Where the hell was she? Sharon looked at her surroundings and found nothing familiar. This wasn’t her bed. This wasn’t even her bedroom. Coming fully awake, she assessed the situation. She was lying in some sort of bed, although it was huge. The covers were quite soft but she couldn’t place the material. It had the comfortable feel of cotton, but felt soft as silk. The walls were a light blue color. There were no windows and no doorway.
Was this a prison? If so, it was a comfortable one. There were pictures of strangely alien, but beautiful landscapes on three of the walls. Alien. With that thought, the events of the previous day came back to her. Startled, she sat up. Realizing she was stark naked, she immediately yanked the covers up around her. Oh, boy. Today was the first day of the rest of this farce.
Feeling energized, she looked around for some kind of clothing to put on. Her clothes had better be close by. As the wall slid open and Liken walked through, she had the mortifying realization that he must have undressed her. Oath or no oath, she didn’t appreciate it.
Liken entered the room to discover Sharon sitting up in bed, bedclothes barely covering that naked body, cheeks rosy, eyes shining with outrage. In an instant, he was hard. He wanted to climb onto the bed and make her beg. Voice gruff, he asked “How are you feeling, sherree?”
It was hard to be angry and maintain your dignity while stark naked under the thin cover of bedsheets. “Fine. Where are my clothes?”
“You will find garments in there,” he replied with cautious gravity, although his amusement leaked through. She was shy, but he would change that inhibition. If he had his way, she would spend the rest of her knowing period naked and eager for him
Sharon noticed the large bulge in the front of his pants. She knew if she didn’t hurry, he would be joining her on the bed.Following his pointed finger, she saw a button off to the right. She assumed it opened a closet. “I’ll meet you in a minute after I’m dressed.” Her stomach growled.
Liken could hear the soft noise from the doorway.He smiled. “We will eat and then I will show you our home.” He headed back out of the room. At the last second, he paused and turned back to her. “Regardless of what you choose to wear,sherree, you could not look more beautiful than at this moment.” With that, he walked away and the wall slid shut behind him.
He was charming; she’d give him that. Smooth. She had the feeling that the charm was only one layer though. Underneath it, she sensed a hard resolve. His desire was obvious and barely held in check. He would try to get something by charm, but if charm didn’t work? She shivered a little at the thought.
Carefully crossing the room with a sheet wrapped around her, she pushed the button on the wall and watched as it slid open. It was a closet, just as she had thought. She examined the clothes hanging there. There were numerous blouses and skirts. All were quite beautiful. They were made of a thin, silky material in different hues of colors. Some colors were like nothing she had seen on Earth. Blues and greens were more vibrant. The silver was especially lovely. There were even tiny panties with string ties. Looking everywhere, she couldn’t find any bras. Just great. That silky material was going to outline everything.
Resigned, she selected a blouse and skirt of shimmering silver with tiny panties of the same color. There were strappy sandals to match. Putting everything on,she looked down at herself. The thin fabric of the blouse outlined the thrust of her nipples. The skirt was loose but hit just above the knee. Reluctantly, shewandered out into the hall.
Seeing a button on her right in the hall, she pushed it to reveal what was obviously a bathroom. It had a recognizable toilet, which she used gratefully. Seeing a stall to the side, she opened that door and discovered a shower with one handle. Feeling grubby, she decided to give it a shot. Removing her clothes and shoes, she sat them on the floor and then turned the knob.
She was expecting water. She gave a little yelp of surprise as bright red liquid flooded from the nozzle high up on the wall. She reached out with one cautious hand and touched it. The temperature was hot, but not overly so. It felt more slippery than water, a little heavier. Weighing her grubbiness against the unknown, she decided to try.
Stepping under the pouring liquid, she was surprised to discover it was like quicksilver. She hoped she didn’t get dyed lobster red. The liquid poured over her skin, but when she stepped out, she was nearly dry. Grateful her skin hadn’t turned the same hideous color, she put her clothes back on. Walking out into the hall, she kept going until she spotted open archways to the right and left. She could hear movement in the room to the right and turned toward it.
Entering the kitchen, she was surprised at the similarities to Earth kitchens. There was a long counter running along one side of the room. There were cabinets above it, although they had buttons she assumed would open each one. One wall was completely bare except for what looked like a small computer panel. It had a lot of buttons that presumably opened the wall or provided food transport maybe.
There was a mural carving of some kind on one wall that showed a waterfall. It was quite beautiful. In the center of the room, was a square table with four chairs. They could have come from any Earth kitchen. She was surprised to see that the table was already set. There were two settings, one on each side of the table. She saw plates and cups along with napkins, but no eating utensils.
In the center of the table sat a couple of bowls filled with oddly shaped fruits or vegetables, she guessed. There were some oblong dark green things, small orange shiny things that looked like berries, some larger purple things that were lumpy-looking, and even some bright yellow things that were almost square. She figured her first experience of exotic cuisine was about to start. Oh, joy.
Liken sat the last bowl onto the table and turned to smile at her. “Please do not assume I can cook. I am a guardian by profession. This is merely fruit.” He moved and held out a chair for her to sit.
Pleased with his manners, she took it, watching as he sat down opposite her. “A guardian? What does that mean?”
Casually gathering an assortment from the various bowls, he began to put things on her plate. “A guardian is similar to your police officer. What do you call them? Cops? We protect those in need and prevent loss of life and property,”Liken responded easily. It was nice to know that she was curious about him and his work.
Staring at him, she could see it. He did look like a cop. He could be gentle, but that underlying ruthlessness was there, too. “So, are you going to work today?”she asked hopefully. She shifted uncomfortably as she saw his eyes wander over her in appreciation. This outfit was no protection. She wanted as much distance between him and her tiny panties as possible. He couldn’t seduce her if he wasn’t around.
Looking amused, he shook his head. “I would not get assigned during my knowing period. I do not report back until after we have pledged.” Breaking open a light purple fruit, he handed her half.
Eyeing it skeptically, but willing, she took a small, cautious bite. The sweetness burst in her mouth and she smiled with pleasure. She relaxed and continued to sample the different fruits. Making a face at the sour taste of the yellow one, she made a note to avoid it in the future. Very casually she said, “Yeah, I guess they’ve taken care of my job, too. I’m a librarian. After the noncomp papers are filed, I’ll probably have a ton of stuff to catch up on.” She waited for his reaction.
He had been eating his way through the fruit on his plate while she spoke. He paused. His face was still amused, but reproving. “There will be no noncomp papers,sherree.” Reaching across the table, he took her chin in his hands, gently. Using his thumb to wipe the juice from her lips, he brought it slowly to his mouth. “We are very compatible. You will understand this quite soon.”
Feeling the trail of heat left behind by his thumb, she swallowed the piece of fruit. She watched as he licked the juice from his thumb with sensual pleasure. Her appetite for the fruit died and she looked away. Visibly gathering her composure, she tried reason. “Look, it doesn’t have anything to do with you, okay? I like Earth. I have friends. I don’t want to be a planet away from them. I have a job, an apartment, and responsibilities. A life. Mine. I’ve heard about this place. I don’t remember much, but I do know that there are no unattached females over twenty. It’s very male-dominated. Very old-style warrior mentality. I’m too independent to suit you or this place. I need different things. Trust me.” She didn’t hear the unconscious plea that had crept into her voice.
Liken studied her face during her oh-so-reasonable speech. Her eyes were sincere. She honestly believed she could not be happy here. “Maybe I can change your mind about what you need,sherree. Maybe I should start now.” Rising, he came around the table and squatted next to her.
In alarm, she moved back against the seat as far as she could. “I didn’t mean… Don’t start messing with me again, okay?”
He smiled and raised his hand to her cheek. “Give me your mouth,sherree.”
She shook her head and pressed into the cushion behind her.
Grabbing her hand, he pulled her slowly from her seat. “It is time. Come with me.” Tugging her along behind him, he kept going until they reachedthe hallway and passed through the other archway into a living area. There were chairs and a couch along with a lot of buttons on the walls.
Gesturing her toward the long cushioned furniture, he went to a square structure coming out of one wall. Pulling out a drawer, he walked back across the room and handed her asmall hand-held device, like a personal computer. It had a small screen at the top.
She moved closer to one side as he sat down beside her. “What’s this?”She felt crowded by the weight and heat of his big body beside her. Even the big couch seemed too small for the two of them. She was overwhelmingly aware of him.
His eyes danced as she shifted further away from him, but he answered her seriously. “The pactmaker has supplied your records to me. It is only fair that I do the same. These are my medical tests. I am completely healthy. I have been given my suppression shot this month, so pregnancy should not be a concern for you either. There are payment records from my employer, too, showing my ability to provide. There are statements from friends and family detailing my character. These are allrecordsto let you know you are safe with me. That I am, what do humans usually say? A good guy.”
“A prospective mate resume,” she muttered. She knew the pactmakers checked out everyone. Barely looking at thedevice,she putit aside.“Okay, I understand. You’re wonderful. I’m sure you’re kind to small kids and animals. But, that doesn’t mean I’m ready to just jump into bed with you. All these people know you, but I don’t know you.”
“You will.” Moving the device from her side to the floor, he scooted over and leaned toward her. His eyes, those bright blue piercing eyes, were suddenly burning. “You chose Seduction. That means you will follow the rules of courtship according to that choice. We need to understand one another,sherree. Yesterday we kissed, mouth-to-mouth, tongue-to-tongue. Today we will do more of that. But today, you will allow me to run my hands over your body, to learn each curve. I will not remove your clothing.”
His voice, which had turned husky, became firmer and more determined.“But,sherree, hear me well. I will do my best to take things as far as possible. I want you. I want to rock inside you and feel your sweet walls gripping me. I want to taste every inch of you, know what makes you tremble, what makes you wet.”
A shiver went through Sharon followed by a wave of heat. He was seducing her with words, with mental images. It was brutal in its effectiveness. Licking her suddenly dry lips, she tried to form some response, but his eyes dropped to her lips and the words died in her throat. Her body was stiff with tension.
Reaching out one hand, he began running it along the edge of her blouse. Goosebumps followed in the wake of his fingers. His mouth was close to her ear as he said, “This garment is so thin. Already your breasts swell and your nipples harden. They ache for my touch, don’t they? For my hands. For my mouth.”
The moist warm of his breath teased her ear as he leaned further down and began placing kisses along her throat. He continued kissing and talking as he worked his way down. “I would like to run my tongue around your nipples. I would play with them; make them ache for the sweet pressure of my mouth. Can you imagine how it will feel when I finally suck on them?”The mental picture of his mouth sucking on her breast nearly scalded her.
Kissing his way back up to her chin, his mouth moved to the corner of hers. As his hands moved from her neckline to the upper swells of her breasts, he whispered, “Easy…” She wasn’t sure if he was talking to her or himself.
Sharonfelt like she couldn’t get enough air. His words and his touch were too much. She felt her chest rising and falling rapidly under his hands. She began to tremble as the excitement rushed through her. Already, she was growing wet, hot.
Running his tongue along her lips, he said, “Let me in.”
Her trembling lips parted under firm pressure from his. The kiss was growing harder, hotter. Slanting his head, he took her deeper, thrusting along her tongue, running his tongue teasingly along her teeth and the inner edges of her lips. Then returning back inside, to stoke. Her eyes closed and the muscles in her legs went lax. She began to duel with him, meeting each thrust with her own tongue, feeling the wet slide and unconsciously asking for more. With a moan, he gave her more.
Sharon felt one of his hands move down to her breast. He avoided the hard nipple, merely gripping lightly across the upper swell and then sliding around the side until he held her from underneath. As he began to shape her breast, kneading and pressing, she moaned and opened her mouth even wider. Their mouths met in a sexual feast.
She hardly noticed that her body had slipped downwards toward the arm of the couch. If she had looked down his body at that moment she might have seen the huge bulge of his aroused cock. But in that moment, all she could feel or see was his mouth, his hands. She was drowning in a sea of sensation.
Lifting his mouth a fraction, he said softly, “I am going to touch those hard nipples now. You are aching for it, are you not?”
Sharon’s answer was weak but understood, “yes…”
Lifting his mouth away from hers completely, he looked at her. Her mouth was swollen and wet. She opened her eyes. Those beautifulmer green eyes were dazed, the pupils dilated. Looking down, he saw the hard points of her nipples against the fabric. Bringing both his hands up, he covered her swollen breasts with them and felt those stiff nipples stabbing into his palms.
His cock, already hard, throbbed in time with his heartbeat.She was so responsive. He wanted to thrust inside her wet heat, to feel her close around his aching cock. He clung to his control.
Sharon gave a little cry as his hands finally covered her breasts. The contact of his palm against her nipples gave a little relief to her aching tips, but it was short lived. The ache continued to build. When he took his fingers and began playing with those twin points, she involuntarily arched her back wanting more. Twisting, lightly tugging, he played. Rough and gentle, by turns, his touch kept her surprised and restless. Looking into his face, she saw masculine satisfaction and hunger. For her. That look drew her almost as much as his touch.
As one of his hands began drifting downward onto her stomach, she felt that light brushing sensation in her mind again. Like the feel of his tongue lightly teasing her mouth before entrance, his mind touched hers, tempted. When she felt the brush again, she stiffened and said, “Wait!”
Lifting those hungry eyes to her again, he said, “No,sherree, I am within my rights.” His hand continued over her stomach. Her legs tightened and she frantically drew them together in protest.
With a sigh, he placed a gentle kiss on her mouth. The hand and fingers at her breast never faltered, but the hand heading south paused. “Spread your legs for me now, Sharon. You have no choice in this. You chose yesterday when you took the Oath.”
Her hands, hanging limply at her sides until now, came up in defense, grabbing the top of his. “I don’t want this,”she said desperately.
The hand under hers grabbed and then took her arms over her head. With one hand, he kept her pinned. She strained to get her hands free, but he was too strong. The hand at her breast began to move downward.
He said, a little less patiently, “That is a lie. Already your wetness shows through on the cloth. You made a vow, Sharon. Honor it or I will assume my vow to go in courtship stages is broken as well. Spread your legsfor me,” he demanded.
Sharon’s heart was pounding in her ears. He was right. She did want him. She was throbbing, swollen and wet between her legs. She knew he meant what he said. Anger and passion were mixing inside her, making her arousal confusingly intense. She relaxed her legs, and with a look of resentment at his high-handedness, she slowly opened them.
His eyes were hard as they stared down into hers. “Wider.”
She opened her legs wider and waited in trembling silence for his touch. When it finally came, she nearly arched off the couch. He ran his palm lightly over her mound. Just as he said, her wetness had soaked through the material making her feel as if it was skin on skin contact.
Looking into her eyes, he ran one finger along her lips, pausing briefly to tease her clitoris, then followed the line down to her opening. As that finger circled her opening, his thumb came back up to tease her clit with tiny stokes again and again. She arched up into his hand, but he merely continued the teasing pressure through the cloth.
She was burning up, wet and shaking. She’d felt passion before, but this kind of need was extreme and frightening. He seemed to know just where to touch and how. As he played and toyed with her, she grew wetter. The ache was intense. She needed more.
The slippery sounds of his fingers playing with her sweet sex pleased him. He made a little hum of approval in his throat. Her lower body was arched upwards in need. Her hips were unconsciously moving in an age-old rhythm against his hand. The temptation of her stiff nipples beckoned. Bending his head down, he found one hard nipple through the slippery material, took it into his mouth, and sucked.
Sharon heard a groaning sound and realized it had come from her. Her upper body arched, pressing her nipple even harder into the suction of his mouth. He pulled harder and then opened his mouth to lick around the aching tip. She was coming totally unglued. As he switched to the other nipple, laving it with his tongue and gently biting, then sucking, she whimpered and said, “Please…”
The hand fingers between her legs continued playing ruthlessly. She watched as he lifted his head from her aching breast, looking into her face. His eyes were heady lidded, his mouth swollen and wet. He touched his tongue to the tip of her nipple and then said, “What do you want,sherree? Should I take this material from you and place my mouth on your breast? Or would you like me to touch you here…” one finger probed lightly inside her as far as the thin skirt and even thinner panties would allow, “with nothing to block me from giving you greater pleasure?”
Glancing down past his face to his body, she could see the hard outline of his arousal pressing against his pants. A tiny patch of wetness showed through the material near the top of his erection. Thinking about that hard bulge, she saw it flex against his pants. Just seeing it flex made her imagine his hard cock filling up that swollen, aching emptiness between her legs. She wanted that hard cock pressing inside her, filling her. She wanted him.
“It feels so good,” she moaned as his hand continued to stroke. Her hands, still trapped in his large one, pushed against the pressure of his grip, but he held her still. Her very vulnerability excited them both.
The thumb against her clitoris pressed a little harder, then began circling the distended bud, sending bursts of pleasure outward with each touch. The tension in her body stretched tighter. His eyes continued to stare into hers as he watched her climb. “It can feel even better,sherree. Give in to it. Give in to me. Let go for me now.”
Her hips were rising and falling against the pressure of his hand. She was on the edge, nearly desperate, half-blind with need. She felt her lower body tensing and tightening.
“Come for me,sherree. You are so wet. Give yourself to me.” With those words, he pressed hard.
Sharon came apart under his hand. She closed her eyes as wave after wave of pleasure went through her. Caught in the grip of her climax, she couldn’t do anything, think anything. There was only the pulsing pleasure of her body and the feel of his rough skin against her slick flesh through the cloth.
When she again became aware of herself, she could barely breath with the overwhelming sensation of release. Her whole body was limp, and flushed. She felt drainedand shattered.Opening her eyes, she saw his face. He still looked intensely aroused, but mixed with the arousal was approval. He looked pleased.
Suddenly realizing just how wildly she’d been thrashing, how loudly she’d moaned, she felt shy. She tried to look away, but the hand between her legs came up to gently hold her face in place. The light musky scent of her arousal drifted to her from his fingers. She felt her face flush even more. Liken smiled and placed a gentle kiss on her mouth. The hand holding her arms in place relaxed, and she brought her hands to her sides.
Liken’s hungry gaze burned into her. He cleared his throat, his voice emerging husky and deep. “That was so beautiful,sherree. You are so beautiful.”
She brought her hands to his chest and began scooting a little away from him. Now that her head was clearing, she suddenly wondered if he would push her further. She wanted him, but was afraid he would assume she’d fall in withall of his plans if she went further.
She also felt shaky and overwhelmed. She had never experienced anything like what had just occurred. The vulnerability was frightening. She had been pretty out of control. He had made her that way. Suddenly, she just wanted to get away from him for a while. She wanted to feel back in control. Would he let her go?
Liken knew she wasn’t ready for a complete merging. As much as his throbbing cock would have liked her to be, she wasn’t ready to continue. Her climax had nearly sent him over, too. He was too close to the edge and she was too inexperienced to proceed.
Sharon held her breath as he seemed to make up his mind. She knew if he truly pressed her, she was too vulnerable to say no. They both knew it.
Bringing his fingers from the side of her face, he brought them to his mouth. He ran his tongue along them slowly, watching her face, savoring the taste of her. Her heart seemed to stop.
He stood up from the couch as if in pain,andslowly moved away from her. A few steps away, he paused and quietly said, “You taste like my happiness.” He stared at her a moment longer in silent hunger, then turned and slowly made his way out of the room.
Sharon, felt her heart resume beating. Lying on the couch, still reeling, she could only wonder. He made her vulnerable. She had lost control, yet he had been able to walk away. Maybe he cared enough about her to leave unsatisfied. Or maybe he wasn’t as vulnerable to her as she was to him. She didn’t know.
She only knew that when she left this place, she would want him for the rest of her life. Her body was aching for his touch. Her emotions weren’t too far behind. She didn’t see a lot of happy endings ahead. Somebody was going to get hurt. Sitting up and glancing toward the empty doorway she whispered sadly, “That’s funny. You taste like heartache to me.”