Page 34 of Retribution
Amorrga greeted Zamek with a Verrsuan handshake. “I cannot thank you enough, General, for helping my people get justice against the Bexxanians who attacked us. To know that all the Bexxanians on the warbird that attacked our trading vessels are dead is a great comfort. I will sleep better tonight and so will my comrades, and I will make sure Verrsuan leaders are made aware of all the Kall have done to help us.”
Zamek nodded. “It was a quick battle, but a good one,” he said, the surge of bloodlust filling him once more. Just seeing Amorrga’s excitement brought it all back. The thrill of forcing a dock between theTammushaand the Bexxanian warbird, then charging onto the enemy vessel, weapons raised and ready to spill enemy blood.
“I killed twelve Bexxanians today,” Amorrga said, “and I couldn’t have managed it without your help. I wish to also thank you for teaching me battle techniques, General, and I want you to know that my experience with you and the Bexxanians has revealed a new life path to me—one as a warrior. I intend to leave my profession of trade behind and train to become a Verrsuan warrior. I also hope to convince my people that we need a larger force of warriors to better protect ourselves.”
“I wish you good fortune in your new endeavor,” Zamek said, truly meaning it. He respected Amorrga’s enthusiasm for battle, as well as his desire to protect his people—admirable qualities in a warrior, to be sure.
After saying goodbye to Amorrga, Zamek hurried for his quarters, anxious to hold Layla in his arms, even if they were currently in the middle of a disagreement. His blood heated at the prospect of taming her rebelliousness. He didn’t wish to quell her spirit, but she needed to come to terms with her new life, as well as the fact that he expected her obedience.
They hadn’t known each other for long, but they were also stuck with one another, their lives irrevocably entwined, and he resolved to make the best of it. If he couldn’t marry again and she would always be under his ownership, it made sense for her to become his mistress. Perhaps the position offended her, but didn’t she realize the protection it afforded her?
He entered his quarters to find her standing at the viewscreen. When she turned and met his gaze, a warmth unlike any other filled him. He rushed toward her, grasped her face, and pressed his lips to hers, putting all his yearning and frustration with the little human into the rough kiss.
* * *
All rational thoughtfaded as General Zamek pressed his lips to hers. Layla moaned as his tongue delved inside her mouth, sensually sweeping along hers, as a low growl rumbled from his throat, sending delicious vibrations through her.
Heat pummeled her core, and she pressed her legs together as the longing inside her built. She was still conscious of the tension between her and the general, but she couldn’t deny the chemistry either. Maybe she needed to stop thinking about howwrongtheir attraction was, maybe she needed to accept the blessing that was staring her in the face.
Butwasthe general a blessing? She was still alive, and though he’d been cruel to her initially, he now treated her rather well. Was their connection purely sexual, or did he feel something deeper for her?
After her experience with Michael, her heart was fragile, though she would never admit this truth aloud. But it was fragile, terribly so, and she wished to never experience heartache again. Michael was her first love and also her greatest mistake. His betrayal had cut deep, and she doubted those wounds would ever heal. Trusting another man again, especially so soon after becoming widowed—and especially a Kall—probably wasn’t a good idea.
Why must General Zamek’s kisses undo her? Why must a single look from him set her pulse racing with excitement? Why must his caresses and his sexy growls fill her with longing? Guarding her heart against him felt like an impossible task.
He might plan to keep her as his mistress, he might believe the whole plan was settled, but he could predict the future no better than she. The majority of his people might view him as cursed and therefore unworthy to take a Kall female as a wife, but that didn’t mean it might never happen. And where would that put her?
It puts me in a precarious position, that’s what.
What would he do if the opportunity to take a Kall wife eventually did arise? Would he sell her to another? Or kick her out of his bedroom and demote her to an actual slave?Thanks for all the sex and companionship—now go away. The uncertainty of it all boggled her mind and made her want to resist his advances, even as she became lost in his kisses.
He pulled back and gave her an intense look full of promise. She peered up at him, trying to catch her breath. The pressure of his lips on hers lingered, and the taste of him lingered on her tongue. He drew his hands through her hair, then gave her locks a tug, causing her head to jerk back. With another growl, he descended upon her neck, kissing her and dragging his teeth along her throat.
Shudders rippled through her and pressure coiled in her lower tummy. She felt the wetness of her growing arousal in her panties and flushed, knowing he could detect just how eager she was becoming with a quick inhale.
He moved closer and the hardness of his erection nudged at her stomach. A jolt of excitement ran through her and she quivered in place, defenseless against the desires swelling within her. Maybe resisting Zamek was already a lost cause.
Still kissing her neck, he tightened his hold on her hair and slowly walked her backward, until her legs hit the bed. He released her for a moment, gave her a heated look, then started removing her clothing with deft movements.
Once he got her completely naked, he stepped back and looked her up and down, his eyes gleaming with dark pleasure. “Perhaps I ought to take away all your clothing. Then you’ll always be here, naked and waiting for me, and I doubt you’ll think twice about trying to escape in the nude.”
“You wouldn’t dare,” she said, even as she suspected he very well might dare. She lifted her chin, still bristling at his suggestion.
He gripped her hair and gave her a stern look that only caused the aching in her core to spread, until everything between her legs was throbbing so hard, she was almost in pain. If he didn’t touch her there soon, she might have to take matters into her own hands.
“Turn around and bend over the bed, human.” He released her hair and backed up, gesturing for her to obey with a wave of his hand. His powerful gaze penetrated deep, causing nerves to flitter in her tummy.
Even though part of her still wished to rebel, she found herself complying with his demands, and she quickly turned around and bent over the bed. A trembling breath escaped her lips, and she gripped the covers, waiting for him to sink inside her. She heard the rustle of clothing behind her, and anticipation skittered through her body. Soon. Her aching increased. Soon he would be inside her.
He didn’t make her wait long. A second later, she felt the girth of his cock pressing at her slick entrance. He thrust into her with one quick drive that made her cry out in a mixture of pleasure and pain. Even though she was swollen and wet and achy, his size was still difficult to handle.
He proceeded to grip her hips, digging his fingers into her flesh, and started pummeling her with a ferocity that stole her breath.
Was he punishing her?
Given the recent tension between them, she couldn’t help but wonder if his roughness was meant to be chastising.
The logical part of her brain raged at the very idea, but the other part of her, the secret part of her that craved his dominance and his possession, reveled at the feel of his fingers digging painfully into her hips and the brutality of each deep, rapid thrust.
