She didn't want him to speak. She didn't want him to ruin this most wonderful moment. So she silenced him with another kiss, another exploratory, teasing, fabulous kiss. And as she did, she rose up on her knees just enough to feel him slide nearly out. She gave him a wicked, teasing smile and slid back down.
She saw him swallow and felt his arms tremble. 'I love you,' he said fiercely. 'You are mine.' The next time she rose up, he helped her. And then as she came back down, he matched her movement with a thrust.
He was inside her, thick and large. His face had gone rapturous and she thought how beautiful he looked. Then they began to move together. She controlled the ebb and flow of their movements. Though he helped, she decided what she wanted. When to lift, when to lower, how fast, how slow. And she found more joy in making his eyes flutter, causing him to groan or gasp, than she did in the feel of him hot and hard inside her.
Until she wanted more. Smooth slide. Hard pressure. He filled her again and her back arched in pleasure. But it was not enough.
He withdrew again, and this time she squeezed because he seemed to like it. Her hands tightened on his shoulders, and her knees gripped his hips. He thrust harder into her, and she laughed because it felt so right. She'd tilted her pelvis down to meet his movement, to feel the slam exactly where it was best. And when he rolled his hips against her, her breath caught on a gasp.
Their eyes locked together. She'd had no idea that this was possible. This wonderful tension—she'd felt it before. This build to ecstasy—she'd experienced it with him before. But the way their eyes locked, the total oneness with him—that was new. That was incredible.
They breathed together. They gasped together. And they built that quivering tension with perfect unity. He thrust and she soared. He withdrew and she shivered. Higher and higher. Until they touched…
Heaven!
'WE MUST GO,' he whispered against her ear. 'Sweet Ji Yue, I am sorry, but we must hurry.'
She blinked. Shimmering delight still suffused her body—their bodies—since they were still joined. He gently raised her off him, and she moaned. She liked the way he cradled her in his arms. And she loved the fullness of him inside her. She noted regret in his eyes, but it did not stop him from gently setting her aside. With faster and faster motions, he pulled off his tunic and undergarment. Then his biceps bulged as he tore a strip from the cotton shirt.
'This was not the way to do it,' he murmured. 'I would have laid you in silk and covered you in perfumes.' He glanced at her, the apology clear in his eyes. 'But you are so beautiful, and you took me by surprise.' He dropped a quick kiss on her lips. 'I could not stop myself.'
With tender movements, he used his torn strip to clean her lower body. And when he lifted the cloth away, she saw the dark stain of blood. Tilting her head, she peered closer. The lantern light was dim, but the truth was horribly clear.
'I—' she gasped '—I am…'
He quickly wadded up the cloth and made to throw it away. But then he stopped and stared down at it. 'I need to burn this,' he said softly.
'I am not…' she said again, her mind replaying what she had done and said. What had she done? He had felt so wonderful, and she had been swept away on her own fantasy.
'I am sorry, my sweet, but we have to go. The doctor will be here soon.'
Ji Yue pulled her legs together and curled her feet beneath her. What had they done?
He finished dressing, then he dropped to his knees before her. He held her hands and gazed into her face. She focused on him. She saw the dark center of his eyes and the loving curves of his cheeks. Even the length of his nose was beautiful.
'Listen to me, please. I have made reservations for us. There is a boat that will take us away at first light, but we cannot be caught here. Not now…' He glanced ruefully at the blood-stained cloth on the pallet. 'I was so afraid for you, Ji Yue. I did not think, and then you were here, so willing in my arms. This was not smartly done, but—' he shrugged '—it is done. We must leave.'
'I am no longer a virgin!' she cried. 'I have shamed myself and my family!'
He stilled. She did not think he breathed. She didn't care. She was still reeling from what she only now began to understand.
'You planned this! You want us to run away from here! You planned all of this!'
He shook his head. 'Not like this. Not now. I thought to talk to you.' He frowned. 'We did talk! You chose me!'
'I did,' she whispered, but she hadn't thought clearly. 'I wanted you. I love you! But…' A tear fell on her hand and she realized that she was crying. 'My mother will commit suicide in shame!'
His face was pale, his jaw tense. 'Ji Yue…' he began, but there were no words. Not now with her heart pounding and her mind reeling.
The thud of footsteps sounded outside. Bo Tao could do no more than stand, before the door was pushed open and the women's doctor stomped inside. Her gait was weary and her shoulders sagged, but her gaze was sharp as she looked from Bo Tao to Ji Yue and then to the wadded, bloody cloth. With a grimace, she spun and pushed the door shut. When she turned back to Bo Tao, her mouth was pressed into a thin tight line.
'It was not her fault,' he said.
The doctor rolled her eyes. 'In China, it is always the woman's fault.' She grimaced. 'And now she will be killed.'
Chapter 18
IT TOOK A MOMENT for Bo Tao to realize the doctor thought Ji Yue had been raped by a white devil. It was a reasonable guess. Many had seen Ji Yue on her back fighting those apes, and a surge of rage shot through him again at the memory.
'I came as quickly as I could,' he said. 'I spent the day in the city and didn't hear about the party until too late.'
She bustled forward, coming to sit before Ji Yue, but her words remained for Bo Tao. 'Nine virgins, Bo Tao. How could this happen?'
'Because the eunuchs are corrupt,' he snapped. 'I kill the Dutch who bring in bribes of opium, then not one day later Han Du Yu brings in a case to bribe the head eunuch. With the emperor away this night to dine with General Li, it was the perfect opportunity.' How stupid he had been not to guess that something like this could happen!
'Can you prove it?' the physician asked.
He shook his head. 'Not yet. I merely guess. But it does not matter, does it?' He rubbed a hand over his face, his gaze on Ji Yue. Was there a way to save her life? The punishment for the loss of virginity was death. It did not matter the cause or who was at fault, her honor was gone. She would have to commit suicide even if someone else pushed her neck into the noose that hung her.
The physician cursed under her breath. 'How did you hear of it then? Duan Xu usually covers his tracks better.'
Bo Tao had set a spy on Ji Yue, a eunuch he trusted to watch her every movement when he was not there. Unfortunately, the coward had been too afraid to interfere against the two most powerful eunuchs in the Forbidden City.
'It was well planned by more than just Duan Xu.'
Ji Yue shifted, her words a near whisper. 'The head eunuch was there. He pushed us through the secret door.'
Bo Tao grimaced, his fears confirmed. 'He and the dowager consort are thick as thieves. They likely chose the girls together. They picked the ones they wanted disgraced.'
'Bitch,' the doctor said under her breath. 'There was no need to do such a thing.'
Ji Yue abruptly pushed up on the pallet. Her gaze remained panicked, but at least her body seemed composed. 'How are the other girls?'
'Hysterical,' the doctor answered. 'They all know their chances have been ruined.' She glanced at Bo Tao.
