Chapter 9
LadyTessla hadn’t been kidding; she had Xera in a dance class firstthing in the morning, and Xera was finding it hard going.
The thing was, Xera had always liked sports. She had a natural talentfor martial arts and enjoyed things like rock climbing and hiking.Unfortunately, none of that gave her any grace on the dance floor. Ofcourse, that may have been due to the style of the dance: bellydancing was nothing like the fighting arts she knew. The movementswere soft, circular, and oddly relaxing, even when she fumbled.Undeniably sensual, the hip circles and graceful arm movements (well,the other women were graceful, anyway) drew her attention to bodyparts she usually lost track of in sports.
Tessla led the class, which consisted of perhaps twenty women of allages. Dancing was a highly respected pastime for women here, andconsidered not only excellent for posture and bearing, but awonderful conditioner for childbearing as well. Xera could tell fromher own aching abs that yes, such toning might be useful on thebirthing stool. Not that she wanted to think about children;definitely not yet.
“Relax, Xera. The movement should look as if you are waving yourarms gently through water, not as if you had sticks attached to yourshoulder sockets,” Lady Tessla chided. A few of the other ladiesgrinned at her in a friendly way. There was no rivalry here.
It was a pretty room, too. There were three walls of mirrors and onedevoted to a lovely pink sunset mural. Burgundy curtains hung from aceiling medallion and were gathered at the corners by tasseled ropes,giving the room the look of luxurious tent. Pillows were scattered atthe edge for any who wished to watch the class, and candles weregenerously distributed. Xera could enjoy having frequent workouts ina room like this.
She couldn’t seem to get the hip shimmy right. When Lady Tesslademonstrated, Xera saw hips shaking but was told the movement camefrom the knees. Unfortunately her version of the move left somethingto be desired. Her lower back and sides were aching by the time shewas done, and she still couldn’t get those hips to swivel oncommand.
Ryven was standing in the observation area when she came off thefloor. His arms were crossed and he was watching her intently, hishead slightly lowered. “Interesting,” he commented.
Sheraised an eyebrow. Everyone else was filing out toward the showersand locker room. “That’s one word for it. I’ll say this fordancing; it’s very relaxing. I don’t think I’ve ever beenrefreshed after a workout before.”
Hiseyes scanned her sarong skirt, cropped top and form-fitting tights.“You’ve made me curious. I’d like to see your fighting art.”
“What?Now?” She glanced around the empty studio. It seemed kind of agirly setting for an impromptu dojang.
“You’renot intimidated, are you?” he asked lazily.
“Oooh...”She mock glowered at him. “Play dirty do, you? I hadn’t intendedto show you any of my skills. I’ve already seen your men practice,and I don’t measure up.” There was also a part of her that didn’twant him to know what she could do...just in case.
“Tellthat to your captain.” He circled her, his body relaxed yetmenacing.
Sheturned to face him, her hands up, prepared. “I’m human. You’renot. You’re going to be faster.”
“I’lltry not to fall asleep.” He chopped at her head, but slowly, softlyenough that no damage would have been done even if he had connected.A baby could have blocked him.
Shereturned the favor with a controlled kick.
Heshifted and her foot slid past him. His eyes took on a hot gleam ashe aimed for her throat.
Slowlythe dance got faster, more complex. She didn’t fool herself thatshe had seen a tenth of what he could do, but this session didn’tseem to be about fighting. The more they moved together, the highertheir pulse, the hotter his eyes blazed. Soon they were fever bright,burning with an excitement she shared. When his hand lashed likelightning and seized the back of her head, the other her waist, shewas not shocked. The way he looked at her, the slow way he broughther mouth to his as if about to devour her whole, that shockedher. That self-control of his was devastating.
Sparksstarted in her brain. Soon a white-hot fire obscured her vision,spurred by the heat of his tongue, the fire of his touch. Dizzy,hungry, she clung to him as the heat ate her marrow, her strength.Ah, if this was what it was like, if this was how he made love, shehad nothing to worry about in his bed.
Thethought triggered a sudden panic. She jerked away as if bitten by icewater. “We’re not married.”
“Notmy fault,” he murmured, making for her lips.
Shewrenched away, aware that he allowed her to go. He didn’t lookpleased, though. “We are not married,” she repeated, strongerthis time.
Hecrossed his arms and regarded her.
Discoveringher hands were shaking wasn’t pleasant. She hugged herself todisguise it. “Look, I don’t know what your morals are here, butwe don’t do certain things before we’re married on my world. Awoman can be ruined if anyone even thinks she has. I’ve no interestin becoming a whore.” Ah, but it had not always been true. She’dbeen tempted as a youth, had nearly brought her family to disaster,all for the price of a few kisses. If it had been anyone other thanher sister who had discovered her, she would have disgraced them all.The memory burned. She cared about her family. It wasn’t all abouther.
“Youhaven’t been with a man before?”
Hisblunt question made her cheeks burn. “No. I choose to wait.”
Heblinked slowly as his eyes swept her. “How inexperienced must youremain to satisfy this honor of yours?”
Herneck got hot. She hadn’t been deaf, dumb and blind while she’dbeen offworld. She knew what he was talking about. “No, Ryven.”
Heignored her, took a step closer. “I assume kissing is innocentenough.”
Shedidn’t trust herself, didn’t trust the fresh sweat that broke outon her skin. “It’s not innocent when you do it.”
Hegrinned. “Thank you, sweetheart. You haven’t answered myquestion, though. Perhaps you could trust me to stop before that lineis crossed.” The last was murmured against her lips. He brushedthem softly and withdrew enough to look in her eyes. “I hold honoras strongly as you do. Though I have no qualms about taking you now,I will respect your sense of honor. I can wait for the finalmoment.” He curled a finger in her hair, gently pulled her closer.“There is so much more we can do.”
Sheducked his kiss, nearly moaned at the feel of his lips on her templeinstead. “No, Ryven.”
Hewithdrew, laughter in his eyes. “I’m going to enjoy changing yourmind.” He slapped her butt on the way past. “I’ll wait whileyou shower. Don’t be overlong or I may be tempted to come lookingfor you.” He cast her a look over his shoulder as he walked out.
Xerashuddered. She closed her eyes. The man was going to kill her.
He didn’t say anything when she came out of the showers. He tookher to a restaurant and ordered something he thought she might like,since she wasn’t familiar with the food. In public he was aloof, incommand, but there was something in his eyes, his touch, that had heruncharacteristically flushed. Chills would strike her, and sheactually felt faint. Her condition made her clumsy, and she nearlyspilled her wine. His hand settled over hers as she struggled toright the glass.
“Easy,”he murmured. “The cause is also the cure, hiri’ami. Icould ease you.” He let go slowly, a certain look in his eyes.
Sheglared at him. “Your aunt is right. You are a rake.”
Heraised a brow. “And?”
“Wedon’t respect them much where I come from.”
“Youare not on your world.”
“Idon’t want to marry someone who won’t keep the vows.”
Heregarded her steadily. “You know I am a man who keeps his vows. Ieven keep yours...when it can be done.”
Directhit! She drew a breath. “I apologize. You have done much for me.”
Helooked unsatisfied. “It has not all been honor.”
Didhe want her to ask? “Which part?”
Theirfood arrived then, and he chose not to answer. Perhaps he’d alreadyrevealed more than he was comfortable with, but he’d left hercurious. She waited until the waiter left, then looked at him withtroubled eyes. “Do you like me, Ryven? I’ve known you forsuch a short time, and I don’t understand you very well. Idon’t...” She shook her head, unable to organize her thoughts.
Hismouth turned up in the faintest of smiles. “You’ll find askingScorpio men about their feelings a lost cause, hiri’ami. Iwill admit I like you. I would not marry you if I did not. That isnot being done to cause you pain.”
Hisanswer bewildered her, but she wasn’t sure why. She finished hermeal in silence.
Hewaited until they had both eaten, then leaned back in his chair.“There will be a small ceremony tonight to introduce you to oursociety and to incorporate you into our family. It is not difficult.Namae will instruct you.”
“Whatexactly is the meaning of the ceremony? Not that I would accuse youof leaving out any details,” she said wryly. Better to ask than tobe condemned for her ignorance later.
Helooked amused. “It’s a public show of approval by my father,telling those of rank that he approves of my choice of bride. Believethat he has no intention of refuting you.”
“Andit’s not a marriage ceremony?”
Heshrugged. “We do not celebrate the actual ‘wedding’ of thecouple in any public ceremony. My father will give his publicapproval and we will celebrate with a feast after we have had ourprivate consummation.”
Hereyes narrowed. “That sounds like a wedding.”
Heshook his head. “Only the preparation. The bedding completes theact, but we will wait until you have spoken with your sister.”
Shefelt uncomfortably like squirming. “Is there any chance of thathappening soon?”
“Eager?”he teased her.
Sherolled her eyes. “Just getting information.”
“You’llspeak to your sister soon,” he assured her. He rose and offered herhis hand before he pulled out her chair. “Come. You must practice.”
Practice,she found, did nothing for one’s nerves when one was expected towalk down an aisle in front of hundreds of spectators. The onlyconsolation was that she was not expected to give a speech. Asgracefully as she could, she walked down the sage green, tiled aisle,careful not to step on the hem of her coral silk gown. The empirewaist dress had short tulip sleeves and parted down the center toreveal a gorgeously embroidered underslip of pale pink. A goldenclasp was centered just below her breasts, at the point where theunderskirt parted. Matching slippers with a ridiculously dainty heeladorned her feet, making the walk that much more challenging.
Theroom was huge, and although she knew she was indoors, a blue skychased with clouds arched overhead, enlivened by the occasional bird.Trees grew out of the floor and collections of potted plants linedthe walls, giving the room the feel of a hothouse.
Aheadof her, the Lord Governor waited on a raised dais with a singlethrone, though there was room enough for three others. If this hadbeen a normal Scorpio wedding and her family had been here, hersister Gem would have sat on a chair next to him, and Ryven wouldhave had his turn climbing the steps to receive her approval. As itwas, he and his family watched in a circle below the dais. She chosenot to look at them, afraid she would lose her concentration.
Carefullyshe climbed the black crystal stairs, raising her hem just highenough to assure her safe ascension. She raised her eyes to meet theLord Governor’s then carefully knelt at the left side of histhrone. She raised her hand and let it rest on the arm of his chair,careful not to touch him.
Thiswas the place where he could reject her, could refuse to touch her.She swallowed down a sudden qualm, but the five-second pause thatcame before he touched her hand and bade her rise was nerve-wracking.She made her bow and then met his eyes. He wasn’t quite grinning;too undignified! The LG would never grin, but a fierce light shown inhis eyes, a mixture of glee and pleasure.
“Rise,daughter, and be welcome in our family,” he told her in firm,ringing tones. He looked at Ryven, who climbed the stairs as soon ashis father had spoken. The LG then put Xera’s hand in his son’s.“All joy to Lord and Lady Ryven Atarus!”
Agreat cheer rang out. In spite of herself, Xera colored. She glancedat Ryven, who looked pleased. He winked.
Thereception was a dizzying round of introductions and congratulations.As proud and fierce as the Scorpio were, they still threw themselvesinto a party with great enthusiasm. Xera was a little shocked at thesensuality of the dances displayed on the dance floor. She wasreminded of salsa and various Middle Eastern dance, and these Scorpiovarieties were both similar and altogether different. She prayedRyven would keep her away from the dance floor; he knew she washelpless out there.
Herwish was not granted. “I can’t dance!” she hissed at him as heled her out with the other dancers.
“Ican make it seem otherwise,” he assured her, a gleam in his eye.“You will be my reluctant bride. I want you to resist me. Show methat, cross your arms and glower at me, and I will show you.”
She’d never seen him like this; so wild, so completely uninhibited.He made her his centerpiece, danced around her as if showing her off.Wow, but the man could move his hips. He did a hip thrust thatactually made her shake her head to clear it. Enjoying herselfdespite the attention, she fanned herself. He grinned and movedcloser, teasing her, sculpting the air around her without actuallytouching her. She found herself following the movement of his head,tracking his lips, until at the song ended with a flourish and hebent her backward and kissed her.
Wild cheers broke out around them. Drunk with kisses, Xera laughedand tried not to stagger as he stood her upright. Dangerous man.
She had wine as well: bubbly, intoxicating stuff that fizzed in herblood and messed with her judgment. She was giggly and subtly leaningon Ryven by the time he took pity on her and made their excuses.
She was a little fuzzy about how they got to her front door. Oncloser inspection, the room wasn’t hers. “Is this your place?”she asked, confused. She was going to have to watch that wine. She’dhad hard whisky that had hadn’t knocked her on her tail so fast.
“Hm. Since I didn’t want to fight tonight, I thought I wouldsettle for giving you a massage...and kisses. I demand kisses.”
She laughed. “Kisses are innocent enough, I guess.”
His expression was angelic. “Perfectly innocent, wife.” The roomwas lit with candles.
She let him undress her. In her current state it didn’t seemalarming. He even had a massage table covered with soft saffronlinen, and he drew a sheet up to her shoulders. Nothing alarmingthere, but it made her wonder. “Have you done this before?”
He took his time about replying as he poured a subtly scented oilover his hands. “I’ve had many massages and have learnedsomething of them. You’ll enjoy this.”
“This isn’t your table, though.”
“I could purchase one,” he murmured as his hands began to worktheir magic. “You’d like that.”
Maybe she would. Those deep strokes he was using on her backcertainly felt good. He even found some knots in her left lattisimaldorsi that had her moaning with the release of a tension she didn’tknow she’d carried. He stroked her arms all the way to herfingertips before moving down her back, eventually slipping aside thesheet and working his magic on her firm, round tush. It felt good,but not in a sexual way...not at first. Not until she began to thinkabout whose hands were doing the work. It felt so good, though,especially when he worked out the tension in her thighs and bent herknee to relax her calves.
Oh, yeah. More people should spend their wedding night like this!
He set her legs down and reached for a bowl. She was surprised tofeel a hot, wet washcloth moving over her skin. It felt heavenly,but…. “You’re going to get the sheets wet.”
“It evaporates,” he murmured. “It is already steamed off.” Hedrew a hand down her clean, dry back to demonstrate.
“Oh.” She relaxed again.
He washed all of her, allowing extra to stream down between her legs,she thought just to tease her. The feet were the most devastating,though. The nubby wet cloth made her feet tingle, and the hot wettongue that followed made her squeak in surprise.
“Kisses only,” he reminded her. “What harm can it bring if Ikiss you here?”
Reasonable harm, she thought as waves of pleasurable lassitude swepther. How had she never known that a sweep of a tongue between hertoes could send a shiver right up her leg, or that having her toessuckled could make her moan? No one had ever tried it. If they hadsuggested such a thing, she would have laughed them away.
Shivers wracked her. His tongue caressed her instep as his handsglided over her calf, and sudden sensation made her cry out. It feltlike someone had poured champagne right between her legs. Her headcame up and she shot a look over her shoulder. Ryven looked pleased.He also looked...well, she didn’t want to think about that tooclosely.
“M-maybe we should...” She puffed out a breath as he switched toher other foot, and lowered her head. It just didn’t seem worth theeffort. She’d stop him soon.
He made her cry out again before he covered her with the sheet andtold her to turn over. She did, and began to wonder it there had beenmore than wine in her cup.
He started on her toes again. This time he massaged his way up herlegs, inching the sheet higher as he did until it just barely coveredwhat it ought. She moved restlessly, whimpering. A peek through herlashes showed his mischievous grin as he lowered the sheet over herlegs and took one of her hands.
His mouth felt every bit as dangerous on her hands as it had on hertoes. It swirled and suckled, then made its wicked way down her arm,dragged across her chest above the sheet and licked its way back upto the opposite hand. Shivers wracked her and she occasionally criedout with the hot pressure between her legs. Sometimes it wouldculminate in a burst of light that raced through her body andexploded behind her eyes. She didn’t know what it was.
He lowered his head and took a nipple in his mouth. She cried out andgrabbed his shoulders, her nails digging deep. Instinctively turningaway from the intense pressure, she pushed at him, prompting him tosnag her wrists and hold them over her head. He made a leisurelyfeast of her breasts, then raised his head and kissed her until heatburst like rifle shells between her legs. She cried out, desperatefor some relief.
He slid down her body. Down and down. Kissed, nipped, until his headsettled between her legs and his tongue thrust deep.
She screamed. Frantic to dislodge the source of torture, of pleasure,she grabbed his hair and yanked. That got her hands flattened to thebed, his hands on top. All the while she cried out as her thighs grewdamp and heat drizzled between her legs.
He loved her until she was weak, until the pleasure stripped anyresistance from her body. She didn’t remember “no,” didn’tcare what her sister would say. He could’ve taken her withimpunity....
But he didn’t.
She slept naked with him that night, curled with her back to hisfront. She slept through the night undisturbed and woke to the feelof his mouth on all the places he’d taught her to love, but he didnot take her. They even bathed together at his insistence and she gotan eyeful of unabashed, aroused male, but he didn’t take hervirginity. His hands didn’t even stray past her thighs.
She felt...resentful.
It was crazy. He’d made her climax; that’s what those bursts oflight were; so many times she was exhausted. She ought to have beensatisfied, even grateful that he’d kept his promise, but she couldonly watch him with hungry eyes and dream.
He noticed. That he said nothing, only watched her with thosebrimstone eyes, made it worse.
She deserted him for her own room only to discover it was no longerhers. Her clothes had been moved to his chamber before she’dreturned last night. How had she not noticed that? She still felt theneed to be alone, however. Sharing a room with him only made heraffliction worse.
She shouldn’t have gone so far, but they were married...almost. Thequalification didn’t settle right in the light of morning. She wasconfused, afraid that the source of her confusion would do what hehad promised; guard her sense of honor. Even if she went to him andasked for him to finish what he’d started, she knew he wouldrefuse. It was a lowering thought, that she couldn’t even guard herown honor anymore.
He shouldn’t have seduced her. Her mind was mass of confusion nowand she blamed it on his carefully planned trap. She’d been lovedall night, enough to ensure her devotion, but she wasn’t a wife.Why had she promised her sister anything? Why couldn’t he have lefther alone?