I pulled on his arm, ignoring the flare of heat from touching his skin. The wound was small, and I ran a rough finger over it to be sure all the glass was out.

  He flinched back automatically, and then chuckled.

  “I did that already!”

  It made me want to hug him and I stood up before I could. “There’s a kit in the washroom.”

  “Will you do it?”

  I nodded stiffly and went to get it. I took an extra minute to steel myself.

  “It stopped bleeding,” he stated as I came back out.

  I grunted, handling him like he was an injured prisoner to be tended. I wasn’t gentle, but it allowed me to keep pushing away his scent. It was that searing chocolate, thick and tempting…

  “Thank you.”

  I grunted a second time, not looking at the brand on his arm - the one marking him mine.

  I stepped back as we both stood up and he followed me, face intent. Bracing, I stopped to see what he wanted… and understood his intentions in time to spin under his arm and head for the bedroom.

  He was reading my rage, wanting to knock it back down for me like he had earlier, but this fire, I would keep to myself. If I was still on the edge when we hit the rebel base, I would take Baker up on his offer. He at least, was willing!

  Jason

  “Can I come in?”

  “Yes.”

  I thought I was under control now, but I braced myself anyway as the door opened.

  “I’d like to talk to you about…after.”

  “After?”

  “After I see Baker.”

  That had me sitting up. “What about it?”

  Jason moved closer in the darkness, enough for me to see he was wearing jeans and noting else. Heat rolled, sending me straight to the feel of his hands, his tongue on my body… Behind it, came guilt. “Baker will find a loving home for you, if you want one.”

  “And if I don’t?”

  I grunted as he settled onto the corner of the bed, making it sink with his weight.

  “I’ll free you.”

  Jason smiled, making my pulse race. “I meant a different sort of home. I’d rather stay with the Pruetts.”

  That cooled my heat, and I cocked my head in sharp pain. “So you’d stay and be the family whore? Sam would love that.”

  Instead of the denial I was hoping for, his smile saddened. “If that’s the only place you have for me when it’s all over, yes.”

  Did he know what I took from that? I studied him, seeing the worry, the interest.

  “You’d be my…” I didn’t know what words to put there, but he did.

  “Your friend - officially offering a service arrangement.”

  Before I could respond, his big hand slid onto my bare thigh. “You’d be my first owner.”

  Hunger. It took me by surprise, and I moved toward him.

  Jason

  She stopped inches from me, beautiful face struggling with her needs and her morals. I planned to make it easy for her. “I’m willing.”

  But she wasn’t, and I understood why now. She was a Pruett. They didn’t force males into servitude - they freed them.

  She shuddered, drew back. “I’m sorry I hurt you.”

  I didn’t consider my wounds serious and I opened my mouth to tell her so, but she cut me off.

  “Keep your excuses for it and your deals, Jason. I’ll get you to Baker, but I’m out after that. I won’t use you again.”

  She dropped down to roll away from me. “And, I don’t want your services in payment, no matter how amazing it was.”

  She’s so different, I thought, and followed her onto the bed. But, in what ways? She wanted a mate, to be loved, and so did I, but could I trust her not to betray me later? I didn’t think I could stand to get attached and then be sent away or sold to Rankin. Just as bad, would be her burning out and our children being defenseless.

  It was an ugly future no matter which way I spun it, and I curled onto the other side of her bed with a mind full of confusion. Did I want freedom or a loving owner?

  Angelica

  I listened to him get settled like he’d done this hundreds of times with someone else, and the rage grew brighter. I didn’t mind him being close, in fact, I was craving it, but I didn’t need the flashes of what his time with Rankin might have been like. Had he stayed still and quiet, only to drift off into a peaceful slumber or had there been violence and lust in equal measures?

  It was tormenting, but there were hours to kill before morning and I let my mind picture them anyway it wanted. Whatever it took to keep from reaching out for what I couldn’t honorably have.

  Jason

  I woke with a hot female body curled against my back, one heavy arm slung over my hips. Angelica. The thought of her body was enough to bring mine to life and I tried to keep my breathing even as she shifted against me. Snoring slightly, she wasn’t aware of how close we were, but her body was. Those hard nipples and extended claws said even in sleep, she needed me. What an addictive feeling! Less than 4 days ago, I’d been in Rankin’s bed, painfully hard and begging for release. Now, I held that power.

  Angelica muttered something intelligible against my back, warm breath giving me chills. I had thought the lack of fulfillment was keeping me so sensitive, but the feel of Angelica against me in sleep forced me to accept that I was honestly attracted to her. The legs tangled in mine, the soft breasts against my back, that silken hair on my shoulder - all things I was responding to in the very early morning darkness.

  She would take me now against her will if I woke her with this need on me, and I tried to be still as desire ran over me in a waterfall of sensation. Would she hurt me when she finally caved? Deny me like Rankin? Slave me out? It was something I wouldn’t know unless our future changed drastically and I was a bit surprised by the sense of loss. What was it about her that drew me?

  I sighed and felt her breath catch as she woke. I heard the growl rising, that low groan of lust I still had ringing in my ears from Rankin. Her claws extended further, pressing into my hips with a delicious twist of pain and pleasure that brought me to full hardness. I was now capable of providing a service.

  “Are you awake?”

  Her tone was madness in the dark, greedy, needy, demanding… “Yes.”

  Her claws tightened further, and I closed my eyes, leaning back. “It’s okay. Just… don’t hurt me, okay?”

  I felt the tension slide from her body as her claws withdrew from my skin. She dropped her arm, but didn’t move away from me and I was very aware of my own reaction. I wanted her to keep going.

  “Are you okay?”

  I nodded, body moving against her in the process and we both drew in a surprised breath.

  “Just dealing with a bit of your pain.”

  Tension crackled as she realized what I meant. I was almost openly tempting her now and the control - the strength - she showed, was impressive.

  “Can I help?”

  My laugh came before any thinking could go on. “That’s my line. I’m supposed to offer comfort to you.”

  “I’d accept a little of it, if you offered the right way.”

  Angelica’s tone sent fire into my veins. The right way? I’d stated it, tossed it out casually… but I hadn’t insisted. Could I? Did my steel run that deep?

  “What do you mean by a little?”

  Her hand slowly came back to my hip, nails raking me lightly, lovingly. ”When I have these moments with my mate, I have to have control. Touching you will help that.”

  “Touching you will help that.” Her words echoed in my head and spread down my legs. I shuddered. “Okay.”

  She didn’t move despite my agreement and I realized I hadn’t seen to the requirement. As soon as I wondered how to handle it, I knew. Willing.

  “Will you touch me?”

  “Jason!”

  The tone was so jarring that it snapped me awake. I groaned in the darkness, realizing I’d been dreaming.

  But the ass I was pressed against wasn’t a dream. Nor was the breast in my hand or the neck my lips were locked against. Angelica’s body was rigid, breathing harsh, and I understood she was close to snapping, but the haze of lust hadn’t faded with the dream. I wanted to please her and I wanted her to please me.

  “I can be still for exactly three more minutes. Finish up and then get away from me.”

  “Finish up.”

  It was like I was back in my dream and I struggled with myself.

  “Stop wasting time!” she snapped, almost growling and I felt the need rising up to take me to that place where Rankin had complete control. My body moved of its own will, sliding through our moisture to make contact with her bare skin…bare?

  Yes. And it was her pants I felt bunched under my leg. I’d done that.

  “Two minutes.”

  Her reminder had my hand tightening on her breast, my hips moving forward. She felt so good! I rocked faster, pushing between her cheeks and felt her shiver. The urge to hurry made the choice and I let my tongue taste her tattooed neck as I used her frozen body for my pleasure. The edge neared and I jerked forward as I squeezed that satin breast, straining with the amazing pleasure of it…

  “Oohhh…mmmm…..uugggg….”

  I rode the waves, stunned that she’d allowed this, given me this. I would return the favor!

  I slowly slid back, reluctantly letting go of her taunt nipple. I used a light hand on her hip to roll her toward me and found myself looking into glowing red orbs that lit up the bed and half of the room. I swallowed…moved my hand down her waist…

  “Get. Out.”

  There was no arguing with that and I fled the room in sated fear. The door closed between us and I leaned against it, listening. Was she okay?

  I heard her shift on the bed, the noises echoing clearly and then a sound I hadn’t expected.

  “Damn.”

  Angelica’s lowly growled groan sent a shiver through limp flesh and kept me at the door. When I heard the rustle of clothing and then the sharp intake of air, I knew what she was doing and fresh heat rolled through me. I would have handled that for her!

  My hand went to the door knob, but before I could turn it, I heard a distinctive groan of climax. It was thick and piercing, driving in the truth. It was more than just attraction. I felt something for this Changeling and it was strong enough that the sound of her pleasure had me hard again. How strange!

  I listened to her finish and then readjust in the bed, smiling at her mutter.

  “”Shoulda let him go ahead. My control might have lasted that whole ten seconds.”

  The thought that she worried over stamina gave me another glimpse of Changelings I’d never had before. I settled onto the couch with my arms above my head, pleased with myself and not sure why. I drifted back to sleep with a smile and an afterglow that was better than any I’d ever dealt myself following a session with Rankin.

  Chapter Ten

  Day 11

  Jason

  I waited submissively by the door for my owner like a proper male, but my gaze freely roamed the sights of the Ohio station we’d chugged into. I’d never seen so much green!

  Trees dotted the area, lining the one road in and out. That narrow dirt path led upward, toward a set of rolling hills covered in small yellow flowers. It was beautiful, and I stared open-mouthed in awe.

  All around me, women were turning my way, drawn to my excitement, but I couldn’t help it. I’d missed being outside.

  From the way the station’s tracks were laid out, I assumed this was as far west as the Network Rider went on this route. The wide rails made a neat oval at one end of the platform, allowing the train a smooth turn for the return trip to New Network City. So far as I knew, this was the only car the Network had, and it ran continuously, only stopping for supplies or maintenance.

  Waiting directly in front of the main car, where I was standing, was a group of heavily-covered females sitting on fully-packed bikes that sported wide, muddy tires. There were at least two dozen of these big, wild-looking females, and I felt the heat in their joking words as they appraised me.

  “Does that seem like fresh Games meat to you, Sam?”

  “Yeah…and he is still fresh. Interesting.”

  These loud, frightening women wore goggles raised over short, chaotic hair and weathered faces. Their animal skin cloaks were vivid shades of green, brown, and orange that rippled in the stiff Ohio wind, and drew my attention repeatedly. If not for their muddy bikes and wide, leering grins, I might have thought them beautiful.

  “Maybe she’s not sure what to do with him.”

  That had the big women laughing and my head darting quickly away when I realized what they meant. I wasn’t sure how the females could tell so much, but they intimidated me with their large guns and loud voices.

  “Five minutes til departure.”

  Distracted, I automatically glanced toward the engine car at the call over the speaker. I’d never actually heard the whistle of a train, but I’d read about them at the complex. They weren’t used anymore. A variety of predators were drawn to high-pitched noises like that, but the main reason the whistles were banned was the snakes.

  The pythons littered all the southern states of New America, large numbers of mutated, fearsome reptiles that right now, were in the height of their breeding season. I’d never heard of one of them attacking a train, but I wasn’t anxious to test that theory.

  I spotted a second group of riders waiting near the rear of the train, these three-dozen on sleek Network horses. Rankin was getting off here. Other than us and her group, I didn’t see anyone except guards, and guessed this wasn’t a wealthy area, where the train got much patronage.

  I eased back inside the train door, wishing Angelica would…

  “You ready?”

  I jumped half a foot at her voice in my ear, and sent the first group of women into another round of lewd laughter.

  “We’ll help ya settle him down!”

  “If you need instructions…”

  I tensed, waiting for my new owner to defend me from the wild Ohioans.

  “If I need help, Candice will be who I turn to.”

  There was another round of laughs, this one friendlier.

  She knew them. Dismay flooded my face, and the females cackled again at my discomfort.

  “Guess you didn’t tell him about the wilder side of the family.”

  “He’s obviously frightened enough. Why torment him?”

  I closed my eyes, realizing one of these loud, wild women was Angelica’s sister - the one I would probably be given to if something happened to her. I didn’t want to look at them again. What would that life be like? I shuddered.

  “Jason?”

  I turned toward Angelica, whose mercy I was now at, not sure what I expected or what I needed. Panic was the clearest emotion.

  Angelica’s eyes were calm, safe black.

  “Who are we?”

  “Pp.. Pruetts.”

  “And what do we stand for?”

  It was easier this time. “Freedom.”

  “Yeah, the freedom to share, enjoy, trade…”

  “Will he be in the family service?”

  Another round of harsh laughter that made me shake harder.

  “Stop now. It’s enough.”

  Angelica’s voice held no real tone of order that I heard, but each of the women fell silent. She didn’t need to follow it up with anything else, and it was a strong moment for me, to see my much smaller owner control these wild females.

  “Anything I should know?”

  Angelica stepped by me, and I scurried along on her heels.

  “The bill came for your stay in the winner’s suite, and for the train ride. I took care of it, but I have a question.”

  “What?”

  “Why did you buy so many doors?”

  I flushed dark red, sending the riders into a new flurry of cackles.

  Angelica’s tone sharpened. “Anything important I should know?”

  An amused voice answered. “Nope. We’re ready to roll.”

  There was an empty bike being towed behind one of the front-row jokers, and Angelica flipped the heavy connector loose with a short swipe that made me stare. I’d seen her matches, but up close was fascinating. She was so strong!

  “Get on.”

  I slid awkwardly onto the cold seat, instinctively moving to the front, and drew yet another round of taunts and laughter.

  “Oh, Hell. Look at that!”

  “He wants the lead!”

  More hard brays that turned heads our way.

  I flushed again, moving back to find Angelica already swinging on. Her hot body surrounded me despite her smaller size, nudging me into the front, and I held still while she attached us together with a short rope.

  She leaned close to bring it around my stomach, head against my shoulder, and her soft hair brushed my cheek. Those perky globes I was so aroused by were pressing into my back, and her scent moved over me with the breeze as she tied us together. I was outside now, smelling that forbidden fresh wind… and her smell was better.

  As Angelica moved back, I turned to look at her, wondering if she might be making the same observations about me.

  Her eyes were tinged with pink, and I followed my instincts this time. I smiled, showing a gleam of happiness I knew would make her feel as good as I was to be out of the complex. “Thank you.”

  Her grip on the rope tightened, but she only gestured curtly. “You know how this works?”

  I wasn’t sure what she meant at first, struggling to think past the newest discoveries, then I realized what she meant and nodded hesitantly. “Only a few laps, and few times… around the course.”

  Rankin had taken me, demanding a hefty fee beforehand, and that thought was enough to turn my interest back into fear. “She’s getting off here.”

  “She already did. That’s where I went.”

  I understood Angelica had left me at the door, knowing Rankin would think that’s where she was too. Rankin wouldn’t have known about our escort. She did now, though. What did she think of our heavy guards and their weapons?

  “Jason?”