Read an
Excerpt
from
ATLANTIS
VORTEX
Excerpt
from
ATLANTIS
VORTEX
“Why would you lure me here?” Jessica finally asked, knowing the answer
to that question before she asked.
“After you found the clues, you would have found us. As you will see in the
next few weeks, I could not allow that to happen. It was either led you here
or….”
“Or what? Others know.” Then the or what made sense. “Oh God, you
wouldn't!” She stood and stared at him. “You said Bruce was okay. What
has happened to the others? Have you?” She could not say it. “You said I
would not like the answers. Have you - killed them?” she accused. Maybe
it was the wine, or the exhaustion or the depth, maybe all three, but she
suddenly rushed him.
Never did Xerxes think she would have come to such a conclusion, “NO!”
He caught her by both wrists before she could strike him. Spinning her
around, the smell of her filling his senses, he crossed her arms in front
across her breasts and held her back against his chest. Xerxes was amazed
at how strong she was. Subdued, he spun her back suddenly to face him,
leaving her dizzy. “Jessica, NO! STOP fighting me," he pulled her against
his chest abruptly pushing the air from her, this time their faces inches
apart.
His closeness was suddenly draining, his strength sapping what little she
had in reserve. The strange eyes that had haunted her for so long were
mesmerizing. His lips touched hers, she fought, but she was so weak. His
will was sapping hers, taking her into himself. Her eyes closed, blotting out
the reality of her situation, his lips, like a drug, gently moving over her
mouth; finally he released her.
“Oh,” she sobbed, “what have you done?” he eased her onto the couch,
aware she could no longer stand.
“Jessica just listen to me,” Xerxes pleaded gently, sitting next to her,
pulling her close. “No one has been harmed. I promise you, that is why
you were the only one given the maps. All the Artifacts, and the copies, are
now recovered, and safely here in Atlantis. Your Marine Captain Curtis is
an Atlantian. Only the metal maps are not here, they have now dissolved,
as I designed them to. You are the only one who knows. Atlantis' security
is safe, your friend is safe, but here you must stay. What is here is enough
to keep you occupied for ten lifetimes,” Jessica heard him say. Her eyes
remained closed, her world spinning, her body shaking. Xerxes held her
close, trying to comfort her.
She remembered his rescuing her during the hurricane. His arms felt so
secure, so easy just to relax and… Sudden anger fired deep inside of her!
He had tricked her; he had used her, frightening her. Concern for her
parents came to mind, they would believe she was dead, and there wasn't
any way to tell them differently.
Xerxes was concerned, her face was so pale, but the thought of Jessica's
lips was overpowering. Again, he covered her lips with his own, though
she weakly fought him. He gently held her in his arms, despite her
struggles that became weaker.
"Never will I allow a man to have control over me!" Jessica told Xerxes.
"And what have you done? You have watched me, then kidnapped me, and
imprisoned me. Now you ask me to trust you?"
“Don't fight me, you are mine now, and safe. You must listen to what I have
told you, and what more I must explain,” Xerxes told her, trying to assure
Jessica she was safe and what he had done, he did out of necessity.
“NO! I belong to no man, never! No man owns me. Not one who would
trick me as you have,” Jessica protested and resisted, pushing him away.
“Yes Jessica, I claimed you before I came to your camp that night. It was
either that or have you killed because you had found the entrance. But, no
one else! Even Bruce is safe. But you dear Jessica, know far too much, and
are far too smart, to be allowed to go free, and I abhor killing. To waste a
life such as yours I will not do. Is your life lived here, and with me not
worth that of the others?”
“I do not want to stay here! I will not stay with you! You do not have the
right to make that decision!” Jessica declared despite the attraction she felt
for Xerxes. Here was the man who haunted her dreams, who appeared at
her tent that night at the dig and saved her from a horrible death from the
Aztecs. He aroused her as no man ever had before. He made her blood run
hot with his look alone. His touch sent molten fire through her breasts to
ignite between her legs making them weak. His affect on her frightened her
more than she could comprehend, or understand. There were the
memories, the ones she could remember, and the ones she knew were
there, but she couldn't remember. She did owe him gratitude for saving her
life.
Xerxes pinned her by the shoulders beneath him, against the pillows of the
couch. “I did not ask what you wanted Jessica! I told you what you would
do! Here in this world, I am the authority, my word is law,” his voice
commanded all the power he controlled. “Jessica I have watched you, I will
not see you killed just because you are willful and will not try to adjust to a
different life - a life that is just as rich as the upper-world, and yes I do have
that right,” Xerxes' patience was running thin, his desire for her barely
controllable evidenced in the timbre of his voice.
“I have parents, family that are grieving because of this,” Jessica's voice
came out in a hoarse objection as she struggled to hold back tears of
frustration and fear.
“You knew the risks! So did they! Would you rather they have a real
reason to grieve?” Xerxes voice was almost cruel.
“What risks?” Jessica asked flabbergasted.
“Diving has risks,” Xerxes said coldly. “You should know that.” Had she not
been as exhausted, frightened and overwrought, Jessica might have picked
up on what he alluded to but the dive accident Xerxes referred to was still
veiled in a drug - clouded mist and it slipped by her tired mind.
“I think I hate you.” Her voice was low and cold.
He looked into her eyes, saw her pain and fear and knew only time and
gaining her trust would change it. His countenance changed, tenderly he
drew her close and kissed her ardently, his tongue briefly caressing hers,
feeling the desire she desperately tried to hide from him, “You may want to,
but you don't.”
She pushed him away and slapped him, her hand stung. “Bastard!” she
said with conviction, and managed to slip from beneath Xerxes to run from
the room. Jessica didn't know to where she ran and found herself in their
bedroom. Xerxes calmly walked in behind her. She spun around to face
him, her long hair swirling around her as she turned. “So now you have me
where you want me!”
“We must sleep,” Xerxes smiled kindly.
“I'll take the couch,” Jessica said evenly, her voice harsh. "I would not
think of sleeping in your bed."
“Think again Jessica, you will sleep with me,” Xerxes told her firmly.
“No! Never!” Jessica glared at him, her brown eyes again turning cerise.
Calmly he walked to the communicator device and in English so she would
understand, ordered the couch in their salon removed. “Now if you plan to
try for the chairs or carpet on the floor, I can also have these things
removed as well.”
“Leave the damn couch,” Jessica told him in a growl, “but don't think I'll do
more than sleep.”
Xerxes smiled, “For tonight, Jessica, you should sleep after what you have
been through today. However, do not count on the same leniency tomorrow
evening,” His smile disappeared and their eyes locked. Xerxes would
tolerate no mercy with her again. She would know her master's touch.
Jessica could see his appetite and hunger for her clearly in his eyes.
Desire! Her cheeks flushed, Jessica knew she desired him too. Xerxes
smiled while Jessica heard him cancel the removal of the couch.
With great reluctance, Jessica slid beneath the covers. Her body tired, her
mind in turmoil, and her heart near breaking. Xerxes stretched his powerful
body out next to hers. She could feel the power that radiated from him like
the strength that radiated from a great wild beast. Jessica's heart raced
and her blood pounded in her temples. She didn't think she could sleep
with him next to her no matter how tired she was.
Jessica had never slept with a man before. There had been many
opportunities, but never had a man who sparked the desire. This man was
different. She had no control or influence over him. He was powerful, and
had total autonomy here in his world. She didn't hate him, as she had
accused, but she refused to admit any possible love. The odd sensation he
aroused in her must be lust, animal attraction, she thought and refused to
give in to it. Staying as far away from Xerxes as the huge bed would allow,
she turned on her side, her back to the High Lord of Atlantis. She tried to
will her exhausted but stimulated body to sleep but every fiber in her was
alert, sensitive. Disgusted with herself, her aroused body traitor to her will,
her silk panties wet from this man's nearness and touch, Jessica prayed he
would sleep first. Maybe she'd sneak to the couch, she thought. Then
possibly the quick fire racing through her veins would subside and she
could get the sleep she badly needed.
His hand tenderly touched her hip; Jessica jumped nearly tumbling off the
edge.
“Jessica, you will fall out of bed if you stay that close to the edge. Move
toward the center, I swear, tonight I will let you sleep,” Xerxes promised
with some humor in his voice.
“How magnanimous of you!" Jessica said sarcastically. "Leave me alone
and I will sleep,” She heard him laugh at her bravado. Suddenly, before
she could protest, both his muscular arms were around her waist and he
pulled her snuggly against his hard body.
“You may as well learn this now. I am accustomed to my directives being
obeyed,” Xerxes whispered firmly in her ear. His lips brushed her neck and
caused her to shiver, her physical need for him caused her to gasp.
Jessica tried to move away, she struggled, “I am unaccustomed to taking
orders! Now let me go!” She demanded.
“Sorry, here you stay. Now,” he pulled her even closer, she could feel every
inch of his male body against her body, “close your eyes and go to sleep"
his voice dropped to a threatening whisper, "Lest I forget my promise that
tonight you may sleep and do with you what I wish to. Only two thin pieces
of fabric and my word of honor stand between what both our bodies want.
Do not push either past the point of tolerance. His hand caressed her hip
down over her thigh and up over her stomach, sending such a strong surge
of need through her, Jessica's body came close to compelling her to turn to
him.
Jessica froze. She could tell he desired her. Jessica could feel the
hardness of his cock pressing against her, demanding release from his
sleeping pants. A slight shaking possessed her and she tried, but she could
not still it. Xerxes breath was on her neck and his lips caressed her. If only
to herself she admitted, drawing a deep uneven breath, she wanted him
too. His arms around her made her feel safe as she had the night of the
hurricane, so easy to give in to those feelings. Though, without the strong
drug in her system, accompanied by the threat of death from the Aztecs,
those heated emotions his touch evoked terrified Jessica.
“Goodnight,” his voice was throaty with his passion held in strict control.
Jessica lay still, fearful of arousing him further until his quiet snores
became even and strong. When she could not find away to escape his
grasp to slip from him, and the confusing emotions he evoked, she was at
last lulled by his snores, combined with her own exhaustion she too slept
with Xerxes arm firmly wrapped around her, just beneath her breasts.
to that question before she asked.
“After you found the clues, you would have found us. As you will see in the
next few weeks, I could not allow that to happen. It was either led you here
or….”
“Or what? Others know.” Then the or what made sense. “Oh God, you
wouldn't!” She stood and stared at him. “You said Bruce was okay. What
has happened to the others? Have you?” She could not say it. “You said I
would not like the answers. Have you - killed them?” she accused. Maybe
it was the wine, or the exhaustion or the depth, maybe all three, but she
suddenly rushed him.
Never did Xerxes think she would have come to such a conclusion, “NO!”
He caught her by both wrists before she could strike him. Spinning her
around, the smell of her filling his senses, he crossed her arms in front
across her breasts and held her back against his chest. Xerxes was amazed
at how strong she was. Subdued, he spun her back suddenly to face him,
leaving her dizzy. “Jessica, NO! STOP fighting me," he pulled her against
his chest abruptly pushing the air from her, this time their faces inches
apart.
His closeness was suddenly draining, his strength sapping what little she
had in reserve. The strange eyes that had haunted her for so long were
mesmerizing. His lips touched hers, she fought, but she was so weak. His
will was sapping hers, taking her into himself. Her eyes closed, blotting out
the reality of her situation, his lips, like a drug, gently moving over her
mouth; finally he released her.
“Oh,” she sobbed, “what have you done?” he eased her onto the couch,
aware she could no longer stand.
“Jessica just listen to me,” Xerxes pleaded gently, sitting next to her,
pulling her close. “No one has been harmed. I promise you, that is why
you were the only one given the maps. All the Artifacts, and the copies, are
now recovered, and safely here in Atlantis. Your Marine Captain Curtis is
an Atlantian. Only the metal maps are not here, they have now dissolved,
as I designed them to. You are the only one who knows. Atlantis' security
is safe, your friend is safe, but here you must stay. What is here is enough
to keep you occupied for ten lifetimes,” Jessica heard him say. Her eyes
remained closed, her world spinning, her body shaking. Xerxes held her
close, trying to comfort her.
She remembered his rescuing her during the hurricane. His arms felt so
secure, so easy just to relax and… Sudden anger fired deep inside of her!
He had tricked her; he had used her, frightening her. Concern for her
parents came to mind, they would believe she was dead, and there wasn't
any way to tell them differently.
Xerxes was concerned, her face was so pale, but the thought of Jessica's
lips was overpowering. Again, he covered her lips with his own, though
she weakly fought him. He gently held her in his arms, despite her
struggles that became weaker.
"Never will I allow a man to have control over me!" Jessica told Xerxes.
"And what have you done? You have watched me, then kidnapped me, and
imprisoned me. Now you ask me to trust you?"
“Don't fight me, you are mine now, and safe. You must listen to what I have
told you, and what more I must explain,” Xerxes told her, trying to assure
Jessica she was safe and what he had done, he did out of necessity.
“NO! I belong to no man, never! No man owns me. Not one who would
trick me as you have,” Jessica protested and resisted, pushing him away.
“Yes Jessica, I claimed you before I came to your camp that night. It was
either that or have you killed because you had found the entrance. But, no
one else! Even Bruce is safe. But you dear Jessica, know far too much, and
are far too smart, to be allowed to go free, and I abhor killing. To waste a
life such as yours I will not do. Is your life lived here, and with me not
worth that of the others?”
“I do not want to stay here! I will not stay with you! You do not have the
right to make that decision!” Jessica declared despite the attraction she felt
for Xerxes. Here was the man who haunted her dreams, who appeared at
her tent that night at the dig and saved her from a horrible death from the
Aztecs. He aroused her as no man ever had before. He made her blood run
hot with his look alone. His touch sent molten fire through her breasts to
ignite between her legs making them weak. His affect on her frightened her
more than she could comprehend, or understand. There were the
memories, the ones she could remember, and the ones she knew were
there, but she couldn't remember. She did owe him gratitude for saving her
life.
Xerxes pinned her by the shoulders beneath him, against the pillows of the
couch. “I did not ask what you wanted Jessica! I told you what you would
do! Here in this world, I am the authority, my word is law,” his voice
commanded all the power he controlled. “Jessica I have watched you, I will
not see you killed just because you are willful and will not try to adjust to a
different life - a life that is just as rich as the upper-world, and yes I do have
that right,” Xerxes' patience was running thin, his desire for her barely
controllable evidenced in the timbre of his voice.
“I have parents, family that are grieving because of this,” Jessica's voice
came out in a hoarse objection as she struggled to hold back tears of
frustration and fear.
“You knew the risks! So did they! Would you rather they have a real
reason to grieve?” Xerxes voice was almost cruel.
“What risks?” Jessica asked flabbergasted.
“Diving has risks,” Xerxes said coldly. “You should know that.” Had she not
been as exhausted, frightened and overwrought, Jessica might have picked
up on what he alluded to but the dive accident Xerxes referred to was still
veiled in a drug - clouded mist and it slipped by her tired mind.
“I think I hate you.” Her voice was low and cold.
He looked into her eyes, saw her pain and fear and knew only time and
gaining her trust would change it. His countenance changed, tenderly he
drew her close and kissed her ardently, his tongue briefly caressing hers,
feeling the desire she desperately tried to hide from him, “You may want to,
but you don't.”
She pushed him away and slapped him, her hand stung. “Bastard!” she
said with conviction, and managed to slip from beneath Xerxes to run from
the room. Jessica didn't know to where she ran and found herself in their
bedroom. Xerxes calmly walked in behind her. She spun around to face
him, her long hair swirling around her as she turned. “So now you have me
where you want me!”
“We must sleep,” Xerxes smiled kindly.
“I'll take the couch,” Jessica said evenly, her voice harsh. "I would not
think of sleeping in your bed."
“Think again Jessica, you will sleep with me,” Xerxes told her firmly.
“No! Never!” Jessica glared at him, her brown eyes again turning cerise.
Calmly he walked to the communicator device and in English so she would
understand, ordered the couch in their salon removed. “Now if you plan to
try for the chairs or carpet on the floor, I can also have these things
removed as well.”
“Leave the damn couch,” Jessica told him in a growl, “but don't think I'll do
more than sleep.”
Xerxes smiled, “For tonight, Jessica, you should sleep after what you have
been through today. However, do not count on the same leniency tomorrow
evening,” His smile disappeared and their eyes locked. Xerxes would
tolerate no mercy with her again. She would know her master's touch.
Jessica could see his appetite and hunger for her clearly in his eyes.
Desire! Her cheeks flushed, Jessica knew she desired him too. Xerxes
smiled while Jessica heard him cancel the removal of the couch.
With great reluctance, Jessica slid beneath the covers. Her body tired, her
mind in turmoil, and her heart near breaking. Xerxes stretched his powerful
body out next to hers. She could feel the power that radiated from him like
the strength that radiated from a great wild beast. Jessica's heart raced
and her blood pounded in her temples. She didn't think she could sleep
with him next to her no matter how tired she was.
Jessica had never slept with a man before. There had been many
opportunities, but never had a man who sparked the desire. This man was
different. She had no control or influence over him. He was powerful, and
had total autonomy here in his world. She didn't hate him, as she had
accused, but she refused to admit any possible love. The odd sensation he
aroused in her must be lust, animal attraction, she thought and refused to
give in to it. Staying as far away from Xerxes as the huge bed would allow,
she turned on her side, her back to the High Lord of Atlantis. She tried to
will her exhausted but stimulated body to sleep but every fiber in her was
alert, sensitive. Disgusted with herself, her aroused body traitor to her will,
her silk panties wet from this man's nearness and touch, Jessica prayed he
would sleep first. Maybe she'd sneak to the couch, she thought. Then
possibly the quick fire racing through her veins would subside and she
could get the sleep she badly needed.
His hand tenderly touched her hip; Jessica jumped nearly tumbling off the
edge.
“Jessica, you will fall out of bed if you stay that close to the edge. Move
toward the center, I swear, tonight I will let you sleep,” Xerxes promised
with some humor in his voice.
“How magnanimous of you!" Jessica said sarcastically. "Leave me alone
and I will sleep,” She heard him laugh at her bravado. Suddenly, before
she could protest, both his muscular arms were around her waist and he
pulled her snuggly against his hard body.
“You may as well learn this now. I am accustomed to my directives being
obeyed,” Xerxes whispered firmly in her ear. His lips brushed her neck and
caused her to shiver, her physical need for him caused her to gasp.
Jessica tried to move away, she struggled, “I am unaccustomed to taking
orders! Now let me go!” She demanded.
“Sorry, here you stay. Now,” he pulled her even closer, she could feel every
inch of his male body against her body, “close your eyes and go to sleep"
his voice dropped to a threatening whisper, "Lest I forget my promise that
tonight you may sleep and do with you what I wish to. Only two thin pieces
of fabric and my word of honor stand between what both our bodies want.
Do not push either past the point of tolerance. His hand caressed her hip
down over her thigh and up over her stomach, sending such a strong surge
of need through her, Jessica's body came close to compelling her to turn to
him.
Jessica froze. She could tell he desired her. Jessica could feel the
hardness of his cock pressing against her, demanding release from his
sleeping pants. A slight shaking possessed her and she tried, but she could
not still it. Xerxes breath was on her neck and his lips caressed her. If only
to herself she admitted, drawing a deep uneven breath, she wanted him
too. His arms around her made her feel safe as she had the night of the
hurricane, so easy to give in to those feelings. Though, without the strong
drug in her system, accompanied by the threat of death from the Aztecs,
those heated emotions his touch evoked terrified Jessica.
“Goodnight,” his voice was throaty with his passion held in strict control.
Jessica lay still, fearful of arousing him further until his quiet snores
became even and strong. When she could not find away to escape his
grasp to slip from him, and the confusing emotions he evoked, she was at
last lulled by his snores, combined with her own exhaustion she too slept
with Xerxes arm firmly wrapped around her, just beneath her breasts.
ATLANTIS AT NIGHT