Page 44 of Bought and Shared
“To talk,” she tells me in an attempt to soothe my inner beast.
I raise an arched brow. “And?”
“He still wants us to wed when my contract is up,” she reluctantly divulges, apparently, by her tone of voice, knowing it will only fan the flames of discontent inside of me even higher.
My hands tighten protectively around her thin arms. My cock hardens to steel with the need to prove my claim by rutting her so completely no one can ever challenge the issue again. Itdamn near drills a hole through my uniform, demanding to drive inside of my mate and erase the thought of any other male, past or present, from her memory.
Fighting to seem calm, I look into her eyes and tuck a loose strand of hair behind the delicate shell of her ear. “And what did you tell him?”
“The truth. I don’t want to get married to him and live the sheltered, powerless life I did before. I want to go to college and travel,” she blurts out, her truth overflowing like a plugged sink. “I don’t want to be trapped in District Six for even one more day. There’s nothing left for me there. For me, it was like a lifelong prison sentence. Now that I’m free, I want tolive.”
I can tell she’s being sincere by the way her eyes sparkle with unspent moisture by the time she finishes her impassioned speech. Her honesty is like a balm to my heated soul, calming me in ways nothing else can.
“What do you want to go to college for?” I inquire with genuine curiosity.
Aurora blinks at my question and draws in a deep breath. “I was thinking, if I learned Voltanese well enough, that maybe I could be an interpreter. Or a cultural ambassador to places like District Six where they’re in desperate need of development, medical supplies, and better educational opportunities for the children and young adults. As I’m sure you’re well aware, my people don’t open up to just anyone. Someone like me, a person who was raised in the community, could help bridge the gap between both societies so that they can live in relative harmony amongst one another.”
I was floored by her revelation. Not only because it would be good for my mate’s self-confidence to further her education, but because Aurora’s suggestion is a brilliant one. This “bridge” is exactly the kind of thing our two cultures need to better understand and connect. Human ambassadors who know both worlds well can help unite the divide in ways the Voltan alone never could.
Snuggling her close, I kiss her forehead softly. “If you’d like to go back to school, Kitten, I can arrange that.”
Aurora softens in my arms and smiles. “As soon as I earn enough money to go, I’ll take you up on that offer.”
Nipping her neck, I delight in the shiver that courses through her small frame. “It’s our job to take care of you, Aurora. Knox and I will pay for it. No arguments allowed.”
Aurora gasps, and incredulous expression on her lovely face, and her eyes become even more glossy with unshed tears. “I can’t ask you to do that.”
“You’re not asking me to,” I remind her. “I’m telling you we want to do this for you. This is what a true union looks like,” I tell her. “Give and take. We have it to give, so it is yours to take. Just as we take all the delights you have to give to us.”
Unable to speak, as she’s apparently too overwhelmed by her emotions, Aurora once more allows her attention to drop down to her bare feet.
Tipping her chin upward so that she can’t avoid my gaze, I say, “Doesn’t that feel better? Telling me the truth?”
Like a thousand pounds has been taken off her shoulder, Aurora sighs. “Yes, it does. Thank you, Oren.”
My hands cup her rear end and drive her hips against the massive bulge in my pants. “Good, now I’m going to need you to get into my bedroom, sit on the edge of the bed, and put your hands behind your back.”
Aurora cants her head to the side. “Why?”
“Because,” I tell her, a smirk playing across my lips, “I need to teach you a lesson about keeping secrets from your Master.”
Reaching for my belt, I unclasp the buckle and begin to slowly drag the leather through the loops.
Aurora
“But I told you the truth!” I protest, shocked by this unexpected turn of events.
Oren gives me a wry smile. “Only after I cajoled you into sharing it with me.”
I back up a few steps, feeling very vulnerable. Not only am I naked, but the man is a virtual giant in comparison to me.
“But I did tell you,” I argue, ready to bolt. “And I wasn’t keeping it a secret to begin with. I just wasn’t sure how to broach the subject. You aren’t exactly the easiest man to talk to,” I foolishly point out.
“And that’s why I’m not using this,” he flashes his leather belt at me as he advances, “on your backside.”
Oh God! If he’s not going to spank me with it, what in the world is he doing with that belt?
Panic-stricken, I turn and run. I’m not sure what I’m thinking, or even if I am. It’s a purely instinctual move, a flight or fight response, and I’ve clearly chosen flight against this formidable foe.
