She made a purring noise, snuggled her hips more deeply into the mattress—and fell asleep again. This time, when Sinjun slid in beneath the covers, he was more than ready to join her and the sun sank lower in the sky, shedding its rays into a bedroom where the silence was broken only by the sound of two lovers’ breaths and the song of a sleepy bird.
*~~*~~*
Charis blinked herself awake to the strange sound of a buzzing next to her ear and a pressing need for a chamber pot. She was also momentarily confused to find herself in an unfamiliar bed with a delightful sensation of well-being suffusing her body.
The buzzing was emanating from the throat of the man curled next to her—Sinjun. Memories flooded back even as she realized his heavy arm was resting on her belly and pressing hard against her bladder. Thus the sensation of well-being and the need to piss.
Lord, she had to find herself some relief. Glancing around she blessed whoever had set up the screen on the far side of the room. Behind it she knew she’d find what she needed.
As stealthily as possible, she slipped from Sinjun’s arms and scurried out of bed and across the bedroom. The sun must be setting since the light outside was golden red now—good heavens, how long had she slept?
A few moments later she emerged, much more comfortable, and feeling very hungry. As if in anticipation of her wants, a tray sat on one table, displaying a few slices of bread and some cheese. Charis gently drew a blanket from the bottom of the bed, wrapped it around herself and attacked the plate, washing her impromptu meal down with cold water from the pitcher. Tea would have been nice, but she was unfamiliar with the house.
Besides, she might wake Sinjun—
As if he heard her thoughts, he turned his head sleepily on the pillow and smiled at her. “Hello.”
She glanced guiltily at the food in her hand. “I was hungry. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Not at all.” He stretched and let out a groan of pleasure. “I put it there for you. I ate earlier.” His lips curved into a sensual grin.
Fascinated by the play of light on his muscles and the tiny tufts of hair in his armpits, Charis just gazed at him. He was rumpled from sleep, his eyelids heavy and his body relaxed. She could’ve looked at him for hours and not been bored.
“It’s late. I slept forever, it seems. And I dreamed, too. A wonderful dream. You were in it.” She found herself grinning back. “Am I ruined yet, do you think?” The grin widened as she asked the absurd question.
He shook his head. “No. I think we should work on that some more. Maybe make some of your other dreams come true.” He pulled down the side of the quilt. “Finish that bread and come over here. We’ll see if we can come up with a few new ideas.”
It said something about Charis’ emotions when she put down her food and immediately went to the bed. She trusted Sinjun, wanted his touch, wanted as much time being “ruined” by him as she could get. Just the sight of him was enough to make her mouth—and other parts—water.
She must truly be a terrible woman. The thought made her smile.
“What’s that little smirk for?” He turned on one side and propped his head up on his bent arm.
“I was just realizing what a dreadfully wanton and wicked woman I am.” She tugged the covers up over her breasts and looked at him. “I think you’ve ruined me rather well, Sinjun.”
“Thank you. One aims to please.” He let his free hand drift to her shoulder, sliding his fingertips along her forearm then back up to trace a path down toward her breast. “But you’re hiding too much from me. A really wicked woman would be enticing me with her body at this point.”
“Ah.” Charis nodded sagely. “I see I shall need to practice my seduction skills.” Daringly she let the covers slip away. “Is this better?”
His swallow was answer enough, but he added a nod. “Yes. Er—yes. That works very well.”
“Good to know. I shall endeavor to remember it.”
She would endeavor to remember all these moments, Charis realized. Every expression that crossed Sinjun’s face, every flash of heat in his eyes as he looked at her. And yes—thatparticular moment—the one where his hand cupped her breast and weighed it in his hand. It seemed a perfect fit to her. As if she’d been designed to fill his palm.
She sighed a little at his touch. “I like that, Sinjun. I like when you caress my—my breasts…” Her cheeks heated even as she spoke.
He continued to play with her but leaned forward, his eyes lowering to her mouth. “Kiss me, Charis.”
Goodness. This was the first time she’d actuallykissedhim. Here they were, naked and in bed together, hands all over each other’s bodies and they’d apparently skipped a step on the way to ruination. “All right.”
The first kiss was everything she’d ever imagined a kiss could be. With the additional wondrous sensation of Sinjun’s body nude and pressed against hers. His mouth was warm and firm and his tongue seeking to learn her taste, her lips, her teeth—she opened for him, welcoming him inside, imitating the moves he made with little investigative flickers of her own.
Their mouths met and melded even as he drew her into his embrace, her naked breasts clasped to the planes of his chest and his cock hardening rapidly between them.
The feel of his fingers sliding over her skin to clasp her bottom tightly was an amazingly erotic sensation. She parted her legs and lifted one over his thighs, drawing him closer to the center of her body, to the place she knew was moist already and empty—preparing itself for his claiming.
They rolled and turned, twisting in each other’s arms, each fighting for that extra inch of contact, that one place that had yet to be blessed with the fire of their passion. Charis tore her mouth breathlessly from Sinjun’s, only to return and pepper kisses over his neck and chest. She nipped at the flat discs of his nipples, laving them with her tongue, driven wild by the taste of his skin and an insatiable urge to lick him all over.
