He stopped in midmotion of drying his face. “What?”
Selene drew a deep breath. Don’t hide. Honest. Open. “I believe you heard me. Now, if you can come near me without making me intoxicated from that foul odor, I’d like you to come back to bed.”
He slowly put the towel back on the washstand. “Why?”
“I wish to couple with you.” She moistened her lips. “Though I don’t know why when you saw fit to rob me of my wedding night.”
“Selene.”
“Stop arguing.” Her gaze went to his body. “I’m not blind. I can see you’re ready for me.”
“But are you ready for me?”
He meant the question more than physically. “I think-” She met his gaze and said clearly, “Oh, yes, I know I’m ready for you.”
A brilliant smile lit his face. “I suppose I should ask questions and give you an opportunity to question yourself. It would be the noble thing to do.” He was across the room in three strides and tearing the cover off her. “But I’ve been down that path and I’m not going there ever again.” He parted her thighs and moved between them. “I’ve been noble enough to last me for a lifetime.”
“I never asked you to be-”
She lost speech and breath as he sank deep and the rhythm started. Her arms closed tightly around him.
Accept. Trust. Belong.
Oh, yes, belong…
“You performed very well.” Her lips brushed his shoulder. “I admit I had my doubts. I’ve never seen you drunk before.”
“I was inspired.” He lifted himself on one elbow and looked down at her. “And I didn’t perform well, I performed magnificently.”
“Braggart.” She thought about it. “Perhaps the first time.”
“I was even better the third time.”
She smiled slyly. “I was too weary to notice.”
“You wound me.” He brushed the hair back from her face with a gentle hand. “But, it’s true, I did perceive a lack of enthusiasm in you. I thought I’d taught you that a woman must be as skilled as a man in this-” He inhaled sharply. “Will you-please remove-your hand?”
She squeezed. “Actually, a woman doesn’t have to be so skilled. I’ve found you to be responsive to the simplest things.”
“Simple?” He went rigid as her thumbnail caressed him. “If you don’t wish to couple with me again in the next minute, I’d remove your hand.”
She laughed and released him. “Not until I’ve had my supper.” She swung her feet to the floor and stood up. “And afterward I wish a hot bath.” She carelessly draped the length of blue material around her. Layla was right, this garment had many uses. She liked the feel of the softness against her breasts. Her body felt as sleek and silky smooth as the material. “And then I’ll see what other simple things amuse you.”
She could feel his gaze on her as she strolled to the window. Night had fallen hours ago, and the moonlight shimmered on the rectangular pool. So serene. She felt serene too. Only minutes ago she had been lost in the most frenzied of passions, yet now she felt as tranquil as that cool, still pool.
“What are you thinking?” Kadar asked.
“That emotions seldom remain the same for very long.”
“Some emotions do.” He paused. “Love. Hate.”
“Yes, but that’s not the same.” She came back toward him. “And I don’t want to think about hate right now.” She knelt on the floor beside the bed and laid her cheek on his hand. “I do love you, Kadar,” she whispered. “I’ve loved you for so long.” She rubbed her cheek back and forth. She added haltingly, “I thought I could live without you. I thought I’d be fine. I was wrong. I have to be with you.”
“Selene.”
“So you have to take care of yourself,” she said fiercely. “Do you hear me? I won’t have you dying on me.”
“You won’t?” He turned his hand and cradled her cheek in his palm. His voice was uneven. “I’ll try to oblige you.”
“And you have to promise to love me forever.”
“That’s an easy task.” He lifted her chin and gazed directly into her eyes. “I’ll love you until the day I die, Selene.”
“I like these vows far better than the ones we gave the priest,” she said shakily. “I’ll love you until the day I die too, Kadar.”
An indefinable expression flitted over his face for only a second and then was gone. “I thank you.” He bent his head and brushed her lips with his own. “I’ll try not to violate your trust.”
“You’d better not. I’ve just learned the way of it.” She rose to her feet. “But I never do things in small measure. I’ll trust you now no matter what you do.”
“You will?” There was a strange note in his tone. “Are you sure?”
She smiled. “I’m sure.”
“That makes everything much more difficult for me.”
“I’d think it would simplify.” She looked at him from beneath her lashes. “We’ve already established my liking for simplicity.”
He moved his shoulders as if shrugging off a burden. He grinned. “God bless simplicity. Are you sure you need to eat now?”
“No.” The folds of blue silk pooled at her feet. She stepped over it and moved toward him. “We’ve taken our own vows, and they should be celebrated in some way.” She slipped into bed and into his arms. She whispered, “And it need not necessarily be a very simple way. You’re very good at complications.”
“I’ve been patient long enough.” Vaden strode into Selene’s chamber and slammed the door. “Out of bed and into your clothes.”
Kadar sat up and quickly pulled the cover over Selene. “It’s courteous to knock, Vaden.”
“He doesn’t know how,” Selene said sarcastically.
“Would you have answered my knock? Tarik says you haven’t been out of this chamber in two days. Coupling is all very well, but it can’t interfere with the business at hand. Since I was the one who threw you into her bed, I felt obligated to allow you some extra time to enjoy her, Kadar, but I-”
“Allow?” Kadar repeated.
“Don’t be testy. You wanted my services. You have them. I won’t be kept waiting while you pleasure-”
“Get out, Vaden,” Kadar said.
Vaden sat down in a chair. “When you do.”
“Go on, Kadar,” Selene said. “I’ve no desire to lie here while you argue. Besides, perhaps he’s right. Keeping him waiting was discourteous.”
Vaden gave her a brilliant smile. “Thank you. It’s seldom I meet a woman who is both beautiful and just.”
He was the one who was beautiful, and she wondered how many women had melted at that stunning smile. “I’m not beautiful, and I’m not stupid enough to believe such flattery. Take your sweet words out of here while I dress.”
He blinked and then rose to his feet. “As you command.”
Kadar was throwing on his clothes. “Where are Tarik and Layla?”
“On the terrace. They seemed in no hurry to disturb you. Do I detect a hint of reluctance in them?”
“More than a hint, but it won’t affect your fee.”
“Of course it won’t.” He moved leisurely toward the door. “Since I tremble at your lady’s wrath, I’ll wait outside in the hall for you.”
Selene doubted if he had ever trembled in his life and certainly not at any woman’s displeasure. She had never seen a cooler, more confident man.
As soon as he was gone, she said to Kadar, “Don’t wait for me. I wish to cleanse myself. I’ll join you as soon as I’m dressed.”
Kadar nodded. “Though we should really keep Vaden waiting. It’s not good for him to have his way in everything.”
