Desire After Dark: Lords of Pleasure (5 page)

He needn’t have worried.

“Lean against my front,” she murmured. When he complied,
she praised him. “Good, love. Now spread those fabulous legs for me.”

Love.
He liked the endearment coming from her lips, even though it was meant as a casual term. Then he couldn’t think at all as her hand, slick with new soap, gripped his hard shaft and began to pump, from base to tip, up and down, jacking him in a slow rhythm that had him thrusting into her hand.

“Yes, yes,” he breathed. “Oh gods.”

“You like that.”

“Please don’t stop!”

Chuckling, she increased the pressure and quickened the strokes. That was all it took to have his balls drawing tight into his body, his release ready to shoot. But he knew what she wanted to hear, and it turned him on even more.

“May I come? Please!”

“Good boy. You may,” she whispered into his ear.

Cum spurted from his cock, painting his chest and stomach with pearly ropes. On and on his body spasmed until his release was spent and he lay panting in her arms. Finally catching his breath, he smiled.

“That was incredible.”

She kissed his temple. “And that was only the beginning of the pleasure we’ll bring each other in the centuries to come.”

When her words penetrated, he froze, the smile sliding from his face. Sitting up, he scooted around to face her once more, searching that damned composed, confident expression he’d so admired just a few minutes ago. “What are you talking about? I’ve known you only a few hours. I know I owe you my life, and I’ll find a way to repay you, but I’ve got to get home soon.”

Her eyes softened into something very much like pity. “I’m sorry, but that won’t be possible.”

Ice formed in his chest. “Of course it is! My brothers need me and—”

“Luc, this is your home now.”

“What? You can’t be serious. What the fuck is going on here?”

She paused, then delivered the blow. “This is your home…because now, you belong to me.”

H
eart sinking, Kass watched Luc’s expression rapidly morph from confusion to shock. Then to fear. And then, to inevitable anger.

Gone was the open, sensual creature of moments ago. Guileless, sky blue eyes turned hard and cold as marbles. His jaw tightened, and he shoved a strand of damp blond hair from his face, the motion jerky with frustration.

“I don’t know who you think you are, lady, but you can’t keep me here—wherever here is. As soon as I can walk unassisted, I’m leaving.”

“How will you get there?”

“How do you think? I’ll call my brothers, or a cab.”

“What will you use to call them? Here, we have no need of human technology such as phones, computers, or transportation,” she pointed out reasonably. Remaining calm in the face of his outrage took all of her nerve.

Staring at her for a few seconds, he snorted. “Come on—everybody
on earth, from humans to shifters, vampires, and faeries, has
some
sort of gadget these days.”

“Unless you live outside the earth realm, where they wouldn’t work anyway.”

His eyes narrowed. “Okay, maybe you’d better tell me what you are and where the fuck I am.”

“I am Kassandra, Chooser of the Slain,” she said slowly, letting him process it. “I’m an immortal Valkyrie warrior, like my sisters.”

His mouth fell open, shock momentarily robbing him of speech and wiping out all traces of anger. Then a look of horror spread across on his face. “Then this is Valhalla? I’m going to Odin’s army,” he whispered.

“No,” she assured him, taking one of his hands in hers. “This is my palace in the Otherworld that I share with my sisters. I healed you, and now you will remain here, with me.”

“I…” The vampire shook his head. “I don’t understand. If I’m not dead, I should be able to go home once I’ve recovered from the attack. What am I missing?”

She wanted to tell him the whole truth, but she just couldn’t. Not yet. Not until she figured out how to deal with Odin and her sisters, and what to do about the fact that she’d disobeyed an order, saving Luc instead. And oh yeah, that the vampire was her mate.

Rising from the cooling bathwater, she straightened her spine and stepped out, injecting a thread of steel into her voice. “Let the water out. Can you stand and walk now?”

“I think so.”

“Then fetch another towel, and join me.”

He obeyed, moving carefully, casting wary glances at her as
he did. After they’d dried off, she led him into the bedroom and padded to her walk-in closet, searching for something for him to wear while he waited. Coming up with a pair of black silk lounging pants, she decided they’d work.

“Here,” she said, tossing them at him. “These belong to Taryn. You’re leaner than he is, but they’ll do for the time being. It’s not as though you’re going to need many clothes anyhow.”

That last bit got his full attention, and he paused in the act of inspecting them. “So, my role here is the same as Taryn’s?” he asked evenly.

She approached him, putting some sway into her hips. “Taryn’s role is to see to my every need and desire. To anticipate them at times, before I even know what I want, to take initiative within reason. To provide friendly counsel
if
I ask for his opinion.”

“And me?” His voice was low, husky.

“You’ll do exactly as I tell you and nothing more. No anticipation, no initiative, no counsel, friendly or otherwise—you haven’t yet earned those rights. Taryn
has
.”

He stared. She smirked.

“I’ll be your slave,” he said quietly, but not in acceptance. His voice was low and dangerous.

Stepping close, she gently cupped his balls in her palm. Kneaded and rubbed until his cock began to stir. “Will that be so bad?” she breathed into his lips, kissing them lightly. “You may as well be honest. Blood will tell, as they say.”

“I can’t do this.” But desire betrayed him.

“Your body shows quite a different answer.”

His jaw tightened. “I might be well versed in the art of pleasure, but I’m nobody’s whore.”

But his erection, stiffening, filled her hand, betraying him as
thoroughly as anything could. His recovery time was excellent, and he would serve her well. “From where I stand, there’s little difference.”

“You’re wrong. My brothers and I run an adult pleasure resort in New Orleans. Our job is to make sure the guests are satisfied in every way and—”

“You’re paid for sex. How does that not make you simply a high-priced rent boy in luxurious surroundings?”

His eyes darkened. “I am
not
paid for sex. I employ plenty of qualified staff to fulfill the guests’ sexual fantasies, but if I
choose
to participate where I’m wanted, then that’s a nice bonus for all concerned.”

“Semantics.”

“The truth,” he insisted. “I’m not a slave, and I won’t start now, even for a female like you.” He grimaced, realizing his slip the second it left his lips.

She pounced. “You find me attractive, then. Hard to resist.” Gripping his shaft, she stroked the turgid length, so warm and silky smooth. “Perhaps too hard, so why bother?”

With a strangled noise, he spread his legs a fraction wider and closed his eyes. A sense of impending victory spurred her on, to make certain pride fell before the eroticism of surrender. Of complete, total submission and the rewards it would bring.

“I can’t take you home right now, and perhaps not for some time,” she said softly. “And vampires can’t travel between dimensions.”

“One of your sisters can escort me, maybe?” His voice was becoming breathless, sounding less adamant.

“No, they won’t help either of us in this case. The truth is, I’m in deep shit with one of the gods, one who’d love to get at me
in any way, including striking at you or Taryn. So, you and I will stay here for now, where it’s safe.”

That was only a portion of the truth. To her relief, he didn’t question what
deep shit
she’d gotten into, though he would. Eventually.

“And I’ll belong to you.”

“Yes.”

“Just while I’m here?”

“That’s right.”
With any luck, that will be a long while.
Leaning forward, she cupped his face and pressed her lips to his. Deepened the pressure, slipping her tongue inside to taste, to swirl it around his fangs, which were obviously an erogenous zone.

Pushing into her, burying a hand in her hair, he devoured her mouth, accidentally nicking her lower lip in the process. The sting was followed by warm blood coating their tongues, mingling their flavor. Gasping, Luc straightened and took a step back, blinking at her.

“Great gods! You taste like—like fucking ambrosia!”

“Do you need more?”

“Hell, yes!”

“Ask me politely,” she corrected him.

His expression was a mixture of anger and desperation. The look said he was used to giving orders, not taking them. Yet he wanted to play, so capitulation wasn’t long in coming. “Please, Kassandra. I need to drink from you.”

“Much better.” Holding out her wrist, she said, “You haven’t earned the right to take it from my neck.”

Nodding, he took the offered wrist without complaint and held it to his lips. He licked the blue veins visible through her pale skin, sending a jolt of pleasure to her nerve endings. Then
he settled his mouth over the spot and eased the tips of his razor-sharp fangs through the delicate skin. He must’ve been starving after all the blood he’d lost, but to her surprise, he was exceedingly gentle. The sucking pull caused no pain at all. On the contrary, the feeling was quite extraordinary.

Lazy whorls spiraled through her limbs, tiny shocks prickling her skin. Her nipples puckered to hard points and her sex heated, making it difficult not to squirm. Had he continued much longer, she had no doubt she would’ve lost control and climaxed. All too soon, however, he withdrew and licked the two holes, sealing them.

“Thank you,” he said hoarsely, returning her wrist.

“You’re welcome.” Her reply managed not to sound as shaky as she felt. “I assumed you’d need more, though.”

“Normally I would, but your blood is very rich. It was like drinking sunshine.” He gave her a hint of a smile.

“That’s a good thing? I thought the sun was deadly to vampires.”

“Wives’ tale. I can go out in the sun for short periods, though I’ll blister badly if I stay too long in direct sunlight.”

“Good to know—I don’t want any harm to come to you, especially not after I’ve gone to so much trouble to save your cute ass.”

“You think it’s cute?”

“Fishing for a compliment?”

“Maybe. Is it working?”

The smile felt odd on her face, yet she couldn’t help herself. Being around Luc made her feel better than she had in years, and now that his true personality was beginning to emerge as he relaxed, even more so. “You’re an incorrigible flirt, aren’t you?”

He shrugged, but his blue eyes were dancing. “It’s just who I
am. So now that you’ve insisted on extending your hospitality indefinitely, you’ll have to get used to me.”

“As long as you adhere to our agreement during the course of your stay, you’re free to be yourself.”

“I don’t recall agreeing to anything.” At her arched brow, he relented. “Fine. For the record, I agree to be your vampire boy toy while I’m here.”

“Wise choice. I don’t think you’ll be sorry.”

Kass might be sorry in the end, though, when Odin took his pound of flesh. But not Luc, if she could help it.

She had a sinking feeling that before their time together was done, she’d do anything to protect her mate.

Anything at all.

I don’t think you’ll be sorry.

That remained to be seen. This female was a creature of legend much rarer than a vampire or shifter. In the paranormal hierarchy, she was a mere one step below the gods themselves.

He was so fucked. And not necessarily in a good way.

Luc pulled on the black sleep pants and frowned at the tent in the front. She’d gotten him worked up, only this time she planned to leave him wanting. He had to admire her strategy if not the uncomfortable results.

“Let’s go see if my sisters left us any dinner.”

He looked up to see the woman pulling on a comfortable-looking royal blue linen robe, which she belted around the waist. “Dressed in our bedclothes?”

“It’s getting late, so no one will care.”

“I get the distinct impression that you don’t care if they do or not.”

“I don’t. It’s my home, and I’ll walk around completely naked if I please.”

Again, the confidence. He liked that. “Don’t dress on my account.”

“You wish.” Throwing him a smirk, she headed from the bedroom.

Luc trailed behind her, getting his first good look at the palace beyond her private chambers, and stifled a whistle of appreciation. He and his brothers were quite comfortably wealthy, but nothing like this. They’d dined with kings and had been the guests of royalty from Europe to the Far East over the centuries, and the Valkyrie’s palace was easily the equal of any they’d seen.

White, gold-veined marble tile was cool under his bare feet. Long corridors were graced by vaulted ceilings, hand-painted with all sorts of scenery, with figures of what appeared to be gods and goddesses engaged mostly in the two sole pursuits they gave a damn about—battling or making love.