Page 11 of Surrender
She couldn’t care less about what would happen to the American officials if the Kall found her out, but she would do everything in her power to keep her mother safe.
Marry the enemy. Sleep with the enemy. Pretend I am another person entirely.
She heard the goblet click down on the table, and Merokk rose with her gathered in his arms. He lifted her easily, as if she weighed nothing. She supposed it took him no effort whatsoever to carry her, yet another reminder that she was completely at his mercy.
But even as her rational mind rebelled against all that was happening to her, she couldn’t deny that she liked being held by Merokk. His nearness and his strength brought her a cautious sense of comfort. Was she really that starved for affection?
After a moment’s hesitation, she laced her arms around his neck. No man, save for her father when she’d been young, had carried her before. She quickly pushed those bittersweet memories aside and focused on the present moment.
Inhaling the spicy, masculine scent that clung to Merokk, she pressed her cheek against the coarse fabric of his shirt and closed her eyes.
His footsteps sounded in the corridor as he carried her to her temporary room, where he sat her upright on the bed.
“Good night, little one,” he said, running his hand along her neck before turning toward the door.
“Wait!” Fiona jumped up.
He turned, his otherworldly eyes filled with surprise.
I must do this. I must make him happy.
I can’t risk him telling anyone I was rude or rebellious.
Without overthinking it, she rushed forward and knelt on the floor at his feet, bowing her head. She’d offended him, even though she’d spoken her true thoughts. He could’ve beaten her or reported her disobedience to the president, but he hadn’t, and she very much hoped to keep it that way.
“I’m sorry for the cruel things I said. Thank you for teaching me a lesson.” She remained on her knees with her head bowed, as an unexpected wave of submission rolled over her.
She stared at his massive black boots and swallowed hard, waiting for his reaction. If he decided to hurt her, she wouldn’t be able to stop him.
Suddenly, she found herself lifted up and peering into his dark eyes.
“You’re forgiven, little one.” He paused and his expression grew stern, though a glimmer of warmth remained in his eyes. “You must never speak to me that way again. I promise the next time you do, your punishment will be much more severe.”
“You’re truly going to sp-spank me if I-I…” Her voice trailed off and she stiffened in his arms. She wondered why her face was growing so hot.
Merokk studied her for a long moment, and she found herself fidgeting under his intense gaze, but he wouldn’t release her, nor would he allow her to look away.
“Yes, if you’re disobedient, little one, I will take you over my knee and redden your bottom,” he finally said, and his tone was strangely gentle.
“But what if I promise to always be good? I-I’m a grown woman and…” Her voice trailed off yet again. She flushed, trying to remember what she’d been about to stay, but she honestly couldn’t recall. She’d never felt so flustered in all her life.
He stared at her for a long while, a contemplative look entering his eyes. Tension swelled between them and she couldn’t help but anticipate what he might do or say next, even if she was a bit nervous. The intensity in his gaze caused butterflies to rise in her stomach.
“Betsy, I think we need to get this over with.” He guided her toward the bed, and she soon found herself lying stomach down over his lap. She struggled to rise up as panic shot through her senses at light speed.
“What do you mean?” she screeched, still flailing around.
“I mean, I believe a demonstration is in order. I believe this will help calm some of your fears, little one.”
“Let me up, please!” Cool air rushed over her legs as he moved her dress upward. She fought to escape but Merokk effortlessly grasped her wrists in one hand, pinning them at the small of her back. One of his legs wrapped around hers and she couldn’t move an inch, let alone escape his firm hold.
“I doubt anyone taught you about Kall sexual practices, did they?” His question took her by surprise, and the only thing between her bottom and his free hand was a pair of thin panties. His touch caused a shiver to course down her spine. And somehow, despite her fear of what was about to happen, the atmosphere in the room sizzled with excitement, and heated pulses gathered between her thighs.
“No, no one taught me anything. I already told you I didn’t expect the marriage to even be consummated.” She kept her voice calm, hoping her sudden capitulation would still his hand.
He rubbed her bottom and said, “The last Earth woman I was intimate with on the Kall homeworld said it reminded her of something humans call B-S-D-M.” He spoke the letters slowly, as if trying to place them in correct order, but Fiona knew better—though not from personal experience.
“You mean BDSM?” she asked warily.
