Page 79 of Tempting Fate

She wiped me clean and gathered up the towel, trailing her hand over my torso as she did. Her eyes met mine, and a tiny mewl escaped her throat.

She looked as I imagined I might look before she took me in hand. And that beautiful scent perfuming the air... I’d heard the villagers talk about liaisons enough that I knew it was her arousal, a subtle aroma I’d come to associate with kalidi. But, oh, it was strong. Unmistakable. “Are you well? You look… similarly afflicted. Like you will not be well unless you get release. If that is a thing females can do.” Perhaps they merely got aroused and nothing more.

She raised her eyes to the gods and gave a heavy sigh. “Sweet, sweet, man. It’s okay. I just enjoyed this a little too much, but I’m well enough to take care of it on my own.” She winked, bestowing upon me a small but radiant smile. “I will see you later. Comm me if you need me earlier.”

Take care of it on my own.

I lay there for a long time after she left, wondering what a cunt might look like, and what sounds Imani might make when she reached her summit.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

Sweet, sweet man, you will kill me

Imani

I SNUCK OFF to the far end of the gardens and took care of myself, a fast and furious release hiding in the bushes. God, what was wrong with me?

My cunt still burned, angry at being empty.

As I returned to the village centre, Daiytak was crossing the courtyard, and a different relief washed through me. It was one thing to help Airida a few times with his kalidi. It was nice to be making a friend. It was okay to delay moving back to town, even though it rankled. But this? A few times had turned into a few days—and now, it had been well over a week.

I hurried over to her. “Can I speak to you a moment?” With Orukem back and recovered, I had a get-out. I’d been putting off speaking with Daiytak—why, I didn’t know; this horniness was unbearable—but if I couldn’t handle things, if I was losing control, this was my chance to draw a line.

She stopped, running a hand over her headspines. “What is it?”

“Airida. I was thinking, now Orukem is back…”

Daiytak’s voice held genuine surprise. “You wish her to take over again?”

No. “It might be better.”

“Did something happen? Has he made you feel uncomfortable?”

“No! Nothing like that.” Quite the opposite—which was the problem. I took a slow breath and said the words I’d been rehearsing. “I’ve really enjoyed staying here, you’ve been very kind, thank you. But it’s time I got myself settled and get on with my life. I need to move back to town.”

“I see.”

What did that mean? She was supposed to say okay. Wasn’t she?

“Have you found alternative accommodation?”

“Well, not yet, but…”

“Imani, you know if you need to talk to someone, I’ll listen.”

I bit my lip. I didn’t need to talk about anything. I needed to have a clear plan, and she wasn’t helping.

Daiytak inclined her head. “Very well. We appreciate your assistance. Orukem’s well enough now, and she can take over from later today—”

“He asked me to stay. For the whole of his kalidi.” The words flew out of me without thinking. Orukem wasn’t touching Airida again, not like that. Anyway, I hadn’t spoken to him about it yet, and he wanted me, I wanted him to be happy. Nobody liked a last minute change of plans.

She smiled, brows raised, and drew out each word. “Is that so?”

“Yes. But I need to know how long for.” Fine, I could carry on with kalidi, but I needed to know there was an end date and that I had plans and predictability at the end of it. A few days. A week?

“He has another month or so. Maybe less, maybe more. It affects us all differently.”

A month? A month of this thing between us. “And it’s okay to stay that long? I don’t want us to outstay our welcome.”