Chapter 29 #2
By the time I reached the drinks table, all I’d gleaned was that Phyenix Listra’s collection was one of the richest in the galaxy.
We were not the only ones who were eyeing his riches either, from the sounds of it.
Apparently, Listra’s security team had already apprehended two Burenko males attempting to map the layout of his estate.
“Hello.”
Two fingers lightly touched my elbow, just for a brief second, but I froze all the same, staring unblinking at the crystal chalice in my grip before turning. The male I’d seen on the stage stood a few paces back, a soft smile playing around his lips. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”
I sighed. “I’m afraid I was lost in thought.”
One white brow rose in what I thought might have been amusement.
He was naked, save for a small silvery wrap around his waist that left almost nothing to the imagination.
His chest gleamed with sweat and even from here I could catch the unmistakable scent of sex emanating from him like a cloud.
It was heady, the way Lunastra’s pheromones had been.
“You’re Venyan, aren’t you?” The question was past my lips before I could help myself.
He blinked, surprise coloring his features. “I am. How did you know?”
“My mistress is as well.”
Silver eyes dropped to the brand on my inner forearm and he hummed in understanding, taking a step closer. “You’re immune.”
I bit the inside of my cheek, breathing deeply. “To her, yes, and mostly to you.”
“Mostly?” Another step until I could see the shards of white in his eyes.
My throat clicked with a swallow and I nodded. “Yes, mostly.”
Around us guests wandered, their appreciative gazes settling on the male before flicking to me with interest. There was hunger in those looks and I was surprised no one approached him, even if some got close enough I could feel their breath on my shoulders as they passed.
“What does it feel like then?” he purred.
I raised the chalice as if it might be some sort of shield between us, knowing I’d walked right into that trap.
So I let my gaze wander behind him while I thought, trying to see where Asher had wandered to.
He stood close by and, though I expected him to be deep in conversation with Lesephous, he instead stood beside a tall male with streaks of silvery-gray hair, his attention fixed on me.
“Like lying in the sun at midday or a light hand on my throat or be…” I trailed off, cheeks heating.
“Between your thighs?” the male suggested softly.
“Something like that. It’s there but it’s not an undeniable hunger, not like I’ve seen in others with my mistress.”
A hand ghosted over my elbow, fingertips trailing across my brand. “I would love to meet her, if she’s here.”
Maker.
“She is not, but my master is. Perhaps he knows yours?”
The male chuckled as if what I’d said was highly amusing. “I have no master, little one, not anymore.” I blinked, shocked enough I missed when his fingertips dropped to the skin of my upper thigh.
This male had bought himself out of his contract, or else a patron had.
Though it was more likely he had if his claim of having no master was true.
Jealousy rippled through my skin but I fought it back with a small grin, allowing his hand to travel higher to the crease of my hip.
His attention dropped there too and we both watched its path as it slid closer to the apex of my thighs.
My lips twitched in a would-be smile. “I should warn you: my master does not share.”
“Hmm,” the male murmured. “Perhaps he should.”
Maybe he was right. This male might have known things we could use.
But no, of course not. I shook my head, pushing back the wave of heat as this male’s scent crashed over me.
His chuckle this time was deeper and, though his fingers moved back to safer territory, those bright eyes glinted with mischief.
“I find most masters are easily swayed and most think more with their cockheads—however tiny they might be—than with their brains.”
“Then it’s a good thing mine is so large,” Asher rumbled, hand suddenly wrapped around the male’s wrist. The grip didn’t look punishing, just tight enough the male’s mouth popped open in surprise as Asher lifted his hand between them. “You know better than to touch without asking, Lucien.”
That same mischievous grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. Lucien dipped his head, pressing his lips to Asher’s knuckles. “But I do so love being punished,” he murmured, punctuating the remark with a slow, suggestive lick.
Asher shook his head before he dropped his grip, holding out his other hand to me. I took it, stepping into his side while he gripped the nape of my neck over the fabric obscuring my brand. “Then I suggest you find Taariq and see if he can pay you back for the pounding you gave him.”
The playful expression on Lucien’s face only brightened while he looked between us with interest…
an interest that visibly built beneath the wrap around his hips.
His scent grew heady, almost oppressively so, until even with the immunity Lunastra had gifted me, my core ached like hunger.
When I chanced a glance at Asher, his face still wore that same impassive mask, not a hint of color on his cheeks.
His respirator more than likely filtered out whatever pheromones Lucien was exuding.
“Let your pet play with us.” Lucien reached a hand out to grab mine, but Asher’s growl came out low and ominous.
“What did I say?”
The male pursed his lips into a pout, but the length of him now threatened the structural integrity of his wrap.
After another moment he gave Asher a small bow and strode back down the couches and toward the dais where the other male—Taariq, I assumed—pinned the female from before to the ground, her legs wrapped around his shoulders.
When Lucien settled behind the male, entering him with a single thrust, his gaze caught mine in the crowd once more and he threw me a wink.
“It’s going to be a long night,” Asher muttered.