Unease and excitement caused her stomach to churn in a sickening dance. She swallowed hard and followed him inside, staying close to the door. ‘This is your compartment?’
Way to go, Steph. Another understatement. He must think I have the IQ of a gummy bear.
Wringing her hands, she looked about at the functional living room. It wasn’t overly large. Even the most minute of area on ships was utilised zealously, however the room was definitely on a bigger scale than her own small cabin. The usual muted-grey coloured walls were unadorned save for three screens. All three depicted the scenery of a savage-looking landscape of towering jagged mountains and violet-coloured storm clouds scudding across the sky.
He slanted a glance over his shoulder as he strode across the room to the lone sofa and settled down. Indicating the screens with a brief nod, he said, ‘My home planet, Cerciron. Come and rest for a few sectons.’ Stretching out his long legs he leaned his head back, giving the appearance of a man about to watch a game of football on the vid screen.
Step by cautious step and much in the manner of prey approaching the starving beast, Stephanie walked towards him. When he didn’t so much as glance in her direction, she perched on the edge of the sofa, squeezed up against the furthermost arm. As the minutes ticked slowly by, she began to relax until she wriggled back and slumped into the soft cushions.
In Ivo’s arms, Mia squealed and kicked vigorously.
The Darkon warrior holding her so carefully gazed down into the little baby’s face, giving a quick smile now and then as the little girl waved her tiny hands.
‘Will she be too cold? She has kicked off the covering.’ He sounded anxious as one-handed he attempted to re-wrap the baby only to the thwarted by Mia’s vigorous kicking.
‘While she’s jumping about like that, she’ll be fine. You need to make sure she’s covered though when she falls asleep which should be soon. She’s been awake for some time now.’ Stephanie slid a little closer, unable to be too far from Mia for long. She peered over Ivo’s brawny arm, smiling a little at the sight of that precious face. ‘She’s such a good baby. Janeen always bragged about how she sleeps through most of the night.’
He glanced up, his eyes sharp. ‘I would like to learn more of her and my brother. First, though, you have yet to tell your sign.’
‘I’m Stephanie Roberts. Most people call me Steph.’
‘Steph.’ His brows drew together. ‘I do not like this, you will be called Stephanie.’ He dragged out the syllables like musical notes and warmth bloomed under her skin.
The hard line of his mouth curved upwards. ‘Tell me about your life.’
‘Why?’
He shrugged. ‘My concern is wholly for my brother’s offspring. How will I determine you are of good character?’
‘I think my actions speak louder than any dumb thing I choose to say to you,’ she all but snarled at him. Or does he think by learning everything there is to know about me he’ll work out how best to control me?
His smile deepened and the sight was like a shot of tequila to her stomach.
I don’t want to tell him I’m a widow. I don’t want to remember. I don’t want to feel guilty because I want another man. Pressing her legs together, Stephanie mumbled, ‘There’s not much to tell. I’m a geologist and that means I locate rocks that contain important metals, groundwater, natural gas and other resources we so desperately need on Earth. My parents died a long time ago. I don’t have any brothers or sisters. When the call went out for nurses to accompany the colonists, Janeen put her hand up. We’d been friends for years, so it was kinda natural I added my name to the list.’
He must surely know what happened next, it was fairly similar to almost every other person who’d left Earth on the Scaleen Traders’ ships. Betrayed, sold; the men into slavery working mines, the women sold off at markets like cattle or, worse, shipped to Isla. Stephanie huddled on the sofa, not wanting to revisit a place that still haunted her dreams.
‘I discern from your expression you were one of those unfortunate females to be transported to Isla.’
‘We were more than unfortunate,’ Stephanie said sharply.
Ivo inclined his head in assent.
After a few moments of silence while they watched the baby, both careful to avoid the other’s eyes, she added, ‘Janeen and I were two of the lucky ones. We weren’t there that long before Lord Tarak arrived.’
‘He did the honourable and right action by destroying the facility.’
That surprised her. ‘Really? I thought as a Traditionalist you would be in agreement with that madman Rajan’s ideas.’
‘My family has long followed the Traditionalist calling but I am not so blinded by my upbringing to realise many of the old ways are not in the best interests of the Darkon people. I believe in the honour and integrity of our race. Rajan violated both when he arranged for the facility to be built.’
‘Did you know about it?’
‘Negative. There were whispers of course, but I was second-in-command of a battle-cruiser and our orders kept us from Darkos for great periods of time.’ His voice sounded weary.
‘I’m glad you didn’t know about it,’ said Stephanie slowly.
‘If I had known, I am uncertain what I would have done.’ Ivo turned his head and met her gaze unflinchingly.
She gave a shaky laugh. ‘At least you’re honest, I give you that much.’
‘I admit the thought of you in such a place causes me great discomfort.’
‘It was a lot more than discomfort, pal. I’ll never forget it.’
‘And yet you and your friend fought for our cause.’
Discomforted by the sharpness of his gaze, Stephanie shrugged. ‘We figured you guys were the lesser of two evils. Especially, once Tarak rescued us and bombed Isla into a million pieces. Man, was that an amazing sight.’ She grinned.
‘You are indeed a strange species but one I find commands my respect. Your resilience in the face of terrible hardship astounds me.’
‘We have a long history of fighting for what we believe is right. And we’re drawn to the underdog.’
Ivo raised his eyebrows, looking completely mystified.
Too hard to explain, she decided. ‘After we landed on Verrilous, sickness swept through our camp. Janeen became ill. No one had any idea how to treat it and soon she could barely walk. Two days before the attack, she insisted I take Mia and leave. Both Neo and her were terrified their daughter would also fall ill. Janeen was so sick and Neo wouldn’t leave her.’
‘And so you took your friend’s name to ensure no questions were asked regarding the child.’
‘Yes. I couldn’t risk some official taking it into his or her head to remove Mia from my care. The plan was that Janeen and Neo would meet up with me after the battle but then I read Neo’s name listed amongst the fallen together with an unnamed Earth woman. I knew I was on my own. I made a promise, Ivo. One I intend to keep.’
‘I understand now, why you are so determined to care for little Mia,’ he said thoughtfully.
I more than care for her, Ice Man. I love her. She hesitated a moment before her intense curiosity about him and his life drove her to ask, ‘What about the attempt to oust Tarak from power? Were you involved in it?’
‘I knew Marn had a plan, but it is not one I agreed with. Lord Tarak has the right. And he is a just leader. He has granted several concessions to some of the old laws and this has negated the discontent many Traditionalists harboured to his rule.’
Desperately wanting to know whether he was as ruthless as he appeared, she asked, ‘Would you really have turned me over to the authorities as a deserter?’
A wry smile twisted his lips. ‘I admit it was a bluff. The war has lasted for far too many cycles. There has been enough suffering by all people not only my race.’
‘It was a good bluff. You fooled me.’
‘Did I?’ The way his intent gaze snared hers and seemed to search for something he hungered for, caused all sorts of crazy ideas to manifest inside her mind.
Swallowing, Stephanie looked away. She soothed a gentle finger over Mia’s soft hair, smiling as the baby’s eyes drifted close. ‘Look, she’s falling asleep.’
Lowering her voice, she said, ‘You have no desire to follow your brother’s example and ditch those weird ideas of no emotional or physical connections?’
‘Gratification of the desires of the flesh has some merit.’ His eyes locked onto hers again, sending her heart into freefall and her body temperature skyrocketing at the scorching fire in their dark depths.
Talk about bedroom eyes! His mouth curved into a sinful smile that promised all sorts of mouth-watering delights.
‘I do not take liars lightly.’ So saying, in one smooth movement he rose to his feet, towering over her, baby in his arms, and holding her startled gaze with the intensity of his own.
Stephanie tensed. ‘I had my reasons,’ she mumbled. Maybe I should I mention I’ve been married, how much I longed for a family of my own. Before she could decide, the moment passed.
‘You have caused me considerable, shall we say trouble, Stephanie Roberts, and are one I intend to keep under my control.’
Oooh! Exactly what does he mean by control?
He glanced down at Mia. ‘She sleeps.’
‘Time to put her to bed then.’ And way past time I put some space between us while I’ve still got my wits about me. Stephanie also rose to her feet and held out her arms.
‘I think not. Both Mia and you will reside in my quarters. I have a special bed prepared for her.’ He strode across the room and passed through a doorway into the room beyond.
And me? Where do I sleep? Wringing her hands, Steph hurried after him to find herself in his rack room, a relatively compact area with a massive double bunk bolted to the floor and a much smaller bunk with raised sides wedged into the corner of the room. A quick glance round revealed little in the way of personal effects. And even less of any indication of his personality. But it did reveal her backpack and holdall residing neatly on the floor. By the way both bags looked deflated she realised someone had unpacked her few possessions.
She swung round to find Ivo placing the sleeping baby into the smaller bunk. When she reached his side, she tucked the thick, soft coverlet around Mia. Leaning down, she pressed a gentle kiss onto the baby’s silky soft curls.
‘Now, for your total submission,’ said Ivo in a deep voice.
His hands closed over hers and he drew her away from the baby’s bed to the double bunk.
‘What do you mean?’ Her heart stuttered, while she played for time knowing instinctively within a few minutes she’d be down and dirty with Ice Man himself.
I could say no. I could run from the room. He’d never force himself on me, he has too much integrity. But she didn’t move.
Instead she remained exactly where she was, breathing faster, heart thudding, her body tingling with anticipation. The word “submission” kept bouncing about like a ping pong ball inside her mind.
She’d heard of subs and doms.
One of her friends back on Earth often visited a special establishment that catered for people who craved that type of intimacy. Although invited as a couple more than once, her husband had refused. Older by ten years, he’d been unable to push past his conventional upbringing. Stephanie had always suspected he’d had no taste for anything more than the missionary position.
Whilst she’d loved him and their marriage had been a healthy one, she’d sometimes fantasised over what it would be like to submit completely to a man, to allow him all the control, for him to do as he wished with her.
Now it looked as if her secret dreams were about to become reality.
Maybe it was also time she stopped mourning a dead man and take advantage of the fantasy Ivo offered.
‘What do you want me to do?’ She poised on the tips of her toes, her gaze seeking his then flinching at the heavy frown creasing his forehead.
‘This is not a game. You will be taught total submission to me.’ He wagged a finger in the air and Steph had to physically restrain herself from rolling her eyes. ‘You will accept me as your master and obey my every demand.’
Dream on, Ice Man, but the submission part sounds good. I’ll do anything to ease this damn need to feel your cock inside me. Demurely, Stephanie lowered her eyes and waited. She could almost feel his suspicious gaze boring into the top of her head.
He clicked his tongue and strode off to the counter running the length of one wall. Peeping from under her fringe, Steph watched him rummage inside a drawer, quickly removing her gaze when he turned round.
His fingers touched her hair then he slipped a thick cloth over her eyes, effectively blinding her.
‘Wait. What…?’ She gasped as the memory of being trapped flooded her mind.
‘Silence.’
And he administered a hard slap to her bottom.
Spanking! He’s going to spank me? Hell no!
‘I’m not seven years old,’ she blustered, beating down her panic. ‘Don’t you dare smack me again.’
‘You,’ he murmured close to her ear causing her hair to drift against her face in a tickling motion. ‘You do not give the orders.’
Her hands went to the blindfold only to be thwarted when he captured them and pulled them down again.
‘Be still.’
‘But…’
Suddenly, Ivo stiffened. ‘Are you frightened?’
‘No. It’s only that for a moment, I remembered Isla, when I was strapped down in that tube waiting for the research to begin,’ she admitted in a choked voice.
‘Forgive me.’ His hands went to the back of her head, fumbling with the cloth. ‘I would never hurt you, Stephanie.’
‘No, it’s okay. I want this, really.’
The minutes ticked by while Ivo hesitated, his palms cupping the back of her head. Finally he said, ‘I am teaching you who is in control. You could at least pretend to be submissive.’
The way he’d forced himself to sound aggrieved at her eagerness made her laugh. She’d heard the lingering hint of concern behind his words. ‘I don’t admit defeat easily.’
Warm lips lingered on her forehead for a moment and Ivo muttered, ‘I am glad. Shall we?’
Stephanie nodded.
She heard him draw in a sharp breath.
His thumb pressed against her lips. Pure heat tingled through her body to pool between her legs. Her pulse sky-rocketed and anticipation caused her stomach muscles to quiver.
He moved away then administered another sharp slap to her bottom.
She gasped but obediently remained quiet.
Unable to see, her other senses were heightened. Whenever he leaned close, his earthy, musk-scent filled her nostrils. Faint sounds made her wonder what he did and although her curiosity tugged at her to remove the blindfold she refrained.
He moved about the room. She heard the rustle of clothing. Was he undressing? Did he now stand in all his naked glory in front of her? Her mouth dried and she swayed.
His fingers lifted strands of her hair, before allowing them to fall against her neck. Then he unsnapped the fastenings of her shirt, one at a time. His breathing was deep and measured, his pace unhurried until she thought she’d scream from the fraught tension tightening her nerve ends.
He slipped the shirt off her shoulders, slowly eased the sleeves down her arms, before tugging it off her hands. The shirt dropped to the floor with a soft plop.
Seconds ticked by.
What if he doesn’t like what he sees?
John had been mainly oblivious to how she’d looked, always buried in his work. For the first time in years, no guilt stabbed her and she realised she’d finally accepted the life she’d lived with another man was gone.
And now I’m with another. A man who makes me feel more alive than I’ve ever felt before. A man who I bloody well hope likes the real me. I’ve never been on the model-thin side; that was Janeen. My boobs are too big and those damn protein cubes go straight to my hips and thighs.
But thanks to the constant training in the guerrilla camp, she was fit and more muscle than fat.
Oh how she wished she could see his face. Her nails dug into her palms to stop herself from pushing up the blindfold. Her one and only bra had disintegrated months ago and after Ivo had fondled her breasts through her clothes, she’d stopped wearing her tank top beneath her flight shirt.
Hoping he’d repeat that tantalising experience.
Her nipples puckered. Her breasts seemed to swell even heavier at the memory of his big hands cradling her flesh.
He made a deep growling noise that pricked the fine hairs covering her arms into stiff little brushes.
Lust throbbed low in her belly. Her knees trembled.
Then it was as if his control had splintered, for he tugged ruthlessly at her belt and pants, pushing the material down over her legs. She heard his sharp intake of breath.
Yep, Ice Man, I also ditched my panties too.
His fingers delved into the slit of her cunny.
Beneath the blindfold, Steph’s eyes half-closed and she hummed, loving the feel of his fingers slipping between her legs then back out again to rub roughly over her mons. Back and forth. Her breathing hitched.
A soft curse left his lips as he returned to pull her flight trousers lower and encountered her boots.
Stephanie chuckled.
Hard hands scooped beneath her bottom and around her back. Remembering Mia, Steph bit down on her squeal of surprise. Air oomphed from her lungs when he dumped her on her back on the bunk. She bounced once on the hard mattress.
He flung first one boot and then the other off her feet. They hit the floor with loud thumps as he tugged off her flight pants, flinging them aside.
She felt the give in the mattress as his body joined hers on the bunk. His hand wrapped around the base of her throat in a possessive manner while he cupped her right breast with his other, his thumb pressing down on her peaked nipple. His breathing was fast and laboured, hot as it puffed against her face, then his mouth came down hard and demanding on hers.
Eagerly she opened for him, wrapping her tongue around his, his lips fusing into her skin in a kiss that held little technique; it was all predatory demand, a total domination of her soul and blistered a path of pure fire through her body.
Blood thrummed through her brain. Feverishly, she rolled towards him, her hands reaching out to close greedily over his big shoulders. Desperate to have all his heavy weight pressing down into her, to feel his roughened skin against her flesh, she roved her hands down his back and pulled at his buttocks. She pressed closer, whimpering deep in her throat.
Ivo dragged his mouth from hers. He shifted higher. She felt his broad chest graze over her sensitive nipples and she sensed he was leaning over her. His hands grasped her left wrist and pulled her arm above her head and then the other.
‘What are you doing?’ she whispered.
‘Teaching you who is in control,’ was the purred response.
A narrow cloth was wrapped around her wrists as he bound them together. He shifted again. Stephanie tugged at her hands and found she was unable to move them. He must have tied her to some kind of bar or bolt on the wall.
The feeling of being utterly helpless sent tingles dancing over her flesh.
‘Stephanie?’
‘I’m fine. Continue, oh master.’
He laughed then murmured close to her ear, ‘Do not speak again or I will punish you.’ His mouth came down on her left breast, sucking her nipple deep into his hot, moist mouth. The sensation had her arching her back, eager to give him anything he desired. His fingers plucked at her other nipple while an explosive force built deep inside her.
Her legs moved restlessly on the bunk.
His mouth left her breasts and he pushed her legs apart and paused. She shivered as her heated skin cooled. The sound of his quickened breathing and her heavy heartbeats filled her ears. Words of pleading trembled on her lips.
Then she felt his hot breath panting over her belly and the long brush of his rough tongue as he swept it over her mound and flicked it between her swollen labia.
Pressure built.
Her nails bit into her palms.
She arched her back again. I can’t wait any longer.
As if he heard her fevered need, he rolled on top of her, crushing her to the mattress, his mouth claiming hers in a long breathless kiss that claimed her soul for all time. The rounded knob of his cock pressed at her entrance. Stephanie widened her legs and using her buttock muscles, raised her fanny invitingly.
He pushed inside.
His cock felt thick and long as he plunged into her tight passage.
He withdrew, only to drive in deeper again and again, increasing each pulsing thrust into a tempo of frenzied fucking that sent her world shattering into an explosive orgasm of coloured lights and darkness. Her muscles clenched over and over as waves of pleasure thrummed through her veins as he continued to pound into her. He buried his face in the side of her neck until his body stiffened. With a guttural groan, he spilled his seed in a hot gush of fluid.
Feeling limp and replete, Stephanie lay beneath the weight of his big body. She tugged again at her hands, longing to run her fingers over him.
‘Let me go.’
‘I have not finished.’ Ivo stirred and his weight left her. Deftly he untied her wrists then flipped her over onto her belly. Gently he gripped her hips raising her until her backside was in the air.
‘What?’ she mumbled.
‘Shush.’ Another whack, this time on her bare flesh.
Her fanny moistened anew, even as she felt the residue of his cooling sticky seed trickling down her inner thighs.
Ivo moved.
She felt his breath first, puffing over the heated flesh of her vulva. Next his fingers plucked at her tender folds and almost sent her screaming into the mattress. Then his cock was at the entrance to her vagina. One massive thrust and he had rammed it to the hilt inside her.
Still tingling from the aftermath of the most wondrous experience of her life, Stephanie gulped air, squeezing her eyes shut as, once again, ripples of pleasure fired her body into instant lust.
Ivo bent over her and one of his hands slipped round her waist to reach up and palm her aching breast. He began to thrust in an exquisitely slow torment, his cock sliding in and out, his large balls slapping against the tender skin of her cunny.
‘Admit I am your master,’ he ground out.
‘Well, I will admit you are the master of sex,’ Stephanie panted, pushing backwards to meet each of his thrusts and wondering if she should demand he go faster. ‘But if this is your idea of punishment, I’ll never admit you’re my master. This type of punishment I could take all day.’
He chuckled and plucked at her swinging nipples. ‘This is merely one aspect of the punishment I have in mind for you.’
‘Really? Well, all I can say is give me more.’