Leaving Earth (12 page)

"Kendall needs to go. And you need to let her, Daggar," Laney said softly.

* * * *

Daggar could feel Kendall's frustration, her worries and he wasn't sure how he could take it. She believed he was going to take over her life, take away her will. He couldn't deny he was sexually dominant, couldn't deny the thrill he got from her submission, and a part of him wished that extended to their rest of their lives. But she wasn't that kind of submissive. He was backed into a corner and knew it. He needed her to trust him completely and if he refused to let her go, to let her assist in the investigation, that bit of faith she was developing in him, in them, would disintegrate. He couldn't have that, couldn't live with her only being physically tied to him. He wanted all of her. But fuck, it went against every instinct he had to let her walk out that door without him. He knew he could trust Barak to guard her, but it wasn't the same as doing it himself, even if he also understood he was not one hundred percent yet. He still felt weak, drained. Too much blood loss. And he acknowledged privately, with a ship full of chagrin, that she was probably safer going out with Barak now. Maybe that's why he was so pissed. It was bad enough someone had got close enough to kill him, closer than anyone ever had before. But that he wasn't strong enough to protect his own? That was unacceptable.

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Leaving Earth

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"Daggar?" Laney asked.

He nodded, saw the relief flash through his
der'lan's
eyes before she stepped forward to stroke her finger down the side of his face. "Thank you," she whispered.
I know this is difficult
for you.

You have no idea how difficult.

"Let me know what you find out. Oh, and who's going to track down Hakon?" Laney asked. Kendall had forgotten about the Delroi lab tech suspected of planting the bomb in Daggar's council room.

"I'll take care of it now," Barak said. "I'll meet you back here in a couple of hours," he said, nodding at Kendall.

"Right. See you then." She turned to Laney. "Go rest. Doctor's orders."

She didn't protest when Alrik took her hand and led her down the hall. Daggar repressed a grin he sensed Kendall wouldn't appreciate when he heard her exasperated sigh.

"That's not restful," she muttered, but he was the only one left to hear her. He didn't reply. He had plans of his own that didn't include taking it easy.

He put his hand in his pocket and pulled out the small black pouch he'd picked up earlier. It had been easy to find and purchase the thin gold chain and he couldn't wait any longer to see it in place. He lifted her hand and placed the bag on her palm.

"What's this?" she asked, a smile playing across her lips that affected him like a punch in the gut. Gods, the woman was stunning.

"A gift. Open it and see."

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She drew the drawstring and dumped the contents onto her hand. Frowning, at the glittering pile of links, she stretched it between two fingers. She fingered the tiny hooks on the end that would close over her nipple rings and a blush spread up her neck to her face.

He made quick work of the buttons on her shirt, then unsnapped her bra. Taking the chain from her fingers, he hooked first one side then the other as her breathing quickened into harsh gasps. His fingers grazed her nipples and her head fell back, eyes closed.

"Daggar," she pleaded.

"Perfect," he whispered, shoving his fingers into her hair and lifting her face to meet his gaze. "It will drive me crazy watching you walk around the Palace, knowing the signs of my possession are hidden beneath your clothes." He lowered his lips to hers, didn't bother for subtlety. He claimed the way he wanted to, forcefully, almost brutally, sucking and biting at her lips, her tongue. She pressed her body close to his, ground her hips against his, and he entered her mind. Felt her utter trust in him to take her someplace sexually she'd never been before, felt her eagerness. He had every intention of taking her there. Today. Now. He let her go and spun her around, facing the hall to their rooms.

"Go. Strip and lay face down on the bed." She cocked an eyebrow, but didn't argue with the order. At least in this he had her obedience. She walked away and he strove to control his rapid breathing, to slow the accelerated beating of his heart and give her time to comply before he barged in and took what he wanted.

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He didn't last long and entered mere minutes after her. Thankfully she was quick and lay just as he'd instructed, her round ass presented to him. He'd been in her mind enough to know she'd never been taken anally, but the idea intrigued her. He nearly groaned, desperate to take her that way, but knowing she wasn't ready yet. He'd begin that preparation now. Walking to his cabinet, he opened the door with shaking hands. He didn't need to study the contents to find what he wanted, lifting out the small plug and tube of lubrication. She didn't budge an inch when he came to the bed and sat down next to her, but he felt the heat from her body, the breath rushing from her lungs. Her mind was excited, wondering what would happen next. He set his items next to his knee and reached out to touch her, stroking the round curve of her ass. She rolled up into his caress, and without even thinking about it, he slapped her rump.

"Be still," he growled, but the effect of the order and tone was lost on her. She groaned, lost in her own mind, in her own enjoyment.

He climbed onto the bed, sitting with one knee outside of each of her thighs. His own excitement grew to match hers as he touched her ass cheeks, spread them to rub his thumb against the forbidden opening there. She caught her breath and he entered her mind, needing to know what she felt about the coming invasion. He found her mentally, softly, chanting yes.

Not yet, baby. You aren't ready for me yet.
He sensed more than heard her groan of protest, but didn't let it deter him. Reaching for the lube, he removed the cap 111

Leaving Earth

by Loribelle Hunt

and squirted some onto his thumb then returned to rubbing it around her small hole. She pushed back against him and smiling, he let the digit slide inside to one knuckle, squirting more of the liquid on a second finger to join it. She gasped, squirmed, when he added it just to the knuckle of her opening. He slid them farther in. Two fingers up to two knuckles and she cried out in a mixture of desire and pain. He withdrew and thrust back in several times until it was both fingers all the way in her tight hole. Gods, the feel of that around his cock. But her next cry was more pain than pleasure and he felt the doubt in her mind. He withdrew his fingers and picked up the plug. It was small. Only four inches long and with a circumference much smaller than his cock. He lubed it well and pressed the tip to his goal, slowly pushed. When he got to the point of the toy that was wider than his fingers, she gasped and made to pull away. He pressed his palm to the small of her back, whispered soothing words.

"Hush, baby. Relax and let the plug go in. You'll like it, I promise."

His tone did the trick and she stilled, waiting for him to go on. He pushed it in swiftly, wanting her pain to stop so the pleasure could take over. The bulbous base slid into place, holding the toy inside her. She gasped and didn't protest when he rolled her over, nestling his hips between her thighs and leaning down to take one nipple into his mouth for a quick bite. When he lifted his head, he smiled down at her.

"Better?"

She jerked a nod and he kept his thoughts, his plans to himself. She wouldn't think so when she realized he was 112

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going to leave her wanting. Let the desperation build until she could deny him nothing. He wanted her so desperate, so needy, she'd never consider any life that didn't include him. And maybe it was a kind of punishment too, though he wasn't sure who he was punishing. Her, for being true to herself? Or him, for having such a hard time accepting her independence? It didn't matter. For a time, they'd both suffer, but the later pay off would be worth it.

He kissed her slowly, softly. Teasing. Wanting to build up the anticipation and hold off her release until she thought she would expire from it. He wasn't sure why that was so important. It just was. Before he could kick things up to the next level, he heard the chimes indicating someone had come into the quarters.

Lifting his head, he smiled at Kendall ruefully. He'd love to finish this, but that was either Britt or Barak entering and he needed their information. Kendall's eyes shone with understanding and she gingerly pushed herself up to her elbows.

"Um." A blush spread up her neck. "You should take out the plug."

He rose, stood beside the bed and extended a hand to help her up. "No. Keep it in." He made his voice stern, commanding. "You disobeyed me with the balls. Don't do it again."

He bent and picked up the clothes she'd discarded from the floor, tossed them to rest beside her on the bed. "Get dressed."

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Leaving Earth

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Her eyes flashed, but she didn't argue, dressed quickly, and followed him out of the room. Barak paced in the living area, but Daggar was focused on Kendall. Watched as she walked cautiously, adjusting to the plug in her ass to get a cup of coffee. Trace cleared his throat and Daggar turned to face him.

"What news?"

"Hakon has disappeared, my Lord. I have people searching for him. And nothing from Britt Anderson. It's as if the woman dropped off the face of the planet," he added the last in a mutter, scowling.

Thank the Gods, Daggar didn't have the same problem keeping up with his woman, but he was careful to keep the thought to himself as Kendall approached. She looked thoughtful, but angry. And adorable. She couldn't fight the desire he'd raised between them, the arousal kept on a high edge by the toy he'd left in her ass and the chain between her breasts. Some of his thoughts must have bled through the block he'd put up because she turned to glare at him. Before he could try to sooth her ire, Alrik joined them. He nodded in greeting, but spoke to Daggar. "The other Overchiefs want to see you."

Fuck. They no doubt wanted to know if there was a war imminent within the warrior caste and if he was well enough, strong enough to lead them. He might have an ally there or might not. His aunt Cilia had bonded outside the caste, chosen to become a healer and risen in their ranks to lead. As a girl she'd learned politics well growing up among warriors. 114

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"Maybe Britt is with the Earth contingent," Kendall said to Barak. "The Ambassador will know."

"You'll stay here until I return." He regretted the order as soon as it was spoken. She'd take it as a challenge and he'd already accepted he had to give her some room, some independence. Right? He sighed. "Stay with Trace at all times, my
der'lan
. Do not endanger yourself." She smiled very slightly before turning to follow Barak out.

"Of course not," she whispered and he knew his words were wasted breath. She'd do what she thought she had to, no matter how he objected. He almost admired that, would have if it were another man's woman. Knew he had to accept that his woman wasn't biddable, wasn't submissive outside the bedroom, and quick, or he'd lose something he treasured above everything else. Her trust.

She walked out the door and every cell in his body seemed to protest. The hell with it. The other Overchiefs would just have to wait. It didn't have anything to do with trusting her or Barak to guard her. He just had to be near. He knew it was partly the bond in the final stages of solidifying, of making itself unbreakable. Partly because he just wanted to be close to her. Close enough to stroke her hair, to inhale her scent. He caught up with them, dismissed Barak, and took her hand in his. Something in him, some deep primitive side, seemed to exhale deeply in relief.

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115

Leaving Earth

by Loribelle Hunt

Kendall really should have refused to keep wearing the butt plug, but she'd been intrigued, turned on by the idea. As she moved through the corridors it moved with her, lodging itself deeper inside her with each step, and she nearly groaned at the sensation of being so filled up. Daggar had insisted on leaving it there so her mind would fill with images of his cock buried in her ass. Moving, thrusting. Testing her limits in what she saw as the ultimate show of submission. And he'd been in her mind. He knew exactly how she interpreted the act.

The chain beneath her clothes just added to her already over sensitized body. It rubbed against her skin, tugged at her nipples until they were painful hard points. She wasn't sure if she wanted to kill him or reward him for putting her through this unique torture.

Walking silently next to her, Daggar seemed to tense the barest fraction. If they hadn't been leaving the Warrior area and entering the part of the Palace open to everyone, she would have been sure it was her imagination. People watched them as they passed, the warriors openly staring at her. Selfconsciously, she brushed a loose strand of hair from her face, wondered if her state of mind, if the heat Daggar fanned between them showed to all these strangers. What a mortifying thought.

It's nothing, Kendall. They've simply heard the Earthling
doctor is my der'lan.

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His voice in her head stoked the fire raging inside her rather than soothed it. She fought panic. She couldn't let anyone see her so out of control, couldn't function in a social setting like this.

Easy, baby. Breathe. You're fine.

She almost laughed past the bitterness clogging her throat. Really? Would she ever be fine again?

Kendall!
His voice was sharp in her mind.
Do I need to
take you back?

Return her to her room like some intractable child? Not damned likely. She fought against the need, the lust she felt. Daggar stayed in her mind, but she felt the desire recede as if locked behind a wall and realized she'd been feeling his need as well as her own. Damn him. Had he swamped her in sensation like that on purpose? To prove what point?