“We understand, Lawrence. We wouldn’t do anything to endanger you or Amaia.” Meg was always the calm voice of reason.
“We’ll leave in two days. That will give Amaia time to fulfill a few engagements that I’d rather not cancel. If you’ll excuse me, I need to cancel the rest of her appointments and make some preparations for our journey.” Lawrence nodded farewell and left the room.
“How are you handling the news?” The concern in Meg’s eyes comforted Amaia.
“I don’t know if I can do it.”
Liam unfolded his arms and stepped forward. “What do you mean, you don’t know if you can do it? Zenas will kill you if you disobey, especially when he finds out why.” His tone gave away just how ludicrous he thought Amaia was.
“Don’t you think I know that?”
“Then what’s the problem? You’ve done fine without seeing him this long.”
“Only because I knew I could always change my mind and see him tomorrow. I’m not going to have that anymore. I don’t know if I can give it up.”
“Well you’re going to have to.”
“Liam, it’s not that easy.” Meg reproached her lover.
“Imagine being forced to stay away from Meg.” It was the only way Amaia thought he might understand.
“Meg and I are a mated pair. Don’t compare us to this. He’s a mortal. Are you suggesting that you’re mated with a mortal? Because if you are, then you might as well be dead already. I don’t think even Lawrence would tolerate that.”
Amaia shook her head. “No, don’t be silly. I don’t love him. I killed him. I just can’t describe the hold he has over me.”
“It will be all right, Amaia. You’ll make it through this. We won’t let you fail.” Meg rubbed tiny circles atop Amaia’s hand. Tension melted away.
“Thank you. Just make sure I don’t go to him. If I go once, I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to stop.”
Chapter 19
Kiev, May 1691
Amaia closed her eyes as she fucked one of her last clients before leaving Kiev. Undulating her hips on top of him, she felt his already strong energy surging. For some reason, sex was more exhilarating with the strong ones. Perhaps if they got back from Lhasa in time, Lawrence would want to use the man for breeding.
This was what Amaia loved. When she was in the throes of sex, she could lose herself in the millions of nerve endings screaming out their pleasure with no time or energy to devote to anything else.
Amaia threw her head back, letting her hair cascade down her shoulders, making a pleasant sight for the man below her. Being on top allowed her the control to take her orgasms at will. She had yet to find a man who could satisfy her purely on his own skill. It was part professional hazard, part negligent incompetence in men.
The white light of her orgasm flashed before her, followed immediately by a pair of gray eyes. They were warm and inviting, calling her to him. If she followed the pull she felt deep in her core, it would lead her to those gray eyes. Amaia groaned and fell beside the heaving and satisfied man.
“You’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever met, Halyna. God, I’ve never felt this way before.” His round head, with its too-small chin and too-large jaw, turned to face Amaia. Small, brown eyes sunk deep behind full cheeks covered in black stubble that matched his hair in both color and unkemptness.
“It will wear off, trust me.” Amaia was ready to be done. She had no need to give this man her regular performance. There was no chance of repeat business.
“No, it won’t, Halyna. I must see you again.”
“I’m leaving the day after tomorrow.” All Amaia could see were those gray eyes. She needed to escape this simpering man.
“Spend tomorrow with me.”
“I can’t. I’m already booked.” Usually, reminding a man of the nature of her work dampened his enthusiasm.
“So cancel.” He was going to be one of those.
“Aren’t you done yet?"
“Yes. This one’s a talker. May I kill him?"
Lawrence chuckled.
“Please?"
“How was his energy? Honestly."
Amaia sighed. “Strong. If we paired him with a good woman, their offspring would probably be gifted."
“Then no, you may not kill him. But as a reward for your honesty, and seeing as we’re leaving soon anyway, you may kill someone on your way home tonight."
“Please, say we can spend tomorrow together.” The plaintive note in his voice was hardly attractive.
“No, I’m sorry. I must be leaving now.” Amaia moved to rise from the bed, but the man snatched her hand and tugged her back. Overpowering him wouldn’t be wise, so she allowed herself to be pulled back to the bed.