Marked for Pleasure by Jennifer Leeland Read Free Book Online

planet. The standing government on Sethos Five believed pleasure was the only reason to be there. They traded in fantasy, in toys, in equipment, in lives.
    “Sethos Five,” the woman said softly. “Shit.”
    “Exactly.”
    She blinked and met his gaze. “I've only heard rumors.”
    He snorted. “They're all true.” He raked his hand through his hair. There were few options, and the only one that made sense would probably piss her off. “We can't land with you as an unattached female.” He swept his gaze over her sweet curves, her smooth skin, and her sparkling blue eyes. “The bidding for you would be way out of my league. And you would be at the mercy of whoever had enough money to buy you.” And that was only on Sethos Five. It would be worse on Sethos Prime. An unattached female wasn't safe at all in this system.
    Her nostrils flared. “So, what do we do?”
    He sighed. She wasn't going to like it. “You will have to be my mate.”
    “No.” Her absolute refusal was emphasized by her clenched fists. “I know what you are and what that would mean.”
    Damn it, she was stubborn. She had to know what they would face if she didn't go along with his plan. “You don't know anything about me,” he snapped. “And what you do know is wrong.”
    She glared at him. “I know you're a Nyral colonist.”
    “I am.” That much in his file was true.
    “I know you were kicked out of the Nyral military as a traitor.”
    Part of his cover, and one that gave him access to some of the uglier parts of space. “That's what my bio says,” he told her.
    Her lips tightened. “You want me to be your Nyral mate. I know what that entails.”
    “You do?” He studied her. She had no idea what being a Nyral woman meant. And he didn't have time to explain it. “Then you know that Nyral women are sexual submissives and wear the mark of their master when they mate, right?”
    Her lower lip trembled. “I've seen those marks.”
    He nodded slowly. “And you won't wear one.”
    She glared at him. “Never.” Her chin shot up. “I am not a submissive.”
    “Bullshit,” he shot back. “You are, and you won't admit it.” He shook his head. “I don't have time for this shit. Wear the mark or be up for the highest bidder on Sethos Five. Take your pick.”
    Tears gathered in her pretty blue eyes. He steeled himself against the pity he felt. It wasn't his fault Sethos Five had archaic views of women. Some ignorant people thought the Nyral didn't treat women with respect. Most didn't understand the true meaning of the relationship between a Nyral dominant and his submissive. Usually the woman on her knees held all the power. And though male dominants and female submissives were the norm, a small part of the population had the reverse. But the traditions on his planet were geared toward female submissives. They were the leaders, the healers, the ones who taught. Male dominants were the doers, the laborers, on his planet.
    But this was no time for a history lesson. He'd given her time. Now she had to make up her mind before a Sethos Prime flyby picked them up. “Choose, little bird,” he demanded.
    Without another word, she reached out her left arm.
    A sigh escaped him. He clicked the shuttle on autopilot and took her outstretched hand. He led her to the back and faced her. Her head was lowered, her gaze on his boots. “You say you know about the mark. Do you know how it is made?”
    Her head shot up. “I assumed—” She bit her lip.
    His lips twisted. “I know people believe we brand our women like cattle. But that's not true. Like most of what you know about me, your information is faulty.”
    Her eyes widened. “Then how—”
    “Strip,” he ordered. She hesitated, and he glared at her. “Do it, or I'll do it for you.”
    She slid out of her clothes and stood before him naked, glorious. He slid a finger down her neck. “Lift your arms above your head, and don't lower them until I tell you to.”
    Her arms flew up, and