried out sharply, drawing Quade’s
attention back to the couple across the room. She knelt beside the
bed, naked, hands bound behind her back. Caleb circled her wearing
only black synth-leather pants. They created an extraordinary
picture, her golden beauty contrasting sharply with the captain’s
dark handsomeness.

Her nipples stood high and red between the
jaws of small metal clamps. Each time Caleb grabbed her hair or
raised the paddle in his hand, Quade averted his gaze. She wanted
this,
needed
it, but the realization didn’t make it any
easier to watch.

Caleb had begrudgingly agreed to Quade’s
presence only after Quade agreed to remain silent and not interfere
in any way. He clenched his fists and pressed his lips together as
Caleb ordered her to bend over the bed.

“Your welts healed nicely. Did you use the
ointment I gave you?”

“Yes Sir. Twice a day.” Her voice was
breathless and tight. From pain or anticipation, Quade couldn’t
tell. Her movements were awkward with her hands bound behind her
and Caleb made no move to help.

Caleb trailed his fingertips along her spine
then into the crease between her ass cheeks. “Wider. Show me that
soft, wet pussy.”

She obeyed and Quade’s cock hardened even
more. Caleb stood to one side, giving him an unobstructed view of
her supple body. Was the position intentional? Did he want Quade to
see for himself that these techniques aroused her?

“You have permission to come.” He snapped
the paddle against one cheek and then the other. She gasped and
then moaned. “How does that feel?”

“Hot, so very hot.”

“Tell me about your week. How have you spent
your time?”

Quade cursed under his breath. He hadn’t
expected the captain to be so talkative. Why did Caleb care what
she did when she wasn’t with him?

“With Quade mostly. I shared several meals
with Felicia and Aiden.”

“Does Mikko know you’re fucking Quade?”

It took a smart swat to motivate her answer.
“Yes. Quade is required to check in twice a day.”

Caleb caressed her with his hand as he
asked, “How does it make you feel to know your lover reports to
your husband?”

“It’s not Quade’s fault.” Her assertion
pleased Quade. Even in the midst of this crucible she instinctively
defended him. “He has no choice, and neither do I.”

Caleb moved into her line of sight,
disapproval clear in his expression. “That’s a cop-out. There are
always choices. Why did you let Quade fuck you? He doesn’t strike
me as the type who would force the issue.”

“He’s very handsome and… I…” She turned her
head, avoiding Caleb’s piercing gaze.

The captain’s next swat was harder than its
predecessors. She didn’t make a sound. “Do not hide from me.”
Slowly she turned her head back around and looked into his eyes.
“Go on. You what?”

“It felt good to be desired, and I knew my
interest in him wouldn’t put him in danger.”

“Because his actions were sanctioned by
Mikko?”

“Yes.”

He moved lower, warming the backs of her
thighs. “Has Mikko gone after all your lovers?”

“There were only two, but both of them died
unexpectedly.”

Caleb paused, his fingertips teasing hers.
“Why are you willing to endanger me?” A surprising ripple of
amusement lightened his tone.

“Are you afraid of Mikko? It never occurred
to me that you couldn’t handle him.”

“Thank you, and no, I’m not intimidated by
your husband. I’ve had dangerous enemies before.” He tossed the
paddle aside and pressed a kiss to her temple. “Besides, you’re
worth the risk.” His hand swept down her body and eased between her
thighs. “I can’t wait to be inside you.” He pushed two fingers into
her core. “So hot and wet. I’ve dreamed about how you’ll feel
clasping my cock.”

Quade watched Caleb’s hand pump between her
thighs then his shoulders flexed and he raised his fingers to his
nose. Caleb’s angry gaze collided with his for a long, silent
moment then he turned back to Laetif. “You come to me reeking of
another man? Did you expect this insult to go unanswered, or were
you trying to anger me?”

Pushing to his feet, Quade took a step
forward and Caleb rounded on him. “One word,” he warned. “Speak one
word and you will wait for her in the lobby. This is my time!”

Everything within him screamed for action,
but he knew she would resent his interference. He had agreed to
remain silent and let Caleb control the events. Too anxious to sit,
he moved back against the wall, standing beside the chair.

“Answer me!” Caleb slapped her ass with his
bare hand, prompting her response.

“I’m sorry. It was not an intentional
insult.”

“It never occurred to you that I might be
put off by fucking a cunt still slick with another man’s come?”

“I didn’t think about your feelings. I was
selfish and unkind.” Despite Caleb’s anger, she didn’t sound
frightened. Intrigued, Quade looked closer. Caleb slid his
fingertips from shoulder to shoulder as he shifted from one side of
her body to the other.

“I’m not in the mood for a blowjob, so what
do you suggest?”

Quade’s cock bucked, easily guessing where
this was leading. He and Laetif had stuck to the basics. He hadn’t
so much as pushed a finger up her ass.

“Please take me the other way.” Her voice
dropped to a husky whisper. “It’s only fair after my poor
judgment.”

“I’m not sure what you’re offering, Laetif.
Tell me what you’re suggesting.”

“He has never touched me there; I want you
to fuck my ass.”

Laetif shivered as the words left her mouth.
Her body hovered on the brink of orgasm, but he’d stop spanking her
while the sensations only simmered. Her pussy ached, desperate for
the fullness of his cock. Would taking him into her ass ease the
ache or make it worse? Fear lingered at the edge of her mind,
memories tainting her anticipation.

“I don’t believe you,” Caleb told her.
“You’re willing to let me fuck your ass, but you don’t really want
me to. Tell me why. What are you feeling?”

“I’m afraid.” Her clamped nipples pressed
into the mattress, intensifying the persistent throb.

“Why? Because it hurt when Mikko shoved his
cock up your ass?”

“Yes.”

“Am I Mikko? Do you think I’ll take you
carelessly, thinking only of my own pleasure?”

She shook her head, frustrated by her
inability to block out the past. “I know you’re not like Mikko. I’m
sorry.”

“You don’t need to apologize for your
feelings. I want you to be honest and open. Even when you think
you’ll displease me.”

“I’m trying.”

His warm hand swept down her spine until his
progress was blocked by her bound hands. “You’re doing very well.
You’ve had little reason to trust anyone.” He untied her wrists and
paused to rub the feeling back into her hands. “Quade is glaring
holes in my back. Should we let him join us? Would you enjoy
fucking both of your lovers at the same time?”

Lust curled through her, lodging between her
thighs, increasing the pressure already gathered there. “I… Are you
sure you don’t mind?”

She pushed off the bed and turned around,
still on her knees. Quade stood against the wall, silent and
still.

“We are both in your life, whether we like
it or not, so we might as well figure out how to work together,”
Caleb said as much for Quade’s benefit as hers. “Now answer me
honestly, does the thought of fucking both of us excite you?”

“Very much.”

“What about you?” Caleb looked at Quade.

“I don’t do men,” he said emphatically.

“Neither do I. So you have nothing to worry
about. Do you want to join us or not?”

Quade unfastened his jacket as he crossed to
the bed. “I think we should start slowly. If she’s never enjoyed
anal sex before, let’s focus on overcoming her fear.”

Caleb chuckled and reached for the waistband
of his pants. “She’s going to suck your cock. I’m well aware that
she’s not ready for DP.”

DP? Double penetration? Just the thought
sent a thrill down her spine. Quade undressed with record speed,
pulling her to her feet as Caleb removed his pants. It was actually
happening. They were naked and ready to fuck her together. She’d
never dared to dream of something so decadent.

Quade wrapped his arms around her and
claimed her mouth, in a deep possessive kiss. Her breasts flattened
against his chest and she cried out.

Caleb turned her and pressed her back into
Quade’s chest. “Let’s get these off. Sounds like you’ve had
enough.” He loosened one clamp and bent to her breast, licking and
sucking until the burning eased. Quade held her other breast as
Caleb repeated the process. The attention was twice as enjoyable
with both men touching her.

She arched her back and rubbed her bottom
against Quade’s thighs, intensifying the heat licking at her skin.
Quade grasped her hips and eased her forward so he could look at
her ass. “Shouldn’t these marks be treated before we do anything
else?”

Caleb chuckled. “Stay out of my head. I was
just about to go get the ointment.”

She turned back around as Caleb left her
with Quade. “Are you really okay with this?”

He kissed her briefly then assured, “I
didn’t want to intrude, but I was hoping this was how the night
would end.”

Soothed by the reassurance she wrapped her
hand around his shaft and stroked him as he returned his mouth to
hers. She felt Caleb smearing ointment across the fresh welts, but
Quade went right on kissing her. Caleb’s fingers visited her
nipples next and the residual pain abated.

“Have a seat on the bed,” Caleb told Quade
and he didn’t argue.

She looked at Caleb, wishing he’d kiss her.
Apart from one hurried kiss she’d all but forced on him in the
hallway, they had never enjoyed the fundamental closeness of
exploring each other’s mouths.