Oath of Challenge Conquering Kate (9 page)

Tair said firmly, “Spread your legs.”

She shot him a helpless look and shook her head. She felt a rising hysteria at the thought of getting caught.

Tair ordered, “Compliance, Kate. Spread them. No one can see. No one will know. Spread them now for me or I will push you until you scream for release.”

Kate trembled. The ache to climax was growing larger. The
mityb
was vibrating and expanding inside her, filling her in a way that she could not have imagined in any fantasy. Slowly, she spread her legs. The vibration became more intense.

Tair said quietly, “Now,
sheka
, focus on the far wall above everyone here. Remember to nod occasionally so the others do not grow suspicious or assume I am a poor companion.” She could hear the smile in his voice as he said that last part.

She looked at the etching on the far wall and focused on a large red flower. She felt a flush rising on her neck and face as she struggled to maintain control. The damn thing was hitting her G-spot perfectly. She fought the impulse to drop her head back and just let go.

Tair made a little hum of approval. “Good. Now reach down and play with your clit.”

Kate thought she was beyond shock, but evidently she wasn’t. She shook her head no in a jerky movement.

Tair took her right hand and laid it in her lap, bringing the tablecloth forward to cover the movement. She heard his voice close to ear as he said softly, “Touch yourself. Do it. It will feel very good.”

Kate was lost in a haze of desire. She was getting desperate to climax and was terrified it would show if she did. The fear of being discovered fought with the heat of her arousal. She felt afraid to let go and yearned for it at the same time.

With a tentative movement, she let her hand wander down until it rested on the fabric of her skirt over her mound. With sudden recklessness, she probed. The cloth became drenched in a matter of minutes. The feel of her finger and the texture of the cloth as she played with her clit nearly made her eyes roll back in her head.

She was on fire and out of control. The vibration of the
mityb
increased with the speed of her fingers. The pleasure was so intense, she could barely think. She trembled and worried about crying out.

Tair whispered, “Remember not to scream, Kate. They will know what is happening if you do.”

Kate whimpered, but it was no use. Her sex clenched and she felt the beginning pulses of release. She bit her lip hard. The
mityb
continued to vibrate as ripples of pleasure spread through her. Helplessly, she opened her mouth to scream.

Tair grabbed her chin roughly and planted his mouth over hers. Her scream was lost in an intense, tongue-thrusting kiss. She shuddered and he wrapped both arms around her. As the last ripple of pleasure passed, she realized in relief that it would look like a passionate embrace to any diners observing them. They had no way of knowing what had happened. The intensity of her orgasm left her feeling shattered and weak. The
mityb
slowed to a stop.

Tair shifted uncomfortably on the bench as he held Kate close. The aching pain of his hard cock made him want to howl with frustration. He pushed her head into his shoulder and said, “Breath. I will hold you until you recover.” He turned and placed a kiss near the top of her head into her hair.

Eventually, she was able to pull back from him. She felt nearly boneless, but her brain was beginning to function. Unfortunately, she couldn’t think of a single thing to say. At all. The orgasm had been so unbelievable.

Tair smiled, looking down at her. She looked flushed and sleepily satisfied but otherwise okay. His tone was part tease, part concern, as he asked, “Was it worth the wait?”

Her smile when it emerged could have lit an entire planet. Her eyes were glowing. As if remembering herself, she made an attempt at giving him a look of reproof by narrowing her eyes and turning her lips down in a frown.

However, she couldn’t hold the expression, and gave him a big grin instead. Joy bloomed in his chest at that smile. Tair threw back his head and laughed. With a huge grin, he said, “I believe that means yes.”

Suddenly, a large body stood in front of their table. There was a buzz as conversation grew louder in the immediate vicinity. Curious, both Kate and Tair turned and looked up. Jadik stood in front of them, wearing a smile of his own.

Tair exclaimed, “Jadik, hello! Please join us.”

Kate heard the words and was utterly appalled. She pulled away from Tair abruptly and straightened until her back was ramrod straight. Crossing her legs, she wondered frantically if what she’d been doing would be apparent under those sharp eyes.

She knew her face was still flushed. As Jadik’s smile grew wider, she felt the flush deepen. She lifted her chin and glared at him in response.

Jadik said with friendly good humor, “Hello, Tair. Hello, Kate. If you are sure I am not intruding, I would like to join you.” His dark eyes sparkled with mirth.

Tair said, “Of course you are not intruding. Kate and I have just finished…”

Kate made a small choking sound, caught between horror and protest. He ended with “…midmeal.”

Jadik nodded and slid his big body into the chair across the table from them, studying her flushed face with obvious interest. Nodding over his shoulder to the waiter who was headed his way, Jadik turned and asked, “Kate, how was the meal? I have found the food here to be … quite satisfying.” His tone was conversational, but those wicked eyes danced.

Kate was spared a reply when the waiter arrived. While Jadik was occupied with the waiter for a moment, Kate leaned toward Tair and whispered in furious undertones, “Do you think he knows what we were doing? He’s just trying to goad me, right? It doesn’t show. Tell me it doesn’t show.”

Tair gave a choked laugh. In an equally low voice, he said, “Kate, now might be the time to mention the exceptional hearing of Shimerians. He could not have known for sure, but now I believe you have told him.”

Kate gave a strangled moan and shut her eyes. When she opened them, the waiter was gone, and Jadik was grinning at her in open amusement. “I was right then. Your meal was exceptional.” He threw back his head and laughed.

Tair joined in because he couldn’t help it. Kate looked so flustered. She was trying so hard to look coolly sophisticated, but instead she only looked more adorably uncomfortable. She looked nothing like the coldly remote Kate she was usually so careful to present to the world.

He leaned down and placed a firm kiss on her mouth. Lifting his head, he said, “Kate, relax. Everything is fine. You look beautiful. We are having a good time. Jadik is teasing you. It is one of his favorite pastimes.”

Seeing the humor in the situation suddenly, Kate relaxed. In the aftermath of her orgasm it was just too much work to be cool and composed. So what if Jadik knew something had happened? They were all adults. Besides, he couldn’t know exactly what had occurred.

Tossing her hair back over her shoulder, she grinned and said, “It was fabulous. The entertainment alone is worth the price of the meal.”

Both men’s eyes widened in surprise and then they all laughed. The waiter brought more drinks and the light tone of the conversation was set. Tair and Jadik tossed out possible suggestions for what Kate might like to see next on Shimeria.

They argued agreeably about which sights were too commercial or overpriced. Kate asked numerous questions and they answered her diligently. It was a friendly, amusing exchange.

As the minutes passed, Kate noticed she was feeling even more incredibly relaxed. Peering into the empty bottom of her cup, she said enthusiastically, “I think I need a refill. Man, am I thirsty. Is that my fourth? Oh, wait, I have a joke I want to share.”

A worried frown darkened Tair’s brow. He looked at her closely. Jadik leaned forward and studied her, too. They were staring at her in fascination like she was an animal at the zoo. She gave an indignant sniff in response. She asked, “What’s the difference between a Shimerian and a lawyer?”

When neither man answered, she smiled broadly and said proudly, “None. They’ll both fuck you in a heartbeat.”

She felt great. For some reason, the joke struck her as hilarious and she laughed until her shoulders shook and tears came to her eyes. That was a good one. When neither man laughed, she asked, “Don’t you get it?”

Tair felt a creeping resignation come over him. He should have known. He shook his head in sheer disbelief.

Jadik leaned toward him and said pointedly, “She must be allergic to the
permu
. I saw someone react this way once and it was the same.”

Tair shook his head in resignation. “Of course. She fainted when she came through the portal. I should have guessed she would be one of the rare ones to react to
permu
, too.”

Kate piped up indignantly, “I collapsed with fatigue.”

Tair rolled his eyes. “Fine. You were one of the rare ones to collapse with fatigue.”

Kate studied the two men. They were acting way too serious. Jadik looked confused. Tair looked resigned. Kate felt wonderful. Giving them a big grin, she asked, “What’s the matter, Jadik? Not smugly all-knowing for once?”

Tair winced. “Kate, you are allergic to
permu
. One cup or two does not have any effect, but you have had more since Jadik joined us. The side effects are extreme elation and relaxation. It will pass quickly as your body fully metabolizes it, but in the meantime, you must endure.”

Under his breath, he muttered, “We must endure.”

Kate lifted her chin. “Are you accusing me of being drunk? Is this stuff” she slammed the cup on the table with a loud
thump
, “alcoholic? Don’t be ridiculous. I don’t ever get drunk.”

Jadik couldn’t decide whether to laugh or to try to reason with Kate. Tair was looking helpless. Trying for a straight face, he said, “No, you are not drunk. Well, you are relaxed and feeling drunk, but your motor skills are fine. You are…”

He searched for the words. “…merely a more relaxed, looser version of yourself.”

Seeing her instant frown, he added, “I find it quite charming.”

Kate studied the two of them suspiciously. They looked kind of sweet. Like two small boys trying to please her. With a grin, she asked, “So you’re saying I’m myself, only squared?”

Jadik muttered, “More like Kate Cubed” under his breath, but he nodded in response. He and Tair both waited anxiously for her reply.

Kate shrugged and said brightly, “Excellent. And I was right. I needed the algebra after all.”

Tair and Jadik had no idea what she was talking about and looked totally confused. Kate didn’t care, she was off and running. “You know,” she leaned back and threw one arm along the back of the bench, “Planet Kink is rather beautiful so far, Jadik. It has some nasty surprises, but overall I find it strangely compelling.”

Both men nodded their heads in cautious agreement. She stared thoughtfully at Jadik a moment and then added, “Rather like you.”

Jadik’s eyes widened. He didn’t know whether to be insulted or not. In careful tones, he said, “Errr, thank you, Kate. I think.”

She nodded brightly and gave a nod toward Tair. She said with carefree good humor, “Don’t worry. He doesn’t mind me saying it. He’s not jealous at all. He’s been nagging me about this linking thing.” She rolled her eyes.

Tair held onto his patience. Torn between laughing and gritting his teeth. Linking was one subject he thought it best to avoid at the moment. So, of course, Kate continued.

Kate was thinking about the whole linking thing. Really, it didn’t seem like such a big deal. She and Tair would do the wild thing and Jadik would jump in when necessary with a quick body hug. She tried to picture the three of them and felt her whole body go hot in response.

Tair looked at Jadik and saw his friend shift in discomfort. Kate was broadcasting amazing sexual images of the three of them. Jadik had to be catching some of them. They were certainly powerful and graphic enough.

Shaking his head, he stood up abruptly. He caught Jadik’s eye and said, “I think Kate needs…dessert.”

Jadik looked startled briefly and then followed his lead. “Of course.” As understanding hit him, he said more enthusiastically, “I believe you are right.”

Kate frowned. She might be able to squeeze in a little dessert, but she was somewhat full. She watched as Jadik stood, too. Tair leaned down and took her arm gently. She rose slowly and carefully, but then realized there was no need. Her balance was perfectly fine.

She asked, “We have to stand for dessert here? Is this another weird custom? Let me guess, we need to strip before we can eat it, too.”

She sighed. Whatever. This was such a kinky planet. Her hand went to her blouse. “When in Rome…”

Tair grabbed her hand quickly and began walking with her toward the archway at the back. It was the one other people had disappeared into earlier. Kate asked, “You have a separate dessert room? Now that is just strange.”

Tair gave an exasperated laugh and said as they continued walking, “Kate, as soon as we get there, I will explain. Please follow me.”

In a lightening change of mood, she said, “Yeah, and you’ve done such a bang-up job of explaining everything so far.” Elation gave way to frustration. She felt pissed.

She was tired of being confused. She was tired of being on another planet dependent upon Tair to guide her and explain. She was no one’s dependent anything. With mounting anger, she entered the next room.

There were buttons spaced out in even intervals along one continuous wall. Some buttons were lit up purple and others were green. Frowning, she said, “What is it with you people and the button fetish? Are doors just too primitive a concept to master? You have wallways instead of doorways. This planet makes no sense.”

Tair pressed the purple button closest to them. The wall folded in upon itself to reveal a medium –sized room. There were shelves running the length of the room on three walls. There were a wide variety of foods sitting on the shelves. Some of it was in dishes, while others were piled up like fruit. She asked, “We eat in some kind of dessert pantry without tables or chairs?”

Jadik entered the room behind her and pressed the button on the wall behind him to close the door. She watched as Tair and Jadik moved to opposite sides of the room. Jadik picked up a red fruit of some kind.

Tair picked up a fruit that was a bright green color. By the way he held it, she could tell it was squishy and ripe. Walking over to her, he held it to her mouth and said calmly, “Bite.”

Willing and curious, Kate took a bite. The taste was delicious. It had the mushy texture of overripe banana, but it tasted similar to a tangerine. She smiled. “I like it.”

Tair said, “Good.” He smiled back and then smashed it on her chest.

Kate froze. He hadn’t hurt her, but the shock of it held her in place. Tair had just smashed green fruit on her. Giving him a lethal glare, she said, “You absolutely did not do that.”

His grin widened in response. Suddenly, a piece of red fruit landed with a splat against the side of his head. Watching it slide down his neck with a slimy trail, she smiled smugly and turned to Jadik.

 
She called out, “Thank you, Jadik” just as a second red piece hit her squarely in the chest. She clenched her hands and added, “You jerk.”

Tair spun around and ran over to a shelf. Grabbing another piece of fruit, he called out, “Kate, why are you waiting?”

They were crazy. The two of them were lobbing fruit back and forth at each other like snowballs. It was insane. As another piece hit her on one leg, she said calmly, “You are going to be so sorry for that.”

Walking over to the corner, she grabbed a couple of fruits at random. Hefting a larger orange one like a baseball, she threw it at Tair with all her strength. It hit him in the back of the head. He spun around in surprise.

She said smugly, “I was a starting pitcher for ten years. Prepare to die, nitwit.”

Hefting the other orange fruit at Jadik, she hit him right in the forehead. Jadik laughed and hit her on the other leg with a purple one, close to her crotch. The battle was on. The three of them threw food until their arms ached and their sides hurt from laughing. It was the biggest mess Kate had ever seen in her life. It was also one of the greatest moments of sheer goofy fun she could remember.

Finally, Kate sank down onto the floor and propped her back against the wall. As stuff oozed down her face and neck, she brought her hand up and scooped it off. She started to toss it away, and then brought it to her mouth. Eyes widening in surprise, she realized it was actually quite good.

Tair sank down next to her, laughing. Scooping a small portion off his sleeve, he brought it to his mouth and chewed. He turned to her and said with a grin, “I forgot about your being a pitcher. I believe I have received my share of dessert.”

Kate laughed. He was covered head to toe just as much as she was, if not more. Jadik sank down in front of them and licked a stray piece of fruit off of his hand.

With a lusty grin, he said in a mock Kate-voice, “Prepare to die, nitwit.”

He laughed uproariously and then said, “Kate, you have a great style. I have not laughed so hard in a long time.”

She tossed her head, although the effect was lost somewhat as sticky strands stuck to her neck. In a mock-Jadik sultry voice, she said, “It is my pleasure, “ and winked.

Both men burst out laughing. Kate grinned. She wasn’t feeling drunk anymore, but she felt just plain good. Somehow, the ultimate food fight had helped her regain her balance. She felt relaxed and comfortable in a way that was totally unexpected.