aSheas coming,a Aiden said against Kyas mouth, then he closed his eyes and groaned. aI am too. G.o.ds, sheas squeezing me so tight.a Brianne screamed, coming hard and hot. She jerked against her bonds, wanting so much to hold Aiden as her hips b.u.mped his. Ky played and kissed, catching her cries in his mouth as he had when head stroked her in the darkness.
Aiden moved faster and faster and then his voice broke as he came.
He kissed her and Ky, their lips and tongues all mixed up. Brianne kept on kissing even as her climax wound down, loving that the three of them were together. Women who dared to have s.e.x usually had it with only one mana"what joys they were missing not having it with two.
Ky pulled away and stood up, still naked and hard, but moving back from the pair. His chest rose with his quick breath, his eyes blue and hot.
aDonat go,a Brianne begged.
Aiden smiled. aI know. I love him too.a He closed his eyes and rested his forehead against Brianneas neck, his breathing heavy but his body calming. aThat was perfection, absolute perfection.a He looked up at her and smiled. aThank you, my dear.a * * * * *
Ky was not going to let Brianne get away without her punishment. After Aiden withdrew and calmed down for a few minutesa"Aiden stretched out on the floor and went on for a time about how perfect and beautiful it all wasa"Ky had him help reposition Brianne on the bench.
aNo,a she protested, but she was so relaxed and pliant from s.e.x that her complaint was halfhearted and she barely struggled against them. aI was good.a aNo, you werenat,a Ky said. His level three instincts thrummed, his hand happy to feel the familiar handle of his whip. aYou disobeyed me, you didnat trust me, you worried Iad left you behind and you looked at Rio with l.u.s.t in your eyes.a aI was thinking of you.a Her answer secretly pleased Ky, but that was no reason to let her off the hook. aSorry, sweetheart, youall have to do better next time.a aNext time?a Yes, why was Ky going on about next time? He would finish here and see that she got home all right and that would be it. There would be no next time.
aYou never know when youall want to play again.a Head brought his crop with him, a stiff piece of leather that people eons ago had used when they rode creatures called horses. Horses were extinct, but the crop had been discovered by level three Shareem as a nice spanking implement.
Ky liked this particular one because it provided a swift sting without truly hurting or leaving a mark. He also had fun tracing patterns with its tip around Brianneas b.u.t.tocks while she wriggled and pleaded with Aiden as he finished tying her up.
Aiden laughed at her pleas and stepped back to let Ky do his thing. When Ky was done, Aiden would soothe her with oils and shead feel plenty good. So good in fact that shead likely beg to be punished and maybe deliberately disobey so head do it again.
Youare still thinking this will go on after today.
She might want to do good works and change life for Shareem, but that didnat mean she wanted two Shareem lovers living with her in the ruling familyas compound.
The crop whistled through the air and smacked right across her a.s.s. Brianne squealed and jumped but she smiled a little as though thinking thatas not so bad.
Punish her, his instincts screamed. Make her obey you.
He spanked her four more times, then lowered the crop. Aiden looked at him in mild surprise.
Thatas all she can take. Sheas new at this.
The level three inside Ky snorted. Youare never this soft on a sub. If they agree to submit to you, they take what you give them.
This oneas different.
The level three inside made a noise of derision. Oh please.
Aiden slid his hand across Brianneas backside as Brianne turned her head and looked up at Ky. Her eyes were soft, her face relaxed, and she smiled.
aYour a.s.s is so pretty and red,a Aiden said, going into his soothing routine. He kissed her backside, lips touching where the crop had fallen. aIall make you all better now.a
Chapter Eleven.
Revelations.
Ky dressed in the outer room, Aiden having carried the oiled, calmed, almost cooing Brianne off to a private room where she could sleep. Shead murmured she didnat need to rest, but she was new at this and Aiden cajoled her as they went off together.
Ky let Aiden take over because he knew that if he saw Brianne snuggled up on the bed, her hair mussed, her eyes heavy, head thrust open her legs and drive into her before he could stop himself. He wanted her. And he wanted Aiden right there beside him when he took her. Best leave them alone.
Rio came in, dressed and yawning. aThat was fun.a Ky laced up his leggings, still shirtless. aDid you stay the whole time?a aMost of it, until you started the spanking. Then I felt the need to take Nella aside and do a little punishing of my own. Rees and Talan have disappeared, so theyare probably down for the count.a aAs long as you were entertained.a Rio laughed. aCut the c.r.a.p. You two enjoyed the h.e.l.l out of it.a He stopped laughing and gave Ky an odd look. aIam glad to see you and Aidena"you knowa"have worked things out.a Ky stopped in the act of picking up his leather tunic. aWorked things out?a aYou know, between the two of you.a Rio looked uncomfortable. aI mean, you were kissing each other. I thought you and Aiden, um, got together.a aHe told you, did he?a A thread of anger worked through him. He hadnat released, and the frustration of not finishing with Brianne coupled with Aiden blabbing to Rio p.i.s.sed him off dangerously. aAbout me letting him bring me off?a Rio looked surprised. aNo.a Well, s.h.i.t. aHe didnat give you the whole story at Judithas?a aAt Judithas? You mean today? No, he told me a long time ago, before I left for Ariel.a That had been months and months ago. But Ky hadnat let Aiden touch him or kiss him until a couple of days earlier, when theyad met Brianne. But Rio obviously knewa aWait a minute, what did he tell you?a Rio shifted from foot to foot. aThat he had the hots for you. I thought he was crazy, but he was dead serious. And then when I saw you in there, I just figuredaa He shrugged.
aThe hots for me?a Ky stared at him.
aYeah. I donat know why, youare pretty ugly, but hey, itas a matter of taste.a His teasing died. aHe didnat tell you?a aNo.a Rio made a face. aOh c.r.a.p, I blew it.a aLet me get this straight. He told youa"a long time agoa"that he was thinking about s.e.x with me?a aYep. I thought it was bizarre, but he kind of convinced me it wasnat.a aAnd how many people did you tell?a Rio looked offended. aNone. Not even Rees. Thatas the kind of s.h.i.t that can get a Shareem terminated.a aI know. It canat happen, it was programmed out of us.a Ky pulled on his tunic, his heart thumping. aLet me set you straight. Aiden doesnat love me, and weare not together.a aYeah, well, I know what I saw in there. He had his mouth on you.a aThatas because of Brianne. Shea"I donat know, she makes everything go away, you know what I mean? I never know what Iam really doing, Iam lost in the pleasure.a Rio looked at him narrowly. aWhatever you say.a aSwear to the G.o.ds. But keep it to yourself, all right?a aAs long as you donat want to kiss me.a Ky shook his head, not remotely interested. ah.e.l.l, no.a Rio let out a breath of relief. aFine then.a He clapped Ky on the shoulder. aGood luck, my friend.a He walked out of the room whistling, likely antic.i.p.ating getting back with his redheaded princess. Ky remained alone for a few moments, digesting what Rio had let slip.
Aiden wanted him. Aiden the tall Shareem with the beautiful eyes and pleasing touch wanted him.
No.
The word cut through him like a whip.
It is forbidden.
Heas my friend.
More memories poured through his head, searing pain, another Shareem with lips like fire, a lonely white room, crushing grief when they told Ky what had happened. It should have worked, theyad said. It should have worked without harm.
f.u.c.k off! Ky had screamed. Head launched himself at the terrified scientist, who ran away, calling for restraints.
A slamming door, more loneliness. Grief.
Ky gasped, coming to himself. He was no longer at DNAmo, he was in a level three pleasure palace surrounded by Shareem enjoying themselves without limitations. In another room, Brianne would be sleeping with Aiden watching over her, both of them alive and well.
He gathered up his things and left the room, heading for the grav tube. At the top, he barely acknowledged another Shareem and a blindfolded lady coming in for some fun, walking past them into the night.
The air had cooled a little, but not much, Bor Narga always like an oven. The street held more activity than it did during the day, now that the sun wasnat blasting full strength. Ky walked slowly through crowds of people who were enjoying the night, thoughts swirling in his brain.
I canat do this, it will kill me.
Brianne was beautiful, he could focus on her. She might think tonight was a one-off, but he planned to insinuate himself into her life. Head seduced her once, he would do it again.
If he couldnat have Aiden, he would relieve himself with Brianne. He loved touching her hair, bunching it in his fists, letting the rich brown curls fall across his skin. He could get lost in that and forget all about the complicated mess inside him.
He stopped in the middle of the street, realization hitting him like a load of steel beams.
aOh no,a he said out loud. aNo, I canat be that stupid.a People milled around him, looking sideways at a leather-clad Shareem talking to himself. He stood out already, being taller and larger than everyone else, not to mention the bondage master clothing and long tangled hair. Now he was staring into s.p.a.ce while his life crumbled around him.
aYou all right?a a hesitant male voice said.
Ky looked around at a vendor whose stall head stopped in front of. The man was selling cheap trinkets, necklaces and earrings a working woman would give to her man or vice versa. The vendor straightened, putting on his salesmanas face. aBest in the system. Two credits for this brooch? Your lady will love it.a Ky closed his fist around the manas shirtfront and lifted him up. aTell me, do I look stupid to you?a The man spluttered. aOf course not. For you, one credit.a aWhat? No, not the jewelry. Itas c.r.a.p. You ever fallen in love?a aUm, well, yes.a aDid you feel stupid? I mean utterly, boneheaded, brain-dead stupid?a The man paused a moment, then nodded fervently. aOh, yes. You should have seen what Ia"a Ky released him, thumping him back to his feet and patting the shirtfront back into place. aI was afraid of that.a The vendor cleared his throat. aAre you saying you are now in the state we call lovelorn? For that, I have much better things. I only bring them out for discerning customers, like yourself. A little more pricey, but worth it for your lady.a He began rummaging behind the stall.
aI donat want any of your junk,a Ky said. His eye fell on a pin in the shape of a salamander, flashing and glittering with colored gla.s.s. aHow much is that?a aAha"you have tasteaa aIall give you a credit for it.a The man looked affronted. aItas worth three.a aTake it or leave it.a He dropped a credit strip drained of all but one credit and took up the brooch.
It reminded him of Aiden, fierce colors and that good-humored twinkle in his eye. It also made him think of Brianne, her curving shape and her beauty.
Iave lost my mind and itas going to kill me.
aIdent card.a The hard-voiced command snapped Ky out of his reverie. He closed his hand around the salamander pin and looked down at a woman in scruffy gray holding a handheld.
She wasnat a bad-looking woman, with sleek dark hair wound in a bun, an oval face and almond-shaped brown eyes. But shead hidden her body under the loose coveralls and hardened her face by pulling her mouth severely down.
aIam Ky, and Iam going home.a She frowned, clearly not knowing what to do when a Shareem didnat instantly produce his card. They were required to provide their identification on demanda"Ky didnat know why, it was b.l.o.o.d.y obvious they were Shareem.
aIdent card,a she repeated.
To humor her, he produced a strip of plastic and shoved it in the handheld. Her fingers trembled as she punched in codes and studied the readout.
aYou new at this?a he asked.
aItas temporary.a She tried to keep her voice hard, but she didnat quite have the edge. aUntil my promotion at the Ministry of Non-Human Life Forms.a aUh-huh. Why did you ident me?a aWhat?a She blinked and looked up at him. Clearly they had told her Shareem would obey without question.
aWhy did you ask for my ident?a He took the strip back from her, hiding amus.e.m.e.nt when she very carefully didnat touch him.
Her gaze darted to the vendor, whoad turned to entice another customer. aI thought there was some trouble.a aNo trouble.a Ky smiled, turning on full Shareem power, which caused her to step back. aI was buying a gift.a He opened his hand to reveal the glittering brooch.
The patroller was woman enough to let her gaze linger on the pretty thing before she remembered to be severe. aWell, donat let it happen again.a Ky laughed, letting the sound grate into the night. aI wonat. Heas a robber. Whatas your name?a aName?a He deliberately moved her collar as though looking for a name tag. Patrollers didnat wear them, but women who worked warehouse jobs did. He cast Shareem pheromones over her, giving her the full dose, and her eyes softened.
No, she didnat look bad at all. If he hadnat just realized he was in love with Aiden and Brianne at the same time, he might have tried a little fun with her. But he wanted to be with both Aiden and Brianne until he dieda"which might be sooner than he liked.
aLacy,a she said breathlessly. aI donat know why I told you that.a aI do.a He released her. aBe nice to Shareem, Lacy, before your promotion. Weare sweethearts.a She relaxed enough to smile, so easily succ.u.mbing to his power. aIall keep it in mind.a aGood.a Ky gave another laugh, patted her backside and strolled away.
aYou love him,a Brianne whispered.
aMmm?a Aiden rose up on his elbow and looked down at Brianne in the darkness.
When head carried her here her limbs had felt mushy and limp. Now after a short sleep shead awakened incredibly rested and refreshed.
aYou love him,a she repeated.
Aiden flashed his handsome smile, then went somber. aYeah, I do.a aTell him.a aWhat?a Brianne ran her hand along his strong arm, catching on the chain around his biceps. aI have tonight to be with you. Iave enjoyed every second of it. Tomorrow Iall go back to being Brianne daArotha"I have so many meetings scheduled.a She laughed a little as she ran her fingers around the black chain, fingers finding each cool link. Breaking it off with Dranis had caused hiccups in every level of her household and shead spend the whole day smoothing things out.
aIad like to think when Iam back in my aglittering palacea as Ky calls it, that you two at least have each other. Grab onto your happiness with him and donat let it go.a Aiden had gone still during her speech. His eyes shone in the darkness, his Shareem touch on her face soothing. aYou wonat get away from us that easily,a he said in seductive tones.
Brianne touched his lips, stilling his words. aNo games right now. Iall go, you and Ky will move on. Iall always remember you and hold you in my heart. But tell him. Promise me?a Aiden let out his breath. He captured her hand and brought it to his lips. aAnything to please a lady.a He kissed her fingers. aI promise.a He smiled his devastating smile and told her to roll over. The games hadnat finished, he showed her, not by a long shot.
Ky waited a long time for Aiden to return home that night. He watched three dramas digitally piped into their holo pic tube and couldnat remember a thing about any of them.
At last, as dawn broke Aiden strolled in, humming a tune in his throat. Ky keyed off the digital and sat in silence. He wanted to ask Aiden a hundred questions, and now he couldnat think of a word to say.
The drawbacks of being male, came the thought. Women would have hashed it all out by now. Males sit around wondering how to start.
aNice night,a Aiden said. He flopped down on the sofa, moving a growing pile of Kyas laundry, and draped one leg over the frayed arm. His thighs spread invitingly. aWhyad you leave? Brianne and I played a little more, and I know she wanted you there.a He threaded his hands behind his head. aWhat a sweetie.a aI had to go.a Before he did something stupid. He might have gone to Brianne in his frustration and taken her at level three. That would have been a complete disaster and would have landed himself back in the jail at Senoda waiting for termination, and possibly Aiden too.
No, head gone out and bought her an asinine present from a vendor, a gaudy brooch shead probably wrinkle her rich-girl nose at. Shareem like Eland had it easya"he and Jeanne always knew when their master-slave games ended and didnat feel bound by emotion.
Must be nice.
Ky was still hot and hard from need and from the revelation of his true feelings, and three hours of boring digitals hadnat changed that.
aBrianne get home all right?a he asked gruffly.
aYes. She was hurt you werenat there to say goodnight. So she told me to say goodnight for her.a Aiden hauled himself off his sofa and dropped next to Ky on the other one. His Shareem warmth poured over Ky, making Kyas already miserable c.o.c.k dance and ache.
aI can still smell her scent on me,a Aiden said, his voice a satisfied growl. He licked Kyas ear and when Ky turned his head Aiden slanted a soft kiss across his lips. aGood night.a Ky drew away, breathing hard, aroused as h.e.l.l. aYou told Rio.a Aiden looked blank. aTold Rio what?a Ky stood up and folded his arms, painfully aware that his c.o.c.k was pressing hard against his pants. aYou told Rio you wanted me. G.o.ds, I feel stupid even saying that. You told him a long time ago, before he left for Ariel.a Aiden froze. aHe told you? s.h.i.t, see if I send him a birthday card.a aItas true then? He wasnat making it up to be a pain in the a.s.s?a aNo, he is a pain in the a.s.s, but he wasnat making it up.a Aidenas eyes held wariness.
aYou canat,a Ky began.
aHow can I not?a Aiden got off the sofa and looked Ky straight in the eye. aYouare my best friend, we went through h.e.l.l together, I would have died if not for you. I donat pant after every Shareem who walks by, but when I see you in nothing but thigh boots I get a huge hard-on. All right? Now you know. Live with it.a aYou should have told me. I would have left.a aI know. Thatas why I didnat tell you.a They eyed each other, Aidenas blue eyes shutting Ky out, the handsome perfection of his face impregnable.
aYouave been kissing me,a Ky said. aAnd touching me. That hasnat been slop-over pheromones from Brianne?a Aidenas expression softened, his Shareem chemistry trying to distract him from difficult emotion. aWhat a sweet woman sheas turned out to be. Iam glad now she had me arrestedaa Ky grasped Aidenas face in one hand. aFocus. It wasnat just because of Brianne that you started feeling me up?a aNo, I did it because you asked me to. I remember you sitting on the bed in the inn at Elred begging for my hand.a aI remember that too.a aSo what was your reason?a Ky folded his arms over his chest again, as though wanting to hug the discomfort away. aI wanted you to touch me. I wanted you.a aGood. Then you know how it feels.a They stared at each other, Kyas blood heating to a breaking point, his Shareem physiology straining for release. Aidenas wary look deepened.
aWhat do you want to do, Ky? End our friendship? Pretend we donat have feelings for each other, stay on opposite ends of the apartment? We only have one bathroom, that could get tricky.a aYouare an a.s.shole.a aSo are you. You havenat released, I can tell. If you donat pull down your pants and yank yourself, youare going to explode.a aYou do it,a Ky said suddenly.
Aiden stopped. aWhat?a Ky tore at the laces of his leggings. aGo down on me. Suck me off. Whatever you want to call it.a aYouare back to begging me again. Color me confused.a Ky pulled off his tunic, baring his burning torso to the cool air of the apartment. aI want your mouth on me. If you want me so bad, do it.a He knew he was being reckless, but his unreleased body and the emotions milling through him werenat letting him think straight any more. Shareem werenat supposed to have strong emotions like hate, fear, lovea"the scientists at DNAmo had tried their best to breed them out. Shareem still had them, but their bodies had been programmed to suppress them with unfocused thoughts or distractionsa"but mostly with s.e.x.
If a Shareem grew very, very angry the energy would release by making him want s.e.x, even more s.e.x than perpetually h.o.r.n.y Shareem usually wanted. This facing facts with Aiden was driving Kyas already needing body insane.
It would be all right, he reasoned. Aiden would do nothing more than a woman would. Perhaps that was why the pain had remained suppressed. Aiden had done nothing more than Brianne had donea"kissed him and licked his c.o.c.k and used hands on him.
If he stuck to what Brianne would do, everything would be all right.
Ky tossed aside his leggings and stood naked in the middle of the room. His skin was hot, sweat beading on his brow, the ends of his hair brushing his backside.
Aiden stripped off too. He didnat need to, but Ky got lost in appreciating his genetically sculpted body and the c.o.c.k that went on for miles. How could the idiots at DNAmo take away a Shareemas appreciation for the beauty of another Shareem?
Aiden cradled Kyas face in his hands and gave him a deep, level one kiss, all slow, sensual moves and a tongue that knew how to please. Ky bit Aidenas lower lip, not playfully but hard to show him what level three could do.
Aiden gave a throaty laugh. He slid his hands down Kyas torso as he sank to his knees and guided Ky into his mouth.
Oh yes, oh G.o.ds.
Ky twisted Aidenas long hair in his fingers, pulling his mouth harder onto him. Aiden had a magic tongue, circling Kyas sensitive tip. Aiden knew exactly where Ky liked it, because that was probably where Aiden liked ita"under the tip, down the sides, at the base near his b.a.l.l.s.
He nibbled his way up and down Kyas shaft then took it in his mouth again, continuing the magic. He used his tongue and his lips and his teeth, so practiced and fine that Ky wondered if Aiden had done this with another Shareem. Jealousy flared, confirming that what he felt wasnat simple I need to get off l.u.s.t.
ab.a.s.t.a.r.d,a Ky whispered. aYouave been practicing on someone.a Aiden withdrew to laugh. aNo, but Iave been thinking about this a long time.a He thrust his hand between Kyas legs and played with his b.a.l.l.s, circling each with thumb and finger and squeezing gently. Ky moaned. This was more than perfect. Aiden slid his mouth over Ky again, and Ky moved his hips, thrusting into Aidenas mouth.