Page 6 of From Russia With Blood

At least her band is a dark red. If she’d been anything paler, I would have walked on. I don’t have the time nor desire to play with innocents. Which means even though her friend is alluring, that pink band makes her a no-go.

With as many demons as I have to face on this trip, I need someone who could give as good as they got. Someone with a bit of a jaded bite. Someone like me, alone, hurting, wanting. Like will always recognize like, and right now, the jagged edges of my soul cry out for hers, wanting, needing to intertwine. To become one.

Shaking my head, I slough off the sentimentality threatening to overwhelm me. I'm on a mission and need a clear head. Maybe after I’ve fucked Miss Subbie Number Five senseless, I can get back to the task at hand. Normally business and pleasure don’t go hand in hand for me, but this trip seems like the perfect way to have everything I need.

I reach into my pocket and pull out the Saint Michael medallion that belonged to my partner and close my eyes, letting my fingers trace the ridges as I remember Gloria. I don’t even have to see the coin anymore. My fingers know every nook and cranny. I’m not the religious sort, but touching this has almost become a ritual, a meditation. It reminds me of the cold, hard truth that nothing is sacred, nowhere is safe.

Pulling back, I let several people fill in the gap between the submissive and myself, needing that space to catch my breath. Until Gloria, no one had ever piqued my interest in such a profound, visceral way. Since her death, no one has even sparked a passing curiosity. I’d heard the countless stories, the adages of don’t shit where you eat, but I couldn’t resist her.

The pull was instant, electric, just like with Ms. Sassy Mouth over there. The need to pull her over my lap and wear her ass out pulses through my veins, making my dick throb and ache. That’s why I need to stay away. Such obsessions are never good. I learned my lesson once, and I’m an excellent student. I never need to be told twice.

Her ass sways as she starts up the gangplank, and my eyes zero in, glued to her curves. Oh yes, this little subbie will for sure taste the leather of my belt before this trip is over. She falters, her steps halting as she makes her way up. White knuckled, she forces one foot in front of the other. They are far enough away that I can’t hear what her friend is saying, but it doesn’t take a genius to realize that Little Miss Badass is scared of cruises. Fascinating.

My lips quirk up into a grin as I get into the ever-lengthening line. She’s not doing it on purpose, but that doesn’t matter to the other guests who pepper the air with choice expletives and sighs. Enough is enough. My main luggage is already in my room. All I have to do is put on my backpack and sling my duffle over my shoulder.

Pushing through, I ignore the gripes and jabs of the other passengers and weave my way to her. Shouts follow my wake, but I don’t care, and she doesn’t notice. It doesn’t take long at all to catch back up with them, and I stifle a laugh at just how little progress she’s made. Even her bouncy friend with the mountain of luggage is further up, tossing her impatient glances.

All looks of annoyance leave her friend’s face as she looks at me. I’m not sure if it’s the relief of knowing I’m here to take her friend in hand or if she’s worried I’ll punish her somehow. Either way, I reveal nothing as I come in behind my submissive and slide my hand about her waist. She jumps at my touch, her round eyes colliding with mine.

Arousal flares through my body as I stare down into her pale blue eyes rimmed with unshed tears. Poor thing is actually terrified. That shouldn’t make me even harder, but it does. Pulling her close, I bend down to whisper into her ear. The moment her scent - oranges laced with sugar - invades my brain, I’m done for.

“Listen to me. I don’t own you, not yet, but I am going to help you. What you need to do is breathe for me. That’s all we’re going to do.” She whips her head around to look at the crowd and trembles even more at the angry looks they cast her way. This just won’t do.

Grabbing her chin, I force her gaze back to me and hold her there. “Look at me. Don’t look at them. They don't matter right now. All that matters is the sound of my voice. You’re going to get through this, and once you’re on the ship, everything is going to be fine. You just have to push through for me. Okay? Just push a little bit.”

She bites down on her lower lip in the most adorable manner, and for a moment, that’s all I can look at. Everything narrows down to her luscious lips and the desire I have to bite them myself. When she shakes her head, the arousal morphs into something different, hotter, more dangerous. No one tells me no, especially not wayward subs that need obvious assistance.

“You want to get your ass whipped right here in front of all these people? Because I have no problem tearing down your pants, exposing that delectable derriere to everyone, and turning it beet red. No doubt everyone here would love to see that show.”

“But you don’t -.”

“No,” I cut her off, dragging her even closer against me until there’s no space left in between us. “I’m not. Not yet, but you and I both know this is going to happen. When it happens is up to you. I’d rather start off with a nice scene below decks, but if you keep acting like this, then I’m fully prepared to start the negotiations early.”

“As if I’d even negotiate with a third-rate archeologist.” The venom in her voice is acidic but overshadowed by the fear etched into her features as she looks over the railing.

Shaking my head, I tug her forward, shooting up a quick thank you to the heavens that she packed light. With both her and the luggage in tow, it takes several minutes, but I finally get her moving. Every so often, she shifts away to look over the side, and I grip her tighter, refusing to let her become more terrified than she already is.

“If you don’t want to negotiate,” I continue, pausing as she stays rooted to the spot, “I can always take what I want right here and now, but something tells me once you’ve got your head on straight, you’ll regret that.” Reaching down, I grab the wrist that has the armband on it and slide my tongue along the edge of the rubber, relishing in the feel of that small sliver of skin. Her body shudders next to me as she watches my action, her pupils dilating just a touch. “Your band isn’t the same as mine. I’m pretty sure you’ll regret me having my way with you.”

She merely nods up at me, all traces of anger gone. Instead, she sways a bit towards me, pupils dilating even more. Good to know I can sheath her claws so easily. With this woman on board, I might actually enjoy myself a little. Our movement up the gangplank continues as her thoughts are consumed with what I can only assume are my thinly-veiled threats.

Problem is, there’s probably a small part of her that doesn’t believe I’ll live up to my words. Many women make that mistake. They see a handsome man with boyish features and think the worst I’ll do is scold them until they decide to submit.

Each one gets it wrong. True, I do wield my words as a weapon, but there’s so much more to me that many don’t even consider. I never disavow them of their notions. It’s far too much fun to see the look on their face when I draw out my toys. Grinning, I shift the bag higher on my shoulder and draw my sexy stranger closer to me. I wonder if she’ll like the taste of my strap or my imitation barbed wire flogger better?

Squinting up at the sky, I note the clouds as they continue to roll in. Though her movements have quickened after my pep talk, we’re still not going fast enough. The last thing I want is to get drenched because this woman isn’t listening to me. Pausing again, I motion for one of the men at the ship's mouth to come down and grab her bags.

Their brows draw down as they lumber over, but they don’t put up much of a fuss. Each grabs a bag and makes their way to her friend, giving me free rein to assist Ms. Sassy my way. Enough with this polite bullshit. Before she can question what I’m doing, I drop down to grab her and encircle her waist, tossing her over my free shoulder.

The weight of her on me feels right - as if she belongs there. I force those thoughts out of my brain and refuse to delight in the feel of her breasts pressed against my upper back. Her shrieks fill the air, nearly drowning out the applause from below. Seems like I’m not the only one that wants her to get a move on. She balls her hands into fists and proceeds to pummel my back as I walk her to her awaiting friend.

“Put me the fuck down, you ape!” She screams, her voice tinged with fear. The only reason I’m not stopping right here and now to spank her bare ass is because the need to get her onboard overrides any sort of punishment. “Stop. I command you to stop!”

“Command, is it?” A laugh threatens to leave my chest as Sassy’s friend’s jaw drops in shock at the spectacle we’re making. Again, I note the pale pink band and smile, showing her all my teeth, my balls tightening as she draws back and huddles near the person checking everyone in. The woman looking at all the passes gives us a cursory glance but doesn’t interfere, and why would she? I’m not harming the wayward subbie. The flurry of blows doesn’t let up, even when I turn her to face the concierge.

Gripping her legs with one arm, I raise my other to swat her ass several times. For a moment, she stills. A moment, however, is all the reprieve she allows me. Once her brain seems to register what I did to her, she bucks against me, slapping hard at my shoulder. I just let her. Her blows feel like nothing. I’ve endured much worse.

What Ms. Sassy doesn’t know is that I’m counting each one in my head so I can pay her back blow for blow. Smirking, I set her down and grab her bags, blocking her in so she can’t escape. The people who had been waiting to board, line up behind us, effectively sealing her in. Her eyes widen as she realizes there’s no way out.