Lusty Charms: Invictus Read online

  She emerged through a doorway in the shadows, and all he saw was the silhouette of a tall woman. His heart seemed to stop beating. He stepped back a pace toward the door. But no, it wasn't DeMonica. This woman's shape and the way she held herself and moved was all wrong. Then he realized why he reacted to the familiarity of her.

  "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to keep you waiting," she said softly. He would have known her warm, liquid voice anywhere.

  Serena Blackstone.

  Chapter Four

  Serena moved closer but remained in the most shaded part of the room.

  "For a moment, I-I thought you were someone else," he said tonelessly, striving to control his desire.

  She was silent as she nervously brushed her hair over her shoulder. When she spoke, her voice was breathy and hesitant. "Are you…disappointed?"

  How could he answer? If he told the truth, she would expect so much more than he was willing to give. And if he lied, he might break her heart. But wasn't a broken heart better than a crushed soul?

  "I'm neither disappointed nor encouraged," he said gruffly, reverting to the role he knew best—that of the unforgivable bastard.

  "Well, I'm glad you came."

  "I had no choice."

  "True," she said and turned to walk farther into the room, stepping into the light.

  Her robe was completely transparent! He stifled a sound deep in his throat as she moved across the room. His cock stiffened instantly. The pleasure-pain of a hard-on dissolved even more of his control. He hadn't been with a woman in over two years. For a long time, while he was recuperating, the thought of being with another woman after DeMonica sickened him. He got over it, of course, as his mind and body healed and his libido returned to normal, but he had yet to do anything about it. His choices were limited here—neither Celeste nor Phoenicia was his type. He could have gone elsewhere, but he wasn't quite ready to leave the relative safety of the castle.

  The curves of her hips framed a deliciously plump ass and topped legs that went on forever and a night.

  "Do you want to leave?" she asked and turned around.

  Her breasts would be more than a handful, he noted. The rosy nipples were already beaded, ready to be suckled into submission. Her ribs led to a gently rounded belly and a dark patch of curls.

  At some point he had moved across the room as well, and she was almost within arms' length. He felt his hand gravitating toward her. Not powered by magick but by his desire. He forced it down. Every ounce of self-restraint he'd built since her arrival was unraveling at a heady rate. She would not understand what he needed or why. She was a mundane and did not belong here or with him for her own good.

  "Cover yourself," he said thickly. "Your robe must be cursed because it has become transparent and I can see all of your charms."

  Serena beamed—the only word to describe the flashing smile on her face and in her eyes—and Invictus scowled.

  "It's supposed to become transparent…under certain conditions," she explained breathlessly.

  "And what are these certain conditions?" he asked. He was only a little curious. He spoke to keep from doing something else.

  "It doesn't matter," she said, her cheeks turning pink. She took a step closer. "Will you stay, Invictus? I took a chance in sending the Summoning Globe, not knowing if you would even be interested. I've waited for this night for a long time. I waited until I couldn't wait any more."

  Invictus drew in a sharp breath. She wanted him and he, by all that was unholy, wanted her, too. But the thought of a normal fuck in her frilly four-poster was enough to make him go soft. Could she handle more? Could she take the discipline, and the punishment, that made sex exciting for him?

  No, of course she couldn't. Why did he think for even a second that she might? Maybe he wanted it as badly as she did. He shook himself mentally. There was only one way to end this now. He would come off as a sadistic bastard, but in the end that's exactly what he was.

  By scaring her away, he wouldn't break her heart. She would find him and his demands repulsive, and that was the best thing for them both.

  "I said cover yourself, Serena, but you did not obey me," he snapped sternly, looking down at her with his most ferocious frown.

  The beam faded from her face and she looked uncertain.

  "Th-The robe did what it was-was meant to do," she stammered. Then she seemed to collect herself and her voice became stronger. "If you don't like what you see then, by all means, leave!"

  "No, Serena. You invited me and I choose to stay. Under my own terms," he added with a touch of menace.

  She frowned, her forehead crinkling. Then she shrugged, as if pretending it didn't matter. "I think you should leave. This is obviously a mistake and—" As if suddenly aware of her nudity, she crossed her arms over her pert breasts. "The robe is obviously defective."

  Serena turned away from him, her defiance making his cock throb mercilessly. He swept forward and grabbed a handful of her long hair, and it was like taking a hold of living silk. He didn't hurt her, but the action stopped her.

  True pain was not his goal. Domination and her defiance, that's where the fun came in. That and the punishment.

  He brought her close to him, so close that his stiff cock prodded between her ass cheeks even through their layers of clothing.

  "You want me, Serena," he whispered harshly in her ear. "But what will you do with me now that you have me? If you say no, there will never be another opportunity. If you say yes, tonight you will taste the pleasure I can give you. The choice is yours, but you must choose now."

  Her warm body trembled against him, her breath coming in quick, shallow gasps. Damn, but she wasn't afraid—he could always smell fear. She was nervous, questioning, cautious.

  "I—" she began.

  "No or yes." He cut her off, demanding an answer.

  "Yes!" she finally whispered.

  Chapter Five

  Invictus loosened his fingers abruptly and her hair cascaded through them, streaks of deep blue highlighted by the light from the lamp. This wasn't going as he planned, not at all. She was supposed to be outraged at him and his unreasonable demands. She was supposed to yell at him to leave, not whisper the answer he most wanted to hear.

  She still didn't understand. He would turn it up a notch, and then she would retract her answer.

  With one flick of his dominant hand, the door closed firmly, the tumbler clicking into place. He brought his other hand to her front, pushing aside her crossed arms, and molded it around one of her breasts, his thumb grazing her taut nipple.

  Serena gasped, but her head leaned back against his shoulder.

  "You did not obey me and now you must be punished," he murmured and kissed the tender spot just beneath her ear.

  Her body jerked and her head snapped upright at the word punished.

  "I-I didn't know," she said, stumbling over the words as her thoughts coalesced. "How can you punish me for not doing something I didn't know I should do?"

  "And now you ask a question when I haven't given you permission to speak. That's two transgressions."

  "But—"

  "Tsk, tsk," he hissed against her ear. "Rebellion would make it three. Could you withstand three punishments tonight, Serena?"

  She opened her mouth, then thought better of it and shook her head vigorously.

  "Ah, what a pity," he said, his voice dripping with mock sympathy. "You didn't verbally answer my question. Three transgressions, three punishments."

  Serena struggled against him and he let her go. He wanted to see her reaction—the anger, the humiliation, the defiance…and the moment she bent to his will and acquiesced to his outrageous demands.

  Invictus forgot he was trying to discourage her.

  Her blue eyes blazed as she whirled to face him, well out of reach. Her lush lips were pressed together in a grim line. Her arms again covered her breasts, but she had taken a wide stance and he could see where the slit of her pussy began underneath the black curls. />
  "Are you insane?" she spat. "All I wanted was a romantic evening, just the two of us if-if you were interested. That's all! You really are a bully, aren't you?"

  Invictus had been called worse. He stifled a grin. She was beautiful when she was naked and angry. He would have to remember to keep her in both states quite often.

  Invictus forgot he shouldn't see her again after this night.

  "Insane or not," he replied calmly, coldly, "these are my terms. I know you are confused about the rules, so I will carefully explain them. Number One—Obey me in all things. Do not question me. Defiance will not be tolerated. Number Two—Ask permission before speaking. Number Three—Always voice an answer when I ask you a question. A mere movement of the head will result in punishment. No, the last two do not contradict. You don't have to ask permission to voice an answer to a question, only when you have something to say. These will do for tonight. Do you understand?"

  Serena blinked, and he watched the shifting emotions cross her face. She had to think if she should speak and how she should answer. Finally, she said, "Yes. No, not really! Can I ask a question?"

  "You may ask one question, Serena."

  She didn't hesitate. "Why?"

  He shrugged. "Because it's what I demand. Bring me your hairbrush."

  She looked confused again. She opened her mouth as if to protest, then went to fetch her brush from the bedroom. While she was gone, Invictus threw off his cape and undid his cuffs.

  Invictus forgot everything except Serena and what he would do with her.

  The evening might be mildly entertaining after all. He hadn't expected her to be compliant so quickly. Indignation would soon set in, he feared, and then he would have to take a firmer hand with her.

  For a moment he remembered what he was supposed to be doing, but he shrugged it off. He was having too much fun, and Serena seemed more than up to the challenge. He might as well go with it as long as Serena let him.

  When she returned, he had stripped off his shirt and waited in a straight-backed, armless chair. She approached him, brush in one hand, but she stopped abruptly and her eyes grew wide.

  Damn, but he'd actually forgotten about the scars.

  "What—what happened?" she asked, her voice filled with compassion.

  He glanced down at the white streaks and starbursts that marked his pale chest and arms.

  "It's a long story, for another time. Do they repulse you?" he asked and held his breath, waiting for the answer.

  He would be disappointed, but wouldn't it be the solution he sought? A natural end to her infatuation.

  "No. It's just that I didn't expect them. I've never seen you without your shirt before. I'm sorry—" she began.

  "Give me your hairbrush," he said, cutting her off. He wanted no sympathy from her.

  "Why do you want it?" she asked uneasily.

  "You didn't obey me when I told you to cover yourself," he sneered. "You need a spanking as a reminder to do as you’re told."

  Chapter Six

  "A-A sp-spanking!" Serena spluttered and shook her head. Suddenly, she burst into giggles. "This is a joke, right? Celeste cooked this up and you're going along with it, right?"

  Her tone had a hysterical edge to it, as if she were desperately hoping it was a joke. He glared up at her and her laughter died abruptly. Pity. Her laughter was sweet and, lately, he'd had so little laughter in his life. Later, when she began to comprehend what all this was about, perhaps he could hear her laugh again. If she didn't throw him out before then.

  But that was what he wanted her to do, wasn't it?

  "I assure you, this is no prank," he said. "Come here, Serena."

  Her eyes widened. "You think you're going to spank me? With this?"

  Serena marched around the furniture to the wide bay window, opened the casement, and flung the brush out into the night. She slammed it shut, the glass rattling in the panes.

  "That's enough, Invictus Cross," she said as she stormed back to stand in front of him. "You don't have to drive me away with all of this nonsense. I won't bother you again. If you don't want to make love to me, all you have to do is say so!"

  This was the moment, wasn't it? All he had to do was gather his clothing and walk out the door.

  Instead, he allowed his lips to curve into a lazy grin, one he knew looked sadistic as well. "I do want to make love to you, Serena."

  "You have a funny way of showing it," she said, looking down at him with a frown.

  "But it will be on my terms."

  "What if I don't like your terms? I really don't like what you're doing. What's wrong with an intimate dinner for two and a walk through the garden? I had this fantastic, romantic evening planned, hoping we'd both get lucky. But you stalk in here and act like you own me when we barely know one another—Oh!"

  In one smooth movement, born of much practice, he had taken her arm and pulled her across his knees, face down. He was pleased to find he hadn't lost his touch.

  "What do you think you're doing? Let me up now!" She howled and flailed against him. "Invictus, please!"

  He knew he should do as she asked, but he couldn't. He had gone too far and it was much too late. He held her down with one arm and her rounded ass quivered beneath the transparent cloth. The robe was silky to his touch, but all he could see were shimmery blurs that marked the outline of folds and hems. By touch, he pulled up the bottom of the robe until it was bunched at her waist.

  "You can't do this, Invictus! I'm not a child!" she protested, beating her fists against his boot-clad leg.

  Surprisingly, she quieted when he laid his hand on one smooth cheek, massaging it firmly yet gently, his fingers barely slipping into the crease between them. She wiggled into his touch. When he was certain she was caught up in the sensual pleasure, he released her and placed his other hand on her other cheek.

  Her legs were spread far enough apart that he could see her pussy, glistening dark pink and rimmed in short black curls topped by the dark areola of her asshole. One finger brushed the puckered muscle and she twitched.

  Later, he would explore every inch of her. Now, he must punish her.

  Invictus forgot there wasn't supposed to be a later.

  "You must obey me, Serena," he rasped. "It doesn't matter if you disagree or don't understand, you must do what I say immediately. I told you to cover yourself and you didn't. This is your punishment."

  He raised his hand and smacked her soundly.

  Chapter Seven

  Serena yelped after he struck, the sting a strange surprise. She'd grown all tingly inside as he'd rubbed her, and she'd felt herself become wet. She only had time to cover her face with her hands, ready to scream as loudly as she could, when he raised his hand. Instead, she made a puny noise. It didn't hurt exactly. The way he spoke of punishment, she thought he would use all of his strength, but he didn't. It was more like a playful slap.

  If all of this was his idea of foreplay, she could tolerate it.

  Why she tolerated it was a different matter. The robe, of course. The robe was transparent to him, which meant he was her one true love. She had to try, didn't she?

  Invictus slapped her butt again. This time a little harder, the sting a little worse. She gave another yelp, but it hadn't really hurt either. The sting somehow blended with the tingle that started from between her thighs, and she was shocked to find she was aroused by what he was doing.

  The next slap was the hardest of all and she cried out, her body bucking in protest.

  "Silence!" he roared above her. "Don't make a sound, Serena, or we will be here all night."

  He struck again and this time she clamped her hand firmly over her mouth, swallowing the cry. That one had hurt! She wriggled in his lap, felt the rock hard bulge of his erection. Apparently, squirming was allowed because he didn't command her to stop. After several more slaps, each harder than the one before, her butt was burning…but so was her clit.

  Serena couldn't believe this was turning her on! No man ha
d ever done this to her before, and if one had asked she would have shown him the door. Perhaps that was the difference. Invictus hadn't asked, he had demanded.

  A finger dipped into her wetness, and she drew in a sharp breath between her fingers, hoping he hadn't heard. She didn't want him to stop. Invictus' wet finger reamed her labia with a gentle touch, purposely ignoring her clit. Instinctively, her legs opened a little wider. His fingers were wonderful, sliding through the folds and dipping in to lubricate. Her hips undulated and she closed her eyes, rubbing herself against his fingers.

  She was shocked when his hand slapped her butt again, the hardest one yet. Her eyes flew open, tears stinging them, and she bit her finger to remain silent. That one had really hurt! Although it hadn't been unbearable and hadn't surpassed the pleasure.

  "Don't move your pussy, Serena," he ordered, but his voice was low and ragged, his breathing heavy.

  Serena didn't know if she could remain still. His fingers began playing with her again, slipping and sliding over and around, in and out. She had to concentrate to keep her hips from joining the rhythm of his delicate touch…oh, and the wet thumb that pressed into her anus. A shiver passed through her and she hoped he didn't count that as movement.

  Serena sucked in air through her mouth, her breaths sounding as harsh and heavy as his. She tried to remain still. He said not to move her pussy, but he didn't say a thing about her sphincter muscle. She closed her eyes again and alternated tightening and relaxing around his massaging thumb.

  Wonderfully warm sensations poured through her. She wanted to rub against his fingers until she came. Or scream in frustration. She wasn't allowed to do either.

  Invictus' fingertips moved closer to her clit and massaged it briefly. Serena moaned, she couldn't help it. But then he completely removed his hand from her.

  "Very good, Serena. You're learning quickly." He rubbed his hands over her buttocks, soothing away the stinging sensation left from his spanking. "Stand up."