Read The Pleasure Slave for Free Online Page A

hands on both sides of her chair. His hard body ignited a fiery heat deep inside her, a heat that, once kindled, might never be doused.
    “I am giving you a demonstration,” he said huskily, “of the pleasure I can give.”
    Omigod, omigod, omigod. Her heart pounded sporadically in her chest, a pitter-patter of conflicting emotions. Did he plan to kiss her? Or…more?
    Before her tongue could turn to mush, she blurted out, “There will be no pleasuring me in this house!” The prospect of bodily delight both frightened and intrigued her. He was a stranger, after all, but dear God, he was handsome.
    He uttered another sexy, rumbling chuckle. “As I am yours to command, I will simply have to see to your displeasure. ”
    “Wait! That’s not what I meant.”
    When he leaned down, his lips softening for a kiss, she hastened to add, “I meant to say you will pleasure me right now.”
    “That is all I desire, little dragon. That is all I desire.”
    Irritated with him—and herself—she wrapped her arms across her chest. Why did this always happen to her? Why did her brain refuse to work properly in the presence of a romance-minded man?
    “You will please me,” she said carefully, “by staying on your side of the kitchen.”
    One of his dark brows arched. “You are sure?”
    “No. Yes. Yes, I am sure. You stay on your side, and I’ll stay on mine.”
    “Such is your command, and such will I do.”
    Tristan moved two small paces back. His very presence flustered little Julia, and he would be lying if he claimed he did not like her reaction to him. The slight trembling of her body, the parting of her lips. The deep color in her cheeks. Oh, he liked. He liked very much indeed.
    The knowledge made him curse inwardly and he struggled to fortify himself against her appeal. Over the years, he had served many women of many different worlds. Except for a rare few, all of his guan rens —his female masters—had been selfish and vapid, expecting him to give total and complete obedience while theygave only commands and empty promises. Those demands always began immediately. Some hadn’t wanted him sexually, but they certainly took full advantage of their ownership.
    Clean this, slave. Massage me, slave. Caress me until I scream with pleasure, slave. He’d heard every demand imaginable.
    Nay, he shouldn’t like this woman, not any part of her.
    Still…little Julia had yet to request anything except his absence. And his friendship.
    Mayhap he had lived inside the box too long, and that was why she seemed so alluring. Or mayhap she simply reminded him of his homeland with her flashing dragon eyes—green, lush and intense.
    For a moment, he allowed himself to imagine that things would be different with this woman, that she truly wanted nothing more from him than his company. However, cynicism soon overrode his optimism. How many times had he dared hope for a measure of compassion only to find indifference?
    Countless.
    Give this one time, he thought, and she will demand submission just like the others. At least bedding her would be no hardship.
    Right now, the little dragon wore only a pair of panties and a thin white chemise held in place by tiny scraps of material, leaving most of her creamy skin visible for his perusal. She possessed a curvy waist and full, luscious breasts, as mouthwatering and sensual as her exotic feminine fragrance. Her hair hung down her backin a symphony of colors. From glossy dark brown, to gold, to the pale locks that framed her face.
    Her cheekbones were high, and she had a small nose. At first glance, and maybe at second, her prettiness wasn’t readily apparent. The more he had studied her, however, the more he liked what he saw. She was an intriguing blend of courage and timidity, prudishness and sensuality.
    It was the prudishness that drew him most. That stay-away, do-not-please-me demeanor of hers challenged him in a way nothing had in centuries. Every time he hinted at carnal indulgence,