She drew in a shaky breath, knowing he’d just felt the bang of her pulse. Her hands gripped the long strips of muscle that stretched over his flanks and wrapped downward to his hard stomach. Lower, his cock was hard and nudging the hem of her skirt. Just behind it dew gathered within the petals of her flower.
“Why do you care whether I enjoy sex with you? Men don’t need a woman’s pleasure to have theirs.”
“Not accurate.”
She looked up into his dark eyes.
“You’re lying. Many, many women on Orius have told each other that unfortunate truth.”
“It’s one truth. And maybe it’s the only one on Orius.”
“What other truth is there? What’s true for you?”
“I’ve felt your body welcome mine. I’ve tasted the way you crave my touch. Even after I punish your gorgeous ass, you spread your legs willingly.”
She drew back, trying to retreat onto the mattress, but his arm around her prevented it.
“I’m not a whore,” she said, but she wondered whether she might have been turned into one for them. What decent Orium girl would endure such pain and humiliation and still want to lie with the men who forced her to endure it?
“I know you’re not.”
Her gaze darted up to meet his eyes. “I’ve lost my way. I felt that I should submit because of what we did to Larsinc. I was trying to make up for that. I didn’t feel like I had a choice!” Her voice had come out too high and loud. “Can you let go? I want to sit on my bed. I want to be alone actually.”
“Doubtful.”
She let go of his sides and wedged her arms in front of her, pressing on his chest. He released her, and she fell back, landing on the mattress. She pushed herself back into the corner and drew her knees up to hug them with her arms.
“Leave me alone.”
He nodded, backing out. Then the pocket door slid closed, and she gasped. The room was barely more than a closet. To her right was a wall with built-in shelves that began just above where the bunk touched it. On one, there was a water dispenser and cup, but otherwise they were empty. To her left was a meter of space to the closed door.
She tried to slow her breathing. It was eerie to be boxed in so completely.
She pushed her feet under the linen spread and stretched out to lie on her back. That eased her rising claustrophobia, but only for a few moments.
“Hello?” she called. She climbed from the bunk and looked for a lever to open the door. Not finding one, she started to rap on it. “Hello?” she called. “I need—let me out! Do you hear? Let me out!”
The door slid open, and she darted under Wex’s arm to escape.
“I’m not sleeping in there. I’m never going in there again!” she said, breathing hard.
His gaze dropped to her heaving breasts. She covered them quickly with her arms.
“You won’t have to. Any of us will share a bed with you.”
* * *
The remainder of theday was spent on small menial tasks that were apparently associated with preparing to leave the ship for a period of time. She followed instructions with a minimum of questions, since everyone seemed to be working as hard as she was.
When she was exhausted, she was placed in Wex’s bed for a nap. She thought one—or more than one—of them would come in to fuck her, but her sleep went undisturbed.
She woke to darkness and the sensation of rocking. There was something in her mouth. One of those gags, she realized. She tried to move her arms, but found they wouldn’t budge. Each wrist was tethered to something strapped around each of her upper thighs.
“It’s all right,” Wex whispered. “We’re in a boat. We’ll uncover your eyes soon.”
She made noises from behind the gag until she was lifted and pulled onto what felt like a bench seat. Her back was pressed against a bare chest and a hand squeezed her throat in warning.
Warm breath husked into her ear and then whispered words. “No sound.” Tok’s voice was barely audible, but she stilled against him and fell silent. His grip on her throat eased, but his warm rough palm stayed against it. His welcome scent drifted into her nose, along with something unrecognizable, a salty aroma.
