Creations 2: Creation's Control (6 page)

“Your Handler told you it was wrong, as did mine. My master showed me another way. In certain males I can loosen that hold on my control. I don’t need to worry about how hard I grab, how deeply I thrust. Within reason, of course. Master was very strong.” The jealousy Ryen experienced shocked him. What did he care how much Drekk felt for another? A male at that?

“If your Handler had not warned you against sex with other men, would you have tried it?” Drekk asked.

Ryen found himself admitting the truth. “Yes.”

“Good. Curiosity is human, Ryen.” Drekk winked. “We were Created to be human, weren’t we? Why then wouldn’t we want to experience everything? Perhaps after you bed a male, you’ll find you don’t like it.”

Ryen hadn’t thought of that.

“What do you have to lose? If you don’t like it, I’ll stop.”

“How do I know you’ll stop?” Ryen held up his wrists. “If you want to earn my trust, try it without these.”

“I would if I could trust you. I don’t. I know what it’s like in the early years. You need help with restraint.”

“You said you’re strong. You don’t need these.” Ryen glared at the magnecuffs.

“I don’t want to hurt you.”

Every time Drekk mentioned hurting Ryen, Ryen’s blood spiked. The thought that Drekk had enough might to overpower him intrigued him to no end.

“You’ve done well today with the meditation. Now it’s time to relax. Pull your chair over here.”

“I could use the rest. Where should I bunk down?” Ryen deliberately ignored Drekk’s command. Nervous and not liking it, he forced himself to pretend Drekk didn’t have the upper hand. Because as much as Ryen despised the cuffs, the knowledge that he was under Drekk’s authority didn’t repulse him as it first had.

“Do I have to use the cuffs to move you? Relax, Ryen. I’m not going to hurt you.” The smirk on Drekk’s face irritated him anew. Ryen stalked to within an inch of the male and glared down at him. “I’m not scared of you, Drekk.”

“Then pull your chair next to mine and sit. I have another exercise for you to complete.” Ryen sat, as stiff as a board, prepared for an attack of some kind.

“Open your mouth.”

“What?”

“Say nothing.
Open your mouth.
” When Drekk’s gaze blackened before returning to light grey, Ryen felt his will to resist fade.

More curious now than alarmed, Ryen opened his mouth. Drekk took a piece of fruit and placed it on his tongue.

“Close your eyes and your mouth and chew. Then swallow it and tell me what it tastes like.”

Ryen closed his eyes and mouth, catching the tip of Drekk’s finger in the process. The taste of salty flesh mixed with the ripe sweetness of the fruit before Drekk slipped his finger free. Ryen chewed and swallowed, hypersensitive to the weight of Drekk’s gaze, to the subtle scent of the male mixing with the fruity sensation on his tongue.

“The fruit is sweet.” He couldn’t help the rasp in his voice.

“And? What of its texture?”Drekk murmured.

Ryen started to answer when a hand landed on his thigh. He opened his eyes and stared at Drekk’s large hand.

“Close your eyes and answer the question. What of its texture?” Swallowing around the lump in his throat, Ryen closed his eyes and said, “It’s fleshy, soft and chewy. The fruit fills my mouth with juice when I bite into it.” That hand inched higher on his thigh before lowering towards his knee. The tension in the room thickened.

“Relax, Ryen. Now keep your eyes closed, open your mouth and take another bite.” Ryen didn’t understand what Drekk expected him to learn from this ‘exercise’ but didn’t see the harm in complying. The fruit tasted delicious. If Drekk got out of hand, Ryen could take him down and mute him before Drekk had an opportunity to voice-command the cuffs. He hoped.

Another piece of fruit landed on his tongue. A bit of juice dribbled down his lip. Before he could wipe it away, Drekk took it with his thumb.

The soft caress over his mouth nearly caused Ryen to choke. Such carnality in a simple touch. The hand on his leg moved from knee to upper thigh, close but not touching his hard cock, much as Ryen tried to will his desire away.

“It’s okay, Ryen. I’m familiarising you with touch. Not every male you meet wants to harm you. For so long you’ve seen men as your enemy and women as no more than sexual objects or beings to protect. I’m a male. I don’t want to hurt you. Take comfort in this contact,” Drekk said softly.

“It feels strange,” Ryen admitted, his voice huskier than he might have liked.

“But not bad.” Drekk eased his hand over Ryen’s other leg. His knuckles brushed Ryen’s groin, sending fire through Ryen’s entire body. “Not harmful.” Ryen kept his eyes shut, not wanting to see Drekk’s smug face. Drekk surprised him by saying nothing about his excitement. He continued to feed Ryen, petting him into a sensual lassitude Ryen found amazingly comforting.

Not sure how long the two of them sat there, Ryen finally noticed Drekk’s stillness.

He blinked his eyes open. Drekk stared at him with a curious look on his face, one that confused Ryen as much as it captivated him.
What the hell was Drekk thinking about?

Drekk gripped his leg and patted him. To Ryen’s chagrin, Drekk seemed unfazed by their interaction, whereas Ryen had an aching erection needing ease.

“It’s been a long day. I think it’s time we turned in.” Excitement touched the dreamy reality of the moment as Ryen followed Drekk into the bedroom. Would Drekk try to take him tonight? Would the male finally mount him and fuck him? Force Ryen to suck him off, to swallow his seed?

“Remove your clothes.”

Ryen wavered on his feet.
What the fuck?
Baffled by his sudden weariness, Ryen put up no protest. He disrobed and remained standing, watching Drekk through half-slitted eyes.

“Now get into bed.”

Ryen lay down in the middle of the monstrous bed, consciously forcing Drekk to order him over. Though tonight had been a pleasant surprise, Ryen didn’t know what more Drekk might want from him, or if he should allow it, as much as his body wanted some ease. The past few days had been sheer hell.

“Good night, Ryen. Rest well.” Drekk left, his mysterious gaze both tender and calculating.

Bastard
. Ryen thought on a yawn, and then thought no more as sleep overtook him.

Ryen woke the next day to see Drekk at the foot of the bed, wide awake and smiling.

“What? You been staring at me all night?”

“In your dreams.” Drekk chuckled. “You look better.” Ryen
felt
better, more centred, his limbs relaxed. Damned if he’d admit it to Drekk. He stretched, satisfied when Drekk’s gaze darkened and lingered on his chest before sweeping down his front.

“I’ll meet you at the table in the front.” Drekk pivoted on one foot and left.

Maybe he’s not as calm as he’d like me to believe he is.
Stars knew Ryen wasn’t. As he took care of his morning needs in the lav and dressed in clean clothes—clothes Drekk had apparently stolen out of his dwelling—Ryen pondered his new state of mind. He wouldn’t say he was miraculously healed of any and all anger, but his pressing desire to lash out wasn’t there.

Fastening his trousers, Ryen grazed his cock, not surprised when it failed to respond.

He’d been conditioned never to experience pleasure at his own hands. Creations were meant to focus on what their Handlers wanted. Sex had its place, a reward for a job well done, to soothe the savage beast. Masturbation took a warrior’s mind off his mission. If he could please himself, why work so hard to earn that sexual favour?

Drekk had taken himself in hand yesterday, Ryen remembered with startling clarity.

Like a switch, his libido turned on. His cock rose at the recollection of Drekk coming over his hand, his belly...

Damn it.
Ryen willed his body under control. He even called on that crappy meditation to calm himself, and was surprised when it worked.

Stepping outside the bedroom, he paused to study Drekk grabbing their food from the processor. Drekk wore snug rak-hide trousers and a sleeveless grey shirt. He remained barefoot. More training indoors. Ryen tugged at the cuffs Drekk hadn’t activated since he’d begun the meditation training. So long as they kept this fragile peace, he might not need to.

Though Ryen still intended on some payback for this entire situation, he grudgingly admitted Drekk meant him no harm.

Truth be told, Drekk could have done anything to him. The male had openly admitted to wanting Ryen. He possessed enough strength to make life difficult, even without the cuffs.

Yet he’d helped Ryen soothe that ball of rage inside him, had touched him with reverence and gave up his bed.

Drekk glanced up and smiled. The warmth in his gaze tore down another of Ryen’s defences. How the hell could he beat Drekk senseless when the male looked at him like a...well, like a friend?

“Took you long enough,” Drekk teased. “There’s only so much water on the planet, you know.”

“Shut up.” Ryen surprised himself by enjoying the sense of camaraderie. “Where’d you sleep last night?”

“On that again.” Drekk pointed to a lump in the corner. “It really does make into a comfortable bed. Just the press of a simple button and instant comfort is mine.”

“Pneumatic pump?”

“No, Eyran technology.” Drekk’s smile dimmed. “The assholes made more than just us. They actually have a knack for nanite technology. I appropriated it years ago. Along with the design to build more.”

Ryen approved. Anything that fucked with the scientists on Eyra was okay with him.

“So what’s on board for today? You letting me go yet?”

“Are you kidding? You have yet to master your meditation. You can barely tolerate anyone touching you, and you haven’t hit the wall yet.”

“Hit the wall?”

“You haven’t come across a situation that tests your control.” Ryen snorted. “You’re still alive, aren’t you?”

“Very funny. I’m talking about a dangerous scenario. Remember, we’re going to be working for Rafe. Cheltam, his alter-ego, has some major bad-asses he deals with on a daily basis. I—hopefully
we
—are his defence and muscle to make things right. Ryen, this job can give you what you’ve been missing for so long. A righteous purpose. We help those in need.”

“Yeah, well, I need less lectures and more food.”

“No kidding. You eat twice as much as I do, and Rafe complains about my intake.”

“Probably because you eat gourmet. What is all this shit?” 

Rare fruits and vegetables, the nutritious crap reminded him of the stuff he’d once been forced to eat in the labs. The sumptuous meat Drekk served was his only saving grace.

“You didn’t complain about the
coya
fruit last night.” Drekk’s bland tone contrasted with the wicked look in his eyes.

“Asshole,” Ryen muttered as he attacked the plate Drekk set before him. Much as Drekk annoyed him, the jerk also amused him.

“Damn, is that a smile I see?” Drekk stared in mock astonishment.

“Cut it out.” Ryen’s grin grew wider.

“I think I may pass out from the shock.”

“Good. Then I’ll get my hands on that controller and fly out of here.”

“Have fun searching for it.”Drekk rubbed his chest. “I hid it on my body today.” Ryen wanted to look for it,
right now
. Shaking free of such thoughts, he tried to focus on his food. But as he ate, he couldn’t stop glancing at Drekk’s sculpted chest through the v-neck of the vest he wore. Nor could he avoid the large arms Drekk flashed as he gesticulated while he ate. The taciturn man he’d once thought Drekk to be never seemed to shut up.

Oddly, Synster’s warnings of perversions and unnatural longings seemed less significant each day Ryen spent in Drekk’s company.
What could it hurt to indulge in some
human curiosity?
Drekk was a hardy male. Ryen wouldn’t break him, as Drekk had said.

Which made Ryen wonder what it would be like to lose control during sex, to let it all out...

“Okay. Today we work on your control.” Drekk stood and put his dishes into the wash receptacle. “If you finish that mound on your plate, we’ll get started.” Ryen finished his meal in record time, eager to see what Drekk had in mind—
to hasten
his exit out of this place
, he reminded himself. “We going to lose the cuffs today?”

“You’re kidding, right? You’re going to need them later.” Ryen immediately went on alert. “Why?”

“See? That’s why. I’m just screwing with you, and you’re ready to take my head off. I’m trying to teach you a new way to live, Ryen. I can’t be on my guard one hundred percent. Once you ‘hit the wall’, like I know you will, we’ll both be glad for the cuffs.”

“You keep threatening it. Just do it. Push me as hard as you can. Watch me handle it.” Ryen could taste his excitement. “I’ve been good the past three days, haven’t I?” Drekk shook his head. “You’re not ready yet. Get over here and assume Petal One hand position.” When Ryen hesitated, Drekk turned mean. “
Now.
” 

The need to obey hit him hard. Off balance, Ryen grumbled as he sat down and crossed his legs, but he had no thought to refuse. He tuned out of his surroundings and followed Drekk’s instruction. Soon basking in the harmony within himself, Ryen came to a sudden realisation, one that both shocked and unnerved him. He wanted to submit
to Drekk
, to a male who had saved his life, but who hadn’t bested him in combat. Emotionally stable and even-tempered, superior when it came to control, Drekk had yet to prove himself in an all-out fight.

Why do I want to submit now that I’m free? How fucked up am I?
Uncomfortable with the truth, Ryen pulled himself from his meditative state.

Drekk sat across from him, his legs crossed and his arms assuming Petal One position above his head, his hands entwined. Drekk’s sluggish pulse and stillness told Ryen he’d entered a similar state of calm.

The strong column of Drekk’s throat rippled when he swallowed. The scent of honeyed citrus lingered on his skin, from the
blan
juice he’d consumed. Muscles tanned by the harsh sun strained as he held his pose, and Ryen wanted to feel that skin under his palms. To cause the male’s rosy nipples to pebble, to feel the delineated form of Drekk’s abdomen as Ryen worked his way lower.