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Calder

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CalderCopyright©2009AllysonJames

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CALDER

AllysonJames

ChapterOne

DNAmocompound,BorNarga

“Igotwordfromthedirectors.”Aman‟svoicecutthroughCalder‟sfogofpain.

“Thespecimenistobeterminated.”

Theroomwentquietexceptforthefaintbeepofmachines.InthedarknessofCalder‟sbrain,hisscreams
wentonandon.

“JustwhatIneed,”asecondmansaid.“Directorsinterferingwithmyresearch.”

“He‟sgottobeinexcruciatingpain.Itwillbekindertohim.”Thesecondmangrowled,“Yes,butthe
wholepointistoseewhathecanstand.Ican‟tdothatiftheyterminatehim,nowcanI?”

“Well,he‟snotmuchofaShareemanymore,”thefirstvoicesaid.“Thecompanywon‟tmakeanymoney
offhimlikethis.”

“Hecanstillprovidevaluabledataonhowtheybehaveinhigh-stresssituations.

Wecanaddittothecodeforthenewbatch.”

“Maybe,butiftheylosemoney,I‟llgiveyouthreeguesseswhosesalaryitwillcomeoutof.”

Thesecondmansighed.“Damnit.Oh,allright,givemethehypo.”Calderdraggedhiseyesopen.The
painofthetinymovementnearlykilledhim.

Hecouldseenothingbutagrayhazeandlumpsofdarkergray.Hesummonedalltheairinhislungsand
forcedhislipstoformwords.

“Fuckyou.”

Twodimblursfroze.“Gods,”thefirstonesaid.“He‟sconscious.Howcanhebeconscious?”

BecauseIhavebiggerballsthanyou.

“Hewon‟tbeforlong.”Calderfeltatouchonhisarm.“You‟llbeoutofpainsoon,Shareem.Justrelax.”

“Stop!”Afemalevoicecutthroughthequietroomlikeaknifeonglass.“Whatthehellareyoudoing?”

Thefirstmananswered,“Obeyingorders.He‟sawrite-off.”

“Getawayfromhim.Now!”

Heelsclickedswiftlyacrosstheroom.Calderheardthesoundofatrayfallingandthecrunchofaplastic
hypounderastilettoheel.Hewouldhavesmiledifhecould.

“Angelica…”thefirstmanbegan.

“Don‟tyou„Angelica‟me.He‟sinthisstatebecauseofyou.NowgetthehelloutofmywaysoIcan
savehislife.”

“Why?”thesecondmanasked.“He‟satotalloss.Shareemaresupposedtoattractwomen.He’llscare
themaway.”

“Hehasapoint,”thefirstscientistsaid.“Evenifyousavehim,hewon‟tbeusefulforanythingbutstress
experiments.”

“Ifweletpeoplelivebasedontheirusefulness,youtwowouldhavebeenputdownalongtimeago.Now
getoutandletmework.”

“Thisisourlab,”thesecondmansaidpetulantly.

“AndI‟mcommandeeringit.Gowhineatthedirectors.Itwillprobablytakeyouthreedaystogetinto
seethem.”

Thefirstmanheavedasigh.“Allright.It‟syourfuneral.”Thesecondwasmoreputout.“Thisisn‟tover,
Dr.Laas.”

“Don‟tforgettoclosethedooronyourwayout,”shesnapped.

Calderstartedtochuckle.Ithurtlikehell,hisburnedandruinedskinpullingandcracking.Allthemale
scientistsatDNAmowereintimidatedbythepetitegeniusofDr.AngelicaLaas.

Heheardthedoorslideclosed.Acoolhandtouchedhim.

“Calder,”shewhispered.“Ohgods,whatdidtheydotoyou?”Caldertriedtoformareply.“Fucking
experiments.”

“No,don‟ttalk.You‟lldamagethevocalcordsevenmore.I‟mgoingtofixyou.

Doyouunderstandme?Itwillhurt,butI‟mgoingtofixyou.I‟llnotletyoudie.”Caldertouchedherhand
withhistwogoodfingers.Asheclosedhiseyes,sheburstintotears.

Great.HereIam,burnedandbroken,andtheverybestDNAscientistinthegalaxyiscryingbecause
sheknowsshecannevermakemewholeagain.

HecalmedherwithhisShareempheromones,lettingthembrushoverherbody.

Atleastthatpartofhimstillworked.

*****

Twentyyearslater

Asoftchimesounded.

“Time,”Caldersaid.

Heliftedhimselfoffthewrithingwoman,hiscockdeflating,hisbodycoolingrapidly.

Sheclutchedathimandmoaned.“No.Notyet.”

Calderbackedawayandfadedintotheshadows.Thewomanonthefloorwhimpered.“No,please.Come
back.Ihavemoney.I‟llpayyoutwiceasmuch.

Please.Ineedyou!”

Hedidn‟tanswer.Hisbreathingcalming,Calderexitedthroughahiddendoorthatnoiselesslyslidshut
behindhim.

Thewomanwoulddowhattheothersdid,pleadforawhilethenswearathimandthreatenhim.
Eventuallyshewouldpullonherclothesandquietlydepart.He‟dneverseeheragain.

Caldermadehiswaythroughthelongbackhalltohisownapartment,farfromhislair.Thelightscameon
inhistinybedroomwhenheenteredit.

Inhisbathroom,hestrippedoff,avoidedlookingintothemirrorandsteppedintothecoolingstreamofhis
watershower.Calderhadamoreexpensivesterilizer,buthelikedthefeelofwateronhisskin.Itwas
especiallyniceafterunsatisfactoryencountersliketheonehe‟djusthad.

Fuckingstupidwaytolive.ButtherewerefewoptionsforShareem.

Calderhadanotherappointmentinahalf-hourstimebutnotwithahighbornladywhowantedto
experienceTheBeast.Everysixmonths,Shareemhadtosubmittoanexamandgetaninoculationthat
preventedbothconceptionanddisease.ThathadbeenthepriceleviedonallShareemtwentyyearsago
forbeingallowedtostayalive.AnyShareemwhomissedhisinoculationwasarrestedandterminated.

Caldervisitedthesamemediceachtime,inabackstreetclinicrunbytheMinistryofHealth.Dr.Mareesh
hadreachedhercenturymarkanddidn‟tcareaboutthegeneticallyenhancedShareemandtheirpowers
overwomen.She‟dsilentlyrollbackCalder‟ssleeve,administerthecocktailofvaccinationsand
contraceptivesintohisarm,slamherthumbprintonherhandheldanddismisshimwithasournod.

Mareeshsawnoneedtostriphimdowntobescanned,forwhichCalderwassilentlygrateful.Hisweight
andheightneverchanged,andShareembodiesdeterioratedtwiceasslowlyasanormalhuman‟s.The
scanwouldsaythesamethingeachtime,sowhybother?

Calderdressedinablackleatherbodysuitthathideveryinchofskin.Hepulledsun-blockingcloths
aroundhisheadandfaceandfixedhissungogglesinplace.Heslidontheblackglovesthathidhishands
andsteppedfromhishouseintotheharshBorNargansun.

Peopleinthisneighborhoodwereusedtoseeingthesix-foot-eight,black-cladgiantwalkingthroughthe
streets.Evenso,theydidn‟tgreethim,andmostturnedhurriedlyawaywhenhetrainedthoseblank
gogglesonthem.

TheclinicCaldersoughtwasfourblocksaway.ThiswastheheartofPasCity,thebiggestslumofBor
Narga.Thestreetswerecrowdedwithvendorssellingeverythingfromuselessrobotpartstocolorful
sweets,frombrightclothtoquestionablemeatonskewers.Peopleswarmedeverywheredespitetheheat,

PasCityalwaysalive.

Calderduckedundertherustedmetalentranceoftheclinic.Theplacemostlycateredtojunkieswho
couldaffordaquickdryout,ortowomenwithtoomanychildrenwhobulliedtheirhusbandsintocoming
inforsterilization.

ThereceptionistgaveCalderanervouslookwhenhesteppedintothecrowdedwaitingroomand
immediatelyusheredhimintotheback.SoonCalderfoundhimselfsittingonametaltableinthefamiliar
examinationroom.Hepeeledoffonegloveashewaited.

Thedooropenedandayoungwomanglidedin.Sheworethebaggysilktunicandcoloredleggingsof
womenofthemedicalprofessionandanopaqueveilacrossthelowerhalfofherface.Afewcurlsof
lightbrownhairtrickledfromtheveildrapedoverherheadandshoulders.Thecolorandpatternofthe
veilstoldtheworldthatshewasupperclassandunmarried.Thatsheworeafaceveiltoldhimshe
wantedtoholdherselfalooffromtheunwashedmasses.

Mareeshneverbotheredwithveils.Herseamedfacehadalwaysbeenbareforalltosee.

“I‟mDr.d‟Arnal.”Theyoungwomanglancedquicklyathim,revealingbrowneyesandthick,black
lashes.Shesetdownahandheldcomputerandaplainmetalbox,whichsheopened,revealingtheusual
hypo.“Pleaseundressbehindthescreen.”

Calderdidn‟tmove.“Where‟sMareesh?”Hisvoicegrated,hisvocalchordsneverhavingproperly
healed.

Theyoungwoman‟snervousnessscreamedtoCalder,whocouldsmellfear,tasteitontheair.Toobad,
becausewhathecouldseeoverthehalfveilwaspretty.

Morethanpretty.Lushandsexy.Thoseeyelasheswouldfeelgoodagainsthisballs.

“Dr.Mareeshretired,”shesaid.“Amonthago.”

Damn.

“Sheleftmehernotes.I‟llgetaquickscanandtheninjectyou.I‟msureyouknowtheroutine.”Shetried
tosoundmatter-of-fact,buthervoicequavered.

Caldershovedhissleeveuphisarm,baringsixinchesofburnscars.“Givemethehypo,thenIgo.No
scanning.”

“ButtheMinistryofNon-HumanLifeFormsrequires—”

“FucktheMinistry.Givemethedamnhypo.”

Uncertaintythenangerflashedthroughhereyes.“I‟msorry,butthat‟snotwhatIwastoldtodo.”

“ThisyourfirsttimewithaShareem?”

“Yes.”

Calderleanedforward.He‟dremovedhisgogglesbutkepthisfaceclothtuckedaroundtheleftsideofhis
face,theruinedside.

“Idon‟tundress,”hesaid.“Idon‟tgetscanned.That‟sthewayitis.Mareeshknew.”

Dr.d‟Arnalmethisgaze.Shehadlovelyeyes,warmandfleckedwithgold.HisShareemimaginationput
heronthefloorunderhim,thoseeyeshotwithpassion.

“I‟mnotDr.Mareesh,”shesaid.

“No,you‟reyoungandnaïve.”Caldergrabbedthehypooutoftheboxandpressedittohisarm.

Shetriedtosnatchitthenstoppedasthoughfearingshe‟dhurthim.FearingtohurtaShareem.Gods,
whataninnocent.

Calderliftedthehandheld,seizedherfrozenhandandjabbedherthumbontothethumbprintpad.“There.
Done.”

“Youcan‟tdothat.”

“Ijustdid.”

Shegapedathim.“Icouldlosemyjobforthat.”

“Thendon‟ttellanyone.”

Calderrosefromthetable,toweringoverthewomanbyagoodfoot.She‟dsnugglenicelyunderhischin.
Thatis,ifsheeverremovedthestickfromherbutt.

Herchestroseandfell,ashapelybosomwaitingunderthelayersofgarments.

He‟dlovetopeelbackthecloths,lowerhisheadtooneofhertighteningnipples,rubhistongueoverthe
firmbud.

No.

Calderdidn‟tgettohavesweetfantasieswithsweetwomen.Hispurposewastofulfillrough,nasty,dirty
fantasiesforwomenwhocouldaffordit.Whatevertheywantedforwhateveramountoftimetheypaid
for,nosafetywordsandnostopping.

ThewomensignedconsentformsbeforearrivingthatsaidCaldercoulddotothemanythinghewanted.
Anythinghedeemednecessary.

“I‟llbebackinsixmonths,”hesaid.

HegaveDr.d‟Arnal‟scurvedassaslapandwalkedout.Hewasn‟tallowedtotouchwomenwithout
theirpermission,butCalderlikedtobendtheruleswhenhecould,andherasswassoveryspankable.

Heheardhergaspofoutrageashewentandpermittedhimselfonelittlechuckle.

*****

Katarinad‟Arnalhadnoideahowlongshe‟dstoodwithherhandheldtoherchestandhermouthopen.

He‟dtouchedher.TheShareemhadtouchedahighbornwomanwithoutpermission.Andthewayhe‟d
touchedher…

Shefeltatingleonherbacksidetheexactsizeandshapeofhishand.Whatwoulditfeelliketohavehim
smoothhishandthereinstead?

Itwasforbidden.He‟dbrokenalltherules—notallowinghimselftobescanned,grabbingthehypoand
inoculatinghimself.

Whathadsheexpected?AgratefulShareem,happythatshe‟dtriedtohelphimnotspreaddiseaseor
fatherchildren?

KatarinahadalwaysfeltsorryformenonBorNarga,relegatedtolesserjobsbecauseitwasthoughtthey
didn‟thavetheintellectualcapacityforbusinessorgovernment.MenintheslumsofPasCityoftendidn‟t
getgoodhealthcarebecausetheirwomenwouldn‟tpayforit.HenceKatarina‟svolunteerworkinthis
clinic.Shewantedtohelpmeninneed.

MenofPasCityincludedShareem.Theclinic‟sdirector,whodidn‟tthinkmuchofKatarina‟ssoftheart,
hadsaid,“Ifyoulovemalessomuch,youcanhavetheShareem.One‟scominginattwo.”Thewoman
hadsneeredwhenshe‟dsaidit.

DoingaShareemcheckwasconsideredacrapjob.

HisnamewasCalder,theappointmentrostersaid.ThefirstShareemKatarinahadeverseenintheflesh.

AndwhataShareem.Themanwashuge.She‟dneverseenamanwithaslargeabody,withsuchpower
whenhemoved.Everypartofhimwasgigantic.

Everypart,hercursoryresearchonShareemhadsaid.

Hiseyes,shadowedbyhisheadcloths,haddrawnherin.No,suckedherin,asifshe‟dbecomeapuppet
onstringstheminutehe‟dlookedather.She‟ddonewhathe‟dsaidwithonlytokenprotest.

Shareemblue,she‟dheardthecolorcalled.Shareemeyeswerelargerthanthoseofanormalman,the
irisesabitwider.

Buttherewassomethingwrongwithhim.Hisbaredarmhadbeencoveredwithropesofscarsand
mottledflesh.Sherecognizedthathe‟dbeenburnedsodeeplythatskingraftshadn‟tcompletelyrepaired
him.Therepairshadbeencompetentlydone,butthefleshwouldneverbewhole.

Hisvoicewasgravellyandbroken,probablyanothersouvenirofwhateverhadburnedhim.Butwhen
he‟dspokentoher,she‟dswornthatjustforamomentanothersmooth,richvoicehadwhisperedinher
mind.

Tellmewhatyouwant,Katarina.Whatyouwantdeepinsideyourself.

Ridiculous.Katarinaslammedthehypobackintotheboxandsnappedthelidshut.

Shehadeverythingshewanted—acareer,afinehousehermotherhadleftherintheSerestineQuarter,
plentyoffriends.

Loneliness.

Katarinapunchedherhandheldandsweptfromtheroomtoseehernextpatient.Sometimesthelittle
voicesinsideherneededtoshutup.

*****

Dr.Laasflickedoffherscreenandgrinned.AcuriousyoungwomanhadbeensiftingthroughtheShareem
databaseattheMinistryofNon-HumanLifeForms,diggingthroughforinformationononeparticular
Shareem.

Calder.

“Baine,bringupalltheinformationyoucanononeDr.Katarinad‟Arnal.”Dr.Laas‟computer,soultra-
superiorthatithadacomplexaboutit,whirredandhummed.“Heresheis,madam,”Bainesaid,hisvoice
accentedlikeanoldEarthbutler‟s.“Dr.Katarinad‟Arnal.Theusualsortofhighbornwoman.”She
wasn‟tthough,Dr.Laasthoughtassheskimmedtheinformation.Katarinad‟Arnalhadnotyetmarried.
HermotherhadbeenprominentinBorNarga‟ssocialsphere,butbothmotherandfatherhadbeenkilled
inanaccidentinahovertrain,leavingahouseandfortunetoKatarina.

Aftergrieving,Katarinahadenteredmedicalschool.Whenshefinished,she‟dvolunteeredinaclinicin
PasCity,sayingthatshewantedtohelptheunderprivileged,especiallymales,whosehealthcarewastoo
neglected.

Theyounginnocent.Dr.Laaschuckled.IfKatarinad‟Arnalwantedtodogood,shecouldlearnon
someonewhoreallyneededit.

Shesmiled,pulledherbarefeetuponthesofathatwasmassagingherback,andtoldBainetobringupa
datacodethatwasdeadlysecretexcepttothoseintheknow.

ShekeyeduptheencodedapplicationtoenterCalder‟sprivatesexualparadiseand,withonefinger,
typed“Katarinad‟Arnal.”

ChapterTwo

“Areyousurethisisright?”

Katarinastudiedthesand-scouredfaceofthebuildinginfrontofher.Herhandheldtoldherthestreet
vendorsheneededtotreatlivedhere,butthisplacelookedlikeadisusedwarehouse.

ThewomanwhodrovethecableanedouttheopenwindowandgaveKatarinaanoddlook.“385Barkelo
Street,ma‟am.Yousurethisiswhereyouwanttogetto?

Youdon‟tlookthetype.”

Whateverthatmeant.“Imightnotlookthetype,butIhaveajobtodo.”Thewomanraisedherbrows,
chargedKatarina‟screditslip,closedthewindowandroaredoffdownthestreetinachokingcloudof
sand.

Katarinawavedawaythedustandturnedtothedoor.Rust-streakedandpeelingfromdryrot,thedoor
wasalmostasunprepossessingastherestofthebuilding.Inthecenterofthedoor,aperfectlygood,
modern,cleanthumbprintpadawaitedtherightperson‟stouch.

Shefoundnodoorchime,nowaytoindicateshe‟darrived.Thethumbprintpadwouldbekeyedtothe
owner,nother.

Annoyed,shepresseditanyway—thensteppedbackinsurprisewhenthedoorrolledopen.

Adimcorridorcoatedwithathinfilmofsandstretchedawayfromher.

Katarinasteppedinsidethenjumpedwhenthedoorslammedshutbehindher.

“Hello?”shecalledtotheemptycorridor.“Someoneherecalledamedic?”Noanswer.Sandgritted
underherbootsasshewalkedalong,butnoonegreetedherorcametomeether.

WhenKatarinareachedadoorattheendofthehall,itobedientlyopenedforher.Unlikethefrontdoor,
thisoneslidbacksmoothlyandquietly.Katarinasteppedthroughitintoaplaceofamazingbeauty.

Amosaic-tiledwalkwaytwistedbeforeher,leadingthewaythroughlushgreenery.Thelightoverhead
wassoft,theceilingtwilightblue,bafflingtheeyeastohowhighitwas.Acool,natural-feelingbreeze
ruffledKatarina‟shairandtranquilizingcalmstoleoverher,asthougharelaxationscentwasbeing
pumpedintotheair.

Shemovedcuriouslydownthepath.Thewalkwaywasmazelike,bendingaroundgreeneryand
latticeworkwallslacedwithexoticflowers.Fountainstrickledandtheflowers‟scentsfilledtheair.The
gardenwasamasterwork,atoncelovely,peacefulanddisorienting.Alotofmoneyhadbeenspent
transformingthiswarehouseintoaparadise.

Themosaicwalkendedatanotherdoor,thisoneopen.Katarinasteppedthroughintoaroomabouttwenty
feetsquare,paintedblack,withthesamedark,cool-airceiling.Mutedlightskepteverythingdimand
candlesplacedinafewtallstandscreatedwaveringshadows.

Areflectivecoppersheetranfromfloortoceilingatoneendoftheroomandwaterquietlyshimmered
downit.Aplatformabouttenfeetsquareandthreefeethighroseinthemiddleoftheroom.Itwas
coveredwithblack,whiteandredcushions,andabundleofroseslayinthemiddleofit.

Katarinawanderedtotheplatformandtouchedarosepetalinwonder.Theywerereal,heady-smelling
Earthroses,blood-red.

“Katarina.”

Thevoicerolledthroughemptyair,lowandmale,smoothanddeep.

Herbreathstopped.Itwasthevoiceshe‟dheardinherheadwhentheShareemCalderhadcometothe
clinicfivedaysago.

Everynightsince,she‟ddreamedofhisvoice,wakingwithherhandunderhernightgown,fingers
betweenherlegs.Asadoctor,sheknewthat,technically,thearousedvulvaswelledandopenedto
receivethepenis,thensqueezedtoencouragethepenistoreleaseitslife-givingseed.Technically.

She‟dneverfeltahardeningclitoris,neverexperiencedstabbingneedbetweenherlegs.Aloneinbed,
shehadrubbedherselfuntilshe‟dgroanedandreleasedcreamalloverherhand.Everynight.

SomeoneattheclinicmusthavetrickedherheretoseeCalderagain.

“Ihavetogo.”Katarinaswungaround,seekingthedoortothewalkwayandthepathout.Butwherethe
entrancetothegreengardenhadbeen,ablackwallnowstood,solid,sealingherin.

“Openthis,”shesaid,hervoiceshaking.

“Notyet.”Hisvoiceflowed,sendingwarmthdownherspine.

Shewantedtobeatonthewall,demandheletherout.Hehadnorighttokeepherhere,sheahighborn
ladyofBorNarga,heamereShareem.Howdarehe?

Andwhydidshebuzzwithexcitement,wonderingwhathewoulddo?HerresearchonShareemtoldher
theycouldn‟ttouchherwithoutpermission.Ithadbeenbuiltintotheirgeneticprogramming.

Calderwasn‟ttouchingher,hewastalking,watching.Hewasn‟tevenintheroomwithher,asfarasshe
couldsee.

Adoorinthewallnexttoherhissedopen,revealingacloset.Insidewasashortdressofbrightred
suppleleatherandblackbootswiththehighestheelsshe‟deverseen.

“Removeyourclothing,”Caldersaid.“Andputonwhatyoufindinthere.”Herheartbeatfaster.“Whyon
earthwouldyouwantmetowearthat?”

“Putthemon.”Thevoicebrookednoargument.

Katarinasuddenlythoughtsheunderstoodwhatwasgoingon.Herfellowmedicsweretestingher.
KatarinahadbeenputinchargeofinoculatingShareem,andhercolleagueswantedtoseeifshe‟dbe

afraidofthem.

Wouldn‟ttheylovethat?Thehighborndoctorwho‟dcondescendedtoworkintheslumsrunninghomeat
thefirstchallenge?They‟dridiculeher,sayshedidn‟thavetheguts.Andthey‟dberight.

Calder‟svoicerumbledthroughtheroom.“Takeoffyourclothesforme,Katarina.”

“Why?”shesaidtotheair.“Youwouldn‟ttakeyoursoffforme.”Alaughfloatedtoher,deepanddark.
“Toomanyeyesatyourclinic.Here,wearealone.Nooneelsewillcome.”

Katarinaclosedhereyes.Deargods,shewantedthis.Shewantedtoslidehertunicandleggingsfromher
bodyandlethimseeher.Shewantedtofacehimandopenherarms,askhimifhethoughtherpretty.

Whatonearthwasshethinking?

Sherememberedsuddenlythescarsonhisarms,hisharshvoicesharpeningwhenhetoldherhewouldn‟t
disrobe.

Becausehewasashamed.

CompassionmadeKatarinadowhatlustcouldn‟t.Sheundidtheclaspthatheldhertunicandloweredthe
thickmaterialtoherwaist.Herbreaststumbledout,unfettered.

She‟dwokenfromanotherdreamofhimlastnight,hernipplestight,andshe‟dpinchedthebudstoease
theache.Thenippleswereagainashardaslittlepebbles.

“Youarelovely,”Caldersaid.

Katarinadrewherthumbsacrossherareolas,marvelingatthetinglingsensation.Sheknewhelikedher
doingthis,eventhoughhesaidnothingfrombehindthewalls.

“Nowtherest,”hesaid.“Letmeseeyou.”

Katarinatoedoffhersandbootsand,beforeshecouldthinkaboutit,letherpantsslithertoherankles.

Sheassumedshe‟dbemoreembarrassedonceshe‟dshedherclothes,butthecoolairtouchingherskin
madeherfeelcuriouslyfree.Shelikedthesensationofstandingnakedinthisblackroomwhileher
unseenwatcherobservedher.Shemovedherlegsapart,enjoyingthefeelofthetileonherbarefeet.

“Katarina.”

Shelovedhowhesaidhername,alllongvowelsseparatedbysmoothconsonants.“Yes?”

“YouareevenmorebeautifulthanIexpected.”

“Expected?Whatdidyouexpect?”

“Isawyourpictureonyourconsentform,withyourfaceunveiled.”Hisvoicedippedlower.“Igrewhard
justlookingatyou.”

Katarina‟sbreathpouredbackintoherlungs,herskinsuddenlycold.“Consentform?”

“Ittoldmeallaboutyou.YouareKatarinad‟Arnal.Youaretwenty-sevenyearsold,unmarriedandrich.
YouhavetakenajobinPasCitytoseek…Whathaveyoucometoseek?”

“Peace.Ithink.”

“Fulfillment.”

Shehesitated.“Maybe.Maybethat‟swhatIwant,Idon‟tknow.”

“Withme,youwilltrulyfindoutwhatyouwant.Iwillshowyoueverystepoftheway,withmyown
hands,whatyouwant.”

Herheartpounded.Withoutthinkingaboutit,shetouchedthecurlsathercleft.

“HowcanyoupossiblyknowwhenIdon‟t?”

Itseemedeasytotalktohimwhenshecouldn‟tseehim,avoicelessentitywhoserichtoneswove
magicalstringsaroundhermind.

“Iknow.Iwillgiveittoyou.”

Katarina‟sownfingerscalmedher,musclesrelaxingasshetouchedherself.

“Youcanrunifyouwant,”hesaid.“Iwillfindyouandcatchyou,butyoucanalwaystrytogetaway.”

“Run?”Sheglancedatthedarkwallsthatshutherin.“Runwhere?”

“Awayfromme.”

“I‟mnotrunninganywhere.Especiallynotwithoutmyclothes.”Calderlaughedagain,thesoundlowand
soft.“Putonthegarmentsyoufoundinthewardrobe.Ihadthemmadeforyou.”

Katarinaturnedbacktotheclosetandtookouttheredleatherdress.Itwassoftandsupple.Andtiny.The
kindofdressshe‟dneverdreamofwearing,eveninprivate.

Feelingsuddenlydaring,sheslippeditoverherhead.Shewonderedhowtofastenit,butassoonasit
settledonhertorso,amechanismkickedinthattightenedittoeverycurveofherbody.

Thereshestood,coveredfromhernipplestojustbelowherbuttocksintightredleather.Farfrom
confining,thesmalldressfeltsurprisinglycomfortable.

Shesatdownontheplatformwiththeboots,wellawarethatCalderwatched.

Sheknewhecouldseebetweenherlegswherethedressparted,couldseehernipplespressagainstthe
tightleather.

Katarinaawkwardlydrewthebootsontoherfeetandupherthighsthenshestood,tryingtogether

balanceintheimpossiblyhighheels.“IhavegottoseewhatIlooklikeinthis.”

Calderdidn‟tanswer.Silencereignedasshetotteredtothecopperfountainandobservedherselfinthe
reflectivesheet.

Thecopperwaspolishedtoamirrorsheen,reflectingherevenwiththewaterrunningdownit.Katarina
peeredatherselfandlaughed.

Shecertainlydidlookdifferent.Theleatherdressbaredmostofherbodyandthebootsreachedhalfway
upherthighs.Herhoneybrownhairwasmussedfromremovingherveils,andthebrowneyesthatlooked
backatherheldbothanxietyandcuriosity.

Thebootheelsmadeherlegslongandshapelyandthedresscomplementedherbody,buildingupher
chestwhileslimmingherwaist.She‟dalwaysconsideredherselfashadetooplump,butthisdressmade
herlookcurvyandsexy.Bold.Shesmiledinwonder.

Thedimlightssuddenlywentout,leavingnothingbuttheflickeringofthefewcandles.Thetiny,distant
flamesreflectedonthecoppersheetandthinstreamofwaterlikewaveringfireflies.

“Don‟tturnfromthefountain.”

Hisvoicecameoutofthedarkness,intheroomnow,notoveraspeaker.

Katarinatriedtopeerintothereflectionandfindhim,butthedarknesshidhim.

“Whereareyou?Iwanttoseeyou.”

“Putyourhandsonthecopperandleavethemthere.”Thevoicewasnotassmoothasithadbeenoverthe
speaker—hemusthaveaprogramthattookofftheroughedges.Katarinathoughtshelikeditbetter
withoutthesmoothness.

Sheleanedforward,balancingcarefullyonthestiltheels,andtouchedherpalmstothecopperwall.The
thinsheetofwaterslidgentlyaroundherfingers.

ApricklingbetweenhershoulderbladestoldherCalderstillwatched,butshedidn‟tknowfromwhere.
Didshehearsoftfootfallsrightbehindher,orweretheyacrosstheroom?

Thenhewasthere,hisbodycurvingoverhers.“Don‟tturnaround,”hewhispered.Hischesttouchedher
backasheleanedoverherandrestedhisfistonthecopper—andalargebulgeofcockpressedagainst
herbuttocks.

Hisbreathburnedherbareneck,thencamethefeelingofvelvetonherskin—aglove?Thenlips,justas
softbutsmoothandfirm,onherneck.

HotsensationsflowedthroughKatarina‟sbody,alongwithaneedshe‟dneverexperienced.Atrickleof
liquidtouchedherthighs.

“Pleaseletmeseeyou,”shebegged.

Teethnippedherear.“DonotspeakuntilIallowit.”

“Yes,but—Ow!”

Thenipturnedtoasharpbite.“NotuntilIallowit.”Katarinafocusedherattentiononthewall.Shecould
seeherselfinthecopperbuthewasonlyashadow,dressedallinblack,hooded,hisfacehiddenbehinda
mask.

Hishandmovedonherthigh,thefeelingofvelvetagain.Hisfingersslidunderthehemofthedress,
tantalizinglybrushingthecreasebetweenthighandtorso.

Caldermovedhishandtoherbreast.Shesawitinthemirror,blackandlarge,cuppingherinthered
leather.Hercleavagemadeasatisfactorypictureandhenippedherneck,seemingtolikewhathesaw.

Thehandnowslidtoherabdomen,kneadingherstomach,histouchwarmandsoothing.

“YouwillkneelwhenItellyouto,”hesaid.

Katarinanodded.Anything,aslongashecontinuedtomakeherfeellikethis.

“Whynotresist?”hewhispered.Heglidedhishand,velvetwarm,uptoherthroat,overherchinand
face.Sheclosedhereyes,drinkinginthefeeling.

“Idon‟twanttoresist.”

“Youarenotafraid?”

“Didyoudrugme?”Thatwastheonlyexplanationforthisacceptanceofhisintimatetouch.

“Whatyoufeel,youaredoingtoyourself.Iamonlyacatalyst.”

“YourShareempheromones,”shesaid,understanding.“Ireadaboutthem.”Hisbreathscaldedherear.“I
willofferagaintoletyourunifyouwantto.ButIwillcatchyouintheend,rememberthat.”

Katarina‟sheartbeatfasterassheimaginedfleeingthroughthedarkwithhimbehindher,hearinghim
closethedistance,knowingshecouldn‟toutrunhim.Whenhecaughther…Shecouldimaginehislarge
handsclosingaroundher,hisweightbearinghertotheground,hisfingersjerkingopenherclothes.

Sheswallowed.“Icouldn‟tpossiblyrunanywhereintheseheels.”

“ThenIamyourcaptor.Youwerebroughtheretobemyslave.”Histouchcalmedhershaking,andshe
feltwarmandloose.“IthoughtI‟dcometotreatsomeone.Theytrickedme.”

Hismouthfoundherneckagain,bitingharder,thepainmakingherwet.“Kneelformenow,Katarina.”

Shetriedbutherkneeslockedasshelostherbalanceontheheels.Sheclutchedatthewetcopper,trying
nottofall.

Calder‟shandsmovedtoherupperarms,gripimpossiblystrong.Heeasedherdownuntilshewasonher

kneesonthefloor,hishugebodytoweringoverher.

“Iwillhavetopunishyou,Katarina,fornotobeyingrightaway.”Ashiverpulsedthroughher.“Icouldn‟t
figureouthowto.”

“Andagain,foransweringwhenIdidnotallowit.”

Shedrewabreath,readytoargue,thenstopped.Perhapsshe‟dbetterfindoutwhatthese“punishments”
werebeforesheearnedmore.

“Youlearnquickly.”Heknelt,theleatherstretchingoverhisthighsasheputhiskneesoneithersideof
her.“Imightgoeasywithyou.”Hisbighandsstrokedheragain,runningoverherabdomenandbreasts.
Sheclosedhereyes,enjoyingit.

Whenhisglovedhandpressedherclit,shegasped.Thevelvetfeltodd,butgood.

“Choose,”hesaid.Hemovedhisfingersslowly,firstteasingthelipsofheropeningthenbrushingher
clit,nowwetandswollen.“Whichpunishmentwouldyoulikefirst?”

Katarina‟sbreathcaught.“Whataremychoices?”

“Youcanhavethelash.”Calder‟svoicecaressedtheword,andKatarinaenvisionedherselfnakedon
handsandkneeswhiletheshadowofhimstoodoverher.Shecouldalreadyfeelthestingofleatheronher
backsideashewhippedher.

“Or?”

“Mybarehand,spankingyourassuntilit‟sred.OryoucanplaywithatoyIhavedevised.Youbring
yourselfoffwithitwhileIwatch,butyoucannotstopuntilI‟msatisfied.”

Katarinawonderedverymuchwhatthistoywasandwhatitdid.“IthinkI‟dpreferthespanking,”she
saidinarush.

“Makesure.”Hisfingersmovedonher.“Iwillbeharderonyouaswegoalong.

Ifyouhavethelashnow,itwon‟tbesobadasitwilllater.”Therewouldn‟tbealaterbecauseshe‟d
findawaytomakehimunderstandthatshe‟dbeenduped,thatshe‟dneverfilledouthisconsentform,
whateverthatwas.

Thatitwasallamistake.

Andthenthisbeautifuldreamwouldbeover.

“Iwantthespanking,”sherepeated.

Hebitherear,gentlythistime.“Say,„Pleasespankme.‟”

“Um…pleasespankme.”

“Say,„Please,Calder,disciplineme.Ideserveit.‟”Hisfingersmovedfaster,andshegasped.“Please,
Calder,disciplineme.Ideserveit.”

Hisfingersmovedagain,smearingherowncreamalloverher,herclithotandaching.Shefeltherself
windingtowardclimax,wantingit,reachingforit…

Calderwithdrewhishandandthesensationdied.Shewhimpered.“Couldyoudothatalittlelonger?”

“No.”Hestrippedofftheglove.Thehandhebaredwashuge,bronze-coloredfleshtightagainstsinew.
Katarinarealizedtoolatethataspankingwiththatpowerfulhandwouldbenolesspainfulthanonewith
alash.

“Pullupyourdress,”hesaid.“Bareyourassforme.”Handsshaking,Katarinacaughtthehemthathugged
herbuttocksandjerkeditupward.Shefelthishands,onebare,onevelvet-covered,bothstrokingher
gently.

“Youhaveafineass.Sobeautiful.Didyouknowthat,Katarina?”Katarinaclosedhereyes.“Noone‟s
eversaidsuchathingtome.”

“WhatI‟mgoingtodowiththisbeautifulassisspankituntilit‟scherryred.

ThenI‟mgoingtoputmytongueinsideit.”

Katarinadrewasharpbreath.Sheimaginedhiswarm,wettonguedelvingintoher,somethingshe‟dnever
feltinherlife.Heatsqueezedherbody.

“Later,”hewenton,“itwilltakemycock.”

Shethoughtofthehuge,hardthingthathadrubbedherbackside,andshegulped.“I‟veneverdonethat
before.”

“Mmm.”Hebrushedherbuttocks,softvelvetcontrastingwithcallousedfingers.

“Imightbesweettoyouandshowyouhow,slowly.”Heputhislipstoherear.“Butyouhavetobevery,
verygood.”

“Iwillbe,”shebabbled.

“Idon‟tbelieveyou.Butwe‟llsee.”Hemovedfromher,takingawayhisbeautifultouch.“Bendovermy
knee,Katarina.”

Sheglancedbehindher.Hewaswaiting,stillonthefloor,onekneebent,hisbarehandpaleinthe
shadows.Histhighswerelargeandstrongintightleather,hisfacecompletelyhiddenbehindablack
hood.

Suddenlywhatthepeopleatherclinicthoughtofherdidn‟tmatter.Sowhatifthemedicshadsenther
heretoplayajokeonher?Shenolongercared.Whatshecaredaboutwashowthismanmadeherfeel.

Sexy.Beautiful.Wanted.

Takingadeepbreath,Katarinaturnedaroundandloweredherselffacedownacrosshisthigh.

ChapterThree

TheleatherofCalder‟sleggingswascoolonKatarina‟shalf-baredchest.Shefeltthewarmpowerofhis
thighbeneaththefabric,smelledleatherandhissharpmusk.

Hecircledhispalmoverherass,smoothingherskin.

Thenhespankedheronce.

Katarinayelped.Shewasright,hewasstrong.Buttheinstantshefeltthesting,heplacedhisglovedpalm
onherskinandthestingturnedtoatingleofvastpleasure.Shegroaned.

“RemainquietuntilIsay.”

Katarinasuckedinherbreath.Anotherswatonherass,anothercaress,thepainsegueingtopleasureinan
instant.Shewriggled,wantingmore.

Hegaveittoher.Hespankedherthoroughly,hishandspracticed,andyetwhatmighthavehurtonlygave
herdeepestpleasure.Hehadhersquealingandlaughing,despitehiscommandtokeepquiet.

Caldermadeacircularmotionwithhisglovedhandonherskinandleanedoverher.“Doyouneedto
come?”

“Yes,”shegasped.“Ithinkso.Yes.”

“Imightletyou…intime.”

“Ohno,please,”shebegged.“Now.Please.”

Hisvoiceturnedthoughtful.“Isthatwhyyouareheretoday?”

“What?No.Ididn‟tmeantobehereatall.”

“Getonyourknees,Katarina.”

Hedidn‟tbelieveher.Shewastoooutofbreathtotellhimthewholestory,andsheknewshedidn‟twant
toanymore.

Sheeasedoffhisleg,downtoherknees,herbutttinglingastheleatherdressslitheredoveritagain.

Calderunfoldedhisbigbodyandstood,plantinghisfeetoneithersideofher.

Katarinafoundherselflookingstraightatthefrontofhisleatherleggings.

Thefabricmoldedtotheincrediblebulgeofhiscock,outliningitfrombasetotip.Itwashuge,atleast
twelveinchesinlength,rigidandwide.

Hebrushedahandoverit.“Doyouwantthis,Katarina?”

“Yes.”Katarinatoucheditwithhesitantfingers.“You‟rebig.Wouldithurtme?”

“Itwillonlyhurtifyouwantitto.Itcanbeallsweetpleasureoritcanhurt.

Whicheveryouwant.”

“Why?”Katarinalookedupathisfaceswathedinblack.“WhyonlywhatIwant?”

Heshiftedslightlyasthoughherquestionsurprisedhim.“IamShareem.”Itwasaflatstatement.

“Whathasthattodowithanything?”

Againhismusclescontractedthetiniestbit.“Idecidethegamesinthisroom,notyou.”

“Games?”

Hereturnedtohiskneesnexttoher,leaningbacktositonhisheels.“Bendover.”

“What?”

“Now.”

Theharshwordmadehersqueak.Hecaughtthebackofherneckandleanedheroverhisthighs.He
spankedher,notsoftlythistime.Hisbarehandstungheradozentimesandonlythendidheusehisgloved
handtosootheherskin.

“Doyouunderstandnow?”heasked.

“Notreally.”

Calderletherup.KatarinasurreptitiouslyrubbedherbacksidewhileCalderpositionedhimselfonhis
feetinfrontofheragain.

“YouaskedwhatIwant,”hesaidinagratingvoice.“Iwilltellyou.Iwanttofeelyourfacepressed
againstmycock.Iwantyouexploringit,learningit.”Katarinatouchedthecockinfrontofher,theleather
sotightshecouldfeeleveryinch,includingthebumpoftheflangeandtheroundtipofitshead.

Sheknewwhatapenislookedlike,havingstudiedthemindetailduringhermedicaltraining.Itwasan
appendagejuttingfromthemalebody,smallwhenflaccid,extendedandhardwhenengorgedandreadyto
penetrateawoman.MostBorNarganmengotinjectionstokeeptheirpenisessoft,tonotbedistractedby
theinconvenienceofhormonallust.

Katarinaknewallthisclinically.She‟dstudieddiagramsandreadlongtreatises.

Butchartsanddiagramsdidn‟tprepareherfortherealthing,especiallynotoneattachedtoaShareem.

Sheleanedforwardandnuzzleditthroughtheleather.

AsmallnoiseescapedCalder‟sthroat.Sohecouldfeel.Shenuzzledthetipagainthentheshaftbeneath

it.

Caldergrowled,andhisbarehandsnakedthroughherhair.Hisotherhand,stillgloved,balledintoafist.

Katarinanuzzledsomemore,enjoyingthefeelofthecoolleatherandthehard,hotfleshbehindit.She
actedathiscommand,butwhatshediddisarmedhim.

“Ilikeit,”shemurmured.“Sobigandthick.”

Herownwordsstartledher.She‟dneverhavedreamedofsayingthatoutloud.

Butitseemedtobeallrighttosayittohim,herfacelesscaptor.

“Liedownonyourback.”

Katarinalookedup.“ButIthought—”

Heputhisglovedhandoverherface.“Liedown.”

Katarina‟sentirebodytingledandsheletherselfmoreorlessfalltothefloor.

Sheshiveredwhenhislarge,darkbodycoveredhers,sowarm.Hewassowonderfullywarm.

“Iwanttoseeyou,”shesaid.“Whywon‟tyoushowmeyourface?”Calderdidn‟tanswer.Hejerkedher
skirtupward,baringhergroin,buthedidn‟ttouchher.Instead,hepressedhisleather-coveredcockright
againstherclit.

“Gods,”shewhispered.

Theburningsensationasherubbedhiscockagainsthermadeherwanttoscream.Shereacheduptotouch
hisfacebutheturnedhishead,andherhandfellonaswathofvelvet.

“Please,”sherepeated.“Iwanttolookatyou.”

“No.”

“YouknowwhatIlooklike.”Shestifledagroanashiscockrubbedherswollenclit.“Highbornwomen
don‟tliketoshowtheirfaces,butIshowedyoumine.Andsomuchmore.It‟snotfair.”

“Youdidnotcomehereformetobefair.Youcameheretogiveyourselftome.”Sensationsclawedfor
attention,theburninginherclit,thehottinglingalloverherbody.“It‟sonlyalittlething,”she
whimpered.

Heputhisfaceclosetohers,butshecouldonlyseevelvetandtheglitterofhiseyes.“Comeformeand
I‟llshowyou.”

Come.Climax.Thewoman’svulvasqueezestheman’spenis,helpingtostrokethemanintoreleasing
hisseed…

Katarina‟smedicalmanualsnevermentionedthedarkpowerofit,thescreamingneed.Howbeautifulit
felt.Howshe‟dneverwanttostop.

Withoutrealizingshedidit,KatarinasnakedherlegsaroundCalder‟sthighsandliftedherselftohim.She
rockedherhips,wantinghiminsideher,needinghiminsideher.

She‟dneverbeabletotakehim,andatthesametime,shewanteditmorethananythingintheworld.

“Showme,”sheshouted.“Please.Now!”

“Idon‟tliketobecommanded.”

“Please.Ohplease,”shebabbled,toohappytocarewhatshesaid.

Shecame.Katarinagaspedforbreathaswavesofmadpleasurepouredoverher.

Thiswasahundredtimesbetterthanwhenshebroughtherselfoffwithherownhandatnight.

Hehadtostop—shedidn‟twanthimtoeverstop.Itwastoomuch.Itwasnotenough.

Calderreleasedherandshefellbackagainstthefloor,panting.Herclittingled,stillwantinghistouch,
andanachestartedinherheart.

“Please,Iknowyouwereburned.I‟mnotafraidtolookatyou.”Hisvoicewentrawwithfury.“Getup
onyourkneesoryouwillhavetobegharderthanthatformercy.”

“Ijustwanttoseeyourface.Totouchit.”

Calderliftedhimselfawayfromher,hiswarmthdisappearing.Katarinascrambledtoherfeetandreached
forhim,sighinginpleasurewhenherhandsclosedonhiswarm,tallbody.

Calderturnedabruptlyaway.Atthelastminute,Katarinamanagedtograbthemaskandyankitoff.
Shadowycandlelightfellonhisface—andshegasped.

TherightsideofCalder‟sfacewashandsomeassin,sculptedperfectionarounddeepblueeyes,ahard
jaw,afirmmouth.

Theleftsidewasacompleteruin.

Scarsoverlappedscarsthattwistedoverhischeekboneanddownhisneck.Theleftsideofhismouthwas
pulledintoaperpetualfrown,theskinarounditmottledandugly.Hislefteyewasuntouched,butscars
streakedthebrowandeyelid.

Katarinabitherlipasshetouchedhischeek,fingertipsfindingthesmoothseamsofthescars.

Theburninghadhappenedalongtimeago,shecouldtell,butthepainofitlingeredinhisveryblueeyes.

“Thismusthavehurtyousomuch,”shewhispered.

Caldersnarledandjerkedaway.

“Calder…”

“No,”hegrowled,hisvoiceharshlikeithadbeenintheclinic.“Idon‟twantthiswithyou.”

Heswungaround,blackclothesswirling,anddisappearedintothedarknessbeyondthecandles.

“Wait!”Katarinatriedtorunafterhimbutthestupidhighheelsimpededher.

Silence.Thefeelingofhispresencedissipated,thesoothingcalm,theexcitement,thepeace,allgone.

TearsstungKatarina‟seyes.“Please.Calder,don‟tleaveme.”Asifinanswer,lightswentonintheroom
andasuddenwhooshofairextinguishedthecandles.Katarinafoundherselfstandinginasquareroom
withaplatformbed,awallfountainandsmoking,gutteringcandles.

Itlookedsoordinary,themagicofthedarknessandtheflickeringlightgone.Shesawthecamerasnow,
dark,shininglensesallovertheceilingandwalls,surveyingtheroomateveryangle.Hemusthave
watchedherthroughthesebeforehe‟dentered.

KatarinalookedforahiddendoorthroughwhichCaldermusthaveexitedbutshefoundonlyseamless
blackwalls.Afterafewcircuitsoftheroom,shegaveupandplunkedonthebed.

Shetuggedoffthebootsandthrewofftheleatherdress,notcaringthatshewasmother-nakedinabright
roomwithcamerasalloverit.Lethimwatch.

Katarinaputonhertunicandpantsandgrabbedhersun-blockingrobes,veilsandbreathmask.“I‟m
going,”shesaidtotheair.

Theentrancetothegreenery-linedwalkwayshotopen.Katarinaplungedintothegardenshe‟dthoughtso
beautiful,nowfindingitoverlyexotic,thescentoftheflowerstoostrong.

Soonshewasrunningthroughthedoorthatledtothedingyhall.Theoutsidedooropenedforherasshe
hurriedtowardit,heatblastingherbeforesheevenmadeitoutside.

Katarinaslitheredintosun-blockingrobesandveils,gratefulfortheabilitytohideherface.Behindher
thedoorslammedshutwithfinality,therustingmetalasunyieldingasithadbeenwhenshe‟darrived.

Blinkingbacktears,Katarinapulledherveilsoverherfacethenwalkedintothestreetinsearchofa
hovercab.

ChapterFour

Fuck.

Calder,pent-upandfurious,pacedthesmallquartersofhisapartment.He‟dalwayslikedthecontrastof
hisfunctional,minimallivingspacewiththeexoticdécorofhislair,buttodayhewishedhehadmore
roomtopace.

Damnher.Theminuteshe‟dwalkedin,hisplantoshowthenervousmedicwhataShareemtrulywas
evaporated.Sheandhercondescendinghighbornattitudeweresupposedtocrumblelikedust—shewas
supposedtolearnthatCalderwouldhavetheupperhandthenexttimehehadtovisitherclinic.

Hisplanhadgonealltohell.Hencehisfrenziedpacing,likeananimalinacage.

Shareemweremadeforsex;theyneededsex.AnywomancouldgetCalderhard,hisbodybuilttoreact
instantlyandstronglytoawoman‟spheromones.

Ifshewantedit,hisbodywantedittoo.

Butthatwasasimplechemicalreaction.WhatrarelyhappenedwasCalderlookingatawomanand
wantingtofuckherbecauseofher,forthepurejoyofit.

Thiswoman…

Calderslammedhisfistsintothewhitewall.HisShareemchemicalshadshotallkindsofjoythrough
him,andhe‟dwantedtotoucheveryinchofher.

Ifshehadn‟tbeensodamncurioushecouldstillbeinthere,maybewithheronthepaddedplatform,her
legsaroundhishipswhileheenjoyedagoodfuck.

Whyhadsherippedthemaskfromhisfaceandruinedeverything?

Womenhadseenhimbefore—sometimeshedecidedtheyneededtoseewhatkindofbeingtheycravedto
bewith.They‟dscreaminhorror,thosehighborn,face-sculptedwomen,forwhomphysicalbeautywas
easilypurchased,andrunfromhim.He‟dhuntthemdownandtakethem,whichwaswhattheywanted.
Thatwasthefantasy,toberavishedbyTheBeast.

Idon’twantthiswithyou,he‟dsaidtoKatarina.

Hewantedtobewithher,andnotthroughthestupidgameofpredatorandprey.

Well,allright,hewouldn‟tmindalittlepredatorandpreyfantasywithher,buthewantedtheplayingto
bemutual.Hewantedtohunther,andwhenhecaughther,haveherlaughandkisshimandbehappytobe
caught.

Hewantedittobereal.

Whatthefuckisthematterwithme?

Calderstrodetohissparselyfurnishedbedroomandslidbackawallpaneltorevealafull-lengthmirror.
Barelyglancingatit,hebegantoremovehisclothes.

“She‟sjustawomanwhowantedTheBeast,”hesaidoutloudasheshuckedhisglovesandskin-tight
tunic.“That‟swhyshecame.Nootherreason.”Therecouldhavebeennootherreason.WhatCalder
offeredwasuniqueanddangerousandspoketoneedswomendidn‟twanttoexaminetooclosely.

Calderdidn‟taskwomentoexaminetheirneeds.Hesimplyofferedawaytoletthemputasidetaboos
andgivein.Iftheydidn‟tgivein,hetaughtthemto.

Hetouchedprimalfearsandprimalneeds,andwomenflockedtohimforit.

Someleftterrified,othersmoresatedthenthey‟deverbeenintheirlives.Buthe‟dneverhadone
complaint,neverathreatofarrestortermination.Nooneevertalkedaboutwhathappenedinthelairof
TheBeast.

He‟dnever,everstoppedthegameandfled,leavingawomanbewilderedandcallingafterhim.

Stupid,cock-brainedasshole.

Calderpulledoffhislinenundertunic,hiseyesonthemirror.Hisflatabdomenwastightwithmuscle,his
chestmassive,wideningtobroad,strongshoulders.Abodymadeforpowerandpleasure.

TheleftsideofCalder‟storsowasamazeofscars,withaconcaveindentationbelowhisribcage
coveredwithunnaturallysmoothskin.Therestofhisbodywasmottledwithpuckersofscartissue.
Beneaththatlaybonesthathadbeencrushedandrebuiltmoleculebymolecule.

Therightsideofhisbodywasnotasbadastheleft,butrowsofscarslacedhisskinfromcollarboneto
ankle.

Someoftheskingraftshadcomefromtherightsideofhisbody,Dr.Laasdesperatelyharvestingeverybit
ofhealthyskin.Repairinghimhadbeentrickybusiness.Theboneshadbeeneasiest,pinnedtogetherand
lefttoShareemmetabolismtoheal.

Theorganshadtakenmuchmoretimeandmuchmorepain.Dr.Laashadrebuilteverysingleone,and
nowtheyfunctionedastheyweresupposeto.Calderhadconvalescedforadamnlongtime,duringwhich
he‟dsometimeswishedshewouldjustlethimdie.

Hehadhealed,butthescarring,despiteDr.Laas‟work,remained.Helookedadamnsightbetterthan
whenhe‟dfirstbeenrolledoutoftheplasmafire,andhe‟dalwaysbegratefulforthat.Buteven
techniquesthathadevolvedinthetwentyyearssincehadn‟thelped.Thedamagewassimplytoo
extensive.

Dr.LaashadoncesuggestedcyberreplacementsbutCalderhadsnarledsoviciouslythatshe‟dnever
broughtupthesubjectagain.Hedidn‟twanttobeadamncyborg,halfman,halfmachine.Itwasbad
enoughbeingShareem.

Calderpulledopentheflyofhisleggingsandkickedthemoff.Hislegshadtakentheworstoftheburning,
bothmangledandtwisteduntilthey‟dalmostdisintegrated.Dr.Laashadpainstakinglypiecedthemback

together,ignoringherfellowscientistswhopredictedhe‟dneverwalkagain.

She‟dfixedhimsothatnotonlycouldhewalk,buthismuscleshealedandregainedmostoftheirstrength.
Nowhislegsweretautandstrong,thoughtheskinwasruinedbeyondrepair.

Avainmanwouldhavegottenridofthemirror.Calderkeptitsohe‟dnevertakehimselfforgranted.

Whathecouldnowofferawomanwasnotabodytogazeat,ahandsomesmiletomakeherwetinan
instant.Heofferedatechnique,anexperiencetheywouldneverforget.

Calderfacedhisnakedbody,rememberingtheheatofKatarina‟spussythroughtheleather.

Hisalready-hardcocktightened.Therewerenoscarsonit,thankthegods,exceptafewattheverybase.
He‟dmovedhisthighoveritintimewhenhe‟dfallen.

TheDNAmoscientistshadjokedthatofcourseaShareemwouldprotecthisgreatestasset.

Nowthecockrosetofullerection,astandardfootlong.HishandwenttoitasherememberedKatarina
pressingherfaceagainstit.She‟dkissedandexploredit,beggedtoseeit.

Heimaginedherbeautifullipsclosingoveritandhestifledagroan.Hegrabbedatubefromhisbedside
table,openedit,dribbledlubeontohishand.

Hesmoothedinthegel,bitinghisliptokeephimselffromgrowling.IfithadbeenKatarina‟shand
slatheringlubealloverhim,herhandgrippinghim,he‟dhavecomealready.

Heclosedhishandtightlyanddrewhisfistupthelength,hispalmmakingasnappingnoiseasitcame
togetherattheend.Heslidhishanddownforasecondstroke,andathird,buildingupspeed.

HisShareemiriseswideneduntilhiseyeswerenothingbutblue.Hefeltthepulsingatthebaseofhis
ballsveryquickly—he‟dwantedtocomeeversinceKatarinad‟Arnalhadwalkedintohishouseof
pleasure.

Fasterandfaster.Thesoundofhishandwasloudinthesilentroom.Hishipsrockedwiththerhythm,his
legsmoving.Calderstudiedhisuglybodyinthemirrorashishandgaveasmuchpleasureasitcould.

HethoughtaboutKatarina,howsexyshelookedinthattightreddressandthehigh-heeledboots.How
she‟dputherhandsonherhipsandsmiledatherselfinthemirror.Everythingaboutherwasinnocence
andwarmth.

Hishandburned,thelubesoothedandhiscomesquirtedoutofhimtothewaitingtowel.

“Katarina!”heshouted,thewordfallingflatagainstthewallsofhistinybedroom.“Katarina,”Calder
repeatedsoftlyashisfrustrationeasedtheslightestbit.

Butnotenough.Hiscockwasstillhardandhot,wantingmore.Hewipedoffhishandsanddribbled
anotherdoseoflubeonhisstubborn,needycock.

Fuck.

*****

KatarinaglaredatCalder‟srustydooronBarkeloStreetthenextafternoonasthesunslowlyroastedher.
Herthumbprintwouldn‟topenthedoorandtherewasnoresponsetoherknocking.

Ofcoursehewouldhavechangedthethumbprintcode.Thatwasprobablyhisstandardprocedure.

Sohereshewas,standingforlornlyonthestreetlikeafool,wanting—needing—

toseehimagain.Damn.

Passersbyeyedherinsuspicion.Herhighbornrobesmadeherstandoutonthisbackstreet,apersonwho
clearlydidn‟tbelonghere.

Faceheating,Katarinamovedaway.

Sheturnedthecorner,headingbacktowardtheclinic.She‟dtakenahovercabtoCalder‟sstreet,
dismissingitbeforeshe‟dapproachedthedoor.Butshewastoorestlessnowtohuntanother,and
besides,sheneededtowalk.

Thestreetheldamarketoftentsandmetalawnings,temporarystructuresthatcouldquicklybepulledup
incaseofoneofBorNarga‟sdeadlysandstorms.

Katarinaglancedattheboxesofcolorfulfruits,brightcloth,pilesofrobotandcomputerparts,andtables
upontablesofcheap,gaudyjewelry.Everythingforsale,nothingthatheldherinterest.

Shewasn‟tsurewhyCalder‟srefusaltoanswerhisdoorcuthersomuch.HewasonlyaShareem,after
all.

InBorNarga‟scarefullystriatedculture,Shareemwerepersonanongrata.Theywerelessthanthe
lowestworkersbecausetheycontributednothingtoasocietythathadabandonedcarnality.Childrenwere
conceivedoutsidethebodybymixingDNAfromcarefullychosenpartners.Sexwasnolongerneeded
andconsideredunnecessary,evengauche.

Eonsago,BorNargahadbeenabarbaricplacewherewomenservedmen—thewomenontheirbacks
andontheirknees.Neveragain,saidthewomenwhonowcontrolledtheplanet.Neveragain.

Shareemwerecreatedatatimewhensexualpleasurehadbeenaformofentertainment,aguiltypleasure.
DNAmo,ageneticscompanyalreadysuccessfulatcreatingtheperfectservants,hadcomeupwiththe
ultimatemaleforpleasuringwomen.

DNAmobecamefamousthroughoutthegalaxyfortheircreationsandhadexportedShareemtomany
planets—beforetheShareemweredeemeddangeroustowomen‟ssafety.TheBorNargangovernment
shutdownthecompany.TherulingcouncilthenhadtodecidewhattodowiththeleftoverShareem,now
taboo.Thegovernmentdidn‟twanttospendthemoneytransportingtherestofthecreaturesoffworld—if
theycouldevenfindaplanetthatwantedtherefugees—nordidtheywanttheShareemtoremainonBor
Narga.

ThehighbornwomenwhoruledBorNargadebatedalongtimewhethertosimplyterminatethesubjects.

Shareemweren‟ttrulyhuman,theyreasoned,soitwouldn‟tbemurder.

Intheend,someonepointedoutthatwholesaleslaughteroftheShareemmightmakeBorNargalook
barbarictootherworldswithwhichtheytraded.BorNargacouldn‟taffordtolosetradeoverahundred
Shareem.

SoShareemweregrantedastayofexecution.Thosewho‟dhiddenthemselveswhenDNAmoshutdown
wererequiredtoturnthemselvesintotheMinistryofNon-HumanLifeForms.AllShareemweretobe
scannedandregistered.

Shareemhadtoagreetovisitapprovedclinicseverysixmonthsfortherestoftheirlivestoreceive
inoculationsthatwouldpreventsexualdiseasesandprocreation.Thepenaltyfornotsubmittingwas
termination.DNAmohadclaimedthatthey‟dbredallaggressionoutofthem,makingthemunabletotouch
awomanwithoutherpermission.AndsotheShareemweretamed,controlled.

Intheory.

KatarinahadstartedresearchingShareemafterCalderhadcometotheclinic,goingthroughtheMinistry
ofNon-HumanLifeForms‟datafiles.She‟ddiscoveredthateachShareemwasoneofthree“levels”.
Levelone—puresensualpleasure.

Leveltwo—funandgames.Levelthree—dangerousfantasiesandbondage.

TheShareemcalledCalder,forwhomtherecordwassketchy,wasalevelthree.

Katarinashivered.Dangerousfantasydescribedhimwell.

TherestofCalder‟sfileheldlittle,noholopic,nomentionofwhyorhowhe‟dbeenburned.Itnoted
wherehelivedandlistedthedatesofhissix-monthinoculations,includingtheoneKatarinahaddonethe
weekbefore.

Katarinashivered.Calderhadcommandedthesessionintheclinic,andhe‟dmorethancommandedher
inhiswarehouse.She‟dneverbeentreatedlikethatbyamanbefore.Shewashighbornandfemale.Men
weredeferentialtoher,always.

IfanyoneintheMinistryfoundoutwhatCalderhaddonetoKatarinayesterday—orevendiscoveredthat
he‟drefusedthescanningprocessintheclinic—

he‟dbearrested.

Arrested,confined.Terminated.Calder,thetall,commandingmalewho‟dmadeherfeelsexyforthefirst
timeinherlife,woulddie.

Herbloodwentcold.

“Lady,yougonnaorderorblocktheway?”

Katarinajumped.She‟dslowedtoahaltinfrontofatentthatservedcoffeeandpastries,andthewoman
vendorbehindthetablewasglaringather.Thethickaromaofburnedcoffeefilledtheair.

“Sorry.”Katarinasteppedoutofthewayasamanpassedhertogettothetent.

Shestoppedinshock.

ThemanwasShareem.Hehadlongblackhaircaughtinaponytailandworetightblackleatherleggings
andashort-sleevedgraytunic.Athinblackchainencircledhisrightbiceps,andhisskinwasbronze-
colored,thesameasCalder‟s.Infact,hisresemblancetoCalder,minusthescars,wasuncanny.

“Theusual,”hesaidtothevendor,hissmooth,darkvoicemakingitsoundlikeaninvitationtobed.

Thesourvendorsuddenlygrinned.“Hello,Braden.How‟veyoubeen?”

“AllbetternowthatI‟veseenyou.”

“Liar,”thewomansaid,butshelookedhappy.

TheShareemreachedforthepastryandcoffeethevendorheldouttohim,paidwithacreditslipthen
turnedaway,nearlyrunningintoagapingKatarina.

Heskimmedhisgazeinaflatteringpassoverherbodythenhesmiled.“Hello.”Hissmilecouldmelt
butterattenpaces.Hisvoicecouldsopupwhatwasleft.

“What‟syourname,prettylady?”Heliftedhisthumbfromthepastryandlickedawayadropofhoney.
Katarinafollowedthestrokeofhistongue,watchedtheformofhislipsashesucked.

“Whoareyou?”sheblurted.

“CallmeBraden,sweetheart.Whoareyou?”

HiseyeswerethesameblueasCalder‟s—sheerazurebluethatglowedevenundertheshadowofthe
canopies.

Herheartpoundedinherthroat.“MayI…MayItalktoyou?”

“Sure,”hesaid,stillsmiling.“TellmewhereyouliveandI‟llmakearrangementstocomethere,noone
thewiser.”

“No,Imeanrightnow.AndItrulymeantalk.”

Hisbrowsrose.“AhighbornwomanwantingtotalktoaShareem?Willwondersnevercease?”

“Please.”

“Suityourself.”

Bradenledhertoaclusterofstoolsandtablesundercanopies.AllthetableswerefilledbutBraden
lookedmeaningfullyattwoscruffymen,whoimmediatelyvacatedandscuttledaway.

BradensethispastyandcoffeeonthetablethenhelpedKatarinatoastoolwithawarmhandonherarm.

“Havesomepastry.Dillahasasharptonguebutshe‟dadamnfinebaker.”

Katarinadeclined.Bradenshruggedashesatdown,thenbrokeoffachunkofpastyandputitinhis
mouth.Heclosedhiseyesashechewed,slowlysavoringit.

Heswallowedthenhistonguecameouttoslideeverystraycrumbfromhislips.Awomancouldgetwet
watchinghimeat.

“Younevertoldmeyourname,”Bradensaid,openinghiseyesagain.

“Katarinad‟Arnal.”Itdidn‟tmatterifheknewhername—he‟dseeherintheclinicsoonerorlater.“I
metsomeone,anotherShareem.Youlooklikehim.Doyouhaveabrother?”

Bradenshrugged,powerfulmusclesrippling.“OnlyifhecameoutofVat23.”Whateverthatmeant.“His
nameisCalder.Doyouknowhim?”Bradenfrozeintheactofliftinganotherpieceofpastrytohismouth.
“YoumetCalder?”

“Hecametomyclinicforhisinoculations.”

Braden‟ssmiledimmed.“Waitaminute.You‟reoneofthosewomenwhousehyposonShareem?”

“Ijuststarted.Calderwasmyfirst.”

“Yeah?”Hesoundedwary.

Katarinabittheinsideofhermouththencontinuedherconfession.“Yesterday,IwenttoCalder‟s…
place.”

Thatbroughtbackhissurprise.“Youhadanappointmentwithhim?”Katarinaopenedhermouthtosayno,
butthewordwouldn‟tform.SherememberedthefloodoffeelingswhenCaldertouchedher,theamazing
excitementofherclimax,thestingofhishandonherbuttocks.Herlipsnumbedandshecouldn‟tsaya
word.

“Ah.”Bradengrinned,hiswarylookvanishing.“Youcouldn‟tresistoldCalder.

Igiveyoupointsforcourage.”

Katarinahadn‟tfeltbraveintheslightest.“Hesentmeawayandtodayhewon‟tanswerthedoor.”

“Well,hewouldn‟t,wouldhe?YounevergetasecondappointmentwithCalder.”Braden‟slookgrew
sinful.“Butnoworries,sweetheart.I‟mnotaone-timedeal.Youcantalktomewheneverandwherever
youwant,foraslongasyouwant,asoftenasyouwant.Calder‟sloss.”

Katarinapressedherpalmstothetable.“Youdon‟tunderstand.Idon‟twanttomakeanappointment.I
onlywanttotalktohim.”

“Calderdoesn‟ttalk.That‟snotwhathe‟sfor,sweetheart.”Heleanedforward.

“Me,Idon‟tmindaheart-to-heart.”

HisbreathonhercheeksmelledofhoneyandKatarinawonderedwhetherhislipstastedofittoo.

Sherealizedinthenextinstanthewantedhertowonderthat.HerresearchtoldherthataShareemcould
projectdeep-seatedlongingontoawoman.Shareemneededwomentowantthem—always—because
Shareemhadtokeepthemselvessatedinordertostayalive.

“Whathappenedtohisface?”Katarinaasked,tryingtoshutoutwhatBradenwasdoingtoher.“Howwas
heburned?”

Bradensatupagain,surpriseslowinghisoutpouringofpheromones.“Heshowedyouhisface?The
wholething?”

“Itmusthavebeenawfulforhim.Couldn‟tregenerativesurgeryhelp?”

“Calderhadthebestplasticandgeneticsurgeonintheuniverseworkonhim.Itwastheverybestshe
coulddo.Youshouldhaveseenhimbeforeshewenttowork.”

“Howwasheinjured?”

Bradentookanotherbiteofpastry.“Ishouldshutupnow.IfCalderwantsyoutoknow,he‟lltellyou.”

“Howcanhetellmeifhewon‟tletmeseehim?Idon‟twanttowaituntilhecomesbacktotheclinicin
sixmonths.”

Bradenfoldedthepaperovertheremainsofhispastryandlickedhoneyfromhisfingers.“Tellmeabout
you.You‟reamedic,yousaid.Doyouwanttodoexperimentsonhim,tryto„cure‟himtofurther
scientificresearch?Forgetit.That‟sbeentried.”Hispheromonesdiedawayandshefelthischillanger.

Shareemweren‟tsupposedtofeelanger,thedatafileshadsaid.Katarinasuddenlywonderedifwhoever
hadmadethosefileshadeveractuallymetaShareem.

Bradenwenton.“We‟vehadenoughofscientificexperiments,honey,Caldermostofall.Ifthat‟swhat
youwant,runbacktoyourclinicandleaveusthehellalone.”

Katarinastaredathim.“No.That‟snotwhatImeant.”

“Thenwhydoyouwanttoseehim?Ohwait,Iremember,totalk.”

“Really,that‟sall.”

“Ifyouwantedaconversation,whydidyoumakeanappointmentwithhim?

Youmusthaveknownhedidn‟tletyouintohislairtogetchatty.”

“Ididn‟tmakeanappointmentexactly.”

Katarinablushedasshetoldhimwhatshethought,thatthemedicsattheclinichadmadetherequeston
Katarina‟sbehalfasapracticaljoke.Noneofthemhadbetrayedanygleewhenshe‟dwalkedinthis
morning,andshedidn‟tdarebringitup,butshewasstillsureithadbeenoneofthem.

WhenKatarinaexplainedshethoughtshe‟dbeensenttodoctorahurtstreetvendor,Bradenburstout
laughing.Womenthroughoutthemarketturnedandsearchedlonginglyforthesourceofthatincredible
laugh.

“Ohgods,that‟spriceless.Youthoughtyouweregoingtouseahypoonanailingvendor,andthen
Calder…”

“It‟snotfunny.Irealizedmymistakeveryquickly.”Bradenheldhisbrawnyarmsacrosshisstomach.
“Man,IwishIcouldhaveseenthat.”Helaughedalittlelongerthenwipedhiseyes.“Tellmemore,
Katarina.Youinterestme.Whyareyou,aprettyhighbornlady,workinginaslumclinicinPasCity?”

Katarinahesitatedbutitseemedfinetoopenuptohim,tolethimdrawthewordsoutofher.Shetoldhim
thatshewantedtodorealgoodwithhermedicaldegree,notsimplydoctorwomenworriedaboutgetting
toomanywrinkles.“Ihadn‟trealizedI‟dbeinoculatingShareemthough.”

“Luckyus.Mosthighbornwomenwon‟ttouchus.Forbiddenfruit.”Hewinkedather,hissmilesinful—
andsuddenlyKatarinawantedhim.

HerinterestinCalderwasnolessstrong,butshehadtheabrupt,overwhelmingdesiretocrawlunderthe
table,unlaceBraden‟sleggingsandputhermouthoverhiscock.

Shewantedhimtobendheroverthetableandscrewherrightthere,nomatterhowmanypeoplewatched.
Itwasnotanemotionallonging,itwaspurephysicalneed.Lustinitsrawestform.

Theblueofhiseyeswidened,swallowingthewhite.Needcrawledthroughher,hotterthantheBor
Nargansun,makingherjustassweaty.

“Yousee?”Bradenasked,voicesoft.“Youlookatus,youwantus,andwehavenoproblemfulfillingour
function.”

Katarinapressedherthighstightlytogether,herbodycravingclimax.“Please,stopdoingthat.”

“I‟mnotdoingathing.Youdoittoyourself.I‟malevelthree—likeCalder—

whichmeansI‟dliketotieyoudownandhaveyoubeatruesubmissivetome.

That‟sCalder‟sspecialtytoo.Womenareterrifiedofhimandbeghimforitatthesametime.”

Tighter,tighter.Katarinadrewasharpbreathasexcitementlacedthroughher,followedbyawarm
sensationandthefeelofcreambetweenherlegs.

“Careful,”Bradensaid,glancingoverhisshoulder.“Don‟tletthepatrollersthinkyou‟reenjoying
yourself.Imightgetarrested.”Katarinalookeduptoseetwowomenwearingsand-coloredoverallsand
carryingstunpistols,watchingBradenwithnarrowedeyes.

“Whywouldtheyarrestyou?”sheasked,tryingtocatchherbreath.“You‟reunnervingme,butthat‟snot
illegal.Isit?”

“Allyouhavetodoiscallforhelpandthey‟llcomerunningtothrowmeintothecells.They‟dlovetodo

it.”

“That‟sterrible,”Katarinasaid.

“It‟slifeonBorNarga.Homesweethome.”Bradengrinnedatthepatrollersandgavethemacheerful
wave.Theyreturnedthelookgrimly.

“I‟msorry,Ishouldgothen.Idon‟twanttogetyouintotrouble.”Bradengaveashortlaugh.
“ApologizingtoShareem.Nowomandoesthat,unlessshe‟sinbondageatthetime.”Hegaveheranother
alloverlookthatsaidhe‟dlovetoseeherinthepositiontoapologizetohim.“Don‟tgoyet,baby.I‟m
fascinatedbyyourneedtotalktoCalder.”

“Doyouthinkhewouldseemeifyouaskedhim?It‟sveryimportant.”

“Idon‟tknow.Calderiswithawomanonceandonceonly.Youlethimdowhathewantsthenyou‟re
done.It‟sinhisconsentform.”Bradenchuckled.“He‟stheonlyShareemIknowwithaconsentform.”

KatarinarememberingCaldermentioningit.“Consentform?”

“Calderwon‟tallowaladytowalkthroughhisdoorwithoutsigninghisform.

Thatwayheknowsshe‟salreadygivenhimpermission,andthenhedoesanythinghewants.Didn‟tyou
signit?”

Katarinashookherhead.Hercolleaguesmusthavedonethatforher,laughing.

“It‟sabeautifulidea,”Bradensaid.“Butnotforme.Isuckatpaperwork.Calderspendswaytoomuch
timealone,comesupwithallthesedifferentandexoticscenarios.Me,Ijustgetoutthemanacles.”

“Whydoesn‟theseealadytwice?Iwouldthinkhe‟dbemuchindemand.”

“BecausewhenladiesarewithCalder,theylayeverythingoutforhim.Theyofferupeverythingthey
have,andbelieveme,hetakesit.Besides,youfeelitmoredon‟tyou,whenyouknowit‟sonlyonceand
neveragain?”

“Iwouldn‟tknow,”Katarinasaid.“Hesentmeaway.Wedidn‟tdomuch.”Bradenstared.“Noshit?”

Sheshookherhead.“Noshit.”

“Huh.”Bradenswallowedthedregsofhiscoffee,athoughtfullookonhisface.

“Willyoutakemetoseehim,Braden?Ifit‟smoneyyouwant,I‟llgiveyouasmuchasyouask—”

Hehelduphishand.“Ithasnothingtodowithmoney.ForgetaboutCalder,sweetheart.He‟s…Well,
whenhegotburnedhewenttoabadplace,andIdon‟tmeantheDNAmolab.Heneverreallyrecovered.
There‟sadarknesstohimthataprettyladylikeyoudoesn‟tneedtotouch.He‟stakenlevelthreetoa
heightevenIdon‟tunderstand,andI‟mprettybadass.”

“Ithasnothingtodowiththat.”

Hetookherhand,hisShareempheromonesfloodingheragain.“Whydon‟tyouspendtherestofyour
afternoonwithme?I‟llgiveyouwhatCalderwouldhave,andwe‟llfigureoutwhatyoureallyneed.All
right?Sayyouwill.”Helookedslightlydistressed,whitepatchespullingatthesidesofhisblueeyes.

“Ihavetoseehim.”KatarinagentlydisengagedherhandfromBraden‟s.“I‟msorry,IhopeIdon‟thurt
yourfeelings.”

Hestaredatherinamazement.“Hurtmyfeelings?Sweetie,youarethestrangestladyI‟veevermet.
You‟renotsupposedtoworryaboutaShareem‟sfeelings.”

“Soeveryonekeepstellingme.”

Bradenshookhishead,chuckling,histensionsuddenlygone.“Ihavetoseethis.

He‟llkillme,but…”

Heslidoffthestool,crumpledthecoffeecupandtosseditatapassinggarbagebot.Thebot‟smetalclaw
caughtthecupandsnakeditbackintoitsbody.

“I‟lltakeyoutoCalder‟splaceandI‟llgetyouintothesameroomwithhim.

Afterthat,it‟suptohimwhethertotalkorthrowyourassout.”Katarinaexhaledinrelief.“Thankyou.”

“Ifhedoesn‟tcooperate,you‟llconsidermyoffer,right?You‟readorable.Wecouldtearupthistown.”

KatarinadraggedBradendowntoherandkissedhischeek.Theconnectionofherlipswithhisskinsent
anotherriverofwarmththroughher,butitwasnothingcomparedtothevolcanoCalderhadgivenher.

“I‟llconsiderit,”shesaidwithasmile.

“Godsgivemeluck.”

HegaveKatarina‟sbacksideaShareemswat,winkedattheoutragedpatrollersandledKatarinabackto
BarkeloStreet.

ChapterFive

Caldersensedsomethingwrongassoonashesteppedintothecoolwhitenessofhislivingquarters.The
airfeltcharged,fresher,asthoughanionizerhadchangedthestalemolecules.

Hesetdowntheboxofsupplieshe‟dgoneouttobuy,unwoundthesun-blockingclothsfromhisface,and
tossedhisrobesandbreathmasktotheirhooks.

Strippingoffhisgloves,hestrodeintohisfrontroomandstopped.

“Hell,”hesaid.

BradenloungedonCalder‟ssquaresofa,hisleather-cladlegsproppedonthetable.He‟dfoldedhis
brawnyarmsbehindhisheadandaspillofblackhairfelloverhisshouldertohislap.

“Nicetoseeyoutoo.”

BradenwastheclosestthingCalderhadtoafriend,butCalderwasnotinthemoodforBraden‟ssenseof
humorrightnow.

Bradenmaintainedacasualapproachtolifeanddidn‟tcarewhodidn‟tlikeit.

HethoughtCaldertooanalandCalderthoughtBradentoocareless.Usuallytheygotalongfine.

“IknewIshouldhavechangedthelocks,”Caldergrowled.“Ihaveaclientcoming.Whateveritis,make
itquick.”

“She‟snotcoming.”

Calderhaltedintheactofgoingbackforhissupplies.Hisleather-cladbodycreakedasheturnedaround.
“Whatdoyoumean?Howdoyouknow?”

“Ifoundherinyourcomputer.Isentheramessagethatsaidyou‟dbeendelayedandwillcallherlater.”

Calder‟sragewarredwithrelief.TheclientwasawomanfromDelta-Terra,ahigh-handedbitchwho‟d
senthimmessagesspecifyingwhatsheexpectedhimtodotoher.Womensometimestriedtocommand
him—andthenCaldertaughtthemthattheirdictatesdidn‟tmeanshit.Itwasonemorewayheturnedtheir
poweragainstthem.

Hehadn‟treallywantedtoseethewomantoday,butthenagainhedid,toexpungewhathadhappened
yesterdaywithKatarina.Agoodhunt,followedbyagoodfuck,andhe‟dbeallrightagain.

HeswungtowardhisterminalbutBraden‟snextwordsstoppedhim.

“Ibroughtsomeoneelsetoseeyou.”

Thedoortohiskitchenslidopen,andKatarinad‟Arnal,dressedinasoftsilktunicandpants,withno
faceveil,pausedonthethreshold.Sheregardedhimintrepidation,asthoughshewasn‟tsureBraden‟s
ideaofbringingherhadbeenagoodone.

Shewasrightaboutthat.

Calderwatchedhergivehimaonce-over,takinginhisblackclothesandhisnakedface.Hiscockwas
alreadyhardeningasthosebeautifulbrowneyesrovedoverhisbody.Henevercoveredhisfacewhenhe
wasalone,soshesawhisscarsinalltheirglory.

HeglaredatBraden.“Takeherout.”

Katarinatookastepforward.“Ineedtotalktoyou.”

“Bookanappointment.Don‟taskmyfriendstosneakyouintomyhouse.”

“Atleasttalktoher,”Bradensaid,bringinghisfeettothefloor.“Whatwillithurt?”

Braden,theidiot,couldn‟tknowhowitwouldhurt.UsuallyCalderdidn‟tcareaboutawoman‟s
fascinationwithTheBeast,butwithKatarinahedid.She‟dwantwhattheyallwanted—totouchhimand
lickhim,havehimpretendtooverpowerher.

“Thentalk,”hesaidtightlytoKatarina.

Katarinawetherlips,makingthemlusciousandred.“Istillneedtoscanyou.”Calderstared.Ofallthe
thingsshecouldhavesaid,hewasn‟texpectingthat.

“Youthumbprintedtheexam.It‟sfinished.”

“Becauseyouforcedme.”

Braden‟sblackbrowsrose.“Heforcedyou?”

“Hegrabbedmythumbandpresseditonthehandheld.”

“Calder,youshithead.”

“Idon‟tneedtobescanned,”Caldersaid.“Youalreadyhaverecordsofmybody.Ithasn‟tchanged.”

“Butthosearen‟ttherules.”

“Fucktherules.”

Damnit,hiscontrolwasslipping—again.Whatdidthiswomandotohim?

“IfIreportedyou—”

Calderwasacrosstheroom,pinninghertothedoorframebeforeshecouldcompletethesentence.

“Areyouthreateningme?”hegrowled.

“I‟msayingthatifsomeonefoundout,ifthey‟dseenyoudothat,youcouldgetintotrouble.”

Bradenreturnedhisbootedfeettothetable.“Shehasapoint.”Calderreleasedher.Shesmelledtoogood

whenhestoodclosetoher.Hiscockdanced.

“Whatdoyouwant,Katarina?”

“Itoldyou.Toscanyou.”

“AndifIdon‟twantyourunningyourwandovermynakedbody?”Gods,Ishouldn’thaveputitlike
that.“WillyoureportwhatIdidtoyouinmypleasurerooms?”

Shereddened.“No.”

Calderrememberedhowpinkherothercheekshadgottenwhenhe‟dspankedher.He‟dwantedtogether
readytotakehiminherass,somethingthatwouldbeasunfamiliartoherasflappingherarmsandflying.

He‟dknownKatarinahadneverbeenfucked,notproperlyfuckedinherpussy.

Ahighbornwomangotherhymenremovedataclinicwhenshecameofage.

Womenmadeabigdealaboutit,pretendingthatlosingthehymentaughtthemallthemysteriesof
womanhood.Theyforsooksweetcock-in-pussyfuckingsotheycouldstudyphilosophyandlearnhowto
createchildrenwithouttouchingamale.

“Thenwhatwillyoudo?”heasked.

“Nothing.”Shefoldedherarms,whichpushedherbreastsintolusciousmounds.“I‟llscanyouprivately
andenterthedata.Afterthat,noonecanaccuseyouofbreakingtherules.”

Shewasserious.Herprettyeyesregardedhimworriedly.

Calderleanedoverher.Helikedthewayherbreathsmelled,spicyandsweet.

Hewantedtoputhistongueinhermouth.

“No,”hesaid.

“Iknowyourbodyhasbeenburned.Idon‟tmindseeingthat.”Oldrageboiledupinsidehim,theragethat
hadkepthimalivewhenthescientistsinthelabthoughthewasawrite-off.“ButImind.”

“I‟mnottryingtohumiliateyou.”

Calderstraightenedup.“Bradentakeherhome.”

Bradengrinnedfromthesofaanddidn‟tmove.“Nah.She‟sright.HowcomeIhavetogetscannedand
youdon‟t?”

“Whatyoudowhenyougototheclinicisyourbusiness,”Caldersaid.

“Ithinkyou‟remissingafineopportunityhere,myfriend.Maybeyoutwocanstrikeabargain.”

CalderlookedbackatKatarina.Shestoodstill,foldedarmsshuttinghimout.

Buthefeltherpheromones,double-strengthalmost,herwantingpouringfromher.Hisownbodycouldn‟t
helpreacting.Hewantedtorubhiscockagainsther,firstonherpussythenherbareass.

Straddleme,he‟dsay.Rideme,sweetheart.

Bradenwashere,butCalderdidn‟tmindhimwatching.HavingBraden‟shungryeyesonhermightturn
Katarinaon.

Helethisvoicegrowdangerous.“You‟reright,Braden.”Katarinalookedatthemnervously.“Whatare
youtalkingabout?”

“WhatkindofbargaincanImakewithher?”Calderasked,lookingatKatarina.

“Whatdoyouthink,Braden?”

“Ithinkifyoudon‟twanther,I‟lltakeher.”

Katarinabrokein.“WouldyoutwopleasenottalkaboutmelikeI‟mnothere?”

“Ooo,”Bradenchuckled.“Shehasatempertoo.”

Katarinastuckhertongueoutathim.

“Bringthatoverhere,baby.Ihaveafewthingsyoucanlick.”Bradensmiledashespoke,theblueofhis
eyesgettingwidereverysecond.Hiscockshowedhardathiscrotch,andheunashamedlyadjustedit
undertheleather.

“Notwithoutmypermission.”ThetugofpossessivenesssurprisedCalder,butnowaywouldhelet
Bradensimplyhaveher.

BradenswitchedhisgazetoCalder.“Ilikethatidea.Willyouorderhertopleasureme?Prettyplease?”

CaldersensedKatarina‟sheighteningpheromones,couldtastethemontheair.

Bradenturnedheron,didhe?Calderwasn‟tsurewhetherthetwingeinhisheartwasjealousyor
excitement.

HeputhishandsonKatarina‟sshouldersandleanedtowardher.Herlovelyscentmadeithardforhimto
rememberhowtospeak.“YouagreetodowhatItellyounowandI‟llsubmittoyourscan.”

“ForhowlongamIagreeingtodowhatyoutellme?”

Fortherestofmylife.

“Fortheafternoon.”

“Andthenyou‟llcomebacktotheclinicforyourscan?”

“Yes.”Fuckthat.BythetimehewasdonewithDr.Katarinad‟Arnal,herthoughtswouldbefarfromher

clinic.He‟dfinishwhatheshouldhaveyesterdayandshe‟dneverwanttoseehimagain.

Hehadnoideawhyhisheartconstrictedinthatannoyingwaywhenhethoughtofneverseeingheragain.

“Allright.”Katarinadrewabreaththatpushedherbreaststowardhim.“Iagree.”

Calderstraightenedup.Hisheartpounded.“Goonthen.PleasureBraden.Suckhiscockforme.”

Katarinastared,mouthopen,herbodytemperatureclimbing.“But—”

“Doit,”hesaid.“Iwantyouto.”

Bradenclosedhisfist.“Yesss!”Hestartedunhookinghisleggings.“Thecarpet‟ssoft.We‟regood.”

KatarinamovedtohimwoodenlyandCalderwatched,holdinghisbreath.

Wouldshedoit?WouldsheandBradengetsoturned-onbyeachotherthatthey‟dgoawayandleavehim
alone?Thenhewouldn‟thavetothinkaboutheranymore.

No,cameavoiceinhishead.Mine.

Bradenpaused,hishandonhisfly.“Youwanttodothis?”heaskedKatarina.

“Makesure.Ihavetohaveyourpermission,likeItoldyou.Ifyousayno…I‟llprobablydierighthere,
buthey,nopressure.”

“WhataboutCalder?DoIhavetogivehimpermission?”

“Yousignedtheconsentforms,”Calderremindedher.

“Ididn‟t.Someoneforgedmyprint.”

Bradenlaughed.Atleastsomeonethoughtallthiswasfunny.

Calderstrodetohisterminal,loadedablankformintohishandheldandbroughtittoher.Heslidhisarm
aroundherwaistandthrustthehandheldunderhernose.

“It‟sallhere.YouagreetoletmedotoyouanythingIwant,includingtellingyoutopleasureBradenora
woodenpoleorwhateverIthinkof.YouagreetoobeymeandacceptwhateverpunishmentIdishoutif
youdisobey.InreturnI‟llvisittheclinic.”Heleanedcloser.“Yesterday,Idecidedtobenicetoyou
becauseyou‟recute.

Today,I‟vechangedmymind.”

Bradenutteredasmallmoan.Hethrusthishanddownhishalf-openleggings.

“Hurryup.You‟rekillingme.”

“Decide,”Caldersaid,ignoringhim.“Goandneverseekmeoutagain,orstayandIdowhateverIwant.”

Sheturnedherhead,herhairbrushinghisnose.“Iwanttostay.”

“Thankthegods,”Bradenbreathed.

“Good.”ThewordbrushedCalder‟slipsagainsthersbuthedidnotkissher.Hehelduptheform.
“Thumbprint.”

Katarinaraisedashakinghandandpressedherthumbtothelightedpad.

ChapterSix

Katarinacouldn‟tbelieveshewasdoingthis.ShewatchedBradenhurriedlypullopenhisleggingsas
Caldertossedthehandheldaside.

Calderloweredhertoherknees.Ashehadyesterday,hedidn‟texactlypushher,buthisgriploosened
herlegsuntilsheglideddownwherehewantedher.Hedroppedtoonekneenexttoher,thighplanted
firmlybehindherback.

Bradensighedwithreliefashiscocksprangout,hardandneedy.Itwasdarkred,theengorgedtipalmost
purple.

“Takeitinyourhand,”Caldersaid.“Gettoknowit.Hedoesn‟tmind.”Bradenspreadhisarmsoverthe
backofthecouchandpartedhislegs.“Nope.

Don‟tmindintheleast.”

Katarinareachedoutashakinghand.Againshereflectedthatshe‟dseenplentyofholoimagesofpenises
inhermedicalstudies,couldnamealltheparts,insideandout.Butthathadbeentheoryonly.

Braden‟sswollencockwasnotheory.Calder‟sbreathbrushedKatarina‟sneckasshetouchedBraden‟s
tip.

“Gods,”Bradengroaned.“Don‟tletmecometoosoon.”

“Didyouhearhim?”Calderaskedinherear.“Don‟tlethimcometoosoon,orIwillhavetopunishyou.”

Katrinanodded.She‟dneverbeensoawareoffeelings—thesilkofherownhaironherneck,theheatof
Calder‟sbreath,thesoftrugbeneathherknees,thebloodpoundingthroughthecockunderherhand.

“Holdontoit,”Calderordered.“Squeezeitinyourfist.”Shegrippedtentatively.Thecockheadmoved
upwardandBraden‟sskintightenedaroundit.Bradenclosedhiseyes,makingasoundofpleasure.

“Strokeit,”Caldersaid.

Katarina‟shandmovedallthewaydowntoBraden‟sscrotumthenbackupthelengthtohistip.And
again.

“Strokehisballs.”Caldertouchedthesoftringletsagainstherneck.“Putyourfingeraroundthem,like
this.”Hehelduphisforefingerandthumb,makingaring.

KatarinamovedherhanddowntoBraden‟sscrotumandtriedtodoasCalderinstructed,butherfingers
wereclumsy.Caldermovedherhandintotherightposition,makingherringBraden‟sballswithfinger
andthumb.

Braden‟seyeswerehalfclosed,hischeekbonesflushed.Hekepthisarmsstretchedacrossthebackofthe
sofabutwatchedKatarinaintently.Hewashavingthetimeofhislife.

FuckBraden.Calderwantedher,ofcoursehedid,whatmanwouldn‟t?Buthewasn‟tabouttoripopen
hisflyandbeghertorubherhandsandtonguealloverhim.Nomatterhowmuchhewantedto.

That‟snotwhatCalderdid.Hecontrolledthesituationandlettheladyhaveonlywhathewantedtogive
her.

“I‟mgoingtocome,”Bradensaid.“Damnit,Idon‟twantto,notyet.”

“Don‟tlethimcome,”Caldergrowled.

“HowdoIstopit?”

Bradenmovedhislargehandtothebaseofhisscrotum.“Holdmehere.Pinchit.”

KatarinakepttheringofherthumbandfingeronBraden‟stesticleandusedherotherhandtopinchwhere
Bradenshowedher.Hiscockstooduponitsown,sotightitmusthurthim.

Calder‟sowncockpounded,buthedidn‟tdaretouchhimself.Heknewhe‟dsquirtalloverinsidehis
clothesifhedid,anddamnedifhewouldletherknowthat.

“Lickit,”Caldersaid,continuingtofingerKatarina‟swarmbrownhair.“Lickhishead,suckitintoyour
mouth.Tasteit.”

“Gods,you‟reevil,”Bradensaid.

ButBradenmadenoobjectionasKatarina,movinghesitantly,leaneddownandcurledhermoutharound
theheadofhiscock.

CalderrubbedhiserectionagainstKatarina‟sbody,suckinginabreathatthewildtingletheaction
generated.

“Whatdoeshetastelike?”heaskedher.

Katarinalookedathim,herhandsstillfirmonBraden‟sballs.“Smooth.Kindofsharpatthesametime.”

“Biteit.Alittlenibble,aroundtheflange.”

Katarinamovedherheadbackdown,suckingtheheadbetweenherlips.Bradenbroughtonehanddown
tostrokeherhair,eyesclosed.Heswayedonthecouch,murmuring,“Fuck,fuck,fuck.”

SuddenlyCaldercouldn‟ttakeitanymore.HewasasShareemasBraden,whichmeanthewasas
desperate.Hehadtoeitherstrokehimselfofforhaveherdoitforhim,didn‟tmatter,heneededrelease
now.

Hemadehimselfcalmlyunfastenhisleggings.Norippingthemopen,nothrustingthemdownandbegging
forher.

Calderhaddesignedhisclothessothathiscockalonecouldbereleasedbuthisscarredthighswould
remainhidden.Hepulledtheleggingsopen.

“Suckthisonetoo.”

Katarinaflushedthensheleaneddownandclosedherwetmouthoverhiscock.

Mistake.KatarinatracedCalder‟sflangewithhertongue,suckingandbitingtheheadashe‟dorderedher
todotoBraden.HewasamazedBraden‟scomewasn‟talloverherbynow.Themanhadmorecontrol
thanCalderthought.

“Slowly,”hegrowled.“Makeitlastforme.”

Katarinatoneddownthesucklingbuttheslowtastingdidn‟tmakeCalderanylessneedy.

“Hey,”Bradensaidpetulantly,eyesopeningaslit.“Whataboutmyneeds?”

“Suckhimtoo.”Calderedgedtowardhimsoshewouldn‟thavetoturnasfar.

“Suckbothofus.”

KatarinatookBraden‟scockintohermouthagain,cheeksmovingasshesucked.

ShereleasedBraden‟scockanddidthesametoCalder.

Gods,whowasincontrolhere?CalderandBraden,gettingmoreandmoreturned-oneverysecond,their
Shareembloodpoundingfire-hot…orthelovelywenchlickingandsuckingtwoShareemcocks?

Bradenclutchedthebackofthecouch,hipsrocking,jawclenched.Caldercouldn‟tcomebeforeBraden
did.Bradenwouldneverlethimheartheendofit.

Calderwastheonewithrock-hardcontrol,right?

WhileKatarinaslatheredhertonguealloverBradenagain,Caldermovedtothecouch.Henudged
Bradenwithhisknee,andBradengottheideaevenwithoutopeninghiseyes.

HeslidoversoCaldercouldgetinnexthim,sittingBradenalmostonhislap,legsspreadsoCalder‟s
cockjuttedoutbesidehisfriend‟s.

CalderhadtocradleBradenagainsthim,armaroundhisback,buthewastooexcitedtocare.Calder‟s
skinwasroastingandheneededrelease.

“Takeusboth.Together.”

KatarinagaveCalderastartledlookthenshebentherheadandstudiedthetwococks,tipstogether.

Caldercouldn‟tfaultherbravery.Sheopenedhermouthwideandtookinasmuchofthetwococksasshe
could.

“Shit,”Bradensaid.HethrewhisheadbackonCalder‟sshoulderandCalderclosedhiseyes,feelingthe
roughnessofBraden‟scheekagainsthis.

Katarina‟smouthwasahot,moist,tightplace.HiscockcrushedagainstBraden‟sandthewallofher
cheek.Hertongueflickedoverhim,sharpteethscrapinghisskin.Calder‟shipsroseoftheirownaccord.

Bradenjumped,groaninghard.HeyankeduphistunicatthesametimehepulledoutofKatarina‟smouth
andslidawayfromCalder.Graspinghiscock,hecameagainsthisabdomen,pumpinggobsofwhite
creamontohissun-darkenedskin.

CalderstayedinKatarina‟smouthandshetransferredallherattentiontohim.

Helethimselfcomehardintohermouth,handscurlingintofists.Theonlynoisehemadewasatight
grunt,andthenhefilledher.

Bradenlaybackandletoutalongbreath.“Youknow,whenIgotupthismorning,Ineverdreamedmyday
wouldbethisgood.”

Calderignoredhim.Katarinatookhiscome,sweetlady,andlookedalmostdisappointedwhenheslowly
withdrewfromhermouth.Sheswallowedandwipedherlipswiththetipsofherfingers.

Calderhauledherontothecouchwithhim.Heshouldn‟tdothis,noholding,notenderness,buthe
couldn‟thelphimself.Hepressedherheadtohisshoulder,strokingherhair,brushingitwithhislips.

HelookeduptofindBradenwatchinghim.BradenpretendednonchalancewhenCaldermethisgaze.

“Showertime,”Bradensaid.“Youtwowanttojoinme?”Calderthoughtofhisnarrow,utilitarianshower
jammedintoacornerofhisbathroom.“Notinhere.”

Bradencaughtonandhisgrinwidened.“Ohnow,I‟vealwayswantedtodothat.Seenit.Nothadthe
pleasure.”

Katarinaraisedherhead,herlipssmellingofcome.“Dowhat?”Bradenlaughed.“You‟llsee,darlin‟.
Calderisamanofgreatimaginationandthecreditstogowithit.”

Calder‟scockthrobbed,alreadystiffeningagaininanticipation.“Followme,Katarina.Timetogetwet.”

*****

AssoonasCalderledherthroughanarrowdoortohishugepleasureroom,Katarinasawhowhe‟dbeen
abletoeludeherthedaybefore.Thedoorslidseamlesslyintotheblackwall,leavingnocrackwhen
closed.Apersonwouldhavetoknowexactlywhereitwastofindit.

Calderhaddimmedthelightsagain,renderingtheroomseductive,itsblackwallsandshadowyceiling
confusingtheeye.

Bradenshruggedoutofhistunicandleatherpants,tossingthemaside.Naked,hewastallandbeautiful,
everymusclesculptedandsmooth.Theblackchainonhisbicepsmovedwithhisarm,madetoflexwith
itperfectly.

Calderkepthisclotheson.Katarinabitbackdisappointment.Shewantedtoseewhetherhisbodywasas
firmandtightasBraden‟s,wantedtorubherfingersoverhisroundbicepsandtheridgesofhisabdomen.

SherememberedwhatBradenhadsaidaboutShareemchemistryrenderingawomanpliabletotheir
suggestionsandwonderedifthathadhappenedtoherinCalder‟slivingroom.Twomengazingather
withblueeyes,theirarousedstateplaintosee,hadgivenherastrangefeelingofpower.

Calder‟ssmellwasalloverherandshetastedhimonherlips.Shethoughtofthebeautifulfeelingofthe
twococksunderhertongue,eachofthemdifferent.Braden‟shadbeensharpandtangy,Calder‟ssmooth
andmellow.

Twomenhadbaredtheircocksforher,hadjammedthemselvestogetherbeggingforher.Calderhadcome
straightintohermouthasthoughhehadarightto,andshe‟dnotturnedawayindisgust.She‟dliked
tastinghim.

“Ready?”Calderasked.Hestoodalittleawayfromthem,aslightsmileonhislips.Thedimlightmasked
hisscarsabit.Hisfacewashardandperfectlyshaped,hishair,loosenow,hanginglikeariverofblack
tohiswaist.

“Ready,”Bradensaid.“Goforit.”

Readyforwhat?

Itstartedtorain.Morethanrain—adownpour.Watercascadedfromhiddenjetsabove,warmlikea
summerraininthemountains.DropletssheetedoverKatarina‟sfaceandraninrivuletsdownhertunic.

Bradenlaughedandthrewbackhishead,lettingthewaterflowoverhim.“Thisisgreat!”heshoutedover
therain.“Youhuntthroughthis?”

“Yes,”Caldersaid.

ThatwaswhenKatarinanoticedthatCalderwasnotgettingwet.Hestoodinaprecisespotwherenorain
fell.Itpatteredanddrummedinafullcirclearoundhim,butwherehestood,notonedropstruckhim.

“Hey,”shesaid,puttingherhandsonherwethips.“That‟snotfair.”Bradenglancedoverandsawwhat
shemeant.Hiseyesnarrowed.“Isaywegethim.”

KatarinajoinedBradenasherushedCalderandpushedhimoutofhissafespot.

Instantly,therainceased.

Bradenstopped,panting.“He‟sgotthecontrolsonhim,thebastard.”Caldersteppedcalmlyoutoftheir
reachtoanotherprecisespotandtherainfellintorrentsagain.Katarinascreamed,startled,andBraden
laughed.Hepushedhislonghairfromhisface.

“Damn,thisfeelsgood,”Bradenshouted.“Youspikedit.”

“Spiked?”Katarinaasked.

“Withpheromones.”Bradenopenedhismouthandlickedtherainfromhislips.

“Tasty.”

Katarina‟shairplastereditselfinringletstoherface.Shestuckouthertongueandcaughttherain.It
tastedofwater,butBradenwasright.Itmadeherfeelvitalandexcited.

“Iwanttohunt,”Bradensaid.

HepinnedhisgazeonKatarina,hisaffablelookreplacedwithoneofhunger.

Therainwasturninghimontoo,sherealized,butinadifferentway.

SheglancedatCalderandstopped,herheartfluttering.Bradenlookedhungry,butCaldergaveherthe
lookofabeastsizingupitsprey.Abeastwhowasn‟tabouttoletsaidpreygetaway.

“Waitaminute,”shesaid,brushingwaterfromhereyes.“Youbroughtmeoutheretohuntme?Ithought
Shareemcouldn‟tdothingslikethat.”Bradengrinned,thesmileferal.“Yousignedtheforms,
sweetheart.”Katarinathoughtofthemazeofgreenerythatbeganontheothersideofthevastblackroom.
She‟dthoughtithadbeenmeanttosoothe,butnowsherealizedithadbeendesignedtotwistandconfuse,
tobeajungleforthehunterandthehunted.

“Ohgods,”shesaid.

Shelookedatthepairofthemwatchingherinthesameway,Bradenwithhishandsonhisbarehips,
Calderwitharmsfolded,headtiltedtoonesideasthoughtryingtocatchherscent.

Theywouldn‟treallyhurtheriftheycaughther.Wouldthey?

Wouldthey?

ShesuddenlyunderstoodthecompleteappealofShareem,whywomenwouldpayfortunesforan
appointmentwithCalder.

Shareemwoulddoanythinginthenameofpleasure.Andtherewasahintofuncertaintyabouthowfar
theywouldgo.

BradentookasteptowardKatarina,movinglikeapredator.Calderwaited,hiseyesintenseandblue.

KatarinahadsignedtheconsentforminCalder‟sroom.Withherthumbprint,she‟dgiventhempermission
todoanythingtheywantedtoher.

“Crap,”shesaid,andstartedtorun.

Theydidn‟tfollow.Shereachedthemazeofgreeneryandplungedintoitwithouthearingtheirfootsteps
behindher.

Theraincontinuedhere,coatingtheplantsandgivingoffafreshsmell,waterchanneledintotroughson
thefloor.Thiswasbetterthanaholoroombecauseitwasallreal,thebranchesslappingatherface,the
flowersbrightredandasbigasherhead,andtheinchofwatersoakinghershoes.

Butthereseemedtobemoreplantsandvinesthanyesterday,orelseshe‟dplungedintoapartshehadn‟t
seenbefore.Thebrancheswerethick,thepathnarrow,andinsomeplacesthegreeneryclosedoverthe

pathandshehadtopushherwaythrough.

Hersoggyclothesslowedherdown.Shewastemptedtoremovethembutresisted,realizingthat‟swhat
theywantedhertodo.Runthroughthisplacenakedforthem.

Sheshivered.Afewmomentsagothewaterfeltcleansingandarousing.Nowitwasdistractingand
heightenedthesenseofdanger.Sheonlyknewthatshehadtorun,tohidebeforetheycaughther.

Sheranon.Somewherewasafountain,sheremembered.Itwasalabaster,withaglitteringmosaic-tiled
bowl.Whyshethoughtshe‟dbesafethere,shehadnoidea,butshebecameobsessedwithfindingit.She
keptgoing,hopingdesperatelytofindthefountainaroundeverytightturn.Itwaslikeadream,pushing
throughunfamiliargroundinthehalf-light,therainmakingeverystepprecarious.

Katarinashovedasideabranch—andtheblackformofCalderloomedoverher,tallandmenacing.

Shescreamedandswungaround.NearlyastepbehindherwasBraden,naked,watergleamingonevery
muscleandflatteningthecurlsonhischest.

Bradensmiledlikeawolfbaringitsteeth.“Decidewhoyou‟llrunto,Katarina.

Whowillyoutrusttosaveyoufromtheother?”

Katarinaknewherchoice.Therewasonlyone.ShewhirledaroundandranstraightintoCalder‟sstrong
arms.

Shefelthimstartashegatheredheragainsthim,blackleatherwarmthroughherrain-soakedclothes.He
nuzzledhercheekandshestartedtorelax,tofeelsafe.

“Wrongchoice,sweetheart,”hewhispered.

ChapterSeven

No,Katarinathought,lookingupatCalder‟sdark,hardface.Imadetherightone.

“Bradenmighthavesavedyoufromme,”Calderpurred.“Iwon‟tsaveyoufromhim.Orme.”

“Imademychoice.”

Caldergaveheranoddlook,eyesglittering,thenhismouthhardened.Heslidhishandsdownherbackto
herbuttocksandcuppedherass,separatinghercheeksthroughtherain-soakedleggings.Shefelttheheat
ofBraden‟sbodybehindher,hishandswarmonherwaist.

“Bradenlovestotongue-fuck,”Caldersaid.“He‟sknownforit.”

“Aw,andhereIwastryingnottogetabadreputation.”Braden‟swordsburnedthenapeofherneck.

KatarinaknewthatCalderwashopingtofrightenher,butshefeltanythingbutfrightenedinthecircleof
hisarms.Hiswordstoldheronething—thathe‟dlethisfriendhunther—buthisbodylanguagetoldher
another.He‟dprotecther.

Daringly,KatarinaroseontiptoeandbrushedakisstoCalder‟slips.

Hejumpedasifasparkhadsprungfromhermouthtohis.BeforeKatarinacoulddrawabreath,heseized
thenapeofherneckinhisbighandandslantedhismouthfullyacrosshers.

Katarina‟sworldstopped.EventhesensationofBraden‟shandsonherbodyfadedtonothing.

Calderplungedhistonguebetweenherlips,forcinghermouthopen.Katarinahadneverkissedaman
before.Sheclumsilyfithermouthtohis,tryingtolethisbigtonguetakehers,butherteethbumpedhis
lips,unpracticed.

Hebrokethekissandstareddownather,hisbreathcomingfast.Katarinareachedforhimagain.Ifshe
practicedkissinghim,maybeshe‟dgetbetteratit.

Caldershovedherawayandinasuddenmovement,grabbedhertunicandyankeditfromherbody.

Katarinastoodinathinsilkundertunic,whichwaswetandplasteredtohertorso.Calder‟sgazemoved
toherbreasts,whichmusthavebeenalmostcompletelyvisiblethroughthewhitefabric.

Bradenbroughthishandsuptocupherbreasts.Hispalmswerecomfortingagainsthercoldskinbutshe
lookedupatCalder.

“No,Iwantyou.”

Bradennippedherearlobe.“Aw,sweetie,youbreakmyheart.”Hedidn‟tsoundheartbroken.Hesounded
amusedanddelighted.

Calder‟smouthhardened.“Whatyousayyouwantdoesn‟tmatter,becauseyouwillwantwhatItell
you.”

“You‟reverysureaboutthat,”Katarinasaid.

Bradenchuckled.

“BecauseIknowwhatyoureallywant.”CaldertouchedKatarina‟stemple.“Inhere,Iknowwhatyou
trulycrave,whatyouwantdeepinsideyourself.”Histouchwaswarm,soothing,melting.She‟dloveto
falltoherkneesandtellhimshelongedtoobeyhim.Butsomehowsheknewhewantedhertodothat.He
wasusinghisShareempheromonesonher,ortryingto.

“No,Idon‟tthinkyoudo,”shesaid.

Calder‟sbrowswentuptheslightestbit,theonlybetrayalofhissurprise.

Otherwisehestoodlikearock.

BradenlaughedandletKatarinago.“Ithinkyou‟vemetyourmatch,myfriend.”

CalderyankedKatarinatohimagain,hismouthcomingdownonhers.Sherealizedtheirlastkisshad
beengentle.Thisonewasbrutal,demanding,Caldernotcaringthatshedidn‟tknowhowtokisshim
back.

Hisunshavedwhiskersburnedherface,hishandbruisedherneck.Hestrokedhistonguethroughher
mouth,commandingcompletesurrender.She‟dtakenhiscockintohermouth,swallowedhissemen,but
thatwasnothingtothispowerfulkiss.

Katarinatouchedhisface.Theleftsidewassmoothwithscarsandskingrafts,therightsidealmost
normal.

Calderpulledback,hisbrowsjammingtogether.Katarinacaressedhisruinedcheek,wantingtopullhis
headdownandholdhimagainsther.

“Tieherhands,”CaldergrowledatBraden.“Idon‟twanthertouchingme.”

“Nah.”Braden‟svoicehadrecededbehindher.“It‟smorefuntowatchyousquirm.”

“Thengetout.”TheharshcommandwasdirectedatBraden.

Katarinadidn‟thearBradenleave.Shewantedtoturnandlookathim,butshewastoomesmerizedby
Calder‟seyes.Sheagainranherfingertipsacrosshisface.

“Thisismyhouse,Braden.”

“Yourlair,youmean.IthinkI‟llstayandmakesuretheladyisallright.”

“Whywouldn‟tshebe?”

“Becauseyoucangetalittle…exotic.She‟snotreadyforexotic,andshe‟stoocutetobebrokenbyyou.”

KatarinafeltCalder‟sfurymount.“DoyouthinkI‟deverhurther?”

“IknowwhatJudithtoldme,”Bradensaid.

Calder‟smouthflattened.“IknewwhatJudithwanted.”DismaylancedthroughKatarina‟sdelight.Who
isJudith?

“IthinkI‟llstayaslongasKatarinadoes,”Bradensaid.

Bradensoundedworried,butstrangely,Katarinadidn‟tfeelworriedintheslightest.Wasitbecauseofthe
soothingShareemchemicalsorbecauseshebelievedCaldertrulywouldn‟thurther?

She‟dbelievedinhimyesterday,evenwithallhe‟ddonetoher.She‟dbeenthoroughlypleasuredandnot
hurtatall.Excited,notafraid.

“It‟sallright,Braden,”shesaid,stillcaressingCalder‟sface.“Youdon‟thavetostaywithme.”

Shelikedthecontrastbetweenthewarmsmoothnessofthescarredside,theroughwhiskersoftheother.
Bothwerestrongwithmuscle,hischeekboneshardandeven.

“ThisisCalder,sweetheart,”Bradensaid.“Oneofthebestlevelthreesevermade.Meanshe‟sgentleas
akittenoneminute,dangerousasadeserttigerthenext.

Youneverknowwhathe‟sgoingtodo.”

Butthatmadehimmoreexciting.“Idon‟tmind.”

CalderclosedhishandsaroundKatarina‟swrists,hisgriplikesteelmanacles.

“Takeherandgo.”

Katarinachilledbuthernipplesweretight,herheartbeatinghardandfast.“Idon‟twanttogo.”

“Wearefinished.”CaldermovedhishotbluegazetoBraden.“Don‟tlethercomeback.”

“Calder,don‟tbeastupidfuck,”Bradengrowled.

“Idon‟twantyouhere,either.”ThelightthathadbeentrainedonCalderwentout,andhedisappeared
intodeepshadow.

Katarinaranforward,reachingforhim,butfoundnothingbutanotherseamlessblackwall.Calderhad
usedthetricksofhislairtoeludeheryetagain.

“Toolate,healreadyisastupidfuck,”Bradensaid.

Katarinashivered,suddenlybereft.Calderwasgone.

SheturnedtofindBradennexttoher,stark-naked.Hisbodywasperfectlyformed,hisblackhairflowing
overwell-muscledshoulders,hiseyesintenseShareemblue.She‟dtouchedthisman,takenhimintoher
mouth.

Andyetshedidn‟trespondtohimlikeshedidtoCalder,notevenwhenheputhisarmaroundher.

“Myclothesarewet,”Katarinasaid,bitingherlipagainstthetearsthatfilledhereyes.Shecouldn‟t
leaveinwetclothes.Howstupidthatthispracticaldetailmadehercry.

“It‟sallright.Hekeepsspares.”

Braden‟svoicewascomfortingbutwhathesaidmadeKatarina‟stearsspillout.

FoolishKatarina.Ofcourseshewasonlyoneofdozensofwomenwho‟dfallenunderCalder‟sspell.
Whatmadeherthinkshe‟dbespecialtohim?

“Poorsweetie.”Bradenpulledheragainsthiswarm,wetbody,strokingherhair.

“Forgetabouthim,love.It‟sthebestway.”

Damnit,whywasBradensonice?HewasaShareem,abeingmeanttobeshunned,amanwholivedfor
onlyonething.

Herehewas,nakedandaroused,comfortingherbecausehisfriendhadrejectedher.AndallKatarina
coulddowascryonhim.

*****

KatarinatriedtotakeBraden‟sadviceandforgetaboutCalder.Afterall,she‟dlivedtwenty-sevenyears
withoutknowingthemanexisted.ShecouldreturntolifebeforeCalderandcontinueherjob.

Calderwouldlikelyfindadifferentclinicforhisnextsix-monthcheckup,andshe‟dneverseehimagain.
Shareemcouldgotoanyclinicbecauseinformationontheirscansandinoculationswasfedfromthe
medic‟shandheldtothecentralizedMinistryofNon-HumanLifeFormscomputer.Itdidn‟tmatterwhich
clinicdidtheactualcheckup.

ThepracticalsideofKatarina‟smindtoldherthat.ButeverytimeaShareementeredtheclinic,herheart
beatwildlyinhope.

BradenhadspreadthewordthatDr.Katarinad‟ArnalwasamedicnicetoShareem,andsoShareemhad
startedcomingtoher.

KatarinaseemedtohaveaShareemineveryweek.Somecamefortheirsix-monthscansandinoculations,
butsomereturnedforhertotreattheireveryminorcut,scrapeandbruise.Whenshepointedoutthat
Shareemwereamazinglyhealthyanddidn‟tneedmuchmedicalattention,theysaidtheycamebecause
theylikedplayingdoctorwithher.They‟dlaugh—charming,seductivelaughter.

Katarinafoundthatshelikedtheirattention.Shemetlevelones,whosmiledlazilyandturnedevery
medicalexamintoastriptease.Leveltwoslikedtotellcrudejokesandpromiseanightofunforgettable
funifshewouldjustcomeoutwiththem.

Levelthreesconfusedherabit.Theydidn‟tteaseandtheyweren‟tplayful.Theytoldher,blatantly,what
theyenvisioneddoingwithher,notcaringwhenshesquirmed.

Shewouldsmileandturndowntheoffersfromallofthem.Shewonderedatherself,knowingshecould
havenightafternightofamazingsexualexperiences.

AndfoolishKatarinaonlycravedCalder.

Katarinaneversawhim.Calderdidn‟tcomein,sheneversawhimwhenshewalkedfromherflattothe
clinic,andshedidn‟tseehimwhenshepurposelylingeredinthemarketnearhiswarehouse.

She‟dasktheotherShareem,casually,ifthey‟dspokentohim,buttheyalwayssaidtheyhadn‟t.Someof
themhadneverevenmethim,althoughthey‟dheardofhimandhispleasurepalace.

Katarinaalsometafewwomenwho‟dbecomethepermanentloversofShareem.

TwoShareem,alevelonecalledAidenandalevelthreecalledKy,visitedfortheirsix-monthatthe
sametime,accompaniedbyalovelyyoungwoman.

“Ihavetocomeinwiththembecausethey‟reshy,”thewomantoldKatarinaasallthreeofthemsqueezed
intotheexamroom.Thenshelaughed.

“Right,Brianne,baby,”saidtheblondone,Aiden.“Ky‟saboutasshyasarock.”Dark-hairedKy
growled,“Fuckinglevelones.”

Hebeganstrippingoffwithoutembarrassment,asthoughbeingnakedweremorecomfortableforhimthan
beingclothed.Katarinasupposeditwas,sinceShareembodytemperaturewashigherthananormal
human‟sandBorNargawasahotplace.

“Hey,youlikefuckinglevelones,”Aidensaid.

“Asshole.”

“Exactly.Mine.”

Katarinakeptherfaceavertedduringthiscrudeexchange.She‟dgottenmoreusedtoShareem,buttheir
casualapproachtoeverythingsometimescaughtheroff-guard.

“Getonwithit,”Briannesaid.“Dr.d‟Arnaldoesn‟thaveallday.”AidensmoothedBrianne‟shairand
gaveheratongue-filledkiss.“Surething,sweetbaby.Iknowyoulikeitwhenwegetnaked.”

Brianneblushedrosyredbutshedidn‟tlookunhappy.Kyfinishedstrippinghispowerfullybuiltbodyand
stoodunderKatarina‟sscanner.Hekeptmutteringaboutfuckingexams,fuckingMinistry,fuckingclinics.

Aidenlaughedathimasheslowlyshedhisclothes,consciousofhisaudience.

KatarinakepthereyesavertedbutBriannewatchedwithenjoyment.

BrianneunnervedKatarinaevenmorethandidhertwoShareem.Brianned‟Arothwasnotonlya
highbornwomanbutamemberoftherulingfamilyofBorNarga.Lastyearshe‟dbrokenupwithher
fiancé,forsakenherluxuriouslifestyleandmovedinwithnotone,buttwoShareemintheslumsofPas
City.

She‟dmadeanofficialstatementthatshe‟ddoneittolookintothewayShareemweretreatedonBor
Narga.Theyweresecond-classcitizens,andshe‟dsetouttodisprovesomemythsaboutthem.

Ithadbeenthescandalofthedecade.Brianned‟Aroth‟snamewasn‟tmentionedanymoreinhighborn
ladies‟circles.Hypocrites,Katarinathought.ThesameladieswhowenttoShareeminsecretshunned
womenwhoopenlysoughtthem.

StudyingBrianne,Katarinadecidedthattheladyhadn‟tmovedinwithherShareemsimplytoprovea
point.Shewasbesottedwiththem.Bothofthem.

“BradentoldmeyoumetCalder,”Briannesaid.

Katarinajumped,nearlydroppingthehyposhewaspreparingforKy.“Yes.Idid.”

“Morethanmethim,”Aidensaidsuggestively.“BradensaysyouspentsometimeinCalder‟slairand
thenwentbackformore.Interesting.”

“Bradentalkstoodamnmuch,”Kysaid.“Leaveheralone.”Aidenignoredhim.“Calderneverletsa
womanintwice,Ihear.NotevenJudith.Buthedidyou.”

Judithagain.Whowasthiswoman?

Kygrowled.“CanwestoptalkingaboutCalderandfinishmyexambeforeIfreezemyballsoff?”

KatarinaturnedonthefullbodyscannerandwatchedthereadoutstokeepfromlookingatKy‟smuscled
torso.

BrianneregardedKatarinathoughtfullyasshefinishedthescansofAidenandKyandinoculatedthem
both.WhenKatarinawenttohercubbyholeofanofficetofinishthereport,Briannefollowedher.

“I‟vemetCalder,”Briannesaid.Behindher,AidenandKyweredressing,theirgorgeousShareemvoices
rumbling.

“Haveyou?”

“Notasaclient,”Briannesaidquickly.“HehelpedmewhenKywasintrouble.

Hedidn‟ttrustmeatall,buthewaswillingtohelpforKy‟ssake.Ihaveasoftspotforhimforthat.
Calder‟shadadifficulttime.”

“Howdidhegetburned?”

Brianneshookherhead.“Idon‟tknow.TheonlyonewhoknowsisCalderhimselfandawomannamed
Dr.Laas,whohealedhim.Dr.Laasisastrangewomanbutshe‟sgoodtotheShareem.”

“I‟mgladsomeoneis.”

“You‟regoodtothemtoo.”BrianneputacoolhandonKatarina‟sshoulder.

“WhydoyouthinkKycameheretoday?Hehatestheclinics,buthewaswillingtocometothisone.Your
reputationfornottreatingtheShareemlikeinsectshasspread.”

Katarinafeltherselfblush.“Ijustdomyjob.”

“No,youtreatthemlikethey‟rehumanbeings,givethemtheirdignity.I‟mtryingtochangethelawsthat
saytheyaren‟thuman,butit‟sslowgoing.Fearsandprejudicesdiehard.”

“I‟mnotasbraveasyouare,”Katarinasaid.“Bradenaskedmetomoveinwithhim,butItoldhimno.”

“Couragehasnothingtodowithit.IlivewithAidenandKybecauseIlovethem,andIneedtobewith
them.”Briannegrinned.“Besides,I‟veseenhowBradenkeepshisrooms.Iwouldn‟tlivethereeither.”

AfterAidenandKyleft,Briannesandwichedbetweenthem,Katarinafeltabitdepressed.Briannehad
sacrificedheroldlifeandreputationtobewithShareem,andAidenandKyshowedeveryindicationof
beingbesottedwithher.

CalderhadpushedKatarinaaway.Shehadn‟tseenhiminweeks.Howmany

“clients”hadheentertainedsincethen?

Katarina‟sheartburned.

Angerandjealousywasn‟tgettingheranywhere.Sheneededtoact.Sheneededhelp—andsheknewjust
wheretogetit.

ChapterEight

Calderslammedoutofhisapartmentforhisnightlyprowl.

Thestreetswerecrowded.PasCitycamealiveaftertheheatofthedaywasdone.Lightsglaredbuthe
couldstillfindshadowstowalkin,movinglikedarknessitself.

Heachedwithneed.He‟dputhisservicesonhold,notwantingtotouchanotherwoman,leastofallthe
sillycowswhopaidtobechasedandravishedbyTheBeast.

Gods,didtheyhavenothingbettertodo?AfterlisteningtoKatarina‟slaughterintheartificialrain,he
couldn‟tstandthethoughtoflettinganotherwomanintothelair.

Idiot.Itwillkillyou.

Shareemneededtoreleaseeveryday,severaltimesaday.Iftheydidn‟t,theirbodytemperaturesroseto
unbearablelevels,theirmetabolismsspiraledoutofcontrolandtheydied.

Theever-resourcefulShareemhadinventedallkindsofpleasuretoysforthosedayswhenawoman
wasn‟tavailable.ButtoysandCalder‟sownstrokingcouldonlysatisfyforsolong.Heneededrelief.

Judith‟sbarwasfulltonight,withpatronsspillingoutontothestreetaroundit.

Calderstrodeintothenoisycrowd,makinghiswaytowardhisusualtableinadarkcorner.

Someonehadalreadyclaimedit,anotherShareemcalledRees.OnRees‟lapwastheprettyred-haired
womanwhohadconsentedtobehislifemate,Taland‟Urvey.

Calderdidn‟tmindRees,theonlyotherShareemwhounderstoodwhatCalderhadgonethroughat
DNAmo.ReeshadbeencreatedtobetheultimateShareem,allthelevelsrolledintoone.Unpredictable,
uncontrollable.He‟dbeenseparatedfromotherShareematDNAmoandtestedandtortured.

ReeshadbeentheonlyShareemwho‟dmanagedtoescapeDNAmobeforethecompanywentunder,and
somesaidDNAmohadbeenshutdownbecausethey‟dcreatedRees.Hewassmart,resourceful,
dangerousandmysterious.Thepint-sizedredheadonhislaplovedhimtopieces.

ReeslookedupasCalderslidontohisstoolinthecorner.Reeshadblondhair,whichheworegathered
intoaponytailatthebaseofhisneck.Hisiriseswerewideandblue,aShareemaroused.Afternodding
onceatCalder,hewentbacktonibblingonTalan‟sneck.

TalangentlyelbowedRees.“Becivil,wehavecompany.”

“Calderlikestobeignored,”Reessaid,transferringhisteethtoTalan‟searlobe.

Reeswasright,butCaldermadehimselfnodtoTalan.“Ladyd‟Urvey.”

“Howareyou?”Talanaskedhim.

“Thirsty.”Caldersignaledaharassed-lookingwaitressandtappedtheemptytableinfrontofhim.The

waitressjumpedwhenshesawwhohewas,thenfadedbacktowardthebar.

TalancontinuedtostudyCalderwithherwarmbrowneyes,alittlesmilehoveringonhermouth.Calder
triedtoignoreherbutitwaslikebeingstaredatbyapuppy.Adeterminedpuppy.

“What?”hegrowled.

“Youhaven‟theard,then.”

“Talan,”Reessaidinaverysoftvoice.

Talanignoredhim.“Yourmedic,Dr.d‟Arnal.She‟smovedinwithBraden.”

“What?Likehell.”

“Acoupleofdaysago.He‟sbeenpesteringhertodoitforawhile,andshefinallygavein.”

Calder‟sheartpounded,furymakinghimhot.Atthatmoment,adrippingmetalmugofaleslidinfrontof
him,placedtherebyJudith,thebar‟sowner.

Judithalsohadredhair,acommoncolorforBorNarganfemales.Hereyesweredeepbrown,andshe
revealedlusciouscurvesbywearingherone-piecepantsuitopentothenavel.

“Longtimesinceyou‟vedarkenedmycorner,Calder.”

Once,aboutayearago,CalderhadgivenJudithatasteofwhathedidinhispleasurepalace.He‟dmade
herclosethebarandthey‟ddoneithere—onthefloor,onthetables,onthebaritself.Hehadn‟tmadeher
makeanappointmentorsigntheconsentform.He‟ddoneitasafavorforawomanwhowasgoodto
Shareem.

EverytimeCalderhadcometothebarsince,Judithhadgivenhimahopefullook.Shewanteditagain,
butCaldernevercapitulated.

Now,withhisfurymountingandhisneedtoolongunfulfilled,hewantedtograbJudithbythehairand
dragherupstairs.

Hecaughthereye.Juditharchedherbrows,understandingwhathemeant.

Fuck,whathaveIjustdone?Hedidn‟twantJudith,hewantedKatarina,damnhercutelittleass.

JudithstudiedCalderamomentthenshesmiledandshookherhead.“Thanks,butnothanks.”

Reesjerkedhisheadup.“DidIhearright?JudithturneddownCalder?Havethedesertsandsturnedto
water?”

JudithskimmedherhandacrossCalder‟sshoulders.“Hehassomeoneelseonhismind.Idon‟twantto
beasubstitute.”

“IjusttoldhimthatKatarinamovedinwithBraden,”Talansaid.

Reesleanedintoher.“Talan,baby,Ineedtotakeyouhomeandmakeyourasscherryred.”

Talandidn‟tseemintimidatedbyhisthreat.“Heneedstoknow.”Calderpouredcoldaleintohismouth
butitdidn‟tcoolhimdown.Judithgavehimawinkandasmileandsashayedaway.AnotherShareem
slidhisarmaroundherandJudithfellhappilyintohisembrace.

“Leavehimalone,sweetheart,”ReestoldTalaninasoftvoice.

Gods,theypitiedhim.Calderdrankmoreale,pretendinghedidn‟tcare.Whyshouldhecareaboutwhat
Katarinadid?He‟dtoldhertogoaway,andshe‟dgone.

Reesunderstood.Hisblueeyeswereshrewd,butatleastReesknewwhentoshutthefuckup.

Talandidn‟t.“WhenIfellinlovewithRees,hedidn‟tbelieveme.HethoughtIwasrespondingto
Shareempheromones,nothingmore.IttookmeawhiletoconvincehimthatImeantit.”

ReesgaveCalderalookthatsaid,Humorher.

Caldertookanothernonchalantdrinkofale.“Yeah?”

“Ididmeanit.Ifellinlovewithhim.Withhim,notjustbecausehewasShareem.

Notjustbecausehewasanexperimentalmodel.IloveRees,theman.”

“LuckyRees.”

“Luckymethathefinallybelievedme,”Talansaid.“Thinkonit.”CalderswitchedhisgazetoRees.He
woreatighttunicthatbaredhisarmsandemphasizedhisbroadshouldersandstrongchest.Hisskinwas
wholeandsmooth,normal.Nowreckofamanlingeredbeneathhisclothes.

“She‟samedic,”CaldersaidtoTalan.“Medicsalwayswanttostudyme.

Notme,butthishunkofruinedflesh.IthappenseverytimeImeetanewone.Theyallthinkthey‟re
unsunggeniuses.Iftheyfixme,theyrisetoprominence.Sorry,I‟mtiredofbeinganinsectundera
scope.”

“Ican‟tblamehim,”Reessaid.

“Youaren‟thelping,mylove.IthinkDr.d‟Arnal‟sinterestgoesbeyondinsects.”

“Womenfindmefascinating,”Caldersaid.“Theyalldo,evenyou.”Hedidn‟tboast—itwastrue,andhe
hatedthatitwastrue.

“Well,yes,becauseyou‟redifferent.”

“BecauseI‟mlikeRees.ThescientistsatDNAmofuckedReesupontheinsideandfuckedmeuponthe
outside.That‟sirresistibletowomenwhowanttofixeverything,tomakeitallbetter.”

TalanstartedtoanswerbutReesinterrupted.

“He‟sright,baby.Don‟tshovehimatDr.d‟Arnalbeforeyouknowwhatshereallywants.Ithurtswhen
yourealizetheydon‟treallycare.”

“Icare.”

“That‟sbecauseyou‟reaspeciallady.Youconvincedme.Calderhastoworkthisoutforhimself.”

Talanscowled.“Men.”

“YoumeanShareem,”Calderrumbled.

“Males,then.Idon‟tcarewhatyoucallyourselves.I‟msurefemaletortoisesgetjustaspissedoffat
maletortoises.”

Reesrockedwithlaughter.HeturnedTalantohimandgaveheralongkiss.

Calderwatchedtheminenvy.Theyweresoeasytogether,aShareemandhislady,friends,lovers,
lifemates.

AndnowBradenhadmadehismoveonKatarina.Why?Tomakeheralifemate?

Bradenlikedwomen,everywoman.Katarinahadasoftheart—obviously,orshe‟dhavereportedCalder
thedayhe‟dswattedherassintheclinic,nottomentiondoingitmorethoroughlyinhislair.

BradenwouldmakeKatarinabelievehelikedher.Thenhe‟dmoveontothenextwomanhepassed,
leavingKatarinabereftandhurt.

Caldershouldbegladofthat.KatarinaneededtolearntoleaveShareemalone.

Nicethatshewantedtohelpthemattheclinics,butinherpersonallife,sheneededtobackoff.

Gladnesswasnotwhathefelt.HewantedtobreakBraden‟sneck.

Hegottohisfeet.TalanandReeslookedupathim.“Yougoing?”Reesasked.

“Havethingstodo.”Caldertossedacreditstriponthetable.“TellJudithtokeepthechange.”

Hestrodeout.Hecouldn‟thelpnoticingthatasheleftthetable,Rees‟lookturnedcautious,Talan‟s
smug.

*****

“Calder.”

Katarina‟spulseracedwithdelightassheopenedBraden‟sdoortofindCalderonthedoorstep.

He‟dmuffledhimselfallinblackagain,sun-blockingclothcoveringtheleftsideofhisface,eventhough
itwasdarkoutside.Hepushedhiswayin,brushingKatarina‟sbodyashepassed.

“Where‟sBraden?”

“Out.”Katarinatriedtokeepthedisappointmentfromhervoice.Calderhadn‟tcometoseeher.

Calderswungaround.Theapartmentond‟EnelaStreetwastiny,andCalder‟spresencedwarfedthefront
room.“Outwhere?”

“Idon‟tknow.Hedidn‟tsay.”

CalderslammedopenthedoortoBraden‟sbedroomandlookedinside.Heswungtotheoppositedoor
andopenedittoo.

Katarinasteppedinfrontofhimbeforehecouldenterthesecondroom.“Doyoumind?IknowIsneaked
intoyourapartment,butIneverinvadedyourbedroom.”

“Lightson,”Caldersaidtothebedroom.Hestudiedtheneatlymadebed,thecleanhandsterilizer,the
barewallthatconcealedstorage.“Thisisyourroom?”

“Yes.Braden‟sismuchmessier.DidyouthinkIwassleepingintherewithhim?”

“Yes.”Calderturnedhishalf-maskedfacetoher.“He‟sShareem.”

“AndShareemareirresistible?”

“Shareemarehorny.”Calder‟svoicewentharsh.“He‟lltrytoseduceyoueverysecond.”

“Yes,butShareemcan‟ttouchawomanifshesaysno.That‟sprobablywhyhe‟sout.Ikeepsayingno.”

Calder‟svisibleeyenarrowed.“Sohehastriedtoseduceyou.”

“Likeyousaid,he‟sShareem.Hehastohavesex,oratleastrelease,orhe‟lldie.”Katarinahadlearned
totalkaboutitwithoutblushing.“Hegoesoutforthat.”Calder‟sstarepinnedher.Sheshivered,rubbing
herhandsupanddownherarms.“Whydoyouwearthat?”sheasked.

Hisscowldeepened.“Wearwhat?”

“Thefacecloth.Iknowwhatyoulooklike.Ididn‟trunawayscreamingbeforeandIprobablywon‟t
now.”

CalderwentverystillandKatarina‟schillincreased.Sheknewhewasdangerous—hewaslevelthree
andBradenhadtoldherthathewasscarierthanevenmostlevelthrees.Butshewasn‟tabouttolethim
seeherfearorlethimuseitagainsther.

Heyankedoffthefacecloth.Katarinasmiled,thinkinghisfacehardandhandsomedespitethescarring.
Bothblueeyespinnedhernow,andherheartflutteredwithsomethingbesidesfear.

Katarinareacheduptowardhischeekbuthecaughtherwrist.

“Therulesare,youdon‟ttouchme,”hegrated.

“Whoserules?”

“Mine.”

Katarinasmiledahotsmile.“Inyourplace,maybe.Thisismyplace.”

“ThisisaShareemapartment.ItusedtobeRio‟s.It‟sgotthestinkofShareempheromonesalloverit,
anddon‟ttellmeyoudon‟tfeelit.”

“Well.”Katarinaadmittedtoherselfthatshewenttosleepeverynightwarmandaroused,especially
whenthinkingaboutCalderandwhathe‟ddonetoherinhispleasurepalace.

“Itmakesyouwet,”Caldersaid.“You‟rewetnow,aren‟tyou?”Katarinashifted.Hercleftwas
uncomfortablyhot.“HowcanIhelpit?You’rehere.”

“Showme.”

“Pardon?”

“Putyourfingersonyourpussyandshowme.”

Katarinastaredathimforseveralheartbeats.Afewmonthsago,she‟dhavebeenoutragedatsucha
command—no,afewmonthsagoshe‟dneverdreamedanyonewouldevengivehersuchacommand.

Nowherhearthammered,andshefoundherselfunfasteningherleggingsanddippingherfingersinside
them.Shesankfingersintothewetnessbetweenherlegsthendrewherhandout,fingertipssparklingwith
dew.

Caldercaughtherwrist,drewherhandtohismouth,lickedherfingertips.

Katarinadippedherotherhandinandhelditup.“Look,”shewhispered.“I‟mstillwet.”

Caldertooktheofferedhand,kissedherpalmandclosedhismouthoverafinger.

Katarina‟skneesweakened.Shewantedtomeltintoapuddle,ormaybefalltoherkneesandrubherface
onthearousalbehindhisleggings,likeshe‟ddoneinhislair.

Helickedherfingersfrombasetotipthenkissedherpalmagain.“Ididn‟ttellyoutotouchyourself
twice.”

“Icouldn‟thelpit.”

“Idon‟tlikedisobedience.Takedownyourpants.”

Katarinastaredathim.“Why?”

Hiseyesfilledwithblue.“Youknowwhy.”

Katarinaletgoofherloosewaistbandandhersilkleggingspooledaroundherankles.Calderwrapped
hisarmaroundherwaist,pulledhertheshortdistancetothebed,satdownandbentheroverhisknees.

Shestillworeunderwear,butCalderyankeditdown.Helightlycaressedherbuttockswithhisgloved
handthenhepulledbackandstartedspankingher.

Katarinasquealedandsquirmed.Itdidn‟thurtexactly,notevenasmuchaswhenhe‟ddonethisinhis
lair.Herainedquickspanksdownonher,eachonebarelystingingbutfeelingsogood.Shestartedto
laugh.

“I‟mpunishingyou,”Caldersaid.“Stoplaughing.”

Katarinacouldn‟t.ShescreamedsomemoreasCalder‟sspankingincreased,butthefunofitandthejoy
ofhavinghimheremadeherlaughagain.

Calderliftedherfromhislapanddepositedherfacedownonthebed.“Yourassisred.”

“Itfeelslikeit,”Katarinasaid,huggingherpillow.“Areyougoingtomakeitfeelbetter,likeyoudid
before?”

“No,I‟mgoingtopunishyousomemore.”

Beforeshecouldaskhow,Calderseizedheranklesanddraggedherlegsapart.

Shefelthisweightbehindher,thewarmthofhim,thecooloftheleather.

Hejerkedherhipsupthenburiedhisfacebetweenherlegs.

Ohgods.

Calderlickedheropening,partingthelips,kissinghertherethesamewayhekissedhermouth.He
plungedhistongueintoher,ahot,wet,probing,beautifultongue.

Iwanttodielikethis.Katarinawasn‟tsurewhethershethoughtthewordsorscreamedthem.Please
don’tstop.Ever.

Calderlethistonguetraveloverherclit,caressing,stroking,suckling.Heranhistonguearoundherlabia
againandplungedbackinsideher.

Katarina‟smindwhirledwiththoughtssheneverdreamedshe‟dhave.Shewantedhimtopullouthis
cock,likehe‟ddoneinhisapartment.Shewantedtoseeit,touchit,tasteit.Shewanteditinsideher.

Histonguekeptmoving,alloverherpussyandbetweenherbuttocks.Shewantedhimtowetherthen
shovehiscockin.Shewantedhimtoslapherasswhileherodeher,wantedtoscreamasshefound
beautifulclimax.

“Calder,”shemoaned.“Please.Willyou…”

Calderliftedhishead.Herolledheroveronthesmallbedthenpartedherlegsagainandpressedhis
largebodybetweenthem.“WillIwhat?”Hewassostrong,soheavy,andyethedidn‟tcrushher.His
handspinningherwristsweregentle.

Shelookedintohisface,hiseyes,whichwereblueandenormous.“Willyouhaveintercoursewithme?”

Calderstilled.“Intercourse.”

“Yes.I‟mready.Please.”

“Youmeanfucking.”

Katarinahadgrownusedtocrudespeechenoughthatthewell-bredladyinsideherflinchedonlyslightly.
“Yes.Please.”

“Sayit,then.Askmeto.”

Katarinalongedtotouchhimbutheheldherwristsagainstthemattress.

“Please,Calder,willyoufuckme?”

“Whydoyouwantmeto?”

“BecauseIwanttofeelit.Tofeelyou.”

“Feelwhat?”

Katarinaswallowed.“Yourcock.Yourhard,long,beautifulcock.Fuckingme.”

“Isthatwhatyoutrulywant,Katarina?”

“Yes.”

Calder‟shandwenttoherclit,massaging,stroking.Katarinarockedwithhistouch,wordsdyinginher
mouth.Histhumbteased,hispalmsoothed—thenheinsertedtwohardfingersintoherpussy.

Katarinagroaned.Calderstrokedthroughhercream,hisfingersopeningherinawayshe‟dneverbeen
openedbefore.She‟dtouchedherselfaftershe‟dmetCalderthefirsttime,stilldidwhenshethoughtof
himatnight,butshe‟dneverputherfingersinsideherself.

ShewassowetthatCalder‟sfingerswentallthewayinwithoutrestraint,andhispalmpressedhard
againstherclit.Katarinaarchedtorubagainsthishand,lovingtheburningfriction.Afterafewminutes,a
thirdfingerjoinedthefirsttwo,andthesensationsspiraled.

Calder‟sgazeonherwasintense.Hisjawlockedashestrokedher,asthoughheputeverybitofthought
intowhathedid.Shesmelledhissweatandleather,felttheheatofhisbody.Hisgroinbumpedherthigh,
hiscockhotandhardthoughhisclothes.

CalderwantedherasmuchasKatarinawantedhim—hiseyesandcockbetrayedthat.Hisbreathcame
faster,scaldinghercheek.Sheturnedherheadtofacehimasherpussysqueezedhisfingers.

“Calder.”

Veryslowly,hekissedher.Thedeliberate,leisurelyheatofhismouthmadeherpussyclampdownagain.
Shefoundherselfsucklinghistongue,harder,faster,andhisfingersmovedinresponse.

Shewasstillsucklingwhenherclimaxcame.Hereleasedherwristsandshelatchedfingersontohis
shoulders,herhipspumpingoftheirownaccord.ThehotfeelingwentonandonuntilKatarinacouldn‟t
see,couldn‟thearanddidn‟tcare.Shedidn‟tknowwhatwordssheshoutedorhowhardsheclutched
him,butshecouldn‟tstop,couldn‟tletgo.

Calder‟seyeshadfilledentirelywithblue,hisbodytemperaturenowhigherthanahumancouldsurvive.
AShareemfullyaroused.

Katarinaliftedtohim,catchinghislipsbetweenhersinlittlekisses.“Please,fuckme,Calder.Fuckme
now.Ineedyouto.”

Calderdrewbackalittlethenheleanedtowardher,hissatin-smoothlipsbrushinghers.“No.”

“Wha…?”

Caldersmoothedherpussyonemoretimethenslowlywithdrewhisfingers.

Katarinafellbacktothebed,gaspingandfloodedwithdisappointment.Shewantedtoweep.“Whynot?”

Calderliftedhisfingerstohislipsandunhurriedlylickedthemclean.“HasBradenfuckedyou?”

“No.”

“HasanyotherShareemfuckedyou?”

“No.”Katrinatookadeepbreath,tryingtogatherherwits.Hervoicewasgratingandtired.“I‟mnota
whore,Calder,thankyouverymuch.”Notthatshehadn‟tjustlethimlickherpussyandherassandbring
heroffwithhisfingers.

“ThenIwon‟tfuckyou.Ifyou‟veneverbeenwithShareem,youaren‟tready.Icouldhurtyou.I‟mway
toobigforyourpussy.Haveyoueverevendoneahumanman?”

“No,”shesaid,hervoiceweakening.

“Youshouldn‟tstartonShareem.Getyourselfahumanmaleandgetusedtoit.”Katarinastruggledtosit
up.Herbodyburnedalloverandfeltwonderfulatthesametime.Hiseyeswerestillfilledwithblue,his
cockrampantagainsthisleggings.

Hewantedsex,thatwascertain.“Idon‟twantanotherman,Calder.Iwantyou.”

“Thatwouldbelikefallingintoverydeepwaterbeforeyou‟dlearnedtoswim.”

“Idon‟twanttohavesexjustfortheexperience.”

“No?Whythehellelsewouldyouwantit?”

WhenCalderscowled,itpulledatthescarsaroundhiseyes.Whatwoulditbelikeifhesmiled?He‟dbe
beautifulthen.

“Iwanttobewithyou.Notjustforsex.Foryou.”Calderdrewback.“Somanywomenwanttobewith
me.”Inheranger,Katarinareachedforwordsshe‟dheardBradenuse.“Youarrogantshit.Gobewith
themthen!”

“That‟sthewrongreaction,kitten.You‟resupposedtothreatentoscratchtheireyesout.Ormine.”

Katarinafoldedherarms,tryingtomakeherbodycalmdownandstopwantinghim.“Youdon‟tcarewhat
Ithinkanyway.WhyshouldIdemeanmyselfbybeingjealous?”

Hestudiedherasthoughhewasn‟tsurehowtorespond—andsherealizedinaflashthatCalderdidn‟t
havemuchexperiencewithwomen.

Yes,he‟dhadplentyofwomensubmittingtohislevel-threedominance,butnoexperiencewithsimple
conversation.Calderknewexactlywhatthewomenwhocravedhimwanted,buthelookedatKatarinaas
thoughshespokeanalienlanguage.

“Whydidyoucomeheretonight?”sheaskedhim.“Whydidyou,really?”

“TotellBradentoleaveyouthehellalone.”

“Ifyoudon‟twantme,whyshouldn‟tIgotohim?”

Calder‟sfacewenthard.“BecauseIknowhim.He‟lluseyouthenforgetaboutyouinthespaceofaday.
Shareemslutsknowthisandacceptit,butyou…”Katarinabrushedhisscarredcheekwithherfingertips
andhedidn‟tjerkaway.

“Youthinkhe‟llhurtme.”

“Youdon‟tunderstandShareem,nomatterhowmuchyouexaminetheminyourclinic.”

“TheonlyShareemwhocanhurtmeisyou.”

Calderregardedherinsilence,againprobablynotknowinghowtorespond.

Whenhespoke,hisvoicewaslowandhalting.“Ican‟thurtyou.Icanonlydoasmuchasyoutellmeto.”

“Ididn‟tmeanphysically,”shesaid.

“SomewomenweepwhenItellthemtheirtimeisup.”

Cows.“Becausetheydon‟twantthepleasuretostop.That‟sdifferent.”Calderpulledaway.“Don‟tmake
yourselfbelieveyoucareforme.Don‟tconfuseobsessionwithcaring.”

“Don‟tconfusecaringwithpity.”

Theystaredateachother.Caldersnarledandgotoffthebed.

“Wait.”Katarinareachedforhim.“Don‟tgoyet.Let‟snotargue.I‟dratherplay,likewewere.”

Calderleaneddown,envelopingherwithhisbody.“Idon‟twantgameswithyou.WhatIwantwillbe
realandrawandmorethanyoucanhandle.”Katarinaranonefingeralonghisjaw.“Tryme.”

“I‟mlevelthree.Youaren‟tevenreadyforlevelone.”Hejerkedtohisfeetagain,pivotedandstrodeout
oftheroom.

Katarinascrambledfromthebed.“Calder.”

Bythetimeshegotherleggingsonagain,he‟dopenedthefrontdoor.Hotnightairpouredintothefront
room,competingwiththefaultycoolingsystem.

“Whereareyougoing?”sheasked.

“Ihavethingstodo.”

“Wait.”Katarinagrabbedhisarm.Helookedatherhandontheblackleatherbutshedidn‟tletgo.“Ifyou
reallydon‟twantme,Calder,I‟llstop.Can‟tweatleastbefriends?”

“Friends.”

“Youknow,sayhellotoeachotherwhenwepassonthestreet,talksometimes.

Gossipaboutourotherfriends.”

Calder‟sfacecloudedoverandhepulledhisclothbackintoplace.“Idon‟twanttobefriendswithyou.”
Heturnedonhisheelandstrodeoffintothenight.

*****

Bradenmadesurehewassatedtothegillsbeforeheventuredbackhometod‟EnelaStreet.Helikedthe
apartmenthe‟dboughtfromRiowhenRiohadleftBorNargatobewithhishoney,butlatelybeingthere
drovehimcrazy.

He‟dthoughtitagoodideatoinvitelonelyKatarinatosharetheapartmentwithhim.He‟dgettolookat
aprettywomaneveryday,foronething,anditmightbootCalder‟sassintogear,foranother.

Butlivingwithawomanhedidn‟tfuckwasprovingtobedifficult.BradenwasShareem,afterall.Every
dayhesmelledKatarina‟sneed,everynighthetastedherlongingontheair.Shewasindireneedof
sating,andshedidn‟twantBradentosateher.

DamnCalder.IftheidiotwouldgetoffhisassandscrewKatarinasenseless,thesizzleintheairwould
easeandBradencouldsleep.

TheonlysolutionwasforBradentogoouteverynightandscrewasmuchashecould.Tonighthe‟d
foundtwowomenfromAriel,onshoreleavefromanorbitingfreighter.Afterhaulingcargoallday,they
thoughttheywouldn‟tfindmuchfunonbackwaterBorNarga.Bradenhadenjoyedprovingthemwrong.

Whenhewalkedintotheapartment,thescentofKatarina‟sheightenedarousalstruckhim.Damnit.His
cock,whichhe‟dthoughthe‟dcalmedforthenight,startedtoriseagain.

Katarinasatatthekitchentable,herelbowsproppedonit.Abarelytouchedmeallayinfrontofherand
hereyeslookedsuspiciouslyred.

Bradencouldrun,makehiswaythroughthestreetssearchingformorehornyfemalesuntilhecouldn‟t
standup.InsteadhedroppedintothechairoppositeKatarina.“What‟swrong,honey?”

Shescowledupathim.“Ihatethem.”

“Hatewho?”

Katarinathrewdownherfork.“ThewomenwhogotoCalder.WomenwhowanthimtobeTheBeast.”
Shesatback.“Ihavenobusinesscaring.Hedoesn‟twantmeandIshouldletitgo.”

“Calderwasheretonight.”

“Yes,howdidyouknow?”

Bradentappedhisnose.“Ismellyouallwet,andIsmellShareemonyoutoo.

Whathappened?”

KatarinatoldhimaheartbreakingstoryofCaldervisiting,pleasuringherandthenabruptlyleaving.She
wasn‟tspecificaboutthepleasuring,butBradenhadagoodimagination.

“Wantmetotalktohim?”Bradenoffered.

HeknewhecouldneverunderstandallthatCalderhadgonethrough,butBradengrewsuddenlyangry
withhim.Themantriedtoohardtopusheveryoneaway.HecontinuallytriedtopushBradenaway,and
Bradenwouldlaughbutgivehimspaceforawhile.Calderneededfriends.

“No,”Katarinaanswered.“WhatIwantistoforgetabouthim.”Bradenreachedforherhand.“I‟ve
offeredtohelpyoudothat.”Sheshookherhead.“AsmadasIamatCalder,he‟srightaboutacoupleof
things.One,IhavenobusinesswantingtohaveintercoursewithaShareem,andtwo,youflitfromwoman
towomanwithoutthought.”

“Hesaidthat?”Bradenasked,stung,thenhehadtoswallowhispride.“It‟struethatIdon‟thavea
historyofbeingaone-womanguy.Andifyou‟restillavirgin,Imighthurtyouwithoutmeaningto.Level
threesgetrough.Wedon‟tknowhownottobe.”

Herblushtoldhimshedidn‟tfindthatasfrighteningassheshould.“Ineverevenwantedintercoursewith
ahuman.Ineverwantedtomarry.”

“Never?Highbornwomenaresupposedtopickoutmenwithgoodgenetichistoriesandmakemore
highbornbabies.”

Painenteredhereyes.“MaybeImeanInevermetamanIwantedtomarry.IwantmorethanwhatIsee

myfriendshave.Theirhusbandsspendalltheirmoneyandhangaroundlikelapdogs.”

Bradenhadaswiftvisionofpale,wimpyhighbornmenincollarscurleduponcushions,whining.He
burstoutlaughing.

“You‟dratherhaveaShareemonyourleash,wouldyou,sweetie?”

“Ishouldn‟thaveanyoneatall.TheonlyreasonI‟minterestedinShareemistomakesurethey‟retreated
wellattheclinic.”Hereyeswidenedandsheglancedatthedigitalreadoutonthewall.“Ohcrud,I‟m
supposedtobeattheclinicintenminutes.”Shejumpedtoherfeetandrushedtoherroomforherrobes.

“It‟sthemiddleofthenight,”Bradenpointedoutwhensheemerged.

“Ihavethenightshiftthisweek.Peoplegetsickaroundtheclock.”Shethrewontherobesandveil,
maskingherprettybodyandface.“I‟lltrynottomaketoomuchnoisewhenIcomeback.”

Bradengothimselfoutofthechair.“You‟renotwalkingtotheclinicbyyourself,”hesaid.“Thisisn‟tthe
safestneighborhood.”Shegavehimastartledlookoverherveilbutdidn‟targue.

Theydidn‟tspeakmuchastheywalkedthefewblockstotheclinic.Bradengaveheratighthugbeforehe
leftheratthedoorthenmadehiswaybacktoJudith‟sbar.

“Rees,”hesangoutashemovedthroughthecrowd.“JusttheShareemIwanttosee.”Heslidintotheseat
oppositeReesandwinkedatTalan.“Youstillgoodatmessingupcomputers,myfriend?”

Reesgavehimanod.“Ikeepmyhandin.”

AtDNAmo,Reeshaddrivenhiscreatorscrazybyfutzingcomputersandfryingdoorlocksand
surveillanceequipment,turningthetablesontheresearcherswhotriedtocontainandmonitorhim.
Sometimestheresearcherswouldfindthemselvesathismercy,anddidn‟tthatscaretheshitoutofthem?

“Calderhasaprettysophisticatedsystem,”Bradensaid.“Iwanttobreakintoit.”Hewinked.“Iwantto
doafriendafavor.”

Reessaidnothing,butTalangavehimabigsmile.Shewasbeautiful,andReeswasoneluckybastard.

“Yes,”Talansaid.“Ithinkthat‟sawonderfulidea.”ChapterNine

Katarinayawned,hershiftalmostover.Shestartedsterilizingandstowingherequipmenttobereadyfor
thenextmedicandthenextpatient.

Sheheardthenightreceptionistsayinpanic,“Youcan‟tgointhere,”rightbeforethedoortotheexam
roomslammedopenandCalderstormedinside.

Katarinamaskedhergladnesstoseehim.“Youknowshecancallthepatrollersandhaveyouarrested.”

“Tellhernotto.”

Hewasmuffledtohiseyeballsasbefore,thefaceclothcuttingouteverythingbuthishardblueeyes.No

wonderthereceptionistsoundedterrified.

Katarinaduckedpasthim.“It‟sallright.He‟shereforme.”Thereceptionistgaveherastartledlook.
“Areyousure,mylady?Thepatrollerscanbehereinafewminutes.”

Katarinaknewtherewasabuttonunderthereceptionist‟sdeskthatrangthepatrolstationattheendofthe
block.Becausetheclinicwasopenallnightanddealtwiththelowestofthelow,sometimesitwas
necessary.

“It‟sfine.Don‟tworry.”Katarinawentbackintotheexamroom,closedthedoorandglaredatCalder.“It
isfine,right?Whatareyoudoinghere?”

“Whoseideawasit?YoursorBraden‟s?”

“SinceIdon‟tknowwhatyou‟retalkingabout,Ican‟ttellyou.”Herheartbeatswiftly,adrenalinemixed
withneed.ShewasthrilledthatCalderhadcometoher,angrythatheshoutedather,worriedaboutwhat
waswrong.

Calder‟seyesblazed.“Theentiredatabase.Wiped.Clientspastandfuture.

Gone.”

Katarina‟smouthdroppedopen.“Database?”

“Myclientdatabase,”Caldersaid,annunciatingeveryword.“It‟sbeensabotaged.Everynamegone,and
allthebackupsconvenientlyerased.”Katarinafoughttheimpulsetosmileinjoy.“Youmeanthelistof
womenwholiketobepleasuredbyyou?”

“Yes.Didyoudoit?Don‟tlietome.”

Katarinaplacedhersterilizedhyposcarefullybackintotheirslots.“I‟mgoodwiththehumanbodyand
howtofixit,verybadwithcomputers.Icanusethem,butIcan‟tchangethemortamperwiththem.I
don‟tknowhow.”

“Youcouldalwaysfindsomeonetodoitforyou.”

“Icouldhave,butitneveroccurredtome.”Shepushedthetrayofhyposbackintothewall.“Iwishit
had.”

“Why?Soyoucouldscrewmeover?”

“Becauseyouwereright.Iamjealousofthosewomenwhocometoyou,andIdowanttoscratchtheir
eyesout.”

“Soyoudiditbyerasingthedatabase.”

“Ididn‟t.I‟mhappysomeoneelsedid,butIdidn‟taskthemto.I‟vebeenhereallnight,examining
patients.”

Caldereasedbackfromher.Hishugefistswereclenched,hiseyesfilledwithfury.Katarinahadthe
feelingthatifthescientistswhothoughtthey‟dprogrammedallemotionoutofShareemcouldseeCalder
now,they‟dbehidingunderthenearesttable.

“Bradendidthis,”hesaid.

“Idon‟tknow.Ihaven‟tseenBradensinceIgotheretonight.Hedidn‟tmentionrunningofftowipeyour
database.”

“Whydidyoumoveinwithhim?”

Katarinawenttothesterilizerandletitswarmbeamflowoverherhands.“Ifeltsaferlivingdownhere
withhim.PlusIwantedtoseeifyou‟dbejealous.”Whensheturnedaround,Calderwasstillstaringat
her,butnowhelookedmorestunnedthanangry.

“Shareemdon‟tgetjealous,”hesaid.

“Orangryorhurtordepressed.Sorry,I‟veseenallthoseemotionsinShareemsinceIstartedworking
here.Tryanothertactic.”

“Shareemdon‟tgetjealous,”herepeatedinastubbornvoice.“Wedon‟tbecausewedon‟tcareabout
sex.Weneedsextosurvive.Wedon‟tmuchcarewhatwomanwehaveitwithorwhetherweshareher
withothers.”Katarinalookedintothesmallmirrortostraightenherveil.“Sure,Calder.Whatabout
BrianneandAidenandKy?Theycaredeeplyforeachother.AndTalanandRees?”Shecockedherhead.
“DoBrianneandAidenandKyhavesextogetheratthesametime?Ordotheytaketurnsor…”

Calderseizedherwrist.“Comehomewithme.”

“Ibegyourpardon?”

“Ifyouwantmesomuch,comehomewithmenow.I‟llshowyouwhyyoudon‟twanttobewithme.”

Katarinawasgladofherveilbecauseithidthewayherlipstrembled.“Ifyoudragmeoutofhere,the
receptionistreallywillcallthepatrollers.”Calderlethergo.Shealmostwhimperedatthelossofhis
strength.

“It‟syourchoice.Comewithmenowandyou‟lllearneverything.Orstayandneverseekmeagain.”

Heatflaredthroughher.Shewasn‟tcertainexactlywhathemeanttoteachherandhow,butsheknew
she‟dhateherselfforeverifshedidn‟taccepthisoffer.

“Allright,”shesaidsoftly.“Justletmesignout.”

*****

Shewastoodamntrusting.Calderwouldhavetocureherofthattoo.

Hetookherbacktohiscompound—tohisapartment,notthelair.Thistimeitwouldn‟tbeafantasyinhis
exoticplayground.Thiswouldbereal.She‟dlearntherealityofCalder.

Caldertowedherintohissmallbedroomandslidopenthepanelstorevealthemirrors.“Strip.Let‟sget
thisoverwith.”

Katarinapausedintheactofunwrappingherveils.“Getthisoverwith?Don‟tstintwiththeflattery,
Calder.”

“Ihaveahard-onbiggerthanatentpolefromwatchingyoursweetassswayingthroughthestreets.Iwant
tofuckyounow.Sostrip.”Herhandtrembledasshereachedfortheveilsagain.“Youcouldn‟thaveseen
mybacksidethroughmysunrobes,youknow.”

“Irememberit,allroundandpertandbeggingformyhand.Stripnow.”Hermouthset.“Youarethemost
arrogantmaleI‟veevermet.”

“Andyouarethemoststubbornfemale.Youwantme.Hereweareinmybedroom.Decidewhatyou‟re
goingtodo.”

Katarinapulledoffherrobesthenstoppedattheclaspofhertunic.“Whyaren‟tyoustripping?”

“Iwill,ifyouhurry.OrImightjustgetboredandleave.”Heturnedaround.

“Allright,”shesaidhastily.

Katarinayankedopenhertunicandletitdroptothefloor.Sheworeplainerclothesnow,andfewerof
them,havingsettledintoherroleasmedicinabackstreetclinic.Noneedforelaborategarbintheslums
ofPasCity.

Katarina‟sleggingsfollowed,thenherthinunderwear.Atlastshestoodbeforehim,lovelyandnaked.

Deargods.

Hecouldstandhereallnightanddrinkherin,ifhisbodywouldlethim.

Katarinawassimplybeautiful,herbeautylikealancestraightthroughhisheart.Shewasanartworkbuta
hundredtimesbetter,becauseshewasreal.

Katarinahadn‟ttriedtomakeherselfartificiallyslimlikesomehighbornwomen,thankthegods.Shewas
asmallwoman,butherbreastshungfirmandroundunderstrongshoulders,herwaistasmoothcurve
aboveherhips.Calderhadseenhernakedinthelair,butthathadbeenundermutedlightinganddeep
shadows.Herehisharsh,utilitarianlightsshowedeverycurve,everyline,everysoftcrease.

Therosytipsofherbreaststightenedtodarkpointsunderhisscrutiny.He‟dseentheareolasthroughher
drenchedundertunicinhislair,thenipplesfirmlypokingthefabric.Atthetime,Calderhadwantedto
takeabudbetweenhisteeth,feelingthelittlepointthroughthesilk.

Herlegsweren‟tlong,buttheywereshapely,strong.Heimaginedthemwrappedaroundhisneck.

Calderresistedtheurgetogodownononekneeandlickherfromthightoabdomen,stoppingatthe
beautifulpussyinbetween.Thebeautifulbarepussyinbetween.

“Youshaved,”Caldersaid,puttingonefingeronit.“You‟dbetternottellmeBradendiditforyou.”

Sheshookherhead.“Iwenttoahighbornladies‟clinicandhadthemuseadepilatory.ItoldthemI
neededitdoneforhealthreasons.”

“Healthreasons?”

“BecauseIworkinaslumclinic.Theyboughtit.”

Calderstrokedagain,lovingthebare,pinkclitandlips.Heleaneddownandpressedabriefkisstothem.
Herscentwasheady,makinghiscockriseevenmore.

“Whydidyoureallydoit?”

Sheshrugged.“BriannetoldmethatAidenandKylikeherbare.Shesuggestedtheclinic—ifIcouldn‟t
getyoutodoitforme.”

“Youdidn‟taskme.”

“WhendidIhavethechance?”

Shehadapoint.HisladywasgettingusedtoShareem,notafraidtotakeadvicefromtheirladies,not
afraidofherownbody.

“Doyoushaveyourself?”sheasked.

“No.”Butthenhedidn‟tneedto.Hishairhadnevergrownbackaftertheaccident.Thefactthathehad
haironhisheadhadbeenduetoDr.Laas‟miraculoustechniques.She‟dapparentlyseennoreasontoput
itbackonhisscrotum.Caldersupposedshelikedhermenbaretoo.

“Showme?”Katarinalaydownonhisbed.Theplainsheetslookedsomuchbetterwithheronthem.Her
honeybrownhairtrickledacrosshispillowsandherdarknipplesbeckonedhim.

Katarinapartedherlegsandslidherhanddowntocupherbarepussy.“Please,”shewhispered.

Calderhesitatedthenhedrewonhisangertoseehimthrough.Sheaskedforit.Nowshe’llgetit.Be
carefulwhatyouwishfor,sweetie.

Heunfastenedhisleathertunicandleggings,pullingthemoffbeforehecouldthinkaboutwhathewas
doing.Katarina‟seyesstilledasCalder‟sclothescameoff,untilhestoodnakedbeforeher.

Nothingbetweenhimselfandher.Nobarrier,noshield.Calder—whathetrulylookedlike.

Hespreadhisarms.“BeholdTheBeast.”

“Calder.”Thewordwassoft.Itdidn‟tthrobwithdisgust,buthedidhearthepity.“OhCalder,what
happenedtoyou?”

“Plasmafire.Notpretty.”

“How?”Katarinasatupandclaspedherarmsaroundherknees,shuttingherselfofffromhimagain.
“Noneofyourfriendswilltellmewhathappened.”Damnthem.Calderdidn‟tlikethemtalkingaboutit
butnowhewishedthey‟dspilledthetale,becausehedidn‟twantto.Ithurttoomuchtoremember,andhe
didn‟twanttoseeKatarina‟sfacewhensheheardthestory.

“I‟dratherfuck,”hesaid.

“Iwanttoknow.”

Damnher,damnhisfriends,damnthewholerackofscientistsatDNAmo.

They‟dnotonlyburnedhim—theentirestupidfireaccidenthadbeentheirfault—

butnowhehadtostandhereandrelatehispaintothiswomaninsteadofburyinghimselfinherand
forgetting.HishatredofDNAmomovedupanotch.

“Itwasanexperiment.Stupidandsimple.Iwaswithtwowomen.”Katarinaflickedhergazeaway,
guessinghowhewaswiththetwowomen.“Theresearchteamstartedafire.Ihadtimetorescueonly
one.WhowouldIchoose?”

“Choose?”Katrinaasked,outraged.“Howcouldtheydothat?”

“Itwassupposedtobe„safe‟forbothwomen,preplanned.Ididn‟tknowwhatwasgoingon,ofcourse.I
thoughttheemergencywasreal.Ididn‟tchoose.Igotonewomanoutandwentbackfortheother.Butthe
assholeslostcontrolofthefire.Ibarelyreachedthesecondwomanintime.Igothertothedoor,threw
heroutandthentheroomcollapsedonme.Itroastedmealive.”

Katarina‟smouthhungopen.“Deargods,howdidyouescape?”

“Ididn‟t.Whentheyfinallygotthefireoutandcleanedup,onlythendidtheydragoutmybody.They
thoughtIwasdead.TheyweregoingtoharvestwhatwasleftofmeandputitbackintotheDNAvat.
TheywerestunnedwhentheyrealizedIwasstillalive.Theywouldstillhavekilledme,butDr.Laas—
shewasageneticistthere—decidedtosaveme.I‟mstillnotsurewhetherI‟mgratefultoherornot.”

“Iam.”Katarinagotoffthebedandcametohim.“I‟mgladshesavedyouandthatImetyou.”

Sheslidherarmsaroundhimandleanedintohim,herwarmthlikeagentletouch.

Calderstilled.Thelastwomantowhomhe‟drevealedhistruebodyhadrubbedherselfagainsthimand
purred—Gods,you’resohideousyoumakemewanttocome.IfKatarinastarteddoingthathewasn‟t
surewhathe‟ddo.Throwherout?Oruseherneedtosatehisown?

Katarinalookedupathim,hereyeswet.“Ihatethemfordoingthistoyou.”Caldercouldn‟tanswer.
Wordsstuckinhisthroat.Katarinaranherhandsdownhisbody,findingthesmoothscarsthatcoatedhis
torso.Theywereevenscars,graftsthatDr.Laashadlaiddownincarefulsuccession.

HelikedthefeelingofKatarina‟shandsonhim.Herfingertipswerecool,lightlyexploring.Calder
wantedtofuckher—hishard-onwashavingahard-on—buthedidn‟twanttostopherplay.

Katarinaliftedherfingertipsawaytoreplacethemwithherlips.Herhairtickledhismassivecockasshe
leanedtokisshisscars.

Thencamehertongue.Shelickedacrosshisabdomen,pausingtoplayathisnavelthenmovingdownto
hiscock.Hethoughtofthewayshe‟dtakenhiminhermouththedayBradenhadbroughtherhere,andhis
penisstretchedtowardher,wantingthathotwetnessarounditagain.

ButKatarinatookherlipsawayandtouchedhistip.“Noscarsthere.”Heballedhisfists.“Igotlucky.”

Katarinamovedherhandtohisballs,hertouchuncertain.“It‟snotsobad.”

“What,mycock?I‟mgladyouthinkso.”

“Imeantyourscars.”Shedrewherhandacrosshispectorals.“Iknowofsometechniquesthatmight
reducethescarring…”

Caldergrabbedherwrist.“No.I‟vegonethroughthattimeandagain.Nomore.

I‟mnotafuckinglabrat.”

Shelookedstartled.“Ididn‟tmean—”

“Getonthebed.”WhenKatarinakeptstaringathim,Calderpickedherupandtossedheronherbackon
thebed.“Spread.”

Katrina‟seyeswentwidebutshekeptherthighsclosed.

“Thisiswhatyouget,”hegrowled.“Thisisallme.Idon‟twantyoutofixmeorcryoverme.Iwantyou
toeitherbedisgustedandrunaway,orIwantyoutocraveTheBeast.Whichisitgoingtobe?”

Katarinahalfsatup,eyesflashing.“I‟mnotoneofyourhighbornwomen,wantingtobewithsome
terrifyingcreature.Iwantyou.Calder.”

“Openyourthighsandyou‟vegotme.”

Herlookremainedstubborn.Shit,hewasgoingtocomealloverherbeforeheeventouchedher.No
womanhadeverhadthiskindofpoweroverhim.Calderwasalwaysincontrol.

Katarinawasmakinghimloseeveryounceofcontrolhe‟deverhad.

“IwantyoutobeCalder,”shesaid.“NotTheBeast.Notthelevel-threeShareem.You.”

“Level-threeShareemiswhatyou‟llget,honey.Andwhenwe‟redonehere,I‟llwhipyourassforbeing
sodisobedient.”

Calderexpectedhertogrowfrightened,tobegtoleave,butshe‟dobviouslygottenusedtoShareem.
“Promise?”sheasked,hersmilecoy.

Caldergaveuptryingtocontainhimself.Heclimbedoverherandyankedherlegsapart.

“You‟remylady,”hesaidashepositionedhiscockatheropening.Hetookahandfulofherhair.“Mine.
NotfuckingBraden‟s.NotanyotherShareem‟s.Mine.”

“Ifyouinsist.”

Hekissedhertostophertalking.Shewaswetandslippery,noneedforlube,thoughheknewshewasa
virgin.Atleast,she‟dtoldhimso.ThethoughtthatsomeotherShareemmighthavetastedherfirstmade
himangry.

“AmIthefirst?”heasked.

Katarinadraggedinabreath.“Itoldyou.Yes.”

“Don‟tlietome.I‟llknow.”

“You‟rethefirst,Calder.I‟veneverhadanyone.Willyoubelievemethistime?”

“We‟llfindout.”Hewantedtothrustinfast,buthestoppedhimselfintime.

Don’thurther.

Hehidagroanofreleaseasheslidin,slowlybutfirmly,pouringhispheromonesoverhertosoftenany
painhecaused.Shewassotight,squeezinghimsodamnhard.She‟dtoldthetruth—Calderwasherfirst.

“AmIhurtingyou,baby?”

“No.”

“Good.”Hekissedherface,strokedherhair.“Idon‟twanttohurtyou.Ever.I‟llmakeitsweet,
Katarina.”

Helovedsayinghername.Hesaiditagainasheburiedhimselftohisballs.

Shesmelledgood,hercomewettinghispenisandhisthighs.Helikedthesounditmade,thewhisperof
creamagainstflesh.

“Thisisfucking,”hemurmured.“Thisisgood.”

Shenodded,hereyeshalfclosing,herfacesoftening.

Calderhadneverfeltapussylikehers.Becauseshewasavirgin?OrbecauseshewasKatarina?

Didn‟tmatter.Hesuckedinhisbreathassheclampedhimlikewetsilk,squeezinghimhard.Herbreasts
pressedagainsthischest,thosebeautifulnipplesfirmagainsthisskin.

Heshouldmakeitslow,sweetandgood.Ifhewaslevelone,hecould.Buthewaslevelthree,builttodo
itrough.Builttomakehisladyscream.

Don’thurther.

Hisbodyhadotherideas.Hethrustintoherasecondtime,thenathird.Sherockeduptomeethim,the
littlesoundsinherthroatintoxicating.Hebitherneck,thenlickedit,thenbititagain.

HealmostcamewhenKatarinabithim,herteethpointsofpainonhisshoulder.

“Vixen,”hegrowled.

Shelaughedathim.Laughing.AtTheBeast.

Calderliftedherlegsandwrappedthemaroundhiships.Thatopenedherwide,sohecouldfuckher
harder,deeper,faster.

Shewasasoft,sweetarmful,lookingupathimwiththattrustingsmile.HewasTheBeast,thescarred,
hideouscreaturewhocoulddoanythingtoher.AndKatarinasmiled.

Calderfeltherfingertipstracingthescarsonhisarmsandback.Sheliftedherhandtohisfacebutshe
studiedhiseyes,notthewreckofhisskin.Thecaressesdidn‟tfeellikefascinationwithhisruinedface—
shewascaressinghim.

Damnyou,woman.Whyareyoumakingmefeel?

Hegrowled.NothingexistedbutKatarina‟stouch,herpussyclampedaroundhiscock,hersmoothlegs
enclosinghis.

“Gods,”hemoaned.“Katarina,whatareyoudoingtome?”Shekepttouchinghim,herbreathcoming
faster,andCaldercouldn‟tstophisthrusts.Thiswasheaven,herentirebodywrappedaroundhis,
dissolvinghimselfinthiswomanwhowantedtobewithhim.

Herodeherforalongtimewhilehisbedmovedunderhisonslaughtandshesmiled,orgroaned,or
whisperedhisnamelikeshelovedthesoundofit.Ithadneverbeenlikethisbefore,ever.Neverwitha
womanhehadn‟tbeenpaidtopleasure,neverfuckingherbecausehesimplywantedtobewithher.

Katarina‟sgroanswoundhigherandsodidhis,untilshecriedoutinjoy.Calderheardhisownvoicejoin
hersandtheneverythingblurred.Hewascoming,greatgobsofitshootingintoher.Hisjuicesblended
withhers,scaldingwheretheyjoined.

Hekeptridingher,feelinghersheathpulsearoundhiscock,drawingeverylastbitofcomehehad.
Greedybitch.Helovedit.

Katarinafellbackfromhim,pantingandsmiling.Herbrownhairfannedoutonthepillowliketanglesof
silk.

Calderrestedhisweightonhishands,stillinsideher.“Doyouthinkwe‟redone,sweetheart?”heasked,
tryingtocatchhisbreath.

“Aren‟twe?”Katarinaranherhandthroughhisdamphair.“Youcame.SodidI.”

“Doyoustillfeelme?”

Hersmilewidened.“Yes.”

“Youwantmorefucking.Youwantmetokeepfuckingyouuntilyoufallasleepwithmehardinsideyou.”

“Howdoyouknowthat?”

Shelookedsodamnsweet.Calderpulledouthalfway,theskinonhisthighstenderwherehe‟drubbed
hersraw.Katarina‟sforeheadwaswetwithsweat,andsweatslickedherbreastsagainsthischest.

“I‟mCalder,sweetheart.Iknowwhatyouwant.”

Shetouchedhim.“Doyoureadmindsorsomething?”

“Ireadfacesandscentsandpheromones.Iknow.”

“AndIknowthatyouwanttokeepon.Youwanttocomeagainandagain,butyou‟reafraidofhurting
me.”

Shetouchedhimagain.Damn,whywasshesogentle?Hewasn‟tworththat.

Hekissedher.Katarinatriedtokissbackbutshecouldbarelymoveherlips.

“DidIhurtyou?”heasked.Hebrushedthehairbackfromherface,knowinghe‟dneverfeltsoincredibly
tenderashedidlookingdownathernow.

“No.I‟mresilient.”

“Good.”Heslowlythrustintoheragain,readytoscrewherallnight.He‟dneversatehimselfonher,
never.Buthe‟dhaveadamngoodtimetrying.

Heslidhishandbetweenthem,workingherclituntilsheliftedherhipsagain.

Herodeher,fasterthistime,alittleharder,butconsciousthatshewasstillnewatthis.Katarinaheldhim,
herclimaxsendinghotshiversthroughherbody.

Justashecame,shoutingwithit,Katarinapulledhimclose.

“Iloveyou,”shemurmured.

SomethingcoldshotthroughhimandthenafeelingsoterrifyingCalderdidn‟twanttotouchit.Hemight
shatterit,shatterher.

Hewithdrewfromher,whichwasphysicallyeasybecausetheywerebothsowet.Helookeddownather
alongtimewhileshesmiled,kissedthecornerofhismouthandclosedhereyes.Shewasreadytosleep,
spentbytheirlovemaking.Heneededtolethersleep.

Hisemotionsrolledoverhimoneaftertheother,culminatinginstarkterror.

WhothehellsaidShareemdidn‟thaveemotions?Theyweredrivinghiminsanerightnow.

Calderfinallyslidnexttoheranddrewablanketuptocoverboththeirbodies.

Katarinasmiledagainthendriftedtosleep,buthestayedawake,watchingher,somethinginhimbreaking
andfallingaway.

ChapterTen

“Whereisshe?”

Braden‟sbaritonewokeKatarinafromasoundsleep.Calder‟sbedroomwasdark,butthatdidn‟tmeanit
wasstillnight.Hehadnowindows.Hedidn‟thaveaclockeither,thatshecouldsee.Sheaskedforlights
andadimoneobliginglycameon.

Calderwasn‟tinbedwithher,andneitherhenorBradenwereintheroom.

Katarina‟sclotheslayneatlyfoldedoverachair.Shehadn‟tdonethat.

SheheardCalderrumblefromtheouterroomandthenBraden‟svoiceagain.

“Biteme.Shedidn‟tcomehomewhenshewassupposedto.Iwasworried.”Katarinapulledonhertunic
andpantsandopenedthedoor.“I‟mhere,Braden.”Braden‟sdiatribeshutoff.“SoCaldersaid.”

Calderleanedagainsttheendofhissofa,pissedashell.Heworenothingbutaloincloth,hislong
ponytaildripping.HemusthavebeenintheshowerwhenBradencamepoundingonthedoor.

Katarinahadseenhimbarelastnight,butshe‟dbeenwoundupwithneed.Plushispheromoneshad
pouredoverher.Plushe‟dbeenrock-hard,verytasty.

NowKatarinacouldseehowthescarsonhisbodywereofonepiece,asthoughagiantclawhadraked
diagonallyuphisbody.Beneaththeskin,hismusclesbulged,firmandstrong,exceptforhisabdomen,
whereheboreaconcavegougeinhisleftside.

Hisnarrowhipslookednormal—well,normalforafinelybuilt,hard-bodiedman.Katarinacouldattest
tohowfirmhisbuttockswere—she‟dsqueezedthemenoughlastnight.Buttheskinhadbeencompletely
tattered,shredded,removedandreplaced.

BradenlookedatKatarinaandshereadworryinhiseyes,alongwithshock,compassionandsorrow.Had
heneverseenCalder‟sscars,then?

“Whattimeisit?”sheasked.

Calderstoodlikeastone,soBradenanswered.“Almostsundown.”Katarinaputherhandtohermussed
hair.“Crap.”

“Whenyoudidn‟tcomeinafteryourshift,Iwalkedtotheclinic,”Bradensaid.

“Whenyouweren‟tthereIgotreallyworried.Thereceptionistsaidyou‟dleftwithaShareem,andshe
didn‟tlookhappytoseeme.”

“I‟msorry,Braden.Ishouldhavesentword.”

“Motherhen,”Calderrumbled.

“Hey,thisisabadpartoftownforhighbornladies.”

“It‟snicethathecares,”Katarinasaid.

CalderglaredatBraden.“IfyouthinkI‟dletanythinghappentoher,you‟reanidiot.”

“HowcouldIknow?”Bradenshotback.“Yourefusetotalktoherforweeksandholeyourselfuphere
anddon‟tcomeout.HowcouldIguessthatyouwerewithher?Shecouldhavebeenback-alleyfodder.”

“She‟llneverbethat.I‟vebeenmakingsureofit.”

Katarinaputherhandsonherhips.“Areyousayingyou‟vebeenfollowingme?”

“Notfollowing.Lookingoutforyou.”

“What‟sthedifference?”

Calderstood,hisfacedarkwithanger.“Bradenisrightthatyoudon‟tbelongdownhere.I‟vebeen
watchingtomakesureyoumakeithomefromyourclinic,becauseBradenneverdoes.Youwouldn‟t
believethescumwhotrytofollowyou.”

“Youmeanbesidesyou?”

Bradenbarkedalaugh.Calderignoredhim.HisblueeyesburnedKatarinaacrosstheroom.

“AfraidIhavetogowithCalderonthis,babe,”Bradensaid.

“SothepairofyouthinksIoughttorunhometotheSerestineQuarter?Tomyluxurioushouseand
sequestermyselflikeagoodhighbornwomanshould?”Bradenrubbedhislip.“Ididn‟tsaythat.Ikindof
likehavingaprettyladysharingmydigs.”

“Keepyourfuckinghandsoffher,Braden.”

BradensmiledatCalder.“Idon‟tknow.Itwillbeachallenge.”

“Stopit,”Katarinasaid.“Bothofyou.”Theirarrogantposturingangeredher—

asdidherownfoolishnessinblurtingouttoCalderthatshelovedhim.Gods,shewasnobetterthanthe
sex-starvedwomenwhohiredhimtofulfilltheirfantasies.

Herfaceburned.“Ihavetogo,Calder.I‟msupposedtobeattheclinicinafewhours.I‟llhirea
bodyguardsoyouwon‟thavetowastetimefollowingmeanymore.”

Shefastenedthelastclasponhertunicandsweptoutoftheapartment.

Calderdidn‟ttrytostopher.Hissilence,thefactthathedidn‟tdemandshestaywhereshewas,hurther
morethanshewantedtoacknowledge.Shesteppedquicklyintothestreettoletthelastburningraysof
sundryhertears.

*****

“Ididn‟tknowitwasthatbad.”

KatarinahadnoideawhatBradenmeant,andforthemoment,shedidn‟tcare.

ThetwoofthementeredBraden‟sapartmenttogether—Bradenhadracedafterher,declaringoncemore
thatthestreetsweren‟tsafe.

“HowmuchIdidn‟twanttoleavehim?”KatarinarakedherhandsthroughhertangledhairasBraden
slammedthedooragainsttheheat.

“Imeant,howbadhisinjuriesmusthavebeen.”

“Didn‟tyouliveatDNAmowhenithappened?”

“Idid,butCalderwaskeptinaseparatewingandIreallyonlymethimafterDNAmoclosed.Iknew
he‟dbeenburnedinsomedamnexperiment,andIknewitwasbadbut…”

“Hesawyoupityinghim.Hedidn‟tlikeit.”

“Sweetbaby,thefactIsawhimunclothedatallisamajorbreakthrough.Andhewassoworriedabout
you,hedidn‟tgivearat‟sassaboutmyreaction.”Katarinaploppedontoachairandburiedherfacein
herhands.“Gods,Braden,itwassowonderfultobewithhim.I‟veneverfeltanythinglikethatinmy
life.”Hertearsreturned,slidingsilentlydownherface.Herbodywastender,herpussystretchedand
aching.Thefeelingofhistouch,ofhiscock,wasstillimprintedonher,asthoughshecouldopenhereyes
andfindhiminherarmsagain.

“It‟sover,isn‟tit?”shesaid.“He‟sonlywithaladyonceandwon‟thavethemback,nomatterhowhard
theybegorhowmuchtheyoffertopay.”Bradencrouchedinfrontofher,restinghishandsonherthighs.
“Wantmetomakeitbetter?”Hebrushedhercheekwiththeballofhisthumb.

“No.I‟mstupid.IwantCalder.”Katarinaclosedhereyes.“I‟msorry.”

“I‟llwait.Whenyouforgetabouttheshit,I‟llbehere.”Shetriedtolaughbutitcameoutacroak.“Sure,
ifyou‟renotoffchasingotherladies.Thanks,butnothanks.”

Bradenleanedtowardher.Hishairsmelledlikesoapandsunshine.“IwishIcouldsay,„Oh,he‟llcome
around,givehimtime‟,butIdon‟tthinkhewill.Calder‟salltwistedupinside,andthewaywomenreact
tohimhasmadeitworse.”

“Bitches.”

“Nowyou‟regettingit.”BradenslidhisarmsaroundKatarinaandheldherclose.“I‟lldowhatIcanfor
you,Ipromise.AndifCalderwon‟tcomearound,I‟llthrowovereveryladyinthistowntogetyouinmy
manacles.”Katarinaliftedherhead,laughtermixingwithhertears.“You‟reashit,Braden,”shesaid,
thensheletherselfcryonhimagain.

*****

Calderlethisclientdatabasego.AfterKatarinastormedoutwithBraden,hetoyedwiththeideaoftrying

tobuilditagainbuthe‟dlostthetasteforit.

Hisclientsweren‟tsohappy.ThewomanfromDelta-Terra,LadyDemata,whoseappointmentBraden
hadbrokenforhim,wasstillonBorNarga.SheinsistedthatCalderhonortheengagement.Calder
returnedhermoneybuteverymorninghefoundnastymessagesfromherthathestarteddeletingwithout
reading.Womenlikeher,whofledhiminhislabyrinththenshudderedinpleasurewhenhecaughtand
fuckedthem,nowfilledhimwithdisgust.

They‟dalwaysdisgustedhim,heforcedhimselftoadmit.BeingwithKatarinahadopenedCalder‟seyes
aboutalotofthings.

Katarinalookedathim—athim—andtouchedhim,unafraid.Notrepulsed.Notfascinated.Shewantedto
understandhispain,totalkaboutitasifhewereanormalhumanbeing.Whichhe‟dneverbe.

OnlyDr.Laashadevertreatedhimlikethat,butevenDr.LaastendedtolookatCalderlikehewasa
preciousexperiment.Katarina,ontheotherhand,haddrawnCalderintoherarms,kissedhim,touched
him,wantedhim.

TheotherwomenwantedTheBeast.KatarinawantedCalder.

Katarina—who‟dgonehomewiththesmugBraden,damnhisass.

TheproblemwithlettingthedatabasegowasCalder‟sShareemmetabolism,whichdemandedconstant
sating.Anoptionwouldbetoseekoutthelevel-threelairthatBradentalkedalotabout.Ithadstartedas
aplaceforwomenwhopreferredlevelthrees,butnowShareemofalllevelsgravitatedthere.

Bradenhadtoldhimthattherewasaroomkeptdarksoyoucouldscrewwhateverwomenyoufoundthere
incompleteanonymity.Somewomenlikedtoenterthedarkroomatthebeginningoftheeveningandstay
untildawn,gettingscrewedbyadozendifferentShareem.

Caldercouldvisitthislights-freeroom,getouthisneedsandgohome.Justawet,waitingpussy,nothing
more.

Gods,washethatdesperate?Evenwiththehighbornwomenwhopaidhimtoravishthem,hepreferred
somelight,knowledge,contact.Hemightaswellstayhomewithhishand.

Calderballedhisfistandpunchedthewall.Themirrorontheotherside,inhisbedroom,slidfromthe
wallandshattered.

Fine.Calderwassickoflookingathiswreckedbodyanyway.

*****

Threedayslater—threelonelydaysfromhell—CalderansweredhisdoorchimetofindReesonthe
threshold.

“What?”

Reesliftedhisbrowsandsteppedintotheapartment‟sfrontroom.“Yep,youhaveallthesigns.Flushed

face,nervoussweats,cantankerousattitude.WehaveabetonatJudith‟sthatyouaren‟tgettingany.IsayI
win.”

“Whatdoyouwant?”

ReeshadnevercometovisitCalderbefore.Smart-assedRiohadbeenRees‟

preferredShareemcompanionbeforeRiohadmovedoffplanetwithhislady.Rio,muchlikeBraden,was
ashitwithaloveforjokes.CaldersupposedthatbothheandReesneededalaid-backfriendwholooked
attheworldadifferentwaythantheydid.

CalderandReeshadfartoomuchincommontobecomeclosefriends.Reeshadbeenscrewedup
deliberately,notbyaccidentlikeCalder,butbothofthemhaddarksidestotheirnaturefromwhichthey
neededrelief.Together,they‟dcombust.

ProbablywhyKy,anotherscrewed-uplevelthree,hadgonesofarastotakethesunny-naturedlevelone
Aidenasalover.

“Thatprettymedicyou‟vebeenseeing,Katarinad‟Arnal,”Reessaid.Hestopped,sniffingtheair.“Shit,
youhaven‟thadawomaninhereindays.”

“WhataboutKatarinad‟Arnal?”

“She‟sintrouble.”

OneofthepeskyemotionsCalderwasn‟tsupposedtohave—fear—swoopedinandfrozehisblood.
“Trouble?Why?Whereisshe?”

ReesconsideredhimwitheyesmoreintenselybluethananyotherShareem‟s.

“Comewithme.”

Caldergrabbedhissun-blockingrobes.He‟dtakentocoveringhisbodyagain,thebriefmomentofbeing
nakedandunashamedinfrontofKatarinaafadingmemory.

ReesledhimquicklythroughthestreetstowardKatarina‟sclinic.Suncutatthemthroughoverhangs,
patchesofburningheatthatmadetheshadeseemblissfullycool.

Theyendedupattheclinic‟sdoorandReesduckedinside.“She‟sexpectingus,”hesaidtothestartled
receptionist.

CalderchargedintoKatarina‟sexamroom—andshelookedupcalmlyfromatray.

Caldernearlysaggedinrelief.Shewaswhole,unhurt,beautiful.She‟dtuckedherhairintoabun,with
curlsstragglingfromittoherneck.HerbrowneyestookinReesthenCalder,andshesmiled.

“Thankyou,Rees.”

Calderspunaround.Rees,theasshole,grinned.“Noproblem.I‟lltellTalanyousaidhello.”

BeforeCaldercouldsnarlaquestion,Reeswalkedout.Theautomaticdoorslidshutbehindhim,the
mechanismgrating.

“Whatthehellisthis?”CalderaskedKatarina.

“Ineedtotalktoyou.Ihadthefeelingyouwouldn‟topenyourdoortome,andit‟seasiertomeethere
anyway.”

“SoyousentReestotrickmehere?”

Katarinasmiled.Soinnocent.Darling,youaresogoingtopayforthis.

“Iknewyou‟dneverbelieveBraden.He‟snotverygoodatlying.SoIaskedRees.Hewashappyto
assist.”

“Myfriendsmusthavenothingbettertodo.”

“Thanhelpeachother?Ilikeyourfriends.Leavethemalone.”Calderhadtogetoutofthere,fast.
StandingnearKatarinashothisadrenalinehighandhisheartbegantopumplikehe‟dbeenrunning.He
eitherhadtoleavenowortakeheronthemetaltable.

“Whatdoyouwant?”hegrowled.“I‟mbusy.”Hewassuchafuckingliar.

“I‟vebeendoingalotofreading.Andresearch.”Sheturnedaway,liftedsomethingfromatray.“Medics
dothat—havetoinordertokeepupwiththelatesttechniques.”

“So?”

“You‟regrouchytoday.”Katarinaturnedaroundagain,asmileonherlips.“Ohwait,you‟reusuallylike
this.Anyway,I‟vebeenreadingaboutsomenewtechniquesdevelopedforskingrafting,withexcellent
results.Ithoughtyoumightbeinterestedinhearingaboutthem.”

Caldertookastepback,icydisappointmentfloodinghim.“Katarina,I‟vebeenthrougheverytechnique
dreamedup,backwhenIwasfirsthurtupuntillastmonth.Dr.Laascontactsmeallthetimetotry
somethingnew.Iusedtoletsurgeonsscrewwithme,buttheydidexperimentsandtossedmeout.Nothing
everworks.

Mybodyisthewayitis,andthat‟sthewayitstays.”

“Itcan‟thurttotry.”

“Itcan.I‟vebeensubjectedtoeverythingfromstrangeinjectionstohavingtheskinpeeledoffmeandput
back.Mycellsdiedalongtimeago,endofstory.Anddon‟tthinkabouttryingtofuseplastictomelike
I‟mafuckingandroid.I‟mnotthatdesperate.”

“Noplastic,Ipromise.It‟satechniquedevelopedonAriel,andit‟shideouslyexpensive.Ifitwilleven
workonyou,whichitmightnot.”

“AndyouthinkIcanaffordit?IuseallthemoneyIgetforbeingawhoretohelpotherShareemandto

makemylifecomfortable.Idon‟thaveittospare.”Katarina‟slipsflattened.“Idon‟twantyourmoney,
Calder.Iwantaskinsample.”

“No.”

“Itwon‟thurtyou.Onelittlestripofskinthatnevergotburned,that‟sallIneed.

Youhavesomeofthat.Isawit.”

Calderstraightenedupinahurry.“Andyou‟renotputtingaknifeanywherenearmycock.”

“Don‟tbestupid.I‟lltakeitfromyourside,underyourrightarm.Ionlyneedalittle.”

“Whatfor?”

“Totest.I‟mcurious.”

“Ican‟ttellyouhowsickIamofbeingalabrat.”

“EvenmorethanbeingTheBeast?I‟mamedic,Calder.I‟mtryingtolearn.Givemeonelittlepieceof
skinandI‟llleaveyoualone.”Calderstopped.Shewatchedhimintensely,herearnestnessradiatingfrom
her.

ShewantedtoHelpwithacapitalH.

“That‟snotwhatwomenusuallyaskfromaShareem,”hesaid.

“It‟swhatI‟masking.”

Whatthehell?Caldershuckedhissun-blockingrobesandpulledoffhistunic.Hewassweatingbeneath,
hisruinedskingleamingwithmoisture.

Katarinastartedtowardhimwithatesttube.Whenshereachedforhisside,Caldercaughtherandheld
herback.“Youdon‟tgetthisforfree,darling.”

“Thenwhatdoyouwant?”

Good.Shehadalittletremorinhervoice,hercockinesswavering.

Calderleanedtoher.“Iwantyou—goingdownonmesohard,workingmeupsobad,thatIcomeinfive
minutes.Alloveryourprettyface.”Herbreathcaught,hercheeksgoingrosy.“Icandothat.”Calder
straightened,afiercesmilebreakingthroughhisagony.“I‟mgladtohearit.”

“Myshiftendsinafewhours.Doyouwantmetocometoyourplace?”Helaughed,agratingsound.“No,
you‟regoingtodoitrighthere.”Katarina‟seyeswidened.“Here?Whatifsomeonecomesin?”

“Whatiftheydo?”

“Itwouldbe…”Shewentredder,andhescentedherpheromonesontheair.

Hot,ready,smellingsogood.Shewaswet.Hesmelledthattoo.

Calderwrappedhishandthroughherhairandpulledherheadback.“Itwouldbeexciting.Youwantto
getcaught,don‟tyou?HaveeveryoneknowyouletShareemfuckyou?”

“Notreally.”Thewordsweresofainttheyweren‟tconvincing.

“Righthere.Rightnow.Ornosamples.”

Katarinaturnedtheemptytesttubeoverinherfinger.Athin-bladedknife,coveredwithaguard,
protrudedfromit.Gods,Calderhatedknives.

Katarinagentlysetthetesttubebackonthetray.“Allright,”shesaid.

ChapterEleven

OnceagainKatarinawasdoingthingsshe‟dneverhavedreamedofinherlife.

ShefoundherselfonherkneesinfrontofCalderwhileheunlacedhisleggings.

Hiscocktumbledout,long,hard,darkwithblood.MoistureglintedonthetipandKatarinalickedit.

Tothinkthatafewweeksagoshehadneverseenacockintheflesh.Nowshe‟dseentwo,Calder‟sand
Braden‟s.Notonlyseenthembuttouchedthem,tastedthem.

Calder‟scocktookherbreathaway.Onestandardfoot,itgleamedwithsweat,theballsatitsbasetight
andsmooth.

Katarinalickedtheshaft.Caldermovedslightly,hishandclosinginherhair.

Shesmiledwithherpowerandlickedsomemore.

“Suckit,”Caldersaid.“Suckme.”

Katarinakeptlicking.Sheranhertonguearoundtheflangeandagainacrosshistip.

Hetuggedherhair.“Suckme,Katarina.OrIpunishyou.”Excitementwarmedher.Sheremembered
Calder‟shandonherbackside,thestingthatopenedherpussyandmadeherbegforhim.

“Suck,”herepeated.

Shelickedagainandhedrewinabreath.“Damnyou,Katarina.You‟remakingyourpunishmentworseby
theminute,andIdon‟twanttohurtyou.”Katarina‟sheartpoundedsohardshecouldhardlybreathe.She
rubbedherfaceonhiscock,nuzzlingit,playingwithitwithherlipsbeforeshefinallyopenedhermouth
wideandtookitinside.

“Gods,”Calderwhispered.Heclosedhisotherhandonherhairandrockedhishipsforward.

Calder,thebigShareemwiththehideousscars,whohidbehindhisfacecloths,wasmurmuringhisjoyat
Katarina‟splaying.Shelovedhiscock,everylonginchofit.Sheloveditstasteanditsscent,thehot
smoothnessunderhertongue.

Shegotthecockverywetandrubbedherfaceonitagain.Shelikedthefeelofthetipagainsthernose,the
smellofhim.

“Itoldyou,youhavefiveminutestomakemecome.Timeismarching.”Fiveminutes?Katarinawould
gladlykneelhereforanhour,licking,suckling,fondlinghimuntilhermouthwasraw.

Butsomeonemightcomein.Appointmentswouldpileup,thereceptionistornursewouldcometosee
whatwaswrong.

Katarinatookhimintohermouthagain,andthistimeshesuckled.Hard,fast,movinghertonguebackand
forth.Hepulledherhairbutshebarelynoticedthepain.Hegroundhishipsforwardasifhewerefucking

her,andhisbreathcameinstrangledgrunts.

Itonlytookthreeminutes,byKatarina‟scalculation.Calderwhispered,“Fuck,”andthenawashofcome
rushedintohermouth.

Calderkeptpumpinghiships,sendingmoreandmoreinsideher.Ittastedsmooth,likecreamwithalittle
biteofsalt.CaldersaidhernameoverandoverwhileKatarinasavoredhiscomeandswallowedit
down.

Calderpulledhertoherfeet.Hispupilsspreadblackthroughhisirises,whichhadwidenedtoblotout
thewhite.Shareemeyes,whichchangedwhentheywerearoused.

Hegaveheraferallook,scarsdistortinghisface.BeforeKatarinacouldsayanything,heshovedherback
ontotheexamtable,rippeddownherleggingsandpressedhismouthtoherclit.

Calder‟stongueslidthroughtheriverofcreambetweenherlegsthenhesucked,lickedandteasedher
swollenclit.Katarinabuckedonthetable,herfistpressedintohermouthtostifleherscreams.

Histeethabradedher,histongue‟sfrictionmadehercrazy.Shecamefast,herhipsundulating,heels
kickingthemetaltable.Calderdidn‟tstop.Hekeptlappingherclitandherpussy,holdingherhipsopen
whenshewantedtoclose,tosqueeze.

Theyhadtostopnow.Surelyhe‟dcease,backaway,letcoolairtouchhertoo-hotopening.

No.Calderdidbackaway,butonlytoslidestrongarmsunderherandturnherover.Heleanedontopof
her,hisskinhotthroughherthincottontunic.

“Youdisobeyedme,”hesaidinherear.“Youdidn‟ttakemycomeonyourface.”

Katarinasmiled.She‟ddrunkitdown,whichhadbeensomuchbetter.“Youdidn‟tpulloutofmymouth.”

“ItoldyouwhatI‟ddo.”

“Nothere,”Katarinahissed.

“Righthere.Youneedtolearntoobey.”

Hishandcamedownonherbackside.Likeinthelair,heslappedthensoothedthehurtaway.Hishand
camedownagain.Sting.Otherhand.Soothe.

Eachslapmadeherjerkherclitagainstthetableandbeforeshecouldstopherself,shewascomingagain.
Shemovedherhipsdesperately,rubbingthesterilesheetbeneathher.Herbodywantedtofuck,soit
fuckedthetable.

Calderkeptgoing,knowingwhathewasdoing.Herclimaxtookherintoaplaceofnothing—nolight,no
sound,justthefeelofCalder‟shandonherbacksideandthetablegratingonherclit.

Shescreamedintothesheet,somepartofherknowingsheneededtomufflethesound.Asshecollapsed
againstthetable,sobbinginjoy,Calderceased.

Heliftedheringentlearmsandcradledheragainsthischest.Hekissedher,hismouthhotandwet.She
tastedhimandherselfmixedtogether,triedtomatchhiskisseswithherown.

Caldersetherbackdownonthetable.Katarinaputherhandtoherhair,tryingtocatchherbreath.She
mustlookamess.Butonlyapartofhercared.Therestofhersang,hummed,gloriedintheecstasyshe
felt.

“Calder.”

Hedidn‟tlookather.Calderclosedhisleggingsandtookuphertesttube.

Workingoutthestopper,hescrapedtheunscarredpartofhisskinwiththeknifethenputthestopperonthe
tubeagain.

HehandedittoKatarinawithoutaword,slidonhistunic,grabbeduphisrobeandbangedoutofthe
examroom.

Katarinaletoutherbreath.Sheliftedthetubetoeyelevel,thoughshecouldbarelyseethetinyscraping
ofskininside.

Perfect.

*****

Calder‟slifeofficiallybecamehell.

HeneededKatarina.Heneededherwitheverybreath.

He‟dlethimselfbecometheDomwithher,thinkingifheputherinherplace,he‟dviewherashedid
everyothersub.Needyupper-classwomenwhocravedsexcametohimbutonlyletthemselveshaveitif
theywerepunishedatthesametime.

Itwasamazinghowmanyofthembeggedforpunishment.

Butthepheromonesintheexamroom,mixedwiththesmellofhercomeandhis,haddrivenhimoutofhis
mind.He‟dbeenhottothepointofdanger.

He‟dtriedtocooloffinthepoolatthebathinghouseJudithhadsetupforShareem,butithadn‟thelped
much.Itdidn‟thelpthatBradenhadbeentheretogloatthatKatarinahadgottenherway.Asshole.

Calder‟sclientscontinuedbugginghim.Withthedatabasewiped,there‟dbeennowayforhimtocancel
theappointments.They‟darriveattheirtimeandpushthedoorbuzzerforanhourbeforefinally
understandingthathewasn‟topen.ThedamnwomanfromDelta-Terrahadherlackeysbangonhisdoor
foranentireday.

ThespurnedladiesjoinedLadyDematainrantingmessagesuntilCalderstoppedreadinghismail
altogether.Hisfriendsfiguredoutthatiftheywantedtotalktohim,theyhadtoleaveamessagewith
Judithandhopeheshowedupatthebarsometime.Hewasn‟tansweringhisdoorforthemeither.

CaldernowhadaquarterofthehighbornwomeninBorNargaandplentyfromoffworldpissedashellat
him.Butwhatcouldtheydo?TheBorNarganladiescouldn‟tverywelladmitthatthey‟dmadean
appointmentwithTheBeast,andtheoff-worlderswhocomplainedgotlittlesympathyfromthepatrollers.

IfyouwanttomesswithforbiddenShareem,yourdisappointmentisyourownfault,wasthepatrollers‟
attitude.UnlessaShareemwascommittingrape—athingShareemweresupposedtobeincapableof
anyway—thepatrollersdidn‟tcare.

ButtheveryworstthingthathappenedinCalder‟sworldwasthatKatarinad‟ArnalquitthePasCity
clinicandretreatedtohermansionintheSerestineQuarter.

Shewasfinishedwiththeslums,Bradenreported.Tiredofthedregsofsociety,tiredofthedirt.She‟d
gonebackhometobecleanandwell-bredagain.

Fuckallhighbornfuckingbitches.

Calderbecamesurlyandwithdrawn—Howcanyoutellthedifferencefromthewayheusuallyacts?
CalderheardKyaskBradenoneday.CalderdrankatJudith‟sbar,butnoamountofale,noamountof
consolationbyhisShareemfriendscouldtakeawaytheemptinessinsidehim.

He‟dfalleninlove.

Whichwasastupid-assthingforhimtodo.

He‟dlethisfriends‟happinesslullhimintothinkingitmighthappenforhimtoo.Katarinadidn‟tmindhis
scars.Shelikedhim.He‟dallowedhimselftobelievethatlikinghimmightmeansomething.

Damnit,heshouldjustrebuildhisdatabase,announcetotheladiesthathewasopenforbusinessagain
andgoforit.ShowthemwhatTheBeasttrulycoulddo.

Somehow,hecouldnevermakehimselfgetaroundtoit.

ThedaycamewhenCaldercouldn‟tstanditanylonger.HecalledRees.

“Yeah?”Rees,onthemonitor,lookedtousled,tiredandsmuglysatisfied.Sixguessesastowhathe‟d
beendoing.

“IwanttotalktoTalan.”

Rees‟eyesnarrowed.“Why?”

“DoIdetectsuspicionandjealousy?EmotionstohavebeenprogrammedoutofShareem?”Calder
mouthedthescientists‟litaniesatDNAmo.“Iwanttoaskheraquestion.”

“Fine.”

Talancameonthescreen,alsolookingtousled,tiredandsmuglysatisfied.Thesetwohadbeentogether
forseveralyearsnow.Couldn‟ttheygetenough?Calderhopednot.

Calderaskedhisquestion,andTalangavehimtheanswerwithdelight.

*****

Twohourslater,CalderexitedtheSerestineQuartertrainstationonthemansion-studdedhillabovePas
City.Noonewalkedthesestreetsbutservants,whodressedinhouseholdliveries.Theyeyedhim
curiously.Hoverchairsandhovercarsmovedpasthiminwell-bredsilence,buthefeltwatchersbehind
theirblackglass.

Didhelookoutofplaceorsomething?Anearlyseven-foot-tallmaninblackleatherandsun-blocking
robes,faceclothsanddarkgoggles?

Calderstoppedatasetofsolidmetalgatesinthemiddleofasolidstonewall.

Thiswasthehousehewaslookingfor,buthe‟dneverhaveknownwithoutTalan‟sdirections.Rich
peopledidn‟tadvertisewhattheyhadinside.

Thegates,however,screamedthatCalderwasnolongerintheslums.Themetaldidn‟thaveaspeckof
rustordryrotonitandsandhadn‟tstainedthewalls.Inacitythroughwhichsandstormsrolledatleast
onceeverytwoweeks,cleanwallswereamiracle.

Peopleherepaidtohavetheirwallswashedaftereverystorm.Crazy.

Caldereyedthegate,debating.Whatwouldhappenwhenhepressedthebuzzer?Wouldsheadmithim
withjoy?Orhaveoneofherservantssendhimaway?

Humiliatingchoice.

“Well,well.”

ThesneeringvoiceofapatrollerdidnotimproveCalder‟stemper.Heturnedtofindthreeofthembehind
him,tallwomeninspotlessuniforms.Likethehouses,thedifferencebetweenSerestinepatrollersandPas
Citypatrollerswastheircleanliness.

Theannoyingcondescensionthatborderedonbrutalitywasthesame.

“AShareem,”theleadercontinued.“Onthehill.”

“Asyousee.”Calderfixedhiseye-hidinggogglesonthepatroller.

Shedrewbacktheslightestbit.“Identcard.”

“I‟mCalder.”

“Idon‟tcareifyou‟rethegodofsingingspheres.Givemeyouridentcard.”Takinghistime,Calder
slowlypartedhissun-blockingrobesandpulledastripfromhisbelt.Hehelditoutandshetookit,being
carefulnottotouchhisfingers.

Thepatrollerpoppedthecardintoherhandheldandscannedthereadout.

“You‟realongwayfromhome.”

Caldertookthestripbackfromheranddidn‟tanswer.Patrollerswerethedregsoflawenforcement,sent
outtoannoypeople,especiallyShareem,onthestreets.

“Whatareyoudoinguphere?”theleaderwenton.Shemustnothavemetherharassmentquotaforthe
day.

“Visitingafriend.”

Theleaderlaughed.Sherockedbackonherheels.“Thisisthed‟Arnalhouse.

They‟rewaytoorichandrespectabletobefriendswiththelikesofyou.”Calderpushedthedoorbuzzer,
pretendinghewasn‟tsweatinginsidehisrobes.

Thepatrollerstoodontiptoetolookoverhisshoulderasamonitorscreenslidintoview.

“Yes?”abored-lookingwomanasked.

“CaldertoseeDr.d‟Arnal.”

“Onemoment.”

Damnit,Katarina,don’tpickthismomenttodumpme.Theseladieswillslapmeinacellforeven
touchingyourgate.

Theboredwomanflickedonthescreenagain.“Welcome,Calder.Dr.d‟Arnalwillmeetyouinthemain
hall.”

Thescreendisappearedandthegatesslidnoiselesslyopen,nogratingondust.

Caldersketchedamock-salutetothepatrollersandstrolledinside,feelingsatisfactionasthegatesclosed
ontheirstunnedfaces.

ChapterTwelve

Calderwasgladofthesun-blockingclothsoverhisfacebecausehewasgapinglikeafoolbehindthem.
Thegateledhimnotintoahousebutintoatree-linedgarden.

Trees.InthemiddleoftheflatBorNargandesert.Eventhehillthemansionsresidedonwasartificial,
builtupcenturiesagosotherichwouldn‟thavetowalkonthesamelevelasthepoor.

Theseweretoweringtrees,alientothisplanet,smellingofrichwood.Theycouldn‟tbereal,couldthey?
Holoroomshadgottensophisticated—Calderusedthemhimself—andtherichmustbeabletoaffordthe
best.Hepulledoffhisgloveandtouchedatree,feelingtheroughofrealbark.

Amazing.

Helookedupthroughthecanopyofleavestobrightbluesky.Theremustbeshieldingoverheadbecause
nowaycouldthesetreessurviveBorNarga‟sharshsunotherwise,nottomentionthesandstorms.

Itwascoolinhere,pleasant.Astrangesensation.

Thewalkwayledhimtoagiganticstoneandmarblehouse,completewithcolumnsandlongwindows.
Thewholeplacedefinitelymustbeshielded.Nooneturnedarealwindowtotheweather.

Thetall,archedfrontdooropenedasheapproached,andCaldersteppedintoamassivefoyer.Walls
soaredabovehim,punctuatedwithfan-lightedwindows.Astaircasespilledfromabovelikeamarble
waterfall.

Katarinaskimmeddownthisstaircase,handonthewroughtironbanister,thesilksheathsheworehugging
everycurve.

“Calder.”

Atthesoundofhervoice,hiswholebodycamealive.Hecouldonlythinkofhersweettonesbegginghim
ashelaidherbackontheexamtableinheroffice,hernoisesofpleasure.

Hiserectionstrainedathistightleggings.Hewantedtotakeherhere,onthestairs,inthiscool,
otherworldlyluxury.

“Youlivehere?”heasked.

“Thisismyhouse,yes.”

“Shit.”

Calderthoughtofhismodestapartment,whichwouldfitinacornerofthishall.

“Isthatwhyyoucame?”Katarinaremainedpoisedonthelaststep,herhandontherailing,asthough
reluctanttostepdowntohislevel.Justlikethehousesonthehillheldthemselvesalooffromtheslumsof
PasCity.

“Icametoaskyouwherethehellyou‟vebeen.”

“Here.Working.”

“You‟vepissedoffhalftheShareeminPasCity,”hegrowled.“Thebastardslikebeingexaminedby
you.”

“I‟vebeenbusy.”

Toobusytocallorsendamessage?Gods,hewaspathetic.“Whatever.”

“ThelasttimeIsawyou,yougavemetheimpressionyouwouldn‟tcareifIleft.”

“Baby,thelasttimeIsawyou,Isuckedyouraw.Idon‟tdothattowomenIneverwanttoseeagain.”

Sheshrugged,thesilkmovingonherbody.“Youwereangry.”

“Youwantedapieceofmyskin.Idon‟tlikebeingtreatedlikeanexperiment.Igotenoughofthatat
DNAmo.”

“Iwastryingtohelpyou.”

“Theyalltrytohelp.Everymedic,everydoctorI‟veeverseen.Theyallthinktheyhavethemiraclecure.
Noneofthemdo.Theirtechniquesimprovebutmybodydoesn‟t,andIrefusetobecomeacyborg.”

“Idon‟twantyoutobecomeoneeither.”

“Thenleavemethehellalone.”

Katarinafinallysteppedoffthelaststairandflowedtohim.“Isthatwhyyoucameallthewayuphere?
Totellmetoleaveyoualone?”Iwasworriedaboutyou.IthoughtI’dneverseeyouagain.

“Icamehere…Shit,Idon‟tknowwhyIcamehere.”

Calderswungaway.Thedoorwasstillopen,lettinginthecoolbreezefromthegarden.Everythinghere
wasunreal.MaybeKatarinawastoo.Maybeeverythinghefeltforherwasunreal.

Ifthatwastrue,whydidithurtsodamnmuch?

“Calder,wait.”

Calderstoppedonthethreshold.Heheardhermovetowardhimbutshestoppedtoofaraway.

Hiscockached.Herehewas,alevel-threeShareem,closetofallingonhiskneesandpleadingherto
fuckhim.Rightnow,righthereinherbeautifulfronthallwiththebreezeandtree-scentwaftingin.
Please,love.Havepityonme.

“I‟mgladyoucame,”shesaid.“Iplannedtocometoyourapartment,butitwillbebetterhere.Myhouse
ismorecomfortable.”

Calderturned.Shestoodafootawayfromhim,herscent,herpheromonespouringoverhim.Thesilk
sheathwasthin,hernipplessharplittlepointsbehindit.

Hepicturedhimselflounginginalarge,white-sheetedbed,aboytoyforarichlady.Notabadscenario.
EspeciallywhentherichladywasKatarinad‟Arnal.

“Willyoustay?”sheasked.

“Yes.”

Calderreachedforher.Katarinasteppedforward,raisingherhand.

Hesawthehypotoolate.Caldergrowledandtwistedaway,butshe‟dalreadytouchedthepadtohis
neckandinjectedherconcoction.

Calder‟sglarecouldhavecrumbledherbighouseandthevastgardensbeyondintodust.Katarina
recoiledfromhislookofnearhatred.

“Whatthehelldidyoujustdo?”

“Thiswillwork,Calder.Iswearitwill.”Shebitherlip.“I‟mprettysureitwill.”Thenano-protein
combinationstartedquickly.SweatpoureddownCalder‟sfaceandheclawedathisclothes.“Whatthe
fuck?”Heflunghistunicandleggingsfromhim,thenhisloincloth.Hisscarswerestarkandangryinthe
softlightofherhall.Hedidn‟tbelonghere,agiantofaman,rough-hewnlikedesertrocksinherhouseof
elegantsoftness.Calderrakedhishandsthroughhishairandshuddered,bodygleamingwithsweat.

Katarinadartedforward,anotherhyporaised.Calderswungaway,hisragecutting.“Stayawayfromme!”

“Thiswilleasethepain.”

“Itdoesn‟thurt…Aw,fuck.”Heshiveredsuddenly,violently,hisfacelosingcolor.Calderjerkedherto
him,grabbedthehypoandinjectedhimself.

Afterasecondortwothetightlinesaroundhiseyesrelaxed,butheclenchedthedelicatehyposohardit
broke.

Katarinatouchedhisface.“Iloveyou,Calder.Iknowyouhatemerightnow,butIwantyoutoknowhow
muchIloveyou.”

“Idon‟thateyou,”hegrowled.Hisshiveringescalated,hiseyesclosinginagony.Hislipsformed
anotherfuck—thenhewentdown.

Thecrashonherfloorbroughttheservantsrunning.Katarinafelltoherkneesbesidehim,anxiously
checkinghisvitals.Hisheartracedandhisskinwashot,butnotmorethannormalforaShareem.She
kissedhisdampforeheadthengottoherfeetandorderedherservantstogethimupstairstooneofher
sparebedrooms.

*****

Forthenextfewdays,Katarinadidn‟tleavehisside.Calderswaminandoutofconsciousness,buthe
wasnevercoherent.Katarinahookedhimuptomachinestokeephimhydratedandfed,checkinghis
vitalseveryhour.

She‟dhiredtheequipment,thinkingshe‟dhavetotransportitdowntohisplaceinPasCity.He‟dsaved
herastepbycominguphere,lookingforher.

Whyhadhe?Calderhadmadeitclearhowangryhewas,howmuchhedidn‟twantKatarinatryingto
curehim.Howmuchhedidn‟twanther,period.

Buthe‟dbravedSerestinepatrollerstocometoherhouseandasktoseeher.

Why?Andwhenhewokeup,wouldhestillwanttoseeher?

Itdidn‟tmatter.Katarinadidn‟twanttohealCaldersohe‟dbegratefulandpatheticbutbecauseshe
wantedtomakehislifebetter.HewasShareem,soitwouldbeonlysomuchbetter,butatleasthe
wouldn‟thavetohidehisbodyanymore.Ifherregeneratingtechniqueworked,he‟dlethimselfwearthe
lightclothingofhisShareemfriendsandlaughandtalkwiththem.He‟dnolongerkeeptotheshadows.

Whetherthisworkedornot,ifhedidn‟twanttoseeKatarinaanymore,she‟dlethimgo.Shepromised
herselfthis.

SheunderstoodnowwhyBradenhadtoldherthatallwomenwantedCalder.

CalderfocusedhisShareem-blueeyesonawomanandmadeherfeellikeshealoneexisted.Hedelved
intoherfantasiesandlaidherbare.Whenhewasdone,therewasn‟tasecretinherheadshehadn‟t
trustedhimwith.

Hiswomenweptwhenitwasover.Katarinawouldtoo,butshe‟dlethimgo.Itwasmoreimportantto
herthathewasalive,wholeandhappy.

Sherepeatedthisbravelitanyallthroughhervigil.Butwhenshewashonestwithherselfinthedark
hoursofthenight,thethoughtoflosinghimforgoodmadethemiserycome.

*****

Calderwokewithajolt.

Hewasalone,flatonhisbackonabed.Tubessnakedfromamachineinthewalldownintohisarms,and
acoolsheetrestedlightlyonhislegs.

Abodyonaslab.Again.

Helayinalargeroompaintedacoolshadeofgreenwithgoldmosaicpatternsrunningalongthetopsof
thewalls.Whitecurtainsbillowedatawindow,whichwasopentosoftair.

Everythingspokeofluxuryandtaste,includingthemattressbeneathhim.HemuststillbeinKatarina‟s
house,buthowlonghe‟dbeenherehedidn‟tknow.

Hesatupslowly,hislimbssore,butonlyfrombeingimmobile.Asecondlater,herealizedthathis
burningpainhadcompletelyvanished.

Calderpulledthetubesfromhisarms,slidingthemoutquicklysohewouldn‟tbleed.He‟dlearnedhow.
Hethrewbackthesheetandstoodup.Hislegsshookalittle,butnottoomuch.

Alookoutthewindowshowedhimtreesmovinginafaintbreeze.Thecanopysurroundingthehousemust
allowforartificialweather.Itfeltlikesweet,coolspringtime,nottheperpetualsummerofthebone-hard
desert.

Mustbenicetobesostinkingrich.CalderhadmoneyafteryearsofbeingTheBeast,butShareem
wouldn‟tbeallowedtosetupinsomethingsonice.Hestashedawayhismoneysohewouldn‟thaveto
worryaboutsurvival,andtohelphisfriends.LettheBorNarganrulingfamilythinkShareemwerejust
thissideofbroke.

Asheturnedawayfromthewindow,hescratchedhisarm.WhateverKatarinahadshotintohimmadehim
itchalittle.

Assoonashestoppedscratching,theitchcameback,stronger.Hislegsstartedtotingleandthensuddenly
theskinalloverhisbodywasoneburning,massiveitch.

Calderletoutagrowl,rubbinghispalmsacrosshisarmsandtorso—whichwerestillscarred,bythe
way.Stupidcuredidn‟twork,andhe‟dknownitwouldn‟t.

Hekeptrubbingbuttheitchingincreased.“Damnit!”ThedoorslidopenandKatarinaranin.Partofhim
enjoyedwatchinghersilkenclothesmovewithherbody,partofhimwantedtothrowhertotheground
andscrewhersenseless.Partofhimdidn‟twanthertoseehim.

“Whatareyoudoingoutofbed?”shedemanded.

“Itchinglikecrazy.Whatthehelldidyoudotome,woman?”Katarinasmiled.“Thatmeansit‟sworking.”

“It‟skillingme.Shit.”

“Comewithme.”

Katarinatookhishandandledhimout.Shetookhimintoanotherroom,againwithwindowsoverlooking
thegarden.Thisonehadasquaremarbletubinthemiddleofthefloorandbenchesforloungingaroundit.

Thetubwasfull,andCalderjumpedstraightin.

Hisskinburnedlikeathousandneedlesjabbedhim,andhethrewbackhisheadandshoutedhisagony.
Katarinawatched,handstouchinghermouth,eyesworried.

Afterafewminutesofhorrificburningsensation,thefeelinglessened.Andthenlessenedagain.“Thank
thegods,”Calderbreathed.

“It‟shealing,”Katarinasaid.“Theitchingmeanshealing.Thisiswhat‟ssupposedtohappen.”She
soundedrelievedandhappy.

“Warnmenexttime.”

Katarinalookeddownathiminthetub,asmileonherface.WaterblotchedherskirtswhereCalderhad
splashedthemjumpingintothewater,andthebreezefromthewindowliftedherhemtoshowhershapely
legs.

Caldersuddenlyhadthebiggesthard-onhe‟dhadinyears.

Hereachedupandgrabbedherankle.“Comeinhere.”

“Ishouldn‟t.Theservants.”

Calderrose,wrappedhiswetarmaroundherwaistanddraggedherintothewaterwithhim.Sheshrieked
asherdressquicklybecamesodden.

“Youshould,”hesaid.

Caldereasilypriedoffhersilkdressanddroppedthesoggymassontheedgeofthetub.Sloshingmore
waterfromthetub,Calderliftedherintohisarms,wrappedherlegsaroundhishipsandslidherontohis
waitingcock.

Thesexwasswiftandbrutal.CalderusedthebuoyancyinthewatertothrusthardintoKatarina,andshe
clungtohim,hernoisesofpleasuredrivinghimon.

Hefinishedwithhimontopofherbesidethetub.Noelegance,justhimspreadingherandshovinginside
untilheshothisseed.Shemadeafrustratednoisewhenhewithdrewthatmadehimharderthanever.

“Notfinished,wereyou?”heasked.

“Iwas.Butitwas…awfullyfast.”

“Thatwasmetakingtheedgeoff.Ifyouwantslowsex,Katarina,I‟lldoyoutherestoftheafternoonand
allnight.”Hekissedherswollenlips,thebridgeofhernose.“Wouldyoulikethat?”

“Ithinkso.”

“You‟dbetterbesure.OnceIstart,Iwon‟tstop.I‟mShareem.Ihavetogiveyouthatwarning.”

Katarinasmiledandlacedherarmsaroundhisneck.“Ibelieveyouhavemysignedconsentform.”

“Baby.”Calderkissedherlipsagain.“I‟mgoingtomakeyouregretlookingsosweetwhensayingthat.”

*****

Calderknewsomeamazingthings.ButKatarinarefusedtoregretanythingasshebecamehiswillingslave
forthenight.

Hecarriedherintothebedroomandlaidheronherbed,whichwasacushionofpressurizedairinstead
ofamattress.Whenthebedwascoveredwithquiltsandpillows,itlookedlikeanold-fashionedfour-

poster,butapersoncouldsleepfloatingoradjustthepressuretomakeitafirmsurface.Katarinahad
alwaysfoundherbedrelaxingbutCalderuseditinwaysnewtoher.

He‟dbroughtsomeinterestingthingswithhim,tuckedawayintothepocketsofhistunic.Shewonderedif
healwayscarriedsuchthingsaboutorifhe‟dbroughtthemespeciallyforher.

Firsthepartedherlegsandexaminedherpussy,shakinghisheadwhenhe‟dseenshe‟dletthehairstart
growingback.

“Youshouldhavehaditdonepermanently.”

Katarinawonderedhowhecouldbesocalmwhileshewassoexcited.Allhehadtodowaslookather
andhercreambegantoflow.“Ididn‟tknowwhetheryouwouldlikemebarebeforeImadeitpermanent.
AndthenIdidn‟tseeyouagain,soIdidn‟tthinktherewasmuchpoint.”

“Well,Idolikeit.”Calderbroughtoutasmallshaverthathestrappedtohisfirsttwofingersandusedit
toremovethehairthathadaccumulated.Theshaverwaswarm,thevibrationofitstimulating.

“Gobacktoyourclinicandgetitpermanentlygone.”Hegaveheradarklook.

“Unlessyouwantmeshavingyouallthetime.”

Hmm,whichwouldshechoose?Acolddepilatoryaloneinacoldroomattheclinic,orCalder‟shot
handsmovingonherpussy?

Calderputawaytheshaverandsoothedherskinwithacream.Moreoilfollowed,hisfingersdipping
intohervaginaandthen,surprisingher,intoheranus.

“Whatareyoudoing?”

“Gettingyouready.”

Shegulped.“Forwhat?”

“ForTheBeast,Katarina.Hewantstoplay.”

“Isee.”

“No,youdon‟t.Butyouwill.”

Hestrappedontoherasmallpadthatformeditselftoherclitbutleftherpussyopen.Calderwarmedher
withhishandswhilehefittedthedevice,thenheactivatedit.

“Oh!”Ittickledherclitlikehistongueorhisfinger.Katarinaliftedherhips,tighteningagainstthe
sensation.

“Don‟tfightit.Relax.Gowithit.”

Hisvoicelulledher.Shefeltherlimbseasing,goinglimp.Andthenitfeltwonderful.

“That‟sright.I‟mShareem,sweetie.Madeforyourpleasure.”

“Yes.”Katarinastretched.Thevibrationonherclitmadeherhipsrock.“Iloveit.”

Calderreachedbeneathherandpressedsomethingwarmtotheopeningofheranus.Shegasped,tensing,
thenrelaxedagainashecalmedher.

She‟dreadthatShareemcouldsoothewithhandsandvoicesotheladywasopen,pliant,gamefor
anything.SowhenCalderslidadeviceinsideheranus,shebarelytightenedhermuscles.

“Whatisthat?”

“Aplug.Foryourass.Itwillopenyou,makeyoufeelgood.”

“Italreadydoes.”

Sheneverthoughtshe‟dlikesuchastrangesensation.Itwasahot,tightfeeling,andmadeherfeel
wicked.ShelovedthepleasureandlovedthatCalderstretchedoutnexttoher,hisbodyprotective.

Katarinatriedtoseewhetherhisskinhadhealed,butthelightwasdimandsheadmittedshe‟dstopped
payingattention.

“Whatareyoudoingtome?”Pleasurebuiltandbuilt,andshejerkedback,startingtocome…

Calderroseoverher,partedherlegsandslidhimselfinsideher.Hemadeanexcitednoiseashiscock
connectedwiththevibrationoverherclit.

Katarinacriedoutagainstthewavesofpurefeelingthatpouredoverher.Thethingstimulatingherclit,
Calderinsideher,hisweightonherbody,hernipplessohard,thehotpluginherass…Shescreamed.

Caldercaughtherscreamsinhismouth.Hethrustintoher,herpussysowetthatevenhishugelength
glidedinandoutwithoutconstriction.

“Ican‟tstandit,”shesobbed.“Calder.”

“Yes,youcan.You‟restrong,myKatarina.”

“Ican‟t.Ihavetostop.”

“ButyougaveTheBeastpermissiontodowhateverhewants.”

“No.”

“Thisiswhathewants.You,screaminginpleasure.”

Katarinaarchedback,criesleavingherthroat.Calder‟swordsdwindledtosoundsandherodeherfaster
thanever.Justwhenshewassureshe‟ddieofwhathedidtoher,Caldercame.

Hisseedshotinsideherandhekeptthrusting,sayinghername.Thegameofravishingbeastdissolved,

andshewassimplyawomanbeinglovedbyahot-bodiedman.

“Iloveyou!”shecried.“Calder,Iloveyousomuch.”Hefurrowedherhairwithhisfingers,headbowed,
eyesclosed,jawclenchedasherodeouthisclimax.

“Shit,”hewhisperedashestartedtoslow.Heopenedhiseyes.“Whatdidyousay?”

“IsaidIlove—”

Calderputhishandonhermouth.“Theword„love‟isnotallowedinthisbed.

I‟llhavetopaddleyourassifyousayitagain.”

Wickedjoyshotthroughherandshelaughed.“Love,”shebabbled.“Love,love,love,love.”

Calderwithdrew,caughtheranklesandturnedherover.Hishothandcoveredherbuttocks.“Andwhata
niceassitis.Withtheplugin,stilltightandsafe.”

“Gods,”Katarinawhispered.Theaircushionedher,Calderwarmedherandhispalm,makingcircleson
herbutt,madeherwanttocomeagain.

Thenhistouchwentaway.Sheheardanoiseintheair—andthenthestingofleatherslashedacrossher
ass.“Ow!”

Shetriedtositup,indignant,buthisstronghandonherbackkeptherdown.Hesmackedherfivemore
timeswithhisstrapthenhishandscamedowntosootheher.

Calderhadn‟tfinishedwiththeequipmenthe‟dbroughtwithhim.Herolledheroveragainandfitted
small,paddedclampstohernipples,eachonepinchingjustenoughtostimulatebutnothurt.Alittlechain
hungbetweenthem.

Hetookawaythesoftvibrator—sadness—andreplaceditwithasimilarclamponherclit.Heleaned
downandflickedtheclampwithhistongue.

Katarinathoughtshecouldn‟thavemorecream,butoutitcame.Calderlickedherclean.

Heturnedheroveragain,herbodyfloatinginthethickbutpermissiveair,andtetheredherwristsand
anklestothefourbedposts.

Katarinaturnedherheadtolookbackathim.“Youjusthappenedtohavemanaclesandawhipwith
you?”

“Ibroughtthemforyou.Iwascomingtoseeyouforapurpose.”

“Whatpurpose?”

“Topunishyoufordisappearingandnottellingmewhereyouweregoing.”

“Ididn‟tthinkyouwouldcare.”

“OhKatarina,youtrulyneedtobespanked.”

Sohedidit.

*****

Muchlater—afterhe‟dchastisedherthenliftedherhipsandfuckedheragainthenpliedhistongueall
overherpussy,clitandass—hegentlyworkedouttheplug.

Katarinarelaxedandgotexcitedatthesametime.“Areyougoingtoentermethere?”

“AmIgoingtowhat?”

“Enterme.”Herfacegrewhot.“Fuckme.Inmyass.”Caldersoothedherskin.“Notyet,baby.Youwon‟t
bereadyforalittlewhile.Idon‟twanttohurtyou.”

“IthoughtTheBeastdidn‟tcare.”

Heleaneddown,hisbodyhotonherback.“TheBeasthasgoneaway,sweetheart.He‟sleftyoutied
downandexhaustedfromsex,foranyonetofind.”

“Areyouleaving?”sheaskedindisappointment.

“Ididn‟tsaythat.”Calderdrewhistonguedownherspine,allthewaytoherbuttocks.Hedipped
betweenthemandinside.

Katarinasquirmedatthehot,wetfeeling.Shewantedit,shewantedhim.

Heliftedhishead,takinghiswonderfultongueaway.“IcouldcallBradentocomeuphereandfindyou
likethis.Wouldyoulikethat?HimfindingyouanddoingwhateverhewantedtoyouwhileIwatched?”

KatarinaindulgedherselfintheenticingvisionofBradensmilingwickedly,touchingherbackandsaying,
“Now,whathavewehere?”Calderwouldwatch,hiserectionevident.Shethoughtshe‟dfallthroughthe
bedifshesquirmedanymore.

Butsheknewwhatshewanted.“Notrightnow.Iwantjustyouandme.”

“MeaningyoumightwantBradenlater?”

“Onlyifyouwould.Ifitgaveyoupleasuretoo.”

“WhyshouldyoucarewhetherIgetpleasurefromit?”Hisvoicewassuddenlyveryquiet.“I‟m
Shareem.”

“Itoldyouwhy.”

Calderlookedatherforalongtime,hiseyesglitteringinthedarkness.

Hestoodupabruptlyandslappedherass.“I‟mcallingBraden,”hesaidthenstrodeawayfromthebed.

ChapterThirteen

Whydidshemakeeverythingsocomplicated?Caldergrabbedhisundertunicashelefttheroom,hisheart
beatingsoharditmadehimsick.

Whycouldn‟tshekeepthisaboutCalderpleasuringher,thewayshe‟dwantedhimtowhenshe‟dcome
tohislairinthefirstplace?LetherhaveTheBeast,andletCaldertheShareemremaindistant.

KatarinastartedtalkingaboutloveandCalder‟sbrainturnedsoft.Hedidn‟tknowwhattodo,howto
answer.

Becauseheknewhelovedherback.

Hewalkedpasttheopenbathroomdoor,pullinghistunicoverhishead.

Movementcaughthiseyeinthedarknessandhestopped.

Braden?Whatthehellwashedoinghere?Maybeshe‟dalreadyaskedhimtocomeuphereandsaveher
fromTheBeast.

Asecondlookshowedthathe‟dglimpsedhisownbodyinthemirroredwallofthebathroomashe‟d
swiftlypassed.“Lights,”hesaidashewalkedin.“Lightsfull.”Thelightscameon,brightbutnotharsh.
Thiswas,afterall,thehouseofarichwoman,andeventheoverheadlightswereelegant.

ThemirrorreflectedatallShareemwithbroadshoulders,squarefaceandmussedblackhair.Hehad
Shareemeyes,andhisarmswerebrownandstrong,cordedwithmuscle.

Calderrippedthetunicfromhisbody.Hesawachestcarvedwithmuscle—

prominentpecsandtight,rippedabdomen.Alongcockhungbetweenmuscledthighs.Blackhaircurled
acrosshischestanddownhisarms,withahintofitbetweenhislegs.

Itching.Notjusthealing,thehairhurriedlygrowingfromcellsdormantfortwentyyears.

Hehadn‟tpaidattentiontohisskinwhilehe‟dpleasuredKatarina,havingseenitscarredwhenhefirst
gotup.He‟dawakenedaftersurgerytoomanytimesinthepastwithlittlechangetobelieveitwould
work.

TheShareemwholookedbackathimfromthemirrorwashealthyandwhole.Afewlightscarsremained
overtheplaceswhereDr.Laashadreplacedhisorgans,buttherestofhisskinboreonlyalittlepinkness.

Calderlookedbackatabodyhe‟dnotseenintwentyyears.Anarrogantshit,butamanwho‟dknownno
pain,nodarknessinhissoul.

Katarinahadgiventhatbacktohim.

Calderbenthisheadandcoveredhisfacewithhishands.

*****

KatarinafoundCalderinfrontofherbathroommirror,headbowed,theheelsofhishandspressedtohis
eyes.

“Calder?”

Heraisedhishead.Hishardgazemethersinthemirror,andatthesametime,tearsstreakeddownhis
face.

“Whatdidyoudo?”hedemanded.“Whatdidyoudo?”

“It‟sanewprocedurethatIlearnedaboutafterIstartedtreatingShareem,”sheanswered.“Nano-biology
andgrowthhormones.IplayedwithitsoitcouldbeboostedbytheincrediblemetabolismofShareem.
Shareembodiesareexcellentatconvertingintakeintoenergyandthenburningitoffslowly,likevery
efficientfuel.

It‟swhyyouragingprocessissoslow,andwhyyouneedsomuchsex—lettingoffsteam,asitwere.
Fromyourskinsample,IwasabletomarrythemetaboliccodesinyourDNAwiththenano-technology
andtheninjectitbackintoyou.”Caldersaidnothing.ThesilencepressedandKatarinatwistedherhands
together.

“Morethanyouwantedtoknow?Truthtotell,Iwasn‟tsureitwouldwork.”

“Youweren‟tsure.”Hisvoice,insteadofbeingcrackedandharsh,cameoutsmoothandvelvet,asithad
overtheenhancedvocalsysteminhislair.

“Iknewyouwouldn‟tsitstillwhileItesteditonyou,soIgaveyouthewholedoseatonce,”shesaid.
“I‟dplannedtotrackyoudowninPasCity,butwhenyouturnedupatmygate,Isawmyopportunity.”

“Whatwereyougoingtodo,sneakupbehindmeandemptyahypointomyneck?”

“Somethinglikethat.”

Calderturned,hisgazeburning.She‟dneverfeltanythinglikethatheavystare,eventhoughhisfacewas
stillwetwithtears.

Thenhestartedtolaugh.

Laughterechoedacrossthebathroomandboomedintothehall.CaldersweptKatarinaintohisarmsand
spunheraroundandaround,laughinglikeamaniac.

“Youcrazy,stubborn,insanewoman.Whythehelldoyouwastesomuchtimeonawrecklikeme?”

Katarinalookedathimuncertainly.Hewaslaughingandcryingandtellinghershewasnutsfortryingto
helphim.“Doesthatmeanyou‟rehappyIdidthis?”

“YouhavetobethecraziestwomanI‟veevermet.”HeslowedthespinningandcuppedKatarina‟sface
withonehand.“Withthemostbeautifuleyesandthesexiestsmile.AndafinelittleassIalwayswantto
spank.”Hetouchedherforeheadwithhis.“Why,Katarina?WhywastesomuchonaShareem?”

“IthinkI‟vetoldyouwhy.”

Caldersetherdown,caughtherfaceinhishandsandkissedher.Thekissturnedbrutal,andKatarina
didn‟tcare.

Hisskinwashot,thecurestillworkingonhim.Anyoneelsewouldbeflatontheirback,groaning.Calder
smiled,kissedher,laughed.

Katarinasteppedbacktoadmireherwork.HisbodywasaswholeandsleekasBraden‟s,butCalder
wasalittletallerthanBraden,alittlebroaderofshoulder.Agiantofaman.Afewscarsremainedwhere
he‟dbeenrebuilt,organsoutward,buttherestofhisskinwastightandstrong.

Hisface—itwasincredible.He‟dpulledhishairoutoftheway,revealingstrongbonestructure,thelift
ofhischeekbones,theentiretyofhisslowsmile.She‟dbeenright—hissmilemadehimbeautiful,sexy,
amazing.

Katarinathoughthe‟dwanttostayhereinthebathroomlookingathisnew,restoredself,butCalder
laughedagain,yankedheroffherfeetandcarriedherintothebedroom.Fortherestoftheeveningandall
throughthenight,heshowedherthatwhathe‟ddonebeforeasTheBeastwasnothingtowhathecoulddo
forpurejoy.

*****

BradenwalkedintoJudith‟sbar,fightingahangover.Katarina‟sdeparturehadmadetheapartmentfeel
empty,sohe‟dfillediteverynightwithsex.Onewoman,two,three—he‟denticewhoeverhecouldback
homewithhimandgoatitallnight.

Asaresult,theapartmentwasamessandhisheadhurtlikehell.

JudithgaveBradenawarmsmileashecrossedthethresholdandcroakedarequestforwater.Judith
lookedassexyasevertonight.Maybeafterhisheadstoppedpounding,he‟dtakeherupstairs.

AShareemhedidn‟tknowsatatthetableinthecorner.He‟dtakenthechairagainstthewall,theone
reservedfortheraretimesCaldershowedup.

Whatanarrogantasshole.Heleanedback,watchingBradenwithwaitingeyes.

Heworeasimplewhite,tighttunicthatbaredhisarms,typicalformanyShareem.

Thetunicemphasizedthathewasbigandbuilt.Aidenwouldprobablygivethemanaonce-over,ifonly
tomakeKyjealous.

Bradenrubbedhisforehead,willingtheheadachetodie.“Hey,Judith,who‟sthis?”

JudithgrinnedasshesetBraden‟smugofwateronthetableacrossfromtheotherShareem.Hereyes
heldexcitement.MaybetheShareemshithadalreadycoercedJudithupstairs.Bastard.

“Don‟tyouknow?”Judithaskedhim.

BradenpeeredattheShareem,wishinghisheaddidn‟thurtsomuch.Hegulpedwater,blinkingawaythe
bleariness.

“Hehasahangover,”thestrangeShareemsaid.Thevoicewaswarmandrich,somehowfamiliar.“How
manywomenwasitlastnight,Braden?Yourrecordisfive.Howdrunkdidyouhavetogetthem?”

“Hey,friend,whothehell—”

Hisfingerswentcoldandthemugcrashedtothefloor.TheShareemsmiledathim,somethingBradenhad
neverseenonthatparticularShareem‟sface.Butheknewtheeyesthatgazedathimsosardonically,the
mockingtoneofvoice.

“Calder?”

“Braden.”

“Calder,whatthefuck?”

“Youactlikeyou‟veneverseenmebefore.”

“Ihaven‟t.”Bradenlookedthemanupanddown,tryingnottolethisjawdrop.

TheonlytimeBradenhadseenCalder‟sfullbody—weeksagowhenBradenhadgoneafterKatarina—it
hadbeenpink-whitefleshruinedwithscars.Hisfeatureshadbeenpulledanddistorted,hisbodywrong.

ThismanlookedlikeanyShareembornoutofaDNAmovat.Strongbody,brownskin,clearblueeyes.
Evenhishairlookedsleeker,healthier.

“Shit,”Bradensaid.“Shedidit.Katarinadidthis,didn‟tshe?”

“Didyouknowaboutit?”

“No.Butshe‟safuckinggenius.Whereisshe?”

“Atmyapartment.Shewantedmetocomeherealone,toseeifyou‟drecognizeme.Youfailedthetest.”

“Youbastard.”Bradenwantedtolaughandlaugh.Calderhadfooledhimallright,theshithead.He‟d
beenfriendswithCalderforyears,anditalwaysbotheredhimthathecouldn‟thelptheman,thatdeeply
fucked-upShareem.

AlongcomescutelittleKatarinad‟Arnal,andweekslaterCalderissittinghere,wholeandstrongand
happy.

“Iwanttokissher,”Bradensaid.Heslidintohisseat,gladlypickingupthealethatJudithdepositedin
frontofhim.Hisheadachehadsuddenlyfled.

Calderlosthissmile.“Youtouchher,you‟redead.”

Bradenlaughed,feelinggood.“It‟slikethat,isit?Youpoorsonofabitch.”

“Who‟sapoorsonofabitch?”avoicegrowledbehindhim.ItwasKy,wanderingintoJudith‟sinmuch
thesamestateBradenhadbeen.

Bradenstartedtoanswerthenshutup.NowonderJudithhadgrinnedsohardathim.Thiswasfun.

Aiden‟sbodywarmedBraden‟ssideasthetalllevel-oneShareemslidintotheseatbesidehim.“Who‟s
yourfriend?”

BradenburiedhismouthinaleasAidenranhisgazeoverCalder‟sbody.KytookaseatonBraden‟s
otherside,pullingprettyBrianned‟Arothontohislap.Themandidn‟ttakechanceswhenthereweretoo
manyotherShareemnearby,especiallyoneshedidn‟tknow.

Brianne,smarterthaneitherofherlovers,gotitatonce.Hereyeslitupbutshesaidnothing.

CaldergaveAidenacoolstare.“Ifyoudon‟tstoplookingatmelikethat,Aiden,yourfacemeetsthe
table.”

“Hey,Ican‟thelpadmiringaprettyShareem.Ky‟snotprettyatall.”

“Face,”Calderrepeated.“Table.”

Briannebleatedalaugh.KylookedatCalder…trulylookedathim.“Holyfuck.

Whathappenedtoyou?”

Aidenwasthelasttocatchon.Hegotoutofhisseatsofastheknockeditover.

“Calder?”

“That‟swhatIsaid,”Bradenchortled.

“Shareemareslow,”Briannesaid,smiling.“Lookathiseyes.Lookathim.It‟sCalder.”

BradenslidhisarmaroundJudith‟swaistasshecamebackwithmoreale.“Didyourecognizehim,
Judith?”

“Nottheminutehewalkedin.IthoughthewasjustaShareemIhadn‟tmet.

ThenIthoughtabouthowoddthatwas—aShareemIdidn‟tknow?Butthewayhemoved,thewayhe
lookedatme.Iknew.”

“Womenaremoreperceptive,”Brianneagreed.

Kysnorted.“WomenstareatShareemmorethanotherShareemdo.ExceptAiden.”

Aidenliftedhishands.“Cured.I‟mallyours,Ky.”

“Oh,luckyme.”

“Where‟sKatarina?”Brianneasked.“She‟sresponsibleforthenewyou,isn‟tshe?”

“Sheis.”

Caldersethisglassofaledowncarefullyandrose.Nomorehidinginshadows,nomorewatchingthe
othersfrombehindface-concealingcloths,nomoreshieldinghisbody.Histunicreachedmid-thigh,
baringlegstothesoftsandalsmostShareemfavored.Helooked—normal.ForaShareem.

Hepickeduphissun-blockingrobesbutdrapedthemoverhisarmashesaunteredpastthem.

“Katarinaiswaitingforme,gentlemen.Ihaveanappointmentwithher.”

“Thecome-to-my-lair-pretty-ladykindofappointment?”Bradenasked.Hisbodygothotthinkingabout
thelasttimehe‟dseenKatarinainCalder‟slair.

“Yes.”Calder‟ssmilewasquiet.“Andno,Braden,you‟renotinvited.”

“Selfishasshole.”

“Yougotthatright.”

Caldergavethemallanothersmuggrin,turnedhisbackandwalkedout.Heslidonhissun-blocking
robesashewent,andBradensawhimstrollingdownthestreet,lookingaroundinwonder,likeaprisoner
finallyfreed.

*****

Katarinafinishedlightingthecandles,givingtheroomadelicateglow.Sheextinguishedthelightingstick
andsetitaside,rememberinghowintriguedandfrightenedshe‟dbeenthefirsttimeshe‟dcomehere.

WaterskimmeddownthecoppersheetCalderhadmadeherface,herhandsintheliquid.He‟dplayed
withher,madeherfeelwildandwickedforthefirsttimeinherlife.

Heretoohe‟dmadeherwearthetiny,tightleatherdress,andhe‟dintroducedhertodiscipline.Katarina
hadneverknownshe‟dlikeamanslappingherrear,butshedid.Shelikeditwithhishand,andshe‟d
likeditwithhisleatherstrap.

Calderhadtoldhertocomehereandwaitforhim.Hewouldn‟tsayhowlonghe‟dbeawayorwhen
he‟darrive.Heexpectedhertoobey.

Katarinashivered.Whatthey‟ddoneinherhouse,beforehe‟ddiscoveredhishealedskin,hadtakenher
placesshe‟dnevergone.

Afterward,he‟dtakenherevenmoreplaces.He‟dgivenheratruetasteofwhatwomenhadwillingly
comehereforhimtodo.Calderhadbeenhermaster,andshe‟dbeggedhimtodoanythinghewanted.

Whatwouldhedotoday?

Heropeningtightenedinanticipation.He‟dtoldhertoputonnewclotheshe‟dboughther,atightblack
corset,nopanties,gartersandstockings.

Katarinalookedatherselfinthereflectivesheetingofthewaterfallandsmiled.

Shewassexyashell.

Sheslidherfingersbetweenherlegs,findingherselfwarmandwet.Caldercouldkeepherwaitingalong
time,butatleasthe‟dtaughthertorelievesomeofherowntension.

Katarinaclosedherthighsoverherfingers,squeezinghard.Shegroanedwiththebeginningsofclimax
justasadoorchimerang.

“Blast.”Katarinajerkedherfingersfreethenshequiveredinexcitement.

Calder?Orsomeonedeliveringmail?ShemadeherwaythroughthesecretpaneltoCalder‟sapartment,
pulledonsun-blockingrobesfromthehooksnearthebackdoortocoverherselfandopenedthedoor.

Awomanstoodthere,notapatrolleroradeliveryperson.Hergownandshieldingrobeslookedcostly,
butshewasn‟tBorNargan.Herforeheadwastoohigh,hereyestoolarge,andshedidn‟tcoverherface.

“WhereistheShareemnamedCalder?”

“Nothere.”

ThewomanpushedKatarinaasidewithsurprisingstrengthandlookedaround.

“Isaid,Calderisn‟there,”Katarinarepeated.“CanItakeamessage?”ThewomanfocusedonKatarina
again,hergazesharpening.“Don‟tyouknowwhoIam?”

Arude,pushybitch?“Sorry,no.”

“IamLadyDematafromDelta-Terra.Sufficetosay,I‟mtherichestwomaninfoursectors—andImade
myselfthatway.I‟mnotaccustomedtomenwhodon‟tkeepappointmentsandthenmakemewait.”

“Caldercanceledallhisappointments.”Orsohe‟dsaid.

“Why?”SheglaredatKatarina.“Areyouhiserrandgirl?Benicetome,sweetie.

Imightaskhimtocallyouintohelp.Maybewecanbothuseyourservices.Orjustuseyou.”

Katarinadrewbackindistaste.Calderhadsaidthatmanyofthewomenwho‟dcometohimdisgusted
him,andshenowunderstoodwhy.

“Calderisclosedforbusiness,”Katarinasaidinacrispvoice.“Youcanleavenow.”

“Ididn‟ttravelseveraldozenlightyearsandtendustymilestobeturnedawaybyalackey.Healready
putmeofftwice.”Shereachedbehindherandslammedthedoorthenpulledapistoloutofherrobesand
pointeditatKatarina.“Letmeintothislairofhis,now.”

ChapterFourteen

Calderknewsomethingwaswrongtheminuteheenteredhisapartment.Hesmelledanalienperfumethat
wasn‟tKatarina‟s,feltacoldnessintheair.

Katarina.

He‟dwalkedbackhomefilledwithanticipation.Katarinawaitedforhim,readytoplay.He‟dhadno
doubtshe‟dwearwhatheleftforher;thatshe‟dputitonandgrowexcitedasshewaited.

Calderwonderedifshe‟dstartedtouchingherself,unabletoresisttheurge.Hegothardpicturingher
stretchedoutontheblacksheets,herlegsspread,herhandsworking,hereyesclosedinpleasure.

Butwhenhewalkedintohisapartmenthefroze,everyenhancedsensetellinghimKatarinawasindanger.

Quietlyheslippedoffhisrobesandcrossedtothesmallcontrolroomwherehecouldseeallpartsofhis
lairwithoutbeingseen.Fromhere,heusedtotalktothewaitingladies,instructthem,watchthemincams
thatsenthimfeedsfromeachcorner.

Hedidn‟tneedallthecamstoseeLadyDemata,thewomanwho‟dbeenharassinghimmorethanany
other—holdingapistolonKatarina.

Shit.

HisfirstimpulsewastoscreamatthewomantogetthehellawayfromKatarina.Buthemadehimself
remainsilent,fearinghe‟dstartleherintoshooting.

Makingnonoise,helefttheoverviewroomandslidbackthesectionofwallthatledtothelair.He‟d
reachthewoman,disarmherandthrowthebitchout.

“IfCaldertoldyouherefundedyourmoney,thenhedid,”Katarinawassaying.

“Gobackhomeandfindit.”

“Itwon‟tbeenoughtocompensateme,”thewomansnapped.“Iwanthim.”

“Foryourtwistedfantasy?”

Calder‟sheartpounded.HelovedthatKatarinawassobrave,butnowwasnotthetimeforcourage.

“Yourtwistedfantasyisthathe‟sinlovewithyou,isn‟tit?”LadyDematarantedasCaldermadehis
quietwaytowardthem.“Youbelieveyou‟vetamedhim,butIhavenews,darling.Iknowmuchabout
Calder.He‟sservicedfriendsofmine.Hefiguresoutwhatyouwantandthenhegivesittoyou.That‟s
thebeautyofhim.

That‟swhyeveryonewantshim.IhavesomeveryinterestingfantasiesIwanttoplayout.They‟dshock
you.”

“Calderisdifferentnow.”

“I‟msureeverywomanhopesso.Doyoureallythinkhe‟dfallinlovewithyou?

Iwonderhowhe‟llusethatfantasytotortureyou.”

“Becauseyou‟releaving,you‟llneverknow.”

LadyDemata‟smouthset.“Bitch!”Sheshotoneofthecandles,whichexplodedintowaxandflame.“I‟m
goingtolethimdotomewhatnomanhaseverdone.Doyouwanttowatch?Maybethatwillcureyouof
thinkinghe‟sdomesticated.”KatarinastartedtoanswerbutLadyDematashotagain.Calderleaptat
Demataandgrabbedherarm,andtheshotwentwide.Anetofenergyslammedoutofthepistol,frying
partoftheroofandsearingshutthedoortohisapartment.

“Shit!”Caldershouted.“Katarina,getoutofhere!”

HehitthegroundasLadyDematashotagain,lightningforkingacrosstheroom.

“Whothehellareyou?”shedemanded.“IwantTheBeast.”

“He‟snothome.”CaldergotswiftlytohisfeetatthesametimeKatarinahitthewomanintheback.

LadyDematastumbledandwentdownbutbeforeCaldercouldreachforher,sheswungherarmaround
andshotatKatarina.

Katarinadove,butalashofenergycaughtherside.Shescreamed,landedonthefloor…andlaystill.

ThesoundthatcamefromCalder‟sthroatwasprimevalandsavage.LadyDematashotwildly,nottrying
tokillCalder,herealized,buttryingtodestroyhislair.Payback.

Thepolishedcopperwaterfallexplodedintoshardsofhotmetal.Thenextshotmadethebedburstinto
flame,thethirdsentthecandlesrocketingaroundtheroominlittlecombustions.

Caldertackledthewoman.ShewantedTheBeast,she‟dgethim.

TherealBeast—theonewhoprotectedthewomanheloved.

Anothershotsearedopenthewall,baringwiringandpipes.Anexplosionshookthebuilding.Calder
yankedthepistolawayfromLadyDemata,poweringitdown.

Helockedhisarmaroundherwaistanddraggedhertothedoortothegreenmaze,shovingherthrough.
“Getout!”hescreamed.

LadyDemata,lookingscarednow,gatheredherrobesandfled.

Calderturnedback.

Hislairwasengulfedinflames.Theyspilledfromthewallsandceilingwheretheenergypistolhad
rippedopenthelight,heatingandcoolingsystems.Therainspoutssprangtolifebutdidlittletodampen
thefirefedbythefuelinthepipes.

Katarinalayunmovingontheothersideofthewallofflames—andhesawaflamecrawlontoherrobes.

“Bloodyfuckinghell!”

Thefirebrigadewouldnevergetthereontime.Wouldtheyevenhurrywhentheydiscovereditwasa
Shareemresidencethattriggeredthecityalarm?Theymightmovetosavethebuildingsoneitherside,but
itwouldbetoolatefortheShareem‟sdwelling,andnoonewouldmuchcare.

TheintenseheattransportedCalderbacktwentyyears.Heheardagainthescreamsofthetwowomen
trappedinsidetheroomthatwassupposedtobesafeforthem.Hesmelledtheflames,theacridstenchof
burningflesh,thechokingsmellofplasticandwiring.

Memoriesofpainflashedthroughhimsointenselyitmadehimsick.Hesawagainthefireengulfhisbody
ashegrabbedeachwomanandflunghertosafety.Herememberedliftinghishandsandseeingthefire
burninghim,consuminghim,greedilyeatinghimalive.

He‟dfallenonhisside,thighflungoverhisbarecock,curlinginonhimselfininstinctivepreservation.
Thenhe‟dfeltaweightonhisbody,agonyscreamingthroughhim,thennothing.

Untilhe‟dwoken,awreckofamaninhellaciouspainwhileresearcherscoollytalkedaboutkillinghim.

Ittookasplitsecondforthistoflashthroughhismind.InthenextinstanthesawKatarina,hershylook
whenhe‟dfirstcometoherclinic,herneedtohelphimpouringfromher.

Thenherwonderwhenshe‟dcometohislair,hercompassionwhenshetouchedhisface.Thismusthave
hurtyousomuch.Hergenerosityinfiguringoutawaytohealhisskin,nomatterhowmuchitcostherin
timeandresources.Shehadn‟tdoneitforthesakeofexperimentationortoadvanceresearch.

She‟ddoneitforhim.

ForTheBeast.

ForCalder.

Calderdovethroughtheflames.HeliftedKatarinainhisarmsandranbackthroughthefire,feelingit
catchhishair,histunic,hisskin.Sheworethicksun-blockingrobes,thankthegods,andthoughflames
hadcaughtthem,they‟dprotectherfromtheworstofit.

SheopenedhereyesandstaredatCalderinhorror.Caldershovedherdownontothetilefloorinthe
maze,rollingherawayfromhim.Theflamesinherrobesextinguishedandshescrambledtoherfeet,
startingbackforhim.

“Getout!”hetriedtoshout.

Hisownbodywasalreadyburning,hisfacemelting—justlikelasttime—andhisvoicewouldn‟twork.
HeliftedhishandsandsawtheflamesconsumingthebeautifulskinKatarinahadjustgivenhim.Hergift.
Becauseshelovedhim.

Calderthrewhimselfontothefloor,rolling,tryingtoputthefireout.Hesmotheredsomeoftheflamesbut

theburningroomexplodedoutward,engulfinghimandthegreeneryhe‟dfilledtheplacewith.Itwas
dyingwithhim.

“Iloveyou,Katarina,”hesaid.

Itcameoutacroak.Thenaweightfellonhim,andallwasdarkness.

*****

“He‟sconscious,”amalevoicewhispered.“Gods,howcanhebeconscious?”Calderdraggedhiseyes
open.Thepainofthetinymovementnearlykilledhim.

Hecouldseenothingbutagrayhazeandlumpsofdarkergray.Hesummonedalltheairinhislungsand
forcedhislipstoformwords.

“Fuckyou,Braden.”

“Whew,”Bradensaid.“Atleasthe‟snotcrazy.”

“Calder.”

Katarina‟swarmvoicewasthemostbeautifulthingintheworld.ToobadCalderwasn‟t.Herehewas
again,ablackhuskofamanstretchedoutonaslab.

Hestartedtolaugh,aharsh,uglysound.

“Don‟t.”Somethingcooltouchedhisface.“Don‟tmoveatall.I‟mgoingtogiveyousomethingforthe
painandsomethingtomakeyousleep.ThenDr.LaasandIaregoingtofixyou.”

“Don‟twanttosleep.”Ifheslept,hemightneverwakeagain,neverseeKatarinaagain.

“Foolishboy.”Dr.Laas‟clearvoice,rifewithcynicalintelligence,reachedhisears.“Ican‟trebuildyou
whileyou‟retwitchingandmoaning.Youreallymuststoplettingburningbuildingsfallonyou.”

“Biteme,Doc.”

Heheardasquirtofairandthenhisbodyrelaxed,hisalready-blurredvisiongoingblack.

Butthistimethingsweredifferent.Thistimehisfriendswerearoundhim—hesensedBradenandthe
tallermassofRees,withRees‟trueloveTalanhoveringnearby.HesmelledJudith‟sperfume.Overlaid
withthat,theoilsAidenlikedtouseonKyandBrianne.Sothatthreesomehadshoweduptoo.

Hisfriendshadcometohim,hadbroughtDr.Laas,awomanwhowouldbearrestedandprobably
terminatedonsight.She‟driskedherlifetocomehere—ortohavehimbroughttoher.Hedidn‟tknow
wherethehellhewas.

Bestofall,Katarinawasthere.Calderfeltherbreathtouchhisface,smelledhersweetscent.

Thelasttimehe‟dbeendying,he‟dbeensurroundedbycoldresearchers,interestedinhimonlyfortheir

DNAsamples.Thistimehehadfriendswhocaredforhim.AndKatarina.

“Katarina,”hewhispered,lovingthefeelofhername.

“Shh.Sleepnow.”

Hemanagedtomovehislipstoformonemoresentence.“Iloveyou.”Hesensedherbendingforwardto
catchhiswords,heardthelittlesobinherthroat.“Iloveyoutoo,Calder.”

Theworldwasafineplace.

*****

“Calder.”

Hourslater,KatarinalethertearsfallonCalder‟shand,bandagedandcoatedwithhealingoils.

Hisoneunbandagedeyeopenedandhislipstwitched.“Hey,baby.”Sheexhaledinrelief.Hewasn‟t
angryormorose.Hesmiledlikehehadn‟tbeensohappyinhislife.

“You‟regoingtobefine,”shesaidinherbestdoctormanner.“Iinjectedyouwithmynano-Shareemcure
again.”Shebitherlip.“Itmighthurtalittle.”

“It‟sexcruciating,”Caldersaid.

Alarmed,shereachedtothetubessnakingoutofmachinesabovehim.Hecaughtherarminsurprisingly
strongfingers.“No.Iwanttostayawake.Tolookatyou.”

Katarinaletgoofthepainkillerlineandsankbackdown.

“IthoughtI‟dlostyouinthere,”hesaid,hisvoicelikegravel.

“IthoughtI‟dlostyou.”Shecaressedhisfingerswheretheywerewhole.“TheyarrestedthatLady
Demata.Fornegligencewithafirearm.”

“Yeah?”

“Theylethergothough,sinceshewasfromDelta-TerraandnoonewantstoangerDelta-Terrantraders.
Besides,thepatrollerssaidtheonlydamagewastoaShareemandhishome.Shewasescortedtoher
transport,butthat‟sit.”

“Figures.”

“BrianneandTalanarefurious.Theyfiledaformalprotest.”

“That‟snice.”

“I‟msorryaboutyourlair.It‟sprettymuchdestroyed.”

“Idon‟tgivearat‟sassaboutmylair.ButIwanttostranglethewomanforhurtingyou.LetBrianneand

Talandotheirworst.”

“Butshedidn‟thurtme.Igotonlyatouchoftheblast,andmyrobesprotectedmeforthemostpart.”

Calder‟seyenarrowedashestudiedherface.Heletgoofherhandtotracetheburnscarthatranfrom
hercheekanddownherneck.“Yougotburned.”

“Alittle.Fromthefire.”

“Didn‟tithealright?Iwantithealed.”

“Itdoesn‟thurtanymore.Dr.Laashelped.”

“Thenwhyisthescarstillthere?You‟renotShareem,andyou‟rerich.You‟reallowedtohavethebest
humanskinreplacementinthegalaxy.”

“Ididn‟twanttohealit.”

Caldertracedthepathagain,hisfingerswarm.“Whynot?”

“BecauseIwanttoknowalittlebithowyoufeel.Howyoufelt.Disfigured—

thoughIknowthisisnowherenearwhathappenedtoyou.”

“Sweetheart,youdon‟twanttoknowthat.”

“ButIdo.Itmakesmefeelclosertoyou.”

“Whythehellwouldyouwanttobeclosetome?I‟mamess.Idon‟tmeanmybody.Imeaninhere.”He
tappedhishead.“Theymademecrazy.”

“BecauseIloveyou.”Katarinawasn‟tafraidtosaythewordsanymore,whetherhewantedtohearthem
ornot.“Ifyoudon‟twantmetostaywithyou,ifyouwantmetosendyouhomewhenyou‟rebetterand
neverseeyouagain,that‟sfine.ButI‟llalwaysloveyou.”Shetouchedthescaronhercheek.“And
throughthis,I‟llrememberyou.”

“Don‟ttalkbullshit.”

“Youcanshutmeoutofyourlifeifyouwant.Buttoobad,youcan‟tshutmeoutofmyownthoughts.”

“Imeantit‟sbullshitthatI‟dneverwanttoseeyouagain.Iwanttoseeyoualways.Everyday.IfIheal,I
wantyouwhereIcantouchyouanytimeIwant.”Sheswallowed,herthroattight.“You‟llheal.I
promise.”

“Thenyou‟llstaywithme.”Hishandclampeddownonhersagain.

“Understand?BecauseIloveyou,Katarina.I‟veneverlovedanyonebefore,butIknowIloveyou.I‟m
notlettingyougo.Allright?”

Katarinacouldn‟tstophersmile,thoughtearsslidfromhereyesatthesametime.“Allright.”Shekissed
hislips.“Icanlivewiththat.”

“Soyou‟llstay?”

“Ikindofhaveto.Thisismyhouse.”

“Good.”Calderlethiseyeclose,hisbodyandthedrugsdrawinghimbackintohealingsleep.“Becauseif
youwanttoleaveme,I‟llhavetospankyou.”Katarina‟sheartsped,herentirebodytinglingin
anticipation.“Spankmeanyway,”shewhispered.“I‟mlookingforwardtoit.”

Epilogue

Sixmonthslater

“Behold,thewomanwhotamedTheBeast.”

BradenslidintohisplaceatJudith‟sbarandgrinnedacrossthetableatCalderandKatarina.Calderheld
Katarinaalittlecloser,likingthefeelofherbacksideonhislap.

Ithadtakenalongtimeforhimtocompletelyheal,buthisskinwasmostlyinplaceandmostlywhole.He
stillhadafewburnscarsonhisfaceandacouplesnakingdownhisneckandhisarms,buthehadceased
tocoverthemup.Lettheworldseewhathe‟ddonetosavethewomanheloved.

Thenightwashotandthepatronssatlanguidly,sippingcooldrinks.Judithflirtedwithahumanspace
captainwhosatatthebar,themanflickingcuriousglancesattheShareem.

“TheBeastisgone,”CaldersaidtoBraden.

“That‟swhatImean,”Bradensaid.“Toobadthough,eh,Katarina?Nomonsterravishingyouinhislair.”

Katarinastretched,whichpressedherbreastsenticinglyintoCalder‟sside.“Idon‟tknow.Wemanageto
havealotoffunathome.”

CalderlivedwithKatarinanow,despitetheshockofherneighbors.He‟dlethiswreckedplacego
withoutqualm,rescuingtheveryfewbelongingshetreasured.

Katarinawastheonlytreasurehewanted.

“I‟llbet.”Braden‟slookturnedwistful.“Tellmealittle?”KatarinagaveCalderaninquiringlook,and
heansweredwithanod.LetBradeneathisheartout.

“Iliketherestraints,”shesaid.“Calderhasallkindsofthem.Idon‟tknowwherehegetsthem.”

Braden‟sgazewentglassy.“Certainvendorscatertolevelthrees.”

“Yesterday,hedismissedalltheservantsandtiedmetotherailingsonmystaircase.ThereIwasonthe
stairs,face-up,nakedandspread-eagled,unabletomove.Anyonecouldhavecomeoverandseenmelike
that.Anddonewhatevertheywantedtome.”

Bradenmadeastranglednoiseinhisthroat.

Calderrecalledthe“lesson”he‟dtaughtKatarina.He‟dleftthehouseentirelyandreturnedahalf-hour
later,cominguponherasthoughhewereavisitorwho‟dfoundadelectablewomandisplayedforhisuse.

Herememberedthathe‟dmeanttowanderthecityforanhourorsobeforereturning,butthethoughtof
herwaitingforhimdrasticallycutthetime.Hehadtohaveherbeforehedied.

Katarinahadbeggedhimtobegoodtoher.Calderhadn‟tlistened.He‟dtakenoutthelevel-threetoys

he‟dpurchasedonhisoutingandfuckedherwitheverysingleoneofthem.Then,thinkinghewasaboutto
explode,he‟dturnedheroverandfuckedherhimself.

Calderwasalreadyhard,andhewatchedBraden‟sskinflushasKatarinacontinued.“Calderhastaught
metotakeitintheass.Hetaughtmegentlyatfirst,butnowI‟mlearningtotakeitrough.”

CalderfollowedtheswallowdownBraden‟sthroat.“Really?”themancroaked.

“HesaysIshouldbereadytotaketwococksverysoon.”Bradennearlyknockedoverthetablegettingup.
“Howaboutnow?”KatarinalookedatCalder,hereyestwinkling.Hisbad,wickedbaby—he‟dtaught
herwell.He‟ddaredhertogetBradenworkedupiftheysawhimtoday,andshe‟ddoneitinthirty
secondsflat.

“Wantto?”heaskedher.

Katarina‟seyeswidened.Hehadn‟ttoldherthatpart.

“I…”ShelookedbackatBraden,whowasbeggingforitwithhiswholebody.“IthinkIwould.Ifit‟sall
rightwithyou.”

Caldernuzzledherear.“Youaskpermissionnice,sweetheart.Ithinkyou‟rereadyfortwoShareem.I
wantyoutohavethat.Iwanttohearyouscreaminpleasure.”

“IthinkI‟dlikethattoo.”

“Socanwego?”Bradenasked.Hemustnothavereleasedtoday—helookedlikehewasreadytodrag
Katarinaacrossthetableandscrewherrightthere.He‟dnevermakeittoherhouseuponthehill.

Caldertookpityonhim.“Judith.”Hegesturedtothedoorthatledtoherstairwell.“Maywe?”

Judithlookedupfromherpilot,absorbedenoughinhimtonotasktojointhem.

“Goahead.Don‟tleaveitawreck.”

“Wewon‟t,”Katarinasaid.Shewouldn‟t.Katarinawasanincrediblytidyperson,eventhoughshehad
allthoseservantstocleanupafterher.

Bradenheadedupthestairswithoutwaiting.CaldergaveKatarinaadeepkissandledherupafterhim.

*****

Judithhadaroomupstairssetupforsex.CalderhadneverbeeninitbutBradenobviouslyhad,because
heledthemtoitimmediatelyandseemedtoknowhiswayaroundit.Judithhadplannedwell—in
additiontoabed,shehadaverticalpaddedracktowhichapersoncouldbetetheredforeitherseriousor
playfulbondage.Shedidn‟tstockfloggersandmanaclesandthelikebecausemostShareembroughttheir
own,eachknowingtheirsextoysaswellasmusiciansknewtheirinstruments.

AsKatarinastoodgapingatthesetup,Calderorderedhertostrip.

Helovedthispart,CalderthoughtasKatarina‟sclothesslidfromherbody.Helovedwatchingher
breastsemergefromtheconfiningsilk,nipplestighteningashisgazetrainedonthem,loveditwhenshe
bentovertoslideoffherleggings.Herroundbacksidebeckonedhiscock,andusuallyhewasupagainst
herassoonastheclothfelltothefloor.

Todayheletherfinishwithouttouchingher,notmissinghowBraden‟sbodywentrigidatthesight.
JealousytouchedhimbutBradenhadbeenbroughtalongforKatarina‟spleasure,nothingmore.Braden
wasthesextoytoday.

BradenremovedhisownclotheswithouttakinghiseyesoffKatarina.Themanmovedlikearobot,entire
bodystiffexceptforhiswideningblueeyes.

Calderstoodcomfortablyinthesleevelesstuniche‟dtakentowearing.Theblackchainonhisarm,
identicaltoBraden‟s,indicatedwhathewas—Shareem,stillenslaved.Buthe‟dneverbeensohappyto
showoffhischains.HewasenslavedtoKatarinanow,andthatwasallthatmattered.

“Whatwouldturnmeon,”hesaidtoKatarina,hisladylove,“istoseeyourockingontopofBraden,
takinghimdeepinside.”

“Yeah,thatwouldturnmeontoo.”Bradenmovedquicklytothebed,spreadhimselfonitandpressedhis
thumbbehindhisrock-hardcock.“Don‟thesitateonmyaccount.”

KatarinaslantedCalderaglance.“Areyousure?”

“Obeyme,Katarina.That‟swhatIwantorpunishmentfollows.”

“I‟mhavingmypunishmentnow,”Bradensaid.“Please,I‟mdyingoverhere.”Katarinasmiled.Itwasa
hotsmile,fullofwickednessbutalsoexcitementandtrust.SheknewwhyCalderwantedtosharewith
Braden,whatCalderplannedtodo.He‟dtalkedaboutitanddescribedit,butthiswasthefirstdayhe‟d
saidshewasready.

Katarinaapproachedthebed—wiseJudithhadalteredittobelowenoughforawomantoeasilymounta
man—andputherhandsonBraden‟schest.

Calderheldhisbreath,hisbloodhot,hiscockpounding,asKatarinaslidherthighoverBraden‟ships.
BradencaughtherarmsandhelpedheronthenKatarina,withalittlesigh,loweredherselfontohiscock.

Braden‟sheadwentback.“Thankyou,myfriend.Oh,that‟snice.”Katarinastartedtorock,impaledon
Braden,hereyesclosed,lostinthefeeling.

Herpheromonesfloodedtheroom,Calder‟sladylearninghowtoletgoandtakepleasurewhenitwas
offered.OnlywithCalderthereofcourse.Withhispermissionandwithhimwatching.

KatarinaopenedhereyesandsmiledoverhershoulderatCalder.Ohyes,thewomanbelongedtohim,
andCalderbelongedtoher.She‟dropedandtiedhimwithherloveandCalderdidn‟tmindinthe
slightest.

Bradenclosedhisfists.“Gods,herpussyistight.Andsodamnwet.Youareagenerousman.”

“Youhelpedus,myfriend,”Caldersaid.IfBradenhadn‟tmadesostubbornlysurethatKatarinastayedin
Calder‟slife,Calderwouldstillbealone,broken,ruined.

TheBeast.Nothingmore.

Katarinahadclosedhereyesagain,silentlyriding.Herroundhipsmovedbackandforth,sweatshining
onherskin.

Caldercouldn‟ttakeitanymore.Hepulledoffhistunicandloincloth,freeinghiscock,whichsprangout
withrelief.HeclimbedontothebedbehindKatarinaandshecurledbackintohischestasheputhisarms
aroundher.

“Liedownonhim,”Caldersaidinherear.“Raiseyourhips,likeIshowedyou.”Katarinanodded.She
loweredherselftoBraden‟schest,positioningherselftotakeCalder‟scock.

Calder‟sheartthumped.He‟dtaughthersomuchthislastmonth,usingwandsandplugsuntilshewas
readytotakehislengthinherass.Nowtheyfuckedlikethatalmosteverynight,Katarinablushingly
sayingsheloveditbothways.

She‟dneverhadtwococksthough.Thiswouldbeafirst.

Calderlookeddownatthelovelybacksidewaitingforhimandcouldn‟tresistgivingitafewspanks.
Katarinasquealedthenlaughed.

Nextcamethelube.CalderhadaskedAiden,themasterofsensualoils,tomixabatchforhim,something
thatKatarinawouldlove.Theresultwasasmoothconcoctionofwarm-scentedlube,smellingalittleof
rosesandsandalwood.Theodorfilledtheroom,andKatarinasmiled.

“Mmm,myfavorite,”shemurmured.

Calderslickedhisfingersandworkedthemintoherass,gentlysofteningandopeningher.Shecouldrelax
muchfasternow,usedtohiscaressesandanticipatingwhatwouldcome.

KatarinamadeahappynoisewhenCalderpartedhercheeks.Heglidedhiscockinslowly,moving
deeperthemoresherelaxed.

Thenhereyespoppedopen.“Oh.”

Bradensmoothedhishandsdownherarms.“Youallright,sweetheart?Calder‟sbig.”

“Icanfeelyouboth.Insideme.Icanfeelyoupressingme.Gods.”Bradengrinned.“Yeah,Shareemare
prettymuchgods.”

“Shutup,”Caldersaid.Histeethclenchedanditwasallhecoulddonottopump.HefeltBradentoo,at
leastthepressureofhimthroughherwalls.“Canyoutakeus,baby?”

“Yes.”Katarina‟swordscameoutbetweengasps.“Yes,Ican.Iwantto.”

“Good.”Veryslowly,Calderbeganhisthrusts.

Bradenknewhowitwasdone.HetimedhisownslidesinandoutwithCalder‟s,sothatKatarinahada
cockinheratalltimes.Shewasmoaning,incoherent,hereyesclosed,headlollingagainstCalder.

Theyrodeher,fuckedheruntilshescreamed.

Calderclosedhishandaroundherbreast.“Doyouwantustostop,love?”

“No!”Hershoutrangagainsttheceiling.Goodthingthebarwasfulltonight,althoughCaldersuspected
thatJudithhadsoundproofedhersexroom.

“That‟smygirl.”Caldersmiledandkissedhercheek.

Herscentsurroundedhim,coupledwithsandalwoodandroses,herwarmthandherlove.Helovedhow
shemadehimfeel,lovedbringinghertoultimatepleasurelikethis.

BradengrabbedCalder‟sshoulders.Hiseyeswerewide,thebluefillingthemcompletely.Hesaid,
“Fuck,”andcame.

Amomentlater,Katarinagyratedinyetanotherorgasm,butCalderheldon.Hewantedthistolast
forever,himinsideKatarina‟ssweetass,hervoicefillinghisears,herhairlikesilkunderhislips.

Buthehadonlysomuchstamina.Caldergroanedloudashishipspumpedwithouthispermission,and
thenhewasspillinghisseedandfallingagainsthisbeloved,whowassupportedbythestrongarmsofhis
bestfriend.KatarinaturnedherheadandkissedCaldersleepily,andCalder‟sheartswelledandwarmed.

Bradenletoutabreaththenlaughedlikehewashappy.“Well,thatwasgood,”hesaid,andclosedhis
eyes.

Calderdidn‟tanswer,contenttobeburiedinKatarina‟sbeautiful,tightass.

“Iloveyou,”hemurmured.“Loveyousomuch.”

“Loveyoutoo.”Katarina‟svoicewashoarsefromallherscreaming.ShesmiledathimandCalder
kissedheragain.

“Thankyou,”hewhispered.

Hersmileturnedsuddenlysly.“CanTheBeastcomeouttoplay?”Calderstilled.Shewasslickwithlube
andsqueezinghimtight,buthisheartbeatinnewexcitement.

Hescrapedherhairbackfromherfaceandbittheshellofherear.“OhKatarina.

Youaskedforit.”

“Idid.”

“TheBeastisallyours,love.Andhe‟sgoingtofuckyouuntilyoucan‟tstandup.”

“That‟swhatIwashoping.”

Caldergrowled,hisexcitementgrowing.Braden,stillinsideher,openedhiseyesagain.“Hey,canIplay
too?”

Caldernodded—thenheandBradendidthingstoKatarinathatwouldmakeCaldercomejust
rememberingthemlater.

ButwhentheyfellasleepthatnightinKatarina‟sownhouse,KatarinanestledintoCalder‟sarmsand
gavehimasmilethatwashisalone…meltingTheBeast‟sheart.

TheEnd

AbouttheAuthor

AllysonJameswritesromances,mysteries,eroticromanceandmainstreamfictionunderseveral
pseudonyms.ShehasmadetheUSATodaybestsellerlist,haswonseveralRomanticTimesReviewer‟s
Choiceawards,andwonRWA‟sRITAaward.HerbookshaveearnedstarredreviewsinBooklistand
TopPickreviewsinRomanticTimesBookReviewsmagazine.

Allysonlovestowrite,read,hikeandbuilddollhouses.Shemethersoulmatewhenshewaseighteen,
traveledtheworldwithhim,andsettleddownwithhimandtwocatsinthedesertsouthwest.

Allysonwelcomescommentsfromreaders.Youcanfindherwebsiteandemailaddressonherauthorbio
pageatwww.ellorascave.com.

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TalesoftheShareem1:Rees

TalesoftheShareem2:MaiaandRylan

TalesoftheShareem3:Rio

TalesoftheShareem4:AidenandKy

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