Her Master's Collar (On the Hunt) (5 page)

He leaned forward to press his lips against hers, teasing and tasting. She opened for him, feeling his tongue slide unhurriedly into her mouth. He tasted of salt, mint and the jasmine tea he’d had while they’d sat in the lounge. The kiss was slow and drew out the arousal spinning in her core. Everything about him overwhelmed her. Piece by piece, he slowly stripped away her ability to think about anything but following his orders. She was a breath away from abandoning their business arrangement entirely.

Sweat consistent with a blazing fever dotted her flushed skin. She wanted more, and found it increasingly harder to keep a firm handle on reality. It was too easy to give in to him and give in to the roles they’d slipped into in the blink of an eye.

He continued to kiss her as his finger dragged over the gentle swell of her breasts and dipped under the hem of her camisole. The hard ridge of his fingernail scraped over the tender nub of her nipple, causing her to groan into his mouth. He swallowed the noise, echoing with a low moan of his own.

Heat flooded the space between her legs as her pussy grew damper with each passing second. The atmosphere between their bodies vibrated with need, pulsing from the intensity emitting from both of their bodies. He pulled away, his hand tightening around her neck as he sucked in a deep breath between gritted teeth.

“Korene.” He growled her name, drawing out each syllable so it sounded deliciously filthy. Laser blue flashed as his gaze bored into hers, his hand trembling against her pounding pulse. She pulled in a ragged breath, overwhelmed by the authority and intensity pouring from him.

With a low, guttural growl, he drove his tongue into her mouth as his other hand clenched firmly against her nape to hold her in place. Power surged, flowing into her to give her an anchor she’d missed for the past ten years.

Here, on her knees for him, she was whole and complete again. The thought became further cemented when he pulled the neck of the shirt down to completely expose her breasts. Bared for him, he palmed one and pinched the nipple hard between his fingers. The sting sent her pulse racing even as her eyes watered. Hot tears flowed down her cheeks as he lofted her to a level of ecstasy she hadn’t realized she’d missed. He continued to hold with steady pressure, the twinges of pain quickening her breath. The surge of pain morphed to an arousal that caused her to grit her teeth.

“Let me hear how this makes you feel.”

As much as she wanted this—wanted him—she couldn’t allow this to continue. Her body betrayed her despite the fact her head knew better. He’d broken her once and now demanded she take what he offered without question, without explanation or apology. She couldn’t allow this to happen because no matter how high he took her, she was well trained enough to know the power was hers.

She licked her lips, invoking her safe word without regret. “Courtesy.”

At the sound of the word, he immediately severed contact. His hands fell away as he stood. Quietly swearing under his breath, he shoved his hands into his pockets. After he unlocked the door, he paused, staring at her as she continued to kneel. “I’m sorry.”

A soft clink sounded before the door closed and he vanished.

Pain tightened her chest, burrowing deep. Her heart ached as if it had fragmented into pieces that no longer aligned. Alone now and overcome with emotion, her body sagged. She listed to the right, putting her hands flat against the floor to keep from collapsing. Her breath rattled her lungs as she fought to gather her composure.

Had that really just happened?

Had he really just showed her how easily she could fall under his spell again?

The residual burn of his palm surrounding her breast confirmed it had. Her gaze fell to the small oval table next to the door. On it lay an elegant piece of curved silver jewelry—a barbell designed to be used for a clit piercing. Her stomach flipped as a shudder traveled through her body, erasing any residual arousal.

My collar.

Unable to stand the sight of such a painful memory, she turned away.

Chapter Three

As Roland pushed open the door to the suite across the hall, he was vividly aware of how gaping and empty his pocket felt. He’d carried the small trinket every day during the war. It had been his secret, silent connection to the world he’d left behind.

It also stood as a reminder of the mistake he’d knowingly made.

He already missed the weight of it, as silly and amateurish as it sounded. He should have never left the item with her, because doing so displayed a minuscule weakness she could turn around and use on him. He could ask himself why he’d given the collar back, but she deserved to have it in her possession after all this time. Especially after he’d learned she hadn’t moved on to find another Master.

Why hasn’t she?

Once he’d removed the collar, she’d been free to seek out a new Master who could teach her things he couldn’t. In some small way, a piece of him hoped someone else had collared her. Then he would be prevented from doing so again. Instead he would now spend the rest of his life cursing his existence because he’d been a spineless bastard in the first place.

A spineless bastard with a raging hard-on pressing against the seam of his pants. He wasn’t surprised to discover everything about her still spoke to him on a very visceral level. The ache of need for her was so painful, it was nearly unbearable. She had no idea about the kind of power she held over him just by existing. The brush of her flesh against his again had been heady. It had taken all of his willpower not to continue after she’d pulled out her safe word. He hadn’t expected her to actually listen when he ordered her to her knees, but he hadn’t been able to resist testing her.

He’d needed to know.

The spark he’d thought long extinguished had raged back with all the intensity and energy it’d once held. It was as if he’d never left her. The craving for more was almost too much to bear, but for both their sanities, he would ensure they kept this aboveboard. Their working relationship would suffer, as it already had, until they found the delicate balance again.

Fuck me. Maybe there isn’t a balance for us. Maybe there should never be one. This has got to be one of the lousiest plans I’ve ever had.

As he closed the door behind him, he noticed Finley had ditched the maid’s uniform. The lithe woman sat cross-legged in the middle of the room, her eyes closed. The calm expression painted the utter embodiment of relaxation. Roland winced at the interruption, shifting his weight to the balls of his feet so he could exit the room as quietly as possible.

“I heard you when you shut the door across the hall. Though slammed is more like it. Lovers’ spat?”

“Sorry, I didn’t know you were in here.”

Finley’s bicolored eyes opened to stare blandly at Roland. “Being quiet is kinda the point. Right?”

He chuckled softly as he moved to one of the overstuffed chairs. “Need to put a sign up or something. Give me a signal for the next few days while we’re on this transport, especially if you’re going to keep sneaking in here. By the way, she said you would bunk with her.”

“Oh,
she
did, huh?” Finley’s eyebrows lifted, though it seemed to be more genuine interest than actual surprise.

“Don’t start, Fin. I’ve got enough shit to deal with as it is without the addition of your brand of meddling into the mix.”

“Then you shouldn’t have asked me along.”

An exasperated breath whistled past his teeth. “Why did I again?”

“I’m one of the best guys you have.” A cunning smile spread on her cherubic face as she unfolded her legs. She leaned against the overstuffed couch opposite Roland, her feet tapped together. “I have to be here to see you remember that fact.”

“Fine, fine. You win.” She was tiny and unpredictable when it came to her mood, but a ball of fire who was a valuable asset to his team. Their chance meeting four and a half years ago had proved lucrative for them both. While she was a fantastic mech, he couldn’t overlook the fact she already sought to find her center so early in the mission. “Is this job so bad you have to start meditating already?”

“I’m fine.” Finley ran a hand over her short sable-colored hair as she frowned. “Don’t know if you can say the same. If you’re dreading this job, why did you agree to it? Other than Korene, I mean. That’s obvious enough.” She gestured to the ridge under his zipper.

As he folded his ankle over his knee to hide the residual arousal, his frown matched hers. He didn’t particularly care for the idea of his team members doubting his ability to do the job. And damn Korene for being right. He should have seen that fact well before she had. “I didn’t take it for
her
.”

“Of course you didn’t.” She shifted, stretching out on her back on the floor with her feet crossed at the ankles. Her eyes closed as she breathed deeply and slowly. “But do I need to point out you’ve already realized the fact you can barely say her name.”

Crestfallen, he slumped back into the chair and rubbed at his forehead. “I was trying not to notice.”

“I can tell.” She waved a slender hand at him, gesturing to her neck as if she wore a collar. “I know you don’t make it a secret about the whole dominance and submission deal and all, but I hadn’t realized it extended into sadism.” At his snort, she rolled her eyes. “You had to know it was going to be this bad when you agreed to take the job. It wasn’t as if you didn’t know you’d have to deal with her in some form or fashion. And don’t try to tell me you didn’t expect her to insist on coming along. I saw that coming a mile away and I don’t even know her.”

“I knew she’d come, but I thought everything was buried. I
thought
we were all adult enough to operate in a professional manner without everything hanging over our heads.”

The slight woman made a noise Roland couldn’t identify as she rolled over onto her stomach. She balanced on her hands in a plank position. “Figured you’d have more brains than that. Fucking men.”

The door to the room opened. Roland looked over to see another member of his team drop a small sack near the foot of the couch. “Better lay off before she uses some of her metaphysical mumbo-jumbo on your dick, Roland.”

“Care to volunteer, Markus?”

“In your dreams, pipsqueak.” He kicked Finley’s foot out from under her, but she compensated and shot out a leg to try to catch him behind the knee. He sidestepped, snorting when she stuck out her tongue before going back to her push-ups.

“How’d they let a petite thing like you become a SEAL?”

“Jealous they wanted me and not you?” she asked without stopping.

“Hardly,” he scoffed. “SEALs such as yourself would make decent Marines. But only the exceptional Marines—take me, for instance—go on to become Force Recon.”

Roland watched them continue to trade insults. Finding the right team dynamic was always a crapshoot whenever people had to work together. Finley had assimilated into the group well and any casual observer would assume the team had always been together. But the purpose of this trip was
not
to be seen together.

Finley suddenly sprang up to the balls of her feet, her hands curled into tight fists. “Why don’t you put your mouth to good use and go blow up your date?”

Knowing they’d start throwing punches if he allowed this to continue, he rose and stepped between them. “You two should really think about finding a different way to burn off some of the energy instead of pissing each other off.” Finley glared at him, but turned away without a word. She slumped back to the floor, obviously annoyed. He’d deal with her later. Turning, he nodded to Markus. “Everything secure?”

Markus pulled at his pants, crouching on the balls of his feet as he reached into his pack. “All the berthing areas below us are full. Seems to be mostly families heading to Victoria Crater Resort for a vacation—just like you’re supposed to be. Group of businessmen near the front in executive class are on their way to Mars for a conference. Everyone checks out. Looks as if it’ll be a smooth ride.”

Finley flipped over into a backbend, walking her hands so they nearly touched her feet. Roland winced at her flexibility, even though it helped her slide into tight spaces between the machinery. With a soft grunt, she pushed her feet into the air, over her body and placed them silently on the floor as she stood upright. Her hands settled on her hips as she shot Markus a dirty look. “It’s never a smooth ride.”

“Then you ain’t doing it right, baby.” Markus flashed his teeth, complete with the slight chip in his front tooth. A souvenir from a fistfight Roland had to pull him away from when they’d been visiting Valentine in Dublin nearly six years ago.

“All right, all right.” Roland shoved his hands into his pockets, stepping away to wear a pattern in the carpet. “Since everything checks out for the moment, let’s all get some rest. Enjoy the peace while we can. Something tells me this isn’t going to be a simple smash-and-grab job.”

Markus shrugged off the jacket he’d used to mask some of his bulk and tossed it over the hook on the back of the door. “They never are.”

“Don’t remind me.”

“You sure you’re up for this?” Markus sat, toeing off his shoes.

“I don’t have much of a choice.”

The two men watched Finley move through a series of graceful breathing exercises. “I can’t say I agree with your choice to keep her completely in the dark about everything, Roland. It’s twofold, I get it. We rescue her employees, but we get our man. She can handle the truth. I’m sure if you just—”

Roland scowled. “It’s not really your place to agree or not, is it?”

Finley scooped up her small pack, squeezing between the chairs where Markus and Roland sat. “If you two are done with your pissing contest, I’m out of here. There is way too much testosterone in this room for me. Probably start growing hair on my chest if I stay.”

“Where are you going?”

“Across the hall.” A wide smile brightened Finley’s face. Roland knew her mischievous grin meant she was up to something. “You said Korene said I could stay over there, right? See ya.”

Roland narrowed his eyes at the door as it slid shut. “Something tells me I’m going to regret those two bunking together.”

Markus clapped him on the shoulder. “I do believe you’re right, boss.”

* * * * *

Korene pressed her forehead against the porthole, staring out at the blackness of space. What in the hell had come over her? An hour later, and she was still upset by events, not to mention angry with her reaction. It was as if nothing had changed. He’d stormed into her room and she’d dropped to her knees as though she was some novice submissive who couldn’t think for herself.

Even when she’d known next to nothing about their mutual likes, she’d never acted this way. While he did give her a collar, the power exchange only occurred in the bedroom. She liked to work out complicated problems, making her own decisions and choices. The only time she’d found comfort in giving over control was when she’d been with Roland. He always had her best interest in mind, but never demanded she be his slave.

Yet, right in this very room, their past stretching painfully between them, she’d gone to her knees as if he owned her. She wasn’t sure why it came as such a shock. In the past, he could look at her with those intoxicating eyes, his plans reading clearly in his gaze, and she would be reduced to a quivering puddle of woman. No one had ever looked at her the way he did. Seeing that look in his eyes again, hearing her name spoken on shaky breath, was both a pleasure and a discomfort.

Knowing his attention truly wasn’t focused on the complicated rescue mission posed quite the conundrum. If she called off the attempt, in effect canceling his contract, it would also mean she’d abandoned her employees. Despite the layers of tension between her and Roland, she had a responsibility to those who trusted her.

The doorbell chimed, startling her from her thoughts. She wiped away the dampness on her cheeks as she crossed the room on still-unstable legs. Her heart hitched at the prospect Roland could be on the other side of the panel.

She paused, torn. Half of her wanted him to be there so he could gather her close in the shelter of his arms and tell her everything would be all right. The other half wished for him to be shot out of the refuse disposal unit to die a painful death in the vacuum of space. Her finger shook as she tapped the button on the wall comm unit. “Yes?”

“Want some company?” A cheery feminine voice filled the room, causing Korene to set a shaky hand against her chest.

Neither choice, then. “Yes, of course.”

Korene stepped aside to let the much-shorter woman enter. As she watched Finley scope out her surroundings, she wondered if Roland’s influence had anything to do with her presence here. “If your boss is checking up on me, you may find yourself disappointed.” She trailed off as the other woman tossed her small bag onto an overstuffed chair in the sitting area.

“He didn’t send me over here to report back to him. Not that I would do that even if he asked me to. Just because he’s in charge of our missions doesn’t mean he can order me around. No offense.” A dimple in one cheek appeared as Finley gave her a faint smile. “Nice digs. A little nicer than the suite across the hall, that’s for damn sure. Surprised Roland forked over the credits to secure this.”