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An Excerpt From: CODENAME AUTUMN

Copyright © AUBREY ROSS, 2012

All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave Publishing, Inc.

The corner of his mouth quirked and he looked up from his task. “You don’t know who I am?”

“This is my first assignment. I mean no disrespect.”

His features relaxed while his gaze darkened to smoldering charcoal. “Your first night out of training and one of your fellow ambassadors beats the shit out of you? Does she not play well with others, or was she jealous of your role?”

He held the cuffs as she lifted her hands free. Then she rubbed her wrists, unable to contain a blissful sigh. “I didn’t realize she was upset about the arrangement.”

“Which was?” He offered his arm and steadied the table while she climbed down.

“I volunteered to be the whipping girl, so I wouldn’t have to…” Her legs wobbled and he guided her hands to his chest, then he lowered his arms and stood still, offering support without touching her further. He was taller than she’d realized, and bigger. How much of his shape was armor and how much man?

“Was enduring this pain really better than giving pleasure to my men?”

He’d inadvertently answered her question. Obviously he was their commanding officer. “Yes. I’m not sure I was cut out for this line of work.” She offered no more explanation.

“Can you walk?”

Turning to the side, she steadied herself against him and took a small step. He moved with her, his hand cradling her elbow. Her second step made her back throb, and her third sent the room spinning around her.

“I think I…” She turned toward him and rested her forehead against his chest as she fought back a sudden wave of nausea.

“The worst of the damage is on your back, so I can’t pick you up. If you wrap your arms and legs around me, can you hold yourself up?”

“The table rolls. Maybe we should use that.”

“Let’s try this first.” His voice took on a sensual undertone that made her look into his eyes.

“Where are you taking me?” He’d been kind and courteous, had barely glanced at her breasts. Was he more interested in her physically than she’d realized?

“To my quarters. It’s much closer than the infirmary.” His expression was bland, but she hadn’t imagined the sexy deepening in his tone.

She hurt too badly to argue. If she had to give in eventually, why not start at the top? The flippant thought didn’t soothe her anxiety, but the throbbing in her back made it irrelevant.

He went down on one knee and motioned her forward. She hesitantly straddled his bent leg and crept closer. When her nipples grazed his chest plate, she wrapped her arms around his neck and carefully sat down. The coolness of his armor soothed the enflamed skin on her breasts and bottom, and a dark, spicy scent filled her nose. Was she smelling his shampoo or the man himself? Unable to hold the distracting thought in her pain-muddled mind, she took a deep breath and wrapped her legs around his waist.

“Ready?” She gave a shaky nod and he stood. The position was as close to tolerable as they’d found, and he moved immediately toward the doorway. He gingerly cupped her ass, his hands lightly supporting. “What’s your name?”

“Autumn. And yours?”

He chuckled, his stride lengthening. “General Ra’jen Noirte, but you can call me ‘Sir’.”