Codename Spring (3 page)

Losing the bag of sex toys had been more of a relief than an annoyance, but they’d taken the succubus! How was she supposed to fulfill this mission without the brainwave modifier? She knew the answer, of course. She just didn’t want to think about the specifics. She’d always depended more heavily on her mind than her body, hardly finding sex worth the hoopla surrounding it. But the Resistance needed Evard’s expertise and she was their only hope of accessing the information.

The door slid open and she snapped her head toward the threshold, scrambling for an appropriate greeting. Her customer strolled into the room and the door closed behind him. At least she presumed this was her customer. Why else would…

She felt her eyes widen, unable to hide her surprise. She knew this man. Well, she didn’t actually know him. She’d seen him, touched him and tasted him over and over during the past few weeks. This was the “fantasy lover” from Saroji’s dreams. Jocelyn had used his image for most of her mental exercises. Saroji had claimed she didn’t know who he was or if he was merely a figment of her imagination. Had the crafty Pryett known this would happen all along?

“You look cold.” He disappeared into an adjacent room then returned with a dark-blue bathrobe.

“Thank you.” Jocelyn took the garment from him and slipped it on over the towel. Then she reached inside the robe and retrieved the damp cloth. “When will my belongings be returned to me?”

He took the towel from her and draped it over the back of a nearby chair. “When you return to the embassy. Security wouldn’t clear most of the items, so we’ll have to make do without your bag of tricks.”

She didn’t miss the sarcasm in his tone. He’d made it obvious from the start that he had no use for pleasure ambassadors. “What about my clothing and my jewelry?” She did her best to sound casual.

“You won’t need them either.” He ended the subject with a wicked smile as his gaze swept the length of her body.

Jocelyn had found him attractive in the artificial memories but the image she borrowed from Saroji hadn’t done him justice. His dark hair was short on the sides and in back but the top was longer and had a tendency to curl. Though his features were every bit as handsome as they’d been in the practice visions, he also conveyed a subtle menace that she hadn’t sensed from her dream lover. Of course, she’d controlled every move her dream lover made and every position he chose.

His black T-shirt and multicolored fatigues were standard-issue Protectorate clothing, yet his body was lean, almost wiry, further indication that he was a scientist, not a soldier. The wide band on his forearm gave him instant access to security as well as control over the room’s amenities. She tightened the robe’s belt then buried her hands in the pockets, feeling vulnerable and uneasy. She’d stepped out of her comfort zone when she volunteered for this mission. Then what little control the succubus offered had been wrested from her grasp.

It didn’t matter. She was here and she had an obligation to the Resistance. This man might hold the key to Earth’s freedom. If he was Evard Keenan. “My name is Spring. What shall I call you?”

His lips quirked and his gaze focused on her mouth. “Call me whatever you like. I’ve never found names particularly meaningful.”

Damn it. That wasn’t helpful at all. There was no reason to continue her role unless this was Evard. “What do you find meaningful?”

He raked his hair with his hand and averted his gaze. “I’m not interested in small talk. We both know why you’re here.”

Why would this man have appeared in Saroji’s dreams if he wasn’t important to their cause? Jocelyn had never had to rely on instinct before but everything within her told her she’d found her target. She was supposed to be a paid whore, a professional pleasure giver. She had better start acting the part.

“You took away my armor.” She waited until he looked at her before she went on. “When I’m dressed like Spring, I’m able to be more uninhibited.”

“I don’t want Spring. I want you.” He closed the distance between them and wrapped his hand around the back of her neck. “I want the woman no one else reaches, the person no one touches but you.”

She saw herself on the garden bench, hand buried between her thighs. Her gaze widened and her lips trembled. Had he been aware of those images? Did he know they’d already fucked numerous times in her mind? “Spring knows how to act, how to anticipate your needs. If you’ll just give me back my things, I’ll do anything you want.”

“I don’t want you to ‘act’.” He unfastened her belt and the robe gaped, revealing the inner curve of her breasts and a glimpse of her mound. After a quick glance downward, his gaze returned to her face, demanding and hot. “I want you to feel. All you have to do to please me is obey.”

It wasn’t as if she had a choice anyway. No one would raise a finger to stop him regardless of his actions. Pleasure ambassadors usually traveled with an armed escort, but one of the conditions of the contract was that she come alone.

“I have a very low pain threshold.” Her voice broke over the confession.

He cupped her chin and tilted her head back until she looked into his eyes. “I have no intention of hurting you but I need your submission. Can you follow my directives without question?”

Her lips trembled as she formed a smile. “Probably not, but I’ll try.”

Apparently her honesty pleased him. He returned her smile then stepped back, though he didn’t go far. “True submission requires trust, and you don’t know me. So we’ll take this one step at a time. Take off the robe and move to the foot of the bed.”

Chapter Three

Desire curled through Evard as Jocelyn parted the robe and let it slip down her arms. Her pale body was framed by the dark-blue fabric for a moment and then the contrast disappeared, leaving the graceful perfection of her form. High, firm breasts and a trim torso led his gaze to her narrow waist. The womanly flare of her hips swept into long, shapely legs.

He allowed himself a greedy moment to appreciate her physical beauty, then he motioned for her to turn around. As she performed a slow rotation, he scanned the room, meticulously checking for any trace of Inwatta’s energy. His captor seemed to be upholding her end of the bargain but he doubted her generosity would last. Likely she would wait until he was good and distracted, then she’d slip into his mind.

“You’re lovely,” he told Jocelyn once they faced each other again. “But are you responsive?” Sliding his thumb across the corner of his armband, he triggered a panel above her head. Wrist restraints on smooth alloy cables slowly descended toward his uneasy companion. She looked at the cuffs then at him, her expressive green eyes making it clear she was uncomfortable with the new development. “Because this is our first interaction, I’ll allow you to grasp the cuffs rather than securing your wrists within them. But know this—if you let go, it will tell me you wish to be returned to the embassy.”

“What if I want you to stop what you’re doing but don’t want to leave?”

He shook his head. “This is about trust, Jo—” He snapped his mouth shut, biting back her name. A knowing sparkle ignited within her eyes and she raised her arms, grasping the wrist cuffs. If she believed his knowing her name would spare her a good, hard fucking, she was in for a shocking surprise.

Approaching her slowly, he wrapped his fingers around her wrists then ran his hands down her arms. “Don’t feign pleasure. Don’t gasp and shiver unless sensations drive you to it. Just be real.”

She didn’t respond with words. Her muscles relaxed beneath his hands and she hesitantly met his gaze. Her skin was warm and smooth and every bit as soft as it looked. He wanted to be naked, to rub against her body skin to skin; but this wasn’t about carnal pleasure, at least not entirely. He needed to form a telepathic link with Jocelyn, one impenetrable to Inwatta. The only mind link he knew of with passive shielding was a mating bond—which meant Jocelyn had to survive a Bartonese mating.

Fucking and mating were two very different things to the Bartonese. Fucking was a casual joining of bodies for the purpose of mutual pleasure. Mating was an intense, all-consuming melding of body, mind and spirit. And to his knowledge it had never been attempted with a human before.

“Do your people kiss?” Jocelyn whispered, her gaze drifting to his mouth.

It was a plea for reassurance he couldn’t ignore. He framed her face with his hands and pressed his mouth over hers. She wasn’t a call girl. He had to remember she was only playing a part. “I won’t hurt you. You’ve nothing to fear.”

Her lips parted and he accepted the invitation, pushing his tongue into her mouth. She welcomed him with a tentative slide of her tongue so he wrapped his arms around her, supporting her and sheltering her as they learned each other’s taste.

Jocelyn relaxed against Evard as their tongues entwined. She refused to think beyond the moment. Kissing was nice. His mouth was firm, his tongue bold without taking more than she was ready to give. One of his arms banded her waist, keeping her snug against his body while his other hand moved up and down her back.

The inescapable erection pressed against her belly reminded her that this was just the beginning. He thought she was used to pleasuring men, that she casually shared her body with anyone able to pay her fee. But he’d started to say her name. Didn’t that mean he knew who she was and why she was doing this?

As quickly as his kiss had built her desire, the disquieting thought extinguished it. She wiggled within the circle of his arms and turned her head sharply to the side.

“What’s the matter?” He sounded annoyed and she wasn’t brave enough to look at his face to find out how annoyed.

“I just needed to catch my breath.”

He pushed his hand into the back of her hair and formed a loose fist. “I want you breathless. Don’t pull away again.” His autocratic tone sent heat zinging through her body. His mouth returned to hers, his kiss far less patient. This was how he’d been in her visions, aggressive and unrelenting. “Give me your tongue.”

She didn’t consider hesitating as desire sped her pulse. It was hard to remember that this was a mission when her senses hummed with anticipation and her core began to ache.

With a soft whimper, she touched his lower lip with her tongue only to have him suck it deep into his mouth. His lips moved up and down her tongue, an unmistakable parody of a very different act.

“Now you.” His voice sounded harsh and urgent as he switched positions.

Understanding the hurried lesson, she licked and sucked his tongue, imagining all the while that it was his cock she caressed so greedily. He eased his hand between them, stroking her breasts and lightly pinching her nipples. His mouth sealed over hers and he challenged her tongue to a sensual duel. On and on he kissed her until she was lightheaded and intoxicated by his taste.

Everything seemed familiar and yet felt entirely new. She had abandoned herself completely in the practice session and this was even more intense, more overwhelming.

His hand eased between her thighs and he groaned into her mouth.

So wet.
Her eyes flew open as his mental voice sounded clearly in her mind.
Can you hear me?

She nodded as well as she could without abandoning their kiss.

Good. This might be easier than I thought.

What are you talking about?
She wasn’t sure if he could hear her thoughts until he replied.

I don’t sense her right now, but I can’t be certain she’s actually gone. Please, you must trust me. Don’t resist.

He pushed his fingers into her pussy as he expanded the link between their minds. Pain shot across the back of her skull and dove down her spine. She cried out but the pressure didn’t lessen. He’d told her not to resist but was it supposed to hurt this badly?

She tore her mouth away from his and screamed.

Shifting his hands to her ass, he lifted her against him and walked toward the bed. “Let go!”

Her fingers went numb as he increased the pressure and she collapsed into his arms. He carried her to the bed and quickly laid her down.

Instinct took over and she struggled, twisting and tugging with wild abandon. Rather than deterring his efforts, her resistance fueled his fire. He moved her to the middle of the bed then tore off his shirt and unfastened his pants.

She rolled, scrambling for the other side of the bed, but he was faster. With a warning growl, he flipped her to her back and came down on top of her. “Stop fighting me! I don’t want to hurt you.”

This was her mission. The reason she was here.

If
this man was Evard Keenan!

She stilled, forcing her body to obey despite the emotions ravaging her composure. This opportunity could not be squandered. It might never come again. She had to ride it out, stay on task and complete her objectives.

He pulled her arms above her head, holding them there as his gaze searched her eyes. “I was very specific about wanting a willing female. Are you willing or not?”

Her heart missed a beat and her lungs refused to function. Then she whispered, “Yes.”

“I don’t believe you.” He released her hands and pushed away, settling his weight on his knees.

She followed him up, grasping his shoulders. “I’m sorry. I haven’t done this with anyone outside my professional persona. It’s bringing up emotions I didn’t expect to feel. I won’t resist you again. I promise.”

“You were a virgin when they invaded?”

He’d said “they”, not “we”. At least he didn’t identify himself with the invaders. “That’s not what I meant. Everything is so different now, the world before doesn’t seem real anymore.”

For a long moment he just stared at her, then he looked past her as if he was lost in thought or… Was he scanning their surroundings? Evard was Inwatta’s anchor. Was that what he’d meant when he’d said,
I don’t sense her right now, but I can’t be certain she’s actually gone?

More and more clues pointed to the fact that this was Evard. Jocelyn took a deep breath and dispelled the last of her reluctance. If she was wrong, she’d have sex with an attractive man. If she was right, she’d start building trust with a potential ally who was hugely important to the Resistance.

She lay down and raised her arms over her head. He already knelt between her legs but she bent her knees and opened her thighs even wider. “I’m here because I want to be.”

His gaze locked with hers as he lowered his head and latched on to one of her nipples. He sucked in long, deep pulls, holding himself off her so the only thing that touched her was his mouth. Her other nipple beaded, eager for the firm stimulation its twin enjoyed.

His teeth caught her nipple as his lips released, creating a different kind of pressure. She arched into the stinging clamp and a strangled cry escaped her throat. He licked the throbbing peak, his eyes growing hotter. After another cycle of sucks and nips, he shifted to her other breast.

The rhythmic pull of his mouth made her breasts feel swollen, while the pressure of his teeth had the strangest effect on her clit. Each time he nipped her breast, her clit twitched and tingled.

Don’t come until I’m inside you. We can’t waste the energy.
The warning stabbed into her mind without the finesse he’d used before. She whimpered, knowing all it would take was a little caress in the right place to release the tension gathering between her thighs.

He eased one of his hands between her thighs and traced her slit. She gritted her teeth and fought to remain still. He avoided her clit, circling her opening and stroking her folds to keep the pleasure simmering.

Open for me, love. Relax every muscle in your body.

The directive was almost laughable while his fingers and mouth made damn sure she felt anything but relaxed. He paused long enough to shove his pants to his knees then used his cock rather than his fingers. His smooth tip traced her slit, delving deeper with each teasing caress. Her folds parted for him, surrounding him as he positioned himself at her entrance.

He released her nipple and braced with his forearms as his gaze bore into hers.
Accept me. Don’t resist. This will all make sense in a moment.

The only thing that didn’t make sense was his warning. She’d had sex before. Was there something unique about how his people fucked?

As if he heard her question his presence drilled into her mind.

His hips flexed, pushing his cock into her tight passage. Even the incredible fullness of his shaft was nothing compared to the unrelenting penetration of his energy. She started to pull back, to fight against the overwhelming invasion, but his mental voice rumbled like thunder.
Take me! Open for me.

Terrified by the power of his being, she raised her hands to his shoulders, meaning to shove him back.

Jocelyn, please. This is the only way.

Her name washed over her, familiar and soothing, then urgency surged and she dove into his gaze. She absorbed the heat surrounding her and accepted the hunger. Lust devoured her fear and she pushed up with her feet, taking his cock deep into her pussy. He slipped his arm beneath her neck and eased one hand between their bodies, covering her clit with his thumb. He circled her nub slowly as he drew his hips back then paused with his cock barely inside her.

Deeper!
He punctuated the demand with a firm thrust, and she understood what he needed. She opened for him, taking his being deeper into her mind with each demanding stroke of his cock.

His mouth covered hers, trapping her sharp cries and startled sighs. Their bodies rocked and slid, finding a mutually pleasurable tempo. He flowed through her mind and drove into her body, weaving some sort of metaphysical bond. She could feel the connection, understand what he was doing, though she wasn’t sure why this was “the only way”.

Now come and I’ll anchor the link.

Anchor? Wasn’t he anchored to Inwatta?

Trust me, Jocelyn. Just come and I’ll explain everything.

He moved faster, rolling his thumb over her clit with each deep thrust. Tension wound within her, clenching her inner muscles around his cock. He tore his mouth from hers and threw back his head, coming in violent shudders.

His pleasure barreled into her mind, triggering her orgasm and catapulting her beyond reality. Her vision blurred then faded as sensations pulsed and flowed, carrying her further from her body.

With a terrified cry, she reached back through the tingling stream, trying to return to the tangible world.

Let it go and come to me.

The amusement in his tone penetrated her fear. If he thought this was funny, they couldn’t be dead. Could they?