The Collector 5: The Crystal Flacon
Cover art by artist
Christine M. Griffin |
Antonio D'Este, the direct descendent of Lucrezia Borgia, is a modern man with modern problems. A recent widower, he needs a nanny to take care of his five year old daughter while he prepares for the launching of "Lucrezia", the new scent for Borgia, the family-owned perfumery. Inspired by the beautiful Crystal Flacon that contained a rumored magical perfume, Antonio is focusing on a grand success for the new perfume. He hadn't taken into consideration that he might be distracted by the beautiful nanny or the strange effect making love with her has on him.
Then someone attacks the perfumery, damaging property, disrupting projects in an attempt to ruin the company. And the attacks are becoming more violent.
Now Abby's plans have changed. Using abilities honed by missions for Finding Justice, she must find out who is behind the plot to ruin Borgia before she loses everything she's come to love.
Once Abby accepts the Collector's commission, she begins to have strange, erotic dreams...or are they?
Rome 1498
“You cannot turn away, my sister. It would be an insult to our father.”
Juan’s whisper, near lost amid the raucous strains of music filling the banquet hall, reached only his sister’s ear. Her father, known to the Catholic world as Pope Alexander VI reigned over the feasting, seated in his massive, raised, gilded throne.
She was almost eighteen, well past time to find her another husband now that her divorce from Giovanni was final. The candidates were among those attending this evening. She was to select the most virile after watching them perform with the women in the hall. They’d a multitude of partners to choose from -- the prostitutes or the guests. And if she felt like trying out those skills for herself, so much the better.
Wine flowed like a swollen crimson stream as the guests swallowed draught after draught, wallowing in the never-ending tide.
Special looser, clothing fluttered to the ground like leaves in fall; fewer layers made for quicker stripping and soon the guests would be as naked as the live, gilded statues of young men and women posed about the room. Each golden couple engaged in different erotic poses, inspiring the guests to copy them once they removed their garments.
“Lucrezia, my daughter, ‘tis time to begin the ‘Ballet of the Chestnuts’. Come, here, my pretty one, and scatter the nuts.”
Juan squeezed her hand as Lucrezia rose from her smaller, less ornate chair, pushed herself away from the table, and went to her father. She could feel the pulse beating in her throat. Her breasts, restrained behind the low cut bodice of her gold cloth gown, threatened to spring free as she took a deep breath and stood before her father. He gestured to the gilded bowl of chestnuts placed on the small, gaudy table near his throne. “Here, cara mia, take the nuts and scatter them before the guests.”
Lucrezia nodded, unable to speak without her voice betraying her sense of uncertainty. She hefted the bowl, and with a shaking hand, tossed the chestnuts from left to right onto the polished marble floor.
The courtesans scrambled to collect them, weaving around the massive silver candelabra set up around the room. Their naked buttocks glistened in the candlelight, their breasts swayed as they bent, crawling along the floor, enticing the guests to join them.
And they did.
Returning to Juan, she found his attention fixed on the orgy that was taking place before them.
He turned to her, his eyes blazing. “You must select one of the noblemen; pick the one who fucks the most females.” He smiled. “I’ll help.” He rose, unlaced his shirt, dropped it carelessly to the floor and walked away half-naked, leaving her to stare after him.
She watched him saunter toward an energetic couple, the male thrusting his stiff cock into the woman’s rear. Mesmerized by the steady rhythm, Lucrezia was unable to tear away her gaze. Standing behind the male, Juan, dropped his hose, and now, dressed only in a loincloth to cover his genitals, he fondled the male’s lean flanks. She saw him lean over and whisper something in the male’s ear, who then nodded.
Juan pressed against the male’s backside, fumbling as he untied his loincloth, revealing his hard cock. With no further delay, he plunged it into the man’s willing body.
Lucrezia closed her eyes, but the sounds -- the sounds of the men and women coupling battered against her ears. Grunts, moans, sighs, pants, sobs and screams overwhelmed the music issuing from the quartet of musicians situated in an obscure alcove.
Broken words of passion assailed her, seeking and gaining a response.
“Yes, yes!”
“No, no!”
“Harder!”
"Softer!"
“More!”
“Stop!”
The smell of sex rose around her. She brought a linen cloth to her nostrils, opened the compartment of her perfume ring, and doused the material. Her personal fragrance filtered through the musky odor, but only increased her reaction to the activities going on around her.
Where to look?
She turned toward the gilded figures of two men engaged in oral sex. The statues came alive before her eyes. Fascinated beyond her control, she watched as the kneeling figure sucked the cock of his partner with greedy enthusiasm.
Her breath caught in her throat and moisture seeped between her thighs. She wandered how it would feel to have her lips do that to some lusty male. Her thoughts whirled as she observed the carnal acts going on around her, luring her to join in.
It had been so long since she had made love.
She moved toward the men and in a loud, commanding voice demanded to participate. With an unexpected graceful movement, the kneeling man relinquished his place.
She knelt, taking the huge prick into her mouth, sucking it with hungry urgency. Giovanni had never let her touch his penis, but he was out of her life. Now she could indulge in her most erotic desires.
She wondered if her lips would bear a golden stain from the gilded skin of the living statue. She didn’t care. She gripped the man’s buttocks and swallowed his seed as his orgasm struck. Gasping, she leaned her head against his thighs, gilding her cheek.
She rose, stumbling, and grabbed the edge of the long banquet table. Her legs trembled as she made her way back to her seat. She sank down on the cushioned chair and found her gaze locked with one of the courtesans. The woman’s long, pointy nipples had been rouged. A man burrowed his face between her legs. The woman smiled at Lucrezia and hefted her breasts in her palms. She kneaded them, pulling at the nipples.
Lucrezia moaned. As though it had a will of its own, her hand drifted to her lap. Hidden by the tablecloth draped to the floor, she crumpled her gown, rolling it up so that she could reach under and delve between her thighs. Her fingers caressed the nubbin of aching flesh. Her eyes closed and her head tilted against the padded back of the chair.
Without warning, a strong hand pulled her fingers from their task. Beard-roughened cheeks insinuated between her thighs and a skillful tongue plied the tiny bud.
Her eyes sprang open and she bent her head to observe short, ebony curls atop a masculine head. Her heart raced. She didn’t want to push the unknown man away -- his lips felt so good. She had never experienced such feelings before. Instead, she clasped the silky curls and thrust against him.
She arched upward, her breasts pressing against the cloth of gold that covered them. The material chaffed her skin and without thought, she untied the thin ribbon, loosening the bodice and dragging it down. The hall’s warm air caressed her skin and she moaned louder, uncaring of the wanton display she presented. Her hands gripped the chair’s arms, her fingers curving around them.
Her eyes closed, she let the incredible sensations drown her and her orgasm struck hard,forcing a scream of pleasure from her lips.
The sound of nearby applause caused her to open her eyes.
Her father and brother stood before her, satin robes mercifully shielding their bodies. Hastily, she drew her bodice up, attempting to cover her nakedness.
Her father smiled. “Brava, cara mia. Who is the man who has brought you such ecstasy?”
Who?
She looked down as her lover raised his head. Clear amber eyes framed with thick lashes gazed with adoration at her. A proud Roman nose shadowed a wide, full mouth.
“Alfonso,” he mouthed.
“Alfonso.”
“The Duke of Bisceglie? Molto bene!” He beamed. “You have done well, my daughter. The Duke has been under consideration. The marriage will be arranged.”
He turned, his robe flaring behind him.
Juan licked his lips and smirked. “I hope you enjoyed your playtime.” He whirled and strode after their father.
Lucrezia took in her appearance. Her bodice displayed one nipple peeping from behind the drooping cloth. Her gown, rucked up, revealed her moist pubic hair. One auburn curl had managed to slip from her elaborate hairstyle and lay across her shoulder
Alfonso’s warm breath blew across her skin. He squeezed her knees. She felt him press them wider apart as he rose between them until he could look directly in her eyes.
“Cara mia, ‘tis too late to repair the damage this evening has wrought.” He licked his lips. “I have already tasted your cream. Let me kiss you and taste your honey.”
Lucrezia said nothing, but bent her mouth to his.
And as their lips touched the scene faded.
And Abby awoke.
