Master of Her Heart (Sons of Amber Book 2) Read online

  The pirate didn’t even blink an eye when Mike said he wanted fifty women. The thought that this bastard might be used to sending even larger quantities of human women to the jit’suku home galaxy made Mike wince. This smuggling ring was much worse than he’d thought.

  He also wondered why jit’suku women were so rare. From all reports before the war had started in earnest, jit’suku were much like humans in that about fifty percent of their population was male and roughly fifty percent female. Certainly the cultural differences were great, causing most jit women to stay on their home worlds with only the males venturing to the stars and making war on the Milky Way Galaxy.

  Mike couldn’t come right out and ask why women were suddenly such a rare commodity, though he sorely wanted to. The pirate leader’s words had alluded to some great tragedy and Mike had a sneaking suspicion—based on mounting evidence—the jit civilization was in dire straits.

  But he couldn’t talk freely about any of this. Not yet. He knew they were most likely still being monitored. There was no help for it. They’d have to stay the night in this sector of the station, which would probably cause havoc on the legit side of the base. Smithson would be wondering where they were, trying to find them and figure out what they were inspecting incognito for so long. It would drive the woman crazy. Mike liked the idea of that—as long as she didn’t figure out exactly where they were. He’d laid the groundwork before ever leaving Atlantia Station and contingency messages would be sent from his base that would send her searching for them in all the wrong directions.

  They arrived back at the small compartment they’d used earlier and Mike motioned for Leah to precede him through the door. He couldn’t keep his eyes off her pretty ass, plugged and primed, ready for him. Ty would be part of this, too. Mike had noted the way Ty’s touch excited Leah when they’d played to the crowd. He wouldn’t let Ty take her pussy—that was for Mike alone—but he’d let his brother participate in other ways. Ty probably needed relief as badly as he did, and Mike wanted to give this experience to Leah. Few human women even knew one lover in these dark days, much less two at once.

  If any woman deserved all the pleasure he could bring her, it was Leah. She was the most important person in the universe to him and he’d keep her safe any way he could. For now, if keeping her safe—keeping their cover story in tact—meant showing her a pleasure she’d never had, so be it. She’d love it. He’d make certain of it.

  *

  Leah walked gingerly into the small cabin. The plug wasn’t exactly uncomfortable, but it was definitely strange. Michael’s possessive gaze seared her skin and she schooled herself not to show too much alarm when Ty followed them into the compartment as if he belonged there. No doubt the jit pirates who were monitoring them expected both men to have her. The forbidden thought of such decadence sent a secret thrill up her spine.

  All she really needed was Michael, but she’d be lying if she said she didn’t think Ty was gorgeous. She knew he liked her as well. He’d flirted and propositioned her so many times, it had become a joke between them, but she knew deep down, he truly admired her. Had her heart not been set on Michael from almost the first moment she met him, Ty would definitely have been on her “to do” list.

  She chuckled inwardly, knowing the wickedness of her thoughts reflected in the sparkle of her eyes. Michael was watching her every move, searching her expression subtly, while Ty’s gaze feasted on her body. Between the two, she counted herself a very lucky woman indeed.

  “Get on the bed.” Michael’s commanding voice sent a shiver down her spine. She moved past him toward the bed, yelping when his open palm smacked her ass. “Get a move on, girl.” Both men chuckled as she scrambled onto the bed. “Hands and knees, Lilla,” Michael instructed. She moved quickly to obey, feeling dreadfully exposed. She looked back at the men over her shoulder, a little thrill going through her as she caught the expressions of lust in their eyes—focused on her. Who’d have believed it?

  “She has a great ass.” Ty licked his lips as she watched, her own mouth going dry at the flare of heat in her body.

  “I may let you have it later, but you aren’t getting any pussy. I’m trying to breed her.” The bold statement got Ty’s attention, she saw. The men shared a long, penetrating look before Ty nodded and moved toward the head of the bed. She followed his progress, feeling the heat of Michael as he took his position behind her. His hands flowed over her back and waist, down to the cheeks of her butt and lower, over her thighs. His caresses brought a moan to her throat as she closed her eyes in ecstasy.

  “Eyes up, girl,” Ty’s voice came from just in front of her. She opened her eyes to discover a long, thick, hard cock positioned just in front of her. Ty. He waited for her to look up, coaxing her with a finger under her chin. His smile was pure deviltry as he winked at her. “Lick me, sweetheart. I’ve been dreaming of this.”

  “Do as he says.” Michael’s voice challenged her, the Dominant tone exciting her even more.

  Swallowing hard to gather her courage, Leah bent her head the short distance needed to touch her tongue to Ty’s magnificent cock. She noted the slight tremble of his limbs with satisfaction, but lost her train of thought when Ty pushed forward, invading her mouth at the same moment Michael tugged the plug from her bottom in one smooth motion.

  The dual sensations made her gasp, but Michael soothed her with gentle hands on her bottom as Ty filled her mouth with a demanding hardness.

  “She’s good, Mik. With a little training, she’ll be an expert.”

  A dark chuckle sounded from behind her.

  “She’s already come a long way, but I’m enjoying every minute of the process.”

  “I just bet you are.” Ty dug his fingers into her hair. The move probably looked fierce to an observer, but his fingers were gentle as he coaxed her eyes to his. “You’re beautiful, doll. Just keep doing that.” She pulled strongly, holding his gaze. “Oh, yeah. Suck it, baby.”

  She was getting into a rhythm, coached by Ty’s demanding hands in her hair, when Michael pushed into her with no warning. She was so ready, though, it didn’t matter. He slid home with little fuss, causing the most delightful chills up and down her spine. The two men set to work then, one moving forward while the other retreated. She was being fucked on both ends with little to do except try to keep up.

  She was on the verge of being completely overwhelmed by two Sons of Amber working in concert. One was more than enough for any woman, but to have two pleasuring her went beyond the realm of dreams. Her passion drew higher, into a place she had never quite reached before.

  Ty came first, shooting down her throat. He eased up, giving her a chance to breathe at the very last, but she took all he offered and finished him with stroking licks that made him grin. Then it was Michael’s turn.

  He powered into her, climaxing with a grunt that she’d never heard from him before. He released inside her while Ty held her shoulders, helping her withstand the force of Michael’s final thrusts as well as her own shuddering orgasm. Her arms went weak and only Ty saved her from flopping face-first onto the bed. He stroked her shoulders as she gasped, holding her close as he sat on the bed, cradling her head with his strong thighs.

  Stuck between two lusty Sons of Amber was a position she’d remember fondly for the rest of her life.

  Leah collapsed on the bed, wrung out and asleep almost as soon as he moved to take her in his arms. Michael felt a pang in his heart as he held her, stroking her hair. This woman was so special to him. He’d liked giving her an experience few women knew these days, but at the same time he worried.

  It was an unfamiliar sensation. Michael Amber seldom worried about anything, much less a woman’s affections. More often, he was dodging unwanted declarations of undying love. This time, he worried about hearing just such words from Leah—for him alone. He realized with some shock he was actually jealous of Ty’s role in bringing her to fulfillment. He wanted to reserve her cries of joy for his ears alone.

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nbsp; While he didn’t begrudge his brother, or Leah, this moment out of time, he knew he didn’t want to repeat it. But what if she did? What if he wasn’t enough for her? That had him truly worried.

  Ty caught his attention as he stood from the other side of the bed and shrugged into his clothes.

  “You’ve got one hell of a woman there, Mik. Thanks for sharing.”

  “Anytime, my friend.” The words were said carelessly, but the silent message in Michael’s eyes was seen and understood as Ty nodded just once.

  Mike wanted to talk to Ty about the conflict inside him. His brother would understand, if anyone. But they were still being monitored by the pirates and the mission had to come first.

  “I’ll leave you to her, then,” Ty nodded at the unconscious woman in Mike’s arms. “See you tomorrow.”

  With a parting wave, Ty left and Michael pulled the thin cover over Leah and himself, wrapping her in his arms. He held her through the night, lying awake for hours, contemplating the warm feel of her, the delicious taste of her skin, and the uncertainty of their future. Could he make a life for them together? Would she welcome the idea? It would be hard for a Son to take himself off the market, but a few of his brothers had done it. The question was, could he? He didn’t know, but with Leah—for Leah—he’d like to try.

  She meant more to him than anything, or anyone, in the universe. When this mission was over, he’d take the plunge. He wanted her in his life on a permanent basis. He wanted her tied to him with irrevocable bonds. He wanted her. Period.

  Now the question remained to haunt his sleep—did she want him in return?

  CHAPTER TEN

  Michael was sleeping soundly when Leah woke the next day. Unaccustomed to lying about when there was work to be done, she decided to do what she could for their mission. She doubted any of the pirates would give her trouble. Michael’s ownership had been clearly established the night before.

  Rummaging through the small closet quietly, she found some clothing to wear before peeping out into the hall. It was deserted, but she smelled the faint aroma of cooking food. That’s where the women would probably be, considering the jits had specific gender roles and food preparation was firmly in the female realm of responsibility.

  Following her nose, Leah was pleased when her scouting mission ended in a relatively large kitchen compartment where about a half dozen human women worked and talked quietly, preparing breakfast. One of them saw Leah standing in the doorway and beckoned her over.

  “Fetching breakfast for your man?”

  The woman’s expression was friendly enough. Leah nodded, not sure what to say to these women. They seemed happy enough to be prisoners of the jit’suku, which struck her odd at first. But then, there were few human men left and there had always been women who reveled in being simply the companion and bedmate of a strong male. Leah didn’t quite understand it herself, but she knew enough about human psychology to at least guess at what might motivate some of these women.

  “I’m Lilla.” She decided introductions might start the ball rolling.

  “Nedda,” said the woman while stirring a big pot of protein porridge the jits seemed to favor. “That’s Julie,” she pointed to a pregnant woman sitting at the table, “Billy Jo and Una are over there by the refrigeration unit, and Cassie and Kim are working on the bread.”

  “Is there anything I can do to help?” Her offer was met with a friendly smile as Nedda handed her a grinder and something that looked like a root.

  “Hold that over the pot and grate this snillet until I say stop.”

  Leah did as she was told, gratified by the slightly cinnamon smell rising from the alien snillet as she ground it up into little slivers that fell into the porridge pot.

  *

  Leah returned to the bedroom compartment about an hour later with breakfast and a great deal of information. She knew the smile on her face was smug, but she couldn’t help herself. Michael would be proud of her, once she figured out how to convey her intel without alerting those who were undoubtedly monitoring them.

  That might prove difficult, but she’d come this far. She’d figure a way to drop it into the conversation.

  “Where’ve you been?” Michael’s harsh tone put a little damper on her spirits, but she wouldn’t let him get to her.

  “I got breakfast, Master.”

  Just that quick, the worry in his eyes changed to guarded observation. Slowly he nodded. “You may serve me.”

  She had to stop herself from laughing at his kingly tone and set about serving him breakfast in bed like the dictator he was pretending to be. His gaze followed her every move.

  “Where did you get this food?”

  “I found a kitchen where some of the other women were cooking breakfast for the group. I helped and they let me borrow the tray and utensils when I left. They’re very nice, especially since most of them are here by choice.”

  “Unlike you?”

  “No, Master,” she was quick to answer as he pulled her down by one hand to sit on the side of the bed. “Like them, I started out as your prisoner, but now I want to stay. I like having a man in my life again. Truly.” She was playing a part, but the love in the hand that rose to stroke down his shoulder to his chest was real. Still, she had to stay on track here. There was something Michael really needed to know. “Especially since all your jit women are dead. Don’t you think it’s fate? That the virus that killed all our males turned back on your people and killed your women?”

  She felt Michael’s muscles tense, but his expression stayed cool. “Perhaps only fate could be so cruel,” he said after some moments. His hand cupped the back of her neck and he pulled her in for a kiss. “You’re a beautiful woman, Lilla, and an obedient slave. Sometimes.”

  He was teasing her. “But you like it when I disobey. Don’t you, Master?”

  He nodded, nibbling at her lips. “As much as you do, sweetheart.”

  She reveled in his kiss until her conscience stopped her. She had to tell him the rest. She pulled away just slightly. “I’m glad the mutated virus doesn’t affect human women. I understand now why you captured me, Master. If I were a warrior, I’d have lassoed any man I could find when all of ours died. Your people are suffering, just like mine did, and I’m sorry for it.”

  “You have a compassionate heart, Lil.”

  Mike would be damned if Leah hadn’t just handed him the biggest piece of intel he’d received thus far. Could it be true the jit virus had turned back on its creators? That would certainly be some kind of poetic justice, though a tragedy to be sure.

  Mike worked hard to hide his racing thoughts. Kissing Leah was a good way to disguise his internal upset at the news of such staggering death in the jit’suku galaxy, but it was also distracting. He set her away and tried to smile.

  “No time for that now, wench. I have work to do today.” He slapped her curvy ass playfully as he rooted around for his clothes. She’d folded them and placed them on the room’s only chair like a good little slave. Playing the part, he knew, but it felt kind of nice to have a woman care for his things—and care for him, if he read the gesture right. “Gather our stuff, we’re heading out.”

  She buzzed around the small room, doing his bidding. They didn’t have a lot of things with them, but it wouldn’t do to leave anything behind. Leah was ready by the time he’d dressed. They ate together quickly and then headed out of the small compartment. Michael wasn’t letting her out of his sight for a moment. Not now. Not ever.

  He found the pirate leader in the same common room from the night before, eating breakfast. A few of his men were there as well, but most looked half-awake after a night of debauchery.

  Michael sat opposite the captain and tried hard to repress his excitement. This op was nearing its conclusion. All he had to do now was finesse all the players into position. That would start now, with this man.

  “I have some other business I need to attend to,” Michael said. “Can you help me with the fifty or not?”r />
  The captain sat back, eyeing him. Just when Michael was sure he’d overplayed his hand, the man dug out a crystal from his pocket and rolled it across the table.

  “The information’s on there. Coordinates, instructions for credit transfer, and everything else you’ll need. Be ready tonight at seventeen hundred station time.”

  Mike thought fast. That would be cutting it close, but it could be done. He had his troops on alert, waiting for his signal. He nodded to the jit captain.

  “I’ll be ready.” Michael stood, noting Leah’s warm presence behind him. “Thanks for your hospitality, Captain.” He reached across the table to shake hands the way jits did—a bone-jarring elbow clasp—and quickly took his leave.

  On the way out of the room he caught Ty’s eye and with a silent signal, their plan went into motion. Michael knew Ty would be taking his leave of the pirates shortly, though he’d be monitoring their movements closely while the strike force prepared. As for the troops, Michael would take great pleasure in leading the team himself, though of course he’d be helmeted like all the other troopers, so it was likely the pirates wouldn’t even recognize him.

  He’d remember them, though. And he’d be on the lookout for certain particular devils he’d taken note of last night. Some of these men were worse than barbarians. They were downright cruel in the way they treated the women.

  Mike knew they were being followed as they ducked into the access tubes that would bring them to the docking area. No doubt the pirates wanted to be certain just where their new contacts were going. Of course, he’d planned ahead. There was a small civilian craft waiting for them, which they used to their advantage. Mik and Leah got on the craft, greeting the specialist they’d assigned to this particular task, a veteran named Suzette. She was a crack pilot and something of an ace. She was also one of Leah’s closest friends and a trusted member of the command staff.