Therian Promise(40)

“I thought you wanted to learn about me as a person.”

“I do. This project is our common ground. I’m trying to understand how you fit in with what the backers are trying to accomplish.”

“Fair enough.” The apartment was compact and his large body made it feel even smaller. A privacy curtain separated the bedroom from the living area. He strolled around the room, looking at the sparse decorations with bored indifference. “They recruited me.”

“How long have you worked with them?”

He shook his head and smiled. “I say nothing more until you’re naked.”

She had three quick-dissolve tablets in her pocket, but she needed to slip them into something he’d actually drink. Once he ingested the chemical cocktail, he’d be far more accommodating. “You only answered one question. That entitles you to one article of clothing.”

“This isn’t strip poker, sweetheart. If you want answers, you do as you’re told.”

If she obeyed without question, she was no longer a challenge. “Top or bottom? You can’t have both.”

He looked as if he’d argue then he shrugged. “Start with the top.”

Slipping out of her lab coat, she draped it over the back of a kitchen chair and made sure the pocket with the tablets was easily accessible. “Can I get you something to drink? It’s early, but I think I’ll have a glass of wine.”

“I thought you wanted coffee.” He sat in the sleek black chair across from the kitchenette.

“Wine goes better with naked breasts.” She smiled as she unbuttoned her blouse and placed it on top of the lab coat. Come on. Try the wine. I’m not sure I can pull this off if we’re both sober.

“White or red?” Except for the occasional gleam in his eyes, his expression remained stoic.

“Which do you prefer? I have both.”

“Bring the bottles here so I can find out.”

She wasn’t sure what he had in mind, but she didn’t see a way around it. Retrieving the half-full bottles from her refrigerator, she brought them to him then quickly stepped back.

“You’re still wearing your bra.”

“Sorry.” She unfastened the front clasp and took off the undergarment.

“Come here.”

“Why?”

“Because I’ll tell you how I met James Milliner if you do.”

She licked her lips, desperately wanting to cover her breasts. But she wasn’t here to entertain him. She was trying to learn as much as she could about her mysterious companion. “Tell me first then I’ll obey.”

Osric chuckled and pulled the cork out of one of the wine bottles. “I want to find out if I prefer red or white. Now stop being so contrary.” He set the corked bottle on the floor and reached for her hand. She reluctantly moved between his legs as he scooted to the edge of the chair. Then he raised the open bottle and drizzled red wine over her left breast.

The cold liquid streamed across her warm skin and Carly shivered. Her nipple hardened as the liquid followed the contour of her flesh. He caught the red droplets with the tip of his tongue then retraced the wet path until her skin was clean.

Thinking he’d finished with phase one of his “experiment”, she exhaled and started to retreat. He caught her hips as his mouth fastened on to her nipple. She stood perfectly still and he moved his hands, only touching her with his mouth. The long, firm pulls drew heat into her breast and made the tip tingle.

He released her suddenly and her nipple sprang free, wet and tightly puckered. “Very nice. Now hand me the white.”

She took the open bottle from him and exchanged it for the other. Trickling white wine over her right breast, he sampled the new offering. He sucked harder, scraping her with his teeth. She tried to ignore the sensations darting from her nipple to her clit, but he knew how hard to nibble and always managed to pull back just as pleasure turned to pain.

“Red,” he decided, and scooted back in the chair. “Unless you want to continue the experiment. White might be more suited to your navel or those adorable dimples on your lower back. But I suspect red’s sweetness will balance out the salty-sharp taste of your pussy. Shall we find out?”

Shaking off the sensual haze, she grabbed both bottles and hurried across the apartment. “How did you meet General Milliner? You promised to tell me.” She retrieved two wineglasses from the cupboard and set them on the table near the chair with her lab coat. Blocking his view with her body, she pulled the tablets from her pocket and dropped them into one of the glasses then covered them with wine. Swirling the wine around in the glass, she waited until the tablets dissolved then returned to her guest.