Twisted: Brides of the Kindred 23 Read online

  He was still standing close to her—so close their shoulders were brushing—so close she could smell his cologne. It had a strangely electrical note to it that smelled somehow dangerous but under that was a warm, dark, masculine spice that seemed to melt things inside her.

  Again she got the strangest feeling of déjà vu. God, what was that fragrance? And where had she smelled it before? It was so familiar somehow, just like the man with the silver eyes. But how could that be when she’d never seen him before in her life?

  “Shall we go inside?” he asked and Nikki realized she’d just been standing there, right inside the doorway, smelling him and looking at him. God, he really was going to think she was crazy.

  “Oh, of course.” She tried to laugh again. “You have to excuse me—I didn’t, uh, get breakfast this morning and I’m a little shaky.”

  “Maybe I can take you out for Mid Meal after we conclude here,” he suggested.

  “Oh, that’s…that’s a nice offer but I don’t usually, uh…I mean, I just met you,” she fumbled, trying to find the words.

  “Did you?” He looked at her intently. “Did you just meet me, Nicole?”

  “Well…yes. Yes, of course.” She looked up at him uncertainly and found she couldn’t meet the intensity of those silver eyes. “Um, let’s go inside, shall we? This house has several unique features I think you’re just going to love.”

  “After you,” he said courteously, making a sweeping hand gesture. Nikki preceded him and they found themselves in the entryway.

  The house really did have an unusual layout. Instead of the usual great-room concept that combined the living room, dining room, and den all into one huge, echoing space, this house had boundaries. There was a formal living room and dining room as you first entered. Then, coming off from the center of the other side of the house was a circular staircase leading up to a second-floor landing.

  “What would you like to see first?” Nicole asked the big Kindred. “The kitchen is just through here.” As she spoke, she led him through the first area with the dining and living room, through the family room, and into the other side of the house where there was a roomy kitchen and a breakfast nook.

  “Tell me about the appliances you have here,” Malik said. “They look… different from the ones I am used to.”

  “Oh, well there’s a…” Stove that doesn’t work, whispered that insistent little voice in her head. And remember how the cabinets wouldn’t open? And the refrigerator either? They were all just solid pieces, like in a Barbie Dream House.

  No, that was crazy! Where were these memories coming from? Yet for a moment she saw it so clearly, she couldn’t go on—a lovely-looking kitchen where none of the appliances worked.

  “There’s a what?” Malik asked and she realized she had trailed off in mid-sentence.

  “Oh, I’m sorry! A stove—that works, of course,” she said and turned one of the knobs to convince herself as much as him. The round red circle on the flat top stove lit up cherry-red at once. “There—see?” Satisfied, Nikki snapped it off again. “And over here we have a refrigerator that really opens,” she went on, pulling open the door to show him—and herself, if she was being honest—that it really did.

  “I see. Very nice,” Malik said neutrally.

  “Lots of cabinets too,” Nikki added, opening one to prove to herself that it wasn’t just part of the wall, only for show. “Plenty of storage space for your pots and pans.”

  “I’m afraid I don’t have any pots and pans,” he said mildly. “I don’t have any home wares at all. I only just moved to the Mother Ship a week ago and I didn’t bring anything with me from my home world.”

  “Oh? And where do you originally come from?” Nikki asked, her heart pounding for some reason.

  “A place called Uriel Two.” He looked at her intently as he spoke. “Do you know of it?”

  “Uriel Two? Yes!” she exclaimed, then had to backpedal quickly. “I mean no—no, I’m afraid I don’t. Sorry.” What in the world had possessed her to say ‘yes’ to that question? She honestly couldn’t say except for just a moment it felt like he was mentioning a place she’d been before. Which was crazy, since she had only been to Yonnie Six and back on her one and only trip off planet.

  “I see.” He nodded thoughtfully. “Can you show me more of the domicile? Where is the main sleeping chamber?”

  “Oh, you mean the master bedroom? I believe it’s upstairs. Come on.”

  Nikki led the way up the stairs, wishing she had on a skirt that was a little looser. Her black pencil skirt was hugging her overly-large behind and too-wide hips with every step and Malik was right behind her, watching her with those silver eyes.

  Don’t be ridiculous, she told herself uneasily. A guy like that can have anyone he wants. He’s not getting excited staring at a middle-aged, plus-sized Realtor. In fact, he’s probably thinking you ought to lose some weight.

  “You’re an Elite, Mistress,” whispered a voice in her head—the voice of some memory she couldn’t quite bring all the way to the forefront of her brain. “A female whom the Goddess has blessed with generous curves. You’re beautiful.”

  Nikki shook her head as they reached the top of the stairs. Now where had that come from? What a weird idea, that some guy would like her not despite her over-generous curves but because of them. Yeah, right—like that would ever happen…

  She reached the top of the stairs and stood to one side for Malik. As unobtrusively as she could, she straightened her white silk blouse and pulled her professional-looking black blazer closed. There—at least the black had a slimming effect—as long as she didn’t take off the blazer she’d be fine.

  “I believe this is the master suite right here,” she said, leading him into a large bedroom at the end of the upstairs hall.

  “The furnishings in here are nice,” he remarked. “Would they come with the house?”

  “Oh, uh…” Nikki stared at the king-sized bed which was a four-poster with a pale blue spread. But for a moment, all she could see was a huge bed with a crimson-red mattress and a black framework.

  There were all kinds of devices hung on the walls, whispered the little voice in her head. There were whips and floggers and paddles…there was even a cage big enough to hold a man—no, a slave. A bodyslave.

  A what? Nikki shook her head, trying to rid herself of the crazy little voice but it refused to be silenced.

  He knelt in front of you, it whispered. He called you “Mistress” and kissed you—kissed your panties

  “Nicole?” The big Kindred was looking at her intently again. “Are you well?”

  “I’m sorry,” she said, trying to regain her composure. “You were asking if the furnishings came with the house? I don’t really know but I can check for you. The seller might be willing to part with them.”

  “Can we see the bathing area?” he asked.

  “Of course. This way.” Nikki led the way into the en suite bathroom. The first thing she noticed was the huge, round tub, big enough for two.

  He made love to me in the bathtub, whispered the little voice—it was relentless now. He bonded me to him. We made love for hours and he filled me again and again…

  Suddenly her heart was pounding and it seemed like she couldn’t get a deep enough breath. Her head was filled with naughty thoughts and strange images—Malik on his knees before her as she sat by the side of the tub…Let me pay obeisance to your pussy, Mistress. Let me kiss you and show you my respect… Malik in the tub, cradling her against his big body, his large warm hands roaming over her body, washing her…caressing her…making her hot… Malik under her as she straddled him, taking his long, thick shaft inside herself, telling him she wanted more…that she wanted it all…

  Stop it, stop it! What’s wrong with me? I have to stop thinking like this!

  “Please excuse me. I’m not feeling well.” Putting a hand to her head, Nikki stumbled out of the bathroom. Her heel caught on the edge of the rug and she twisted and start