Twice Upon a Time (16 page)

“Aika is well practiced in the koto,” Kojiro said. “Many do not understand the purpose of music in these times of war, but what is life without moments of beauty?” He nodded at the lovely young woman. “Your playing would please me,” he said to her.

She smiled with what Hana could only describe as adulation. Who was this woman?

Dare Hana ask Kojiro what role the young woman served in his home? In his life? Was she his concubine? Did he kiss her the way he’d just kissed Hana? Why did that thought bother her? She didn’t care if Kojiro had fifty women at his disposal and kissed them all.

It would lessen the likelihood that he’d continue to want her. Hana stole a glance at the handsome samurai warrior and wondered why her heart was thudding so fiercely in her breast. He had a despicable, control ing personality. Why did she suddenly think it would be nice to give her power to him? To lessen the burden of her responsibility. To belong to this man. To al ow him to take control. To be feminine. To accept weakness as a part of who she was. Not the most important part, but a part she didn’t have to deny. That would be... unfathomable. Yet strangely freeing.

Kojiro must have drugged her fish. It was the only explanation for her sudden interest in the life he offered.

When Aika started to pluck at the strings of her koto with the picks at the end of her thumb, index and middle fingers, Hana’s breath caught. The music started off slowly. It had no real rhythm to it. It was more like the gentle lull of a rushing stream at first.

Cohesive, yet unpredictable. As the song increased in speed, it swept Hana along with it until al of her cares and concerns were drawn away in the current of the melody. She had never heard such beautiful music. Had never had the time to enjoy a moment of frivolity.

As Hana relaxed and let her guard drop, Lara was finally able to push her consciousness to the forefront of the warrior woman’s presence. She almost collapsed with relief until she realized that she had to keep up her ruse as long as Aika was still in the room. She glanced at Kojiro and he winked at her before his form melted into a welcome sight. Reece! She forced herself not to launch her body across the table, tackle him to the floor and kiss him senseless. The confused thoughts of this Hana chick were driving Lara crazy. Was she attracted to Kojiro or not? Lara just wished she’d make up her mind.

The music began to slow again until the song eventually fel silent after one final ringing note. Lara clapped and then wondered if that was the right thing to do in this culture. The pleased smile on Aika’s face led her to believe that she hadn’t pulled a total faux pas.

“Would you like to learn to play the koto?” Reece asked Lara. Or was it Kojiro asking Hana? “Aika would teach you.”

Lara glanced at Aika who bowed her head slightly. Lara doubted the woman had ever challenged Kojiro’s wishes. No wonder the man was an insufferable pig. “I think I would enjoy that,” Lara said. Heck, she didn’t know. Hana had enjoyed the music. And it sure beat catching fish with birds.

“This pleases me,” Reece said in Japanese. “Hana will start lessons with you tomorrow, Aika. Leave us now.”

Aika bowed her head again, the somehow how managed to stand gracefully in her kimono and not drop the koto on the floor. She shuffled out of the room and slid the door shut.

“Gah, alone at last,” Reece said, finally speaking English.

“This woman is driving me crazy. First, she can’t decide if she hates Kojiro or not.

Now she’s entertaining thoughts of submitting to his domination.”

“Really?” Reece said. “Now that’s interesting, because Kojiro is entertaining thoughts of dominating Hana. He is used to these women doing his bidding without question and the challenge of a woman as strong as Hana has him totally distracted.” Lara struggled to her feet—floor length, tight skirts were not easy to maneuver in—

and walked in short strides to Reece’s side. He reached up and tumbled her into his lap.

She laughed and wrapped both arms around his neck. “I’ve missed you today,” she said, staring up into his hazel-green eyes.

“Me, too,” he murmured and lowered his head to kiss her.

Lara could feel Hana’s attempts to protest, but she kissed Reece deeper and the little warrior woman went limp with submission. Both mentally and physically.

“Dominate me,” Lara murmured against Reece’s lips.

Reece pul ed away and gazed down at her. “Huh?”

“That’s what they want. It feels like the next step. Like this is supposed to happen between them,” Lara said. “Do you think you can pul it off?”

“I’ve never really delved into that realm of sexuality.”

“Do you have something against it?”

“Not at all. As long as both parties are in agreement.”

“Oh, I’m in total agreement. I trust you. Hana isn’t sure how she feels about Kojiro, but maybe if these two fuck, they’ll stop fighting and we can keep them subdued for the rest of our visit.”

Reece grinned that naughty grin that Lara knew meant she was about to experience multiple orgasms. Damn, but she loved this man.

“How far do you want to take this, sweetheart?”

“I want you to force me to do things.”

“And if you refuse?”

“Then you get to punish me.”

“How?” Searching her eyes, he stroked Lara’s hair gently and dropped a tender kiss at the corner of her mouth.

“That’s up to you. You are my master.”

“I don’t think I can bring myself to hurt you, sweetheart.”

“Not even if I’m asking for it?”

His gaze roamed her face and she could see Sappy Reece fighting with Sexy Reece behind his troubled gaze. “We’l see. Do we need a safe word or what? I get the gist of this sort of thing, but I’ve never actual y participated.”

“How about we talk ourselves through it this time?” she suggested. “That would be okay, wouldn’t it? If either of us have a problem with a situation, we’ll promise each other to say something.”

“And if you don’t say anything?”

“It means I’m okay with it.”

“Let’s just hope Kojiro and Hana let this happen. I think they both real y need to get laid. The sooner, the better.”

Lara laughed. “I real y need to get laid. Al this angst and drama has me tense. A little release would be a welcome relief.”

“A
little
release?” Reece teased. “I think you should plan on several large releases.” Lara laughed. “Is that a promise, Reece Jericho?” He smiled gently and kissed her. “You know it is. How do you want me to talk to you?”

“The way Kojiro already talks to Hana.”

“He’s a fucking jerk, Lara.”

Lara nodded. “Pretty much, but he’s the master of his domain and he knows it. Let yourself be master of my domain.”

“I want you naked,” Reece said.

“Don’t tel me what you want. Demand I do it.”

“Stand before me and remove your clothes.”

That was a little better, but he would need some practice. Lara decided not to bait him by misbehaving just yet. She’d wait until he slipped further into his dominant role before testing his limits.

“Yes, master,” she murmured huskily.

He released her and she struggled to rise to her feet. The kimono was lovely, but she was having a hell of a time moving in the thing. Getting naked for Reece sounded like a wonderful plan. She unwrapped the wide, fabric belt from around her waist and tossed it aside. She turned her back to Reece and slowly let the kimono slide down her back.

“Turn,” he demanded, his voice not harsh, but firm. It sent a shiver of delight down her spine.

Lara turned.

“God, you’re sexy,” he murmured, his appreciative gaze on her bare breasts. “Show me more.”

Lara al owed the kimono to fall to the floor. She removed her split-toed socks and stood before him naked.

“Make your nipples hard for me,” Reece said in that same firm voice.

Lara licked the ring and middle finger of her right hand and rubbed the moisture over her nipple until it hardened into a tight bead. She did the same for her other breast.

“Now pluck them hard, Lara. Make them ache.”

Lara pinched her nipples between her thumbs and forefingers, plucking the sensitive flesh until her pussy began to throb and her womb tightened. Her head dropped back, her mouth open. Something about this really turned her on.

“Sit on the table,” Reece said.

Lara sat, releasing a gasp when the cool wood surface touched her bare buttocks.

“Spread your legs. Show me your cunt.”

She hesitated. Not because she didn’t want to show him how wet she already was, but because she wanted to know what he would do if she disobeyed him. She met his eyes in challenge.

“Spread your legs, Lara,” he repeated, his gaze dark.

Her legs opened as if on their own accord.

“Wider.”

She obeyed. And she loved that she’d given him control. It felt liberating. She trusted him to make it worth her while.

When his heavy gaze moved to the hot, wet flesh between her wide open thighs, a spasm of pure delight gripped her pussy.

“I’m going to eat that cunt. Make it wet for me.”

“It’s already wet.”

He lifted his eyes to meet hers and did not look happy with her retort.

“Tell me how to make it wetter for you,” she amended.

“Rub your clit. Fast and hard, but don’t make yourself come. That pleasure is mine.” She reached between her legs with a trembling hand. She slid a finger into her aching pussy and received a slap on the thigh for her disobedience. Her entire body jerked. It didn’t even hurt much, but it brought her entire body a new awareness.

“Follow instructions, Lara,” Reece said.

“I’m sorry.”

“Is that how you address me?”

She searched her chaotic thoughts for the proper response. “I’m sorry, master.”

“Do what I told you to do. Nothing more. Nothing less.” She rubbed her clit in slow circles at first and then short rapid strokes. She could hear how wet her pussy was getting as she worked her fingers against her flesh.

“Don’t come,” he reminded her. His tone was stil firm, but not harsh.

Lara squirmed, forcing back the orgasm that she so wanted to succumb to.

“That’s beautiful, baby,” he murmured. “Make it wetter.”

“Wetter? It’s already dripping down my ass.”

Another slap to her thigh had her rubbing her clit harder and faster. It turned out she could make it wetter. “Oh, I’m coming.”

Reece grabbed her wrists and held her arms pinned to the table on either side of her thighs. Her hips buckled. Her clit throbbed. Her pussy tightened, but she did not come.

“I told you that pleasure was mine,” Reece said.

She looked down at him and he grinned.

“Lie back on the table,” he demanded firmly.

She did as he said. The surface of the table was cold and hard against her back. He released her wrists.

“Hold your hands in place at your sides or I will be forced to tie you down.” Tie her down? Spread eagle across the low table? Oh yeah, she liked the sound of that. She would pretend to obey him for the time being.

Reece lowered his head between her thighs. His tongue traced her opening in wide lazy circles. It made her crave cock so bad she began to tremble. She reached between her legs and rubbed at her clit, her intent to make herself come and to push Reece into making her suffer the consequences of her disobedience.

He grabbed her hand, still licking her as he removed the belt from around his kimono and tied it around her wrist.

He lifted his head to look at her. “Are you still okay with this? I’m going to tie you down.”

She nodded vigorously. “But I’m going to test you, because I want you to punish me.”

He grinned crookedly. “I learn a little more about you each day. And I thought I knew everything.” He circled the table and pul ed Lara’s arm above her head. He wrapped the wide strip of fabric around one short table leg.

“Put your other arm over your head, Lara.”

“And if I refuse?”

He leaned over and bit her nipple.

“Oh!” She had a mind to refuse him again, but her arm shot up over her head as if by its own volition.

He wrapped the free end of his long sash around the other table leg and then secured her wrist down.

With no sash to hold it closed, his kimono gaped in the front. Lara caught sight of his cock—big and hard. Her pussy throbbed, protesting its emptiness.

“I want you,” she said, watching his cock closely as Reece stood to stand by her head. “Inside me.”

“Kojiro promised Hana that she would stil be a virgin in the morning,” Reece said.

“I don’t recal any such thing,” she lied. But she was just borrowing Hana’s body, so she supposed it wasn’t very nice of her to use it to sleep with her greatest enemy, even if Reece was the one commanding that enemy body. “Please,” she whispered. “Inside.” Reece tugged her up the table so that her head was free of the edge of the table and she had more give in her bound arms.

“Open your mouth,” Reece said. “I will put it inside you.”

“Down there, Reece.”

“Down where?”

“Inside my cunt.” Just saying that word, which she usual y found offensive, made her squirm with excitement.

“You’ll take what I give you.” He placed his palms on the table on either side of her hips and lowered his cock towards her face.

She opened her mouth and when he hesitated, she lifted her head and sucked him inside. He gasped as she began to bob her head rhythmical y. When her neck got tired, she relaxed her head back against the edge of the table and Reece took over the motion. She tilted her head back farther and sucked rhythmically as he fucked her mouth. He bumped the back of her throat several times and her fist clenched. She concentrated on not choking, breathing raggedly through her nose each time he pulled back. When he paused, she sucked harder and he groaned.

“I’m going to come in your mouth,” he said, “and you’re going to swallow it all.” Yeah, she was.

“Suck harder now,” he demanded.

She sucked harder and his strokes became more shallow and faster.

“Harder.”

She released suction, took a deep breath and latched on again.

“Oh God, sweetheart,” he groaned. He thrust into her mouth one last time and let go. She sucked hard while he came, wishing her hands were free so she could hold onto him as she accepted the spurts of come into her mouth and swallowed every thick, salty drop he offered. When he was spent, he slowly pul ed out.