Even stranger was what he saw when she peeled down the bottom of the suit.
For she only had one pussy—One sacred mouth, he corrected himself—since that was what they called it here. It was located between her legs in the normal position—well, what he had come to think of as normal anyway—and the space above it, just below her belly button was bare.
“There…you see?” Ellina asked in a trembling voice. She spread her arms in a gesture of self-display, as though she wanted him to know the truth about her.
“I see that you’re beautiful,” Ty told her honestly. “With or without your clothes.”
She bit her lip. “You’re just saying that. I have no third breast—no second sacred mouth. I am deformed…a freak, just like they all said.”
“No, you’re not!” Ty said immediately and forcefully. “Whoever said that is an ass. Who was it—those snotty nobles who have nothing better to do than gossip all day?”
“They might gossip all day but they’re right about me,” Ellina said in a low voice. “I’m lacking in some very important areas.”
“You look perfect to me,” Ty said softly.
“You’re only trying to make me feel better,” she accused.
Ty frowned. “Are you saying I’m lying to you, Ellina? Are you accusing me of being untruthful?”
“No, I… I don’t know.” She bit her lip, clearly not wanting to call him a liar, but still unable to believe his words.
“Look at me,” Ty told her. But when she looked up into his eyes, he shook his head. “No—look down. Look at my shaft.”
Ellina looked down at him uncertainly. What she saw made her eyes grow wide.
“You’re so big!” she murmured, shaking her head.
“And so hard,” Ty told her. “And do you know why? The sight of you completely naked has me throbbing, Ellina. I’m so fucking hard I ache and it’s because of you—because you’re so beautiful, little one.”
He hoped she could believe him and take him at his word. He had a feeling that Ellina had felt inadequate—maybe even ugly—all her life. Ty wanted badly to prove to her that it wasn’t true—that she was beautiful—gorgeous. Not to mention desirable in the extreme.
“You…you really feel that way about me?” She looked up at him, hope and doubt warring in her eyes.
“Little one,” he said gently. “Males may lie to you with their mouths but their bodies cannot lie. There are some things you just can’t fake.” He nodded down at his straining erection. “This is one of them.”
“I…I guess not. Thank you, Ty,” she said softly. “That makes me feel…well, I guess it makes me feel normal for the first time.”
“You’re more than normal, sweetheart,” he growled softly. “You’re fucking beautiful. Don’t ever let anyone tell you different.”
“All right.” She cleared her throat and dragged her eyes away from his throbbing shaft. “Um, I guess we ought to get started.”
“Of course.” Ty nodded. “What do I have to do?”
“Nothing.” Ellina shook her head. “Just…stand there and let me wash you.”
Ty shrugged. “I can do that.” He held out his arms in a gesture of welcome. “I’m all yours, My Lady—do as you wish with me.”
“Thank you.” Ellina’s cheeks colored prettily but she kept her chin high. “I will.”
And I’m perfectly willing to let her, Ty thought, with just a touch of unease. Was this his DNA kicking in, making him want to submit sexually to a Mistress? Or was it simply that he looked forward to the feeling of a beautiful woman running her soft little hands all over his body?
Does it really matter either way? asked a voice in his head. Damn it, Ty—a gorgeous female—the female you want—is about to stroke your bare body. Do you really need an ulterior motive for liking that? Are you really so concerned about your genetics that you’ll allow your worry to ruin the most erotic experience of your life?
Not that it was supposed to be erotic, of course—it was a religious ritual. Still, Ty decided the voice was right. He would put his worries out of his head and just enjoy whatever Ellina decided to do to him.
Which was apparently to wash him with a huge mound of creamy white bubbles she had just gotten from the first golden tap. She came over to him, her hands full of bubbles, but then she paused for a moment, still not quite sure of herself.
“I…I’m supposed to wash you now,” she told Ty. “Um—all over.” Her eyes flickered up to his. “But you’re not Chorkay and I know you’re not used to this. I want to be certain I don’t offend you.”
“It’s all right, little one,” Ty told her softly. “You’re the Potentate, remember? The Goddess in the Flesh. You can do anything you want to me—I’m completely at your service.”
“Well…all right.” Lifting her chin, she walked up to him and began rubbing the sweet-smelling bubbles all over his skin.
She started with his chest and arms, apparently enjoying running her small hands over his muscles. She seemed interested in the flat copper disks of his nipples and explored them for some time, which caused Ty’s shaft to surge, though he tried to ignore it. Her soft little hands felt so good on him already, he didn’t need to get even more aroused. But he couldn’t help it—when she touched him intimately, his body reacted.
“I can’t quite reach you,” she said after a while. “Your shoulders and upper back, I mean—you’re so tall.”
“Then let me help, my Lady. Do you want me to wash my own shoulders?”
“Oh, no!” She looked shocked. “No, you must not touch your own skin in any way lest we call down the wrath of Thufar. No, just bend down so I can reach you—I’ll do what’s necessary.”
“All
