He loved her.
Zahra blinked.
He may not yet know it, and she could be wrong, but something inside her told her it was true. This proud, strong, massive Khuuz’eth was in love with her.
"Do you require anything?" Vera asked as she easily caught up to Zahra.
"No, I'm going to soak in a nice warm bath." Zahra smiled to herself as she entered the house and walked straight for her room, which also happened to be Khaazai’s room. Anticipation pulsed through her for what they might do this evening. Her body warming despite the recent orgasm.
“Then I will see you for our evening meal.” Vera called out as Zahra zoomed ahead.
____________________________
Zahra sighed for about the fiftieth time. The Khuuz’eth knew exactly how to build a bathtub. The thing was the same size as a hot tub that would fit fifteen humans, carved out of a stone that seemed to hold heat for ages. There were no knobs. Instead, the water appeared to bubble up from some sort of plumbing, a constant source of rotating hot water.
Tilting her head back, she closed her eyes, enjoying the warmth. She’d opened the balcony doors off the bathroom. Balcony doors on a bathroom! It was a fabulous idea. Now shecould listen to the rain while heating her body back up after being out in the rain for so long.
The chill from the day had long since eased from her body, but she wasn’t sure when she would get out. She might just miss dinner and have to apologize to Vera.
“Hope you don’t mind sharing.” A deep voice growled.
Startling, Zahra straightened and opened her eyes to find Khaazai standing on the opposite side of her, gazing down with those electric blue eyes.
“Done already?” She’d figured the issues with his farmers would take a while.
“Already?” Khaazai rumbled deep inside his chest with a laugh. Then he eased his large, naked frame into the bath.
Zahra found her mouth go dry. They were both naked, and knowing how they reacted around each other, she knew it’d only be a matter of minutes until they were throwing themselves at each other.
“Do you know how long you’ve been in here?” Khaazai prowled closer, weaving his way through the water, looking leisurely, but her other senses told her a predator was on the prowl.
“I could admit that I may have dozed off a few times while in here.” Zahra said with a shrug, trying to act chill, despite her heart racing away inside her chest.
“Hmmm, then it might not surprise you to know it’s almost time to meet Holly and Vera for dinner.” He stopped an arm’s length away from her.
Zahra’s body seemed to light on fire. It was crazy how his presence could just get her going in an instant. But he didn’t make a move toward her.
“Lay back.” He instructed her.
Slowly, Zahra laid back against the wall, using an in-built ledge as a seat. Expecting him to make a sexual move, hereyes shot wide when he grabbed one of her feet. Raising it to the level of his chest, he began massaging the sole of her foot with his thumbs.
“Oh, stars, yes.” Zahra purred as her head fell back. “That feels soooo good.”
Khaazai rumbled with amusement. “I can’t pretend that I thought of this idea on my own. I may have recruited some advice from Holly.”
“Resourceful.” Zahra laughed with a smile. “No problem with that. What else did she tell you?”
“She was full of ideas.” Khaazai admitted as his strong fingers worked on her feet. “She recommended compliments, asking about your interests, taking you on some adventures. Showing you more about our world.”
“Sound like good ideas to me.” Zahra confirmed.
Khaazai switched to her other foot, and a moan escaped her mouth. “What do you like to do, Zahra?”
“Well, I like work.”
Khaazai rumbled with a laugh. “I’ve already noted how easy you can get lost in your work.”
“I also like cooking and especially eating. That might stem from years of military rations.” Zahra stuck out her tongue with disgust. “Those things are like sawdust. Very little flavor. Something to last a long time in case you get stranded in a ship or on a planet.”
