“Relax, angel,” he breathed, and Mayra felt the tension slide out of her limbs.
What is he doing to me? How does he have this power over my body? Over my mind?
She began to struggle against the pull he had on her, but she couldn’t look away from his piercing gaze. She felt as if she could fall into his chestnut eyes. They were so large, so close that she could see her own blue eyes reflected in them. They became a swirl of blue and brown, with tints of green.
Suddenly, Mayra was transported. It was like she was floating above in the blackness, hovering above a big bright orb. The orb had its own flecks of green and brown that dotted the deeper and lighter blues.
Territh.
Just as she discovered the focus of the vision, it faded into mist as she felt his lips press against hers. Then the only thing she could think about was his kiss.
His lips were soft, the pressure light and teasing. Mayra had never been kissed before, had never known what exquisite pleasure she was missing. Now part of her hoped this handsome alien would never stop his tender exploration of her mouth.
He sucked gently on her bottom lip and she couldn’t help but sigh. She felt his tongue brush against her lips and wondered at the sensuality of the sensation. Was this how it could be between a man and a woman? Something soft and wonderful? All she’d ever experienced was degradation and fear.
His tongue licked at the seam between her lips, back and forth, until she opened her mouth to let out a small gasp. Nojan took advantage of the opening, his tongue sliding between her lips to find her own. The feeling was like nothing she’d ever experienced, causing a shiver to run through her entire body.
Before she realized it, her arms were climbing his shoulders, her fingers burying themselves in his thick hair. Mayra surrendered herself to his questing tongue, starting to kiss him back, starting to accept the rampant feeling of desire that was taking control.
When she licked his bottom lip, Nojan let out a ragged groan. “By all the gods, woman,” he growled, then redoubled his pressure, his lips claiming hers in earnest.
Mayra moaned, her body besieged by the unfamiliar awareness of her own response to his seduction. She wanted this. She wanted this virtual stranger to explore every inch of her body.
His tongue plunged into her mouth and she sucked it, silently rejoicing when she felt the shudder run through him. Then he pulled away and she wanted to weep.
His eyes bored into hers. “Get some rest,” he whispered, moving off of her to lie beside her.
Mayra rolled over, hugging herself tightly. Why had he stopped, just when things were getting interesting?
He’s not into you, her inner voice whispered.Not really. If seducing you makes you cooperate, then he’ll seduce you. Whatever it takes to make you docile, obedient.
He pulled her into his arms, and his warm body pressed against her back.
“You’re all stiff again,” he said softly into her ear. “Believe me. I wish we could continue as well, but we both need rest.”
Mayra heard the exhaustion in his voice.Maybe he’s telling the truth. A tiny ray of hope shone inside her.
And he was right. She was on the edge of collapse as well. So much had happened in the last few hours. Her flight, her wounds, the confrontation with the Vanfian king, all had sapped her energy. The adrenaline she’d been running on was quickly fading. Rest didn’t sound so terrible.
Mayra decided to relax her guard enough to sleep. Once her batteries were recharged, she would be better able to fend off the handsome Vartik’s advances and figure out what her next move would be.
Besides, it felt good to be in his arms. She could feel a measure of comfort creeping over her, a comfort she’d never once experienced in her life as a slave.This feeling could become addictive, she thought fleetingly as sleep began to blur the edges of the world.
But for now, it was just what she needed. Surrendering to that comfort, Mayra fell into a deep slumber.
