Contract to Pleasure Read online

  “No. There is much to be done back home, Father. You have to reassure the Federation that war with Xerex is not inevitable after all.” Tamara was all too familiar with the mantle of responsibility that weighed heavily on her father’s shoulders.

  “All right,” he conceded. Letting her go, Joseph Conway addressed Kendrick. “I despise this agreement. However, Tamara is a grown woman, long past the age of making decisions about her own life. So help me, Kendrick, if any harm comes to my daughter, I will kill you.” Tamara knew the threat was an empty one and prayed that Kendrick would not take offense.

  “I have no intention of harming her. Rest assured, Bandar will be Earth’s willing ally should Xerex decide to go ahead with war.”

  “I’m sure you understand if I leave right away.” Joseph took his daughter’s hands and drew her away from Kendrick. “Are you sure you know what you’re doing?” He spoke quietly, words only meant for the two of them.

  “Don’t worry about me. I can take care of myself.”

  “I have no doubt that you can hold your own against Kendrick. You are a strong woman, much like your mother.”

  Tamara allowed herself a smile in an effort to silence his concerns. “I will be home soon, before you even know it. And you can get in touch with me anytime, Father. It’s not as if I will be a prisoner.”

  Joseph laid a hand directly over her heart. “Take care here.”

  “This is an agreement between Kendrick and I. Love does not enter into it. Nor will it ever.” How could it? This was purely physical. She must look at it as a business arrangement of sorts. Emotions had no place in this. At least she could console herself with the fact she would be getting a lot of sex soon. Just what Lara said she needed.

  * * *

  “This way, miss.”

  Tamara followed Ina down the wide, window-lined hallway leading to Kendrick’s private rooms. She admired the woman’s tall willowy form. Her back was bare, graceful and tanned. Her lower body was covered only in the sheer, short skirt that palace staffers wore. When Kendrick had summoned Ina earlier and instructed her to show Tamara to his room, the other woman had given him a quick, intimate smile. Kendrick had a reputation, and he certainly didn’t get that without having lovers before.

  So why did she feel a quick and unexpected twinge of jealousy at the gesture?

  Ina opened the doors to Kendrick’s room, revealing a distinctly masculine room done in shades of bronze and cream. It was spacious, with enough room for a sitting area. A huge four-poster bed set on a raised platform dominated the main bedroom. The sheets and pillows were covered in sumptuous silk, matching the window drapes made of a heavier, similar colored material. The room was fit for a king.

  “Will you need anything else?” Ina’s voice was smooth, her expression bland.

  Tamara tried to discern any anger or resentment from the other woman. All she saw from Ina was polite regard. If she resented Tamara’s presence, she showed no signs of it. “No, thank you.”

  Ina gave her a slight bow before leaving quietly. As soon as the door closed, Tamara sat on the deep, cushioned chair facing the window. Now that everything was all said and done, she realized she did not feel a single iota of regret or fear. Instead, excited anticipation made her pulse race, and all her nerve endings seemed to have come to life. What is the matter with me? A few kisses and hot caresses and I’m out of my head with eagerness to occupy his bed.

  Since she’d always been honest with herself, Tamara conceded there was a certain relief in being able to admit that she was sexually attracted to Kendrick. Now that she’d made her decision to stay here in Bandar, it was easier to accept the truth.

  Kendrick walked in. Speaking of the devil. As he approached, a sharp, sensual awareness passed between them. Her lower belly fluttered as she was immediately caught in the sexual magnetism of his presence.

  Tamara said the first words that came to mind. “I don’t have any clothes.”

  His lips twitched. “I’ll have Ina get you what you need.”

  From all indications, Ina plays a big role in Kendrick’s household. How big, I wonder? Does he sleep with her? What do I care?

  “I’d appreciate it.” She stood up, feeling restless. “I need to freshen up.”

  “All right.” Kendrick began unbuttoning his shirt.

  Tamara stilled. “Just show me where it is.”

  He didn’t miss a beat, just continued undoing the buttons before he dropped the shirt on the floor. She lost her breath somewhere between her lungs and throat at the sight of his sculpted chest. Feelings she had previously denied rushed to the surface with a vengeance. Soon she would be touching all the taut, silken flesh now on display.

  Kendrick undid his pants and, casual as you please, pushed them down. Her lips formed a silent O. He was already erect, long and thick, capped by a broad, plum shaped head. Tamara’s mouth went dry. The tingling in the pit of her stomach intensified and she drew in a sharp breath. She could feel him watching her, waiting for what she would do next. Forcing her eyes to travel up his body, she boldly returned his look. In spite of the nature of their agreement, Tamara wanted, at the very least, to try to be on an equal footing with Kendrick in the bedroom. He was a dominant man, one used to getting his own way and expecting his wishes to be followed.

  On the other hand, she’d never been the docile type. Nobody had ever accused her of being a shrinking violet. She’d always been a firm believer in starting as she meant to go on. After all, she’d come into this with her eyes open. Following his lead, she undressed. She tossed her clothes aside and bared her body without reservation.

  Kendrick’s gut twisted sharply upon seeing Tamara naked. He drank in the sight of her generously curved body. Dreams did not even come close to reality. The very same need he felt in Demeter was now threatening to overpower his control. He just wanted to push his cock inside her and rut like a mindless animal.

  With long, determined strides, he reached her side and backed her against the nearest wall. There was no need for words. Kendrick simply took what he already knew was his and kissed her. Her lips were soft and yielding as he thrust his tongue inside the warm cavern of her mouth. He knew he was being less than gentle, but he couldn’t help himself. May the gods of Bandar curse him, he was not waiting one more moment.

  He grabbed her thick hair, tugged her head back and devoured her with deep kisses. He was encouraged by her response, feeling her boldly kiss him back, participating in a slippery duel of tongues that inflamed him further.

  The full curve of her breast beckoned and he answered the call. Holding the heavy weight in his palm made him growl and he pinched the stiff tip. Her moan matched the tight knot of need centering in his cock.

  “Yes,” she whispered, arching against him. “Do it again.”

  He let her have what she wanted, loving the little cries of pure pleasure she uttered. He bent low, pulled one taut nipple into his mouth, and suckled hard. She tasted delicious, like the sweetest Bandarian fruit plucked in the height of harvest season.

  Kendrick drew moans from her with deep, rhythmic strokes, instinctively knowing Tamara didn’t want gentleness. The soft mounds were perfect for him, large and succulent, generous and giving of her taste. The pink nipples were puckered tightly, begging to be squeezed and pulled. He bit down on one, scraping it with his teeth, administering just the right amount of sting to heighten her pleasure.

  Tamara cried out, writhing against him. Her hips brushed against him, soft tantalizing touches that threatened to shatter his control. She tugged at his hair, directing him to her waiting breast and he didn’t disappoint her. Soon, she was moaning and whimpering with abandon, pleading with him in a husky little voice for more. Her nipple slipped out of his mouth with a small popping sound. Unable to help himself, he gently bit down on the underside of her plump flesh and gave her a love bite.

  She pulled him close, trembling. Wanting to stamp his possession on her, he did the same to the other one. He wanted her t
o see his mark and remember who she belonged to now. The little bite gleamed bright on her white skin. Savage satisfaction rolled through him at the sight. “You carry my mark now.”

  Kendrick picked her up in his arms and carried her to the massive bed. He followed her down, nuzzling her neck, drinking in her fragrance. To his surprise, he felt her bite him on his chest before she ran her tongue sensuously over the spot.

  “You carry my mark now too,” she whispered.

  He chuckled. “You can mark me anytime, Tamara. Just as I’ll make sure you’ll always carry mine.” Her strength and her stubbornness were refreshing. He looked forward to taming her in bed.

  Tamara melted at the fire in his eyes. She didn’t know what possessed her to give him that little love bite. It had been an impulse to mark him as he’d marked her. Kendrick bent low and kissed her once more, sucking her tongue into his mouth. Little fingers of heat crawled up her body, coalescing into one big fireball in her pussy. Her senses swam as she hung on to him, running her hands over his smooth skin. His muscles rippled under her touch. What was happening to her? She’d never been this hot for any man. She’d never been this hot, period. He suckled her once more. She felt the sensation deep inside her, straight to the clenching muscles of her wet pussy.

  “Oh, God,” she whispered, trembling. His eyes were so dark, so hot they almost singed her. She looked at his cock and licked her lips. God she wanted to wrap her hand around his straining cock. Mercy, he was big. Her fingers would not enclose his shaft. How could she ever hope to take him inside her?

  “You will,” he muttered in response to her unasked question. “I’ll bury my cock deep inside you and you’ll take every single inch of me.”

  Her pulse thudded at the thought and brought fresh moisture to her already flooded pussy.

  “Before the night is over, I’ll have you screaming my name, Tamara.”

  He sounded so damned confident that she wanted to rattle his control. “Make me then,” she dared to say to him. Two could play this game. She wanted him wild and out of control. She wanted him to fuck her rough and hard, ride her the way she had always wanted a man to ride her.

  He uttered a soft laugh, pushing her legs apart and circling her dripping sex with two fingers. “Is that a challenge?”

  Her pussy clenched tightly in anticipation. “Are we going to talk all night or are you going to make me scream your name?”

  Kendrick’s cat-like eyes gleamed. “Before the night is through, the whole palace will hear you scream with pleasure.”

  Yes. Yes. Now. “Promises, promises,” she replied audaciously. She wanted to drive him crazy and out of control. Let him see that she wasn’t a pushover.

  “This is a dangerous game you play, Tamara,” he warned in a soft tone.

  Tamara looked at him with sultry, inviting eyes. What was the harm in him feeling as off balance as she was? “Fuck me, Kendrick. Now.”

  “You will come for me first.” Kendrick pushed her legs apart and his lips took over where his fingers had been. His tongue, agile and insistent, pushed aside the damp folds of her pussy and speared the slit, penetrating deeply. Holding her hips tight, he held her securely, not allowing her to move, keeping her in place for his wicked tongue. I’ve just gone to heaven.

  Tamara lost all sense of time and place. She forgot why she was here, forgot about the bargain she made with him, forgot about everything else. The only things that existed in her universe were his lips and tongue clamped to her pussy, driving her insane. Low animal sounds issued from low down in her throat, strangled moans she couldn’t hold back.

  Her orgasm was instantaneous and so sharp, it bordered on pain. Her breath locked in her lungs before gushing out in hurried, heavy pants as the torrents of pleasure tore through her. Tamara bit her lip, trembling violently, fingers clenched on the silky sheets, crumpling them in her hands. Kendrick slowed down, giving her soothing licks, curling around and around her swollen clit. He wasn’t done yet. She’d no sooner felt the contractions gradually fade when he started the whole exhilarating ride all over again. He coaxed her ultra-sensitive, aching clit to stiffness with light tickling touches and persistent manipulation. “No,” she mumbled in a daze.

  “Yes,” he growled against her pulsing clit. “You will do everything I want you to do. After tonight, I will be the master of your body, Tamara.”

  Her eyes flew open, snapping to his. “You’re not that good,” she managed to say, though noticeably lacking in the disdain she wanted to convey.

  Kendrick grinned, his lips glistening with her juice. “Is this another challenge?”

  Tamara pushed herself up on her elbows and looked down to where he was nestled between her legs. “Your arrogance astounds me.” Why did her voice have to sound so damned husky and satisfied?

  “You see confidence as arrogance?”

  Satiation seeped through her bones, yet every nerve ending she possessed was alive and singing. “Confidence?” she snorted.

  “You cannot deny your response to me.” Kendrick slowly slid up her body, angling his lower body so that the thick, round head of his cock rubbed against her splayed center. Tamara tried to twist away, her pussy still humming with her recent orgasm, but found she couldn’t.

  Instead, she used the only weapon that was available to her in this battle of wills. She raised her hips and rubbed against his cock, delighting in his sharp indrawn breath. “Neither can you,” she countered smugly.

  “We’re alike then. I want to fuck you until you beg for mercy. I want to feel you tighten around me, your wetness surrounding my cock.” The broad head slipped inside her, stretching the tender tissues.

  Tamara caught her breath.

  He slid in a little bit more, spearing the pliant tissues. She squirmed beneath him, shivering with pleasure. He was so thick. Her body was adjusting to take him in. Before she could brace herself, Kendrick pushed in, forcing through without warning, making her take his length all the way in. “I don’t like human mind games,” he warned in a guttural voice.

  She was panting, desperately clenching around his thick shaft as he began a leisurely pumping motion. Her mind spun. All she could focus on was the incredible feeling of his cock inside her and how she could make him fuck her harder. Tamara gripped his arms, his skin covered by a fine sheen of sweat. “Faster.”

  Kendrick maintained the maddening, thorough strokes. In and out. He slid back to the point of slipping out before going back in, his rhythm slow and deliberate. Every up stroke of his cock brushed against that spot in her channel that intensified her pleasure and made her shudder. It was all so controlled, so calculated. He dictated the pace. She wrapped her legs around his hips, opening herself more, inviting a harder, rougher fuck. Still he held back. He was intent on making her wait.

  “Damn you,” she whispered fiercely. “Give it to me harder.”

  His nostrils flared. His pupils dilated with his own pleasure. Her words went unheeded, and Tamara felt like she was going insane. She was panting, uttering soft pleas. She cried out when he withdrew completely and flipped her onto her stomach. Behind her, he pushed her legs wide apart. Tamara braced her knees on the bed as he pulled her back against him. Kendrick pushed into her, penetrating her deeper, fucking her hard and rough, giving her what she’d been asking for.

  “Ohhhh!”

  Wrapping one arm around her, he used his free hand to cup her breast and pinch her nipple. He slammed into her again and again. Needing to hold onto him, she gripped him wherever she could, arching against his hard body. Holding her in place, he switched his attention to her clit, bringing his hand down to manipulate the swollen nubbin.

  Tamara jerked against him, held fast and tight, unable to move. He fucked her without mercy, never missing a beat, an animal intent on subduing her with pleasure. He strummed her clit like an expert musician, driving her higher and higher. Her moans and his grunts filled the room. Every fiber of her being tightened as she drew closer to her orgasm.

  �
�This is only the beginning, Tamara,” he grated against her ear. “I’ll fuck you whenever, however I want. You’re mine. Every part of you. Your mouth, your pussy and your ass.”

  Tamara gasped in shocked pleasure.

  “I will fuck you where no one’s ever been,” he declared with such confidence. “The ultimate act of possession. I will have it. Again and again.” Without giving her a chance to respond, he fucked her in a series of fast, mind-blowing thrusts that drove any semblance of thought from her mind.

  The tremors began from the tip of her toes, traveling like lightning up her body, sensitizing her breasts, centering in her tightly stretched pussy. Tamara gave herself up to the sensations, savoring every second, instinctively knowing and accepting that among all the lovers she had, only Kendrick knew how to fuck her exactly the way she wanted it. He gave it to her hard and fast, no thought to gentleness. He rode her vigorously, slamming into her repeatedly, ruthless in pushing her to her limits.

  Tamara jerked against him, gasping as the hard shaft of flesh penetrated her again and again. The tension built and spiraled higher and higher until she exploded with a soft cry of surrender. Dimly, she heard him groan her name and milked him with her pussy. Hot liquid splashed against her inner walls. She shuddered violently, clinging to him, her only anchor amid the turbulence.

  When it was over, she slumped against him, boneless and weak. Without disengaging their bodies, he laid her down on her side. Tamara was lost in the blessed numbness of sleep as soon as her face hit the pillow.

  She slept, still cradling his cock inside her pussy.

  Chapter Four

  “I said I did not want to be disturbed for any reason.”

  Orrin stifled a grin at Kendrick’s irritated tone. “I understood that,” he replied in a mild tone. “Vartan has arrived. You said you wanted to be informed when he got here.”