How am I not throwing myself at him right this very second?
"My pleasure," he said, his voice rough and raspy.
Licking her lips, she stepped toward him.
He stepped back. "I must go."
No! Stay! Their eyes met, and she had to fight the urge to rise on tiptoes, breathe in his scent and absorb his strength.
Kiss me, she silently beseeched, hating herself-hating him. Help me figure out my next move.
In the end, he turned and walked away, leaving her wanting more. So much more.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
"I'VE NEVER, IN ALL my life, been pleasured like I was last night."
"Me, either."
"Uh, we know! Your screams were almost as loud as mine."
And so it began. The women had the same conversation every day.
The room hadn't changed, either. There were two couches, a thousand silk pillows, a table with snacks and bottles of wine, books and baskets containing needles and thread. This wasn't just a hobby room. This was a keep-the-women-busy-while-the-men-do-important-work room.
Already the other captives had formed groups. Or rather, dreaded cliques. Smiles and laughter abounded, and though many girls waved at her, no one asked her to join a conversation. All because she'd become known as the troublemaker.
But come on! This was a modern day harem, a concubine taken out only when her master had need of her body.
So. Decision made, no take-backs. I'm going home today, as planned.
No more lingering. No more hoping to learn more about Valerian...or dreaming about kissing him. She stomped her foot. No more!
"Ladies." She clapped her hands to gain everyone's attention. "I know you've had fun here. The men can be...distracting. But our vacation is over. It's time for us to return to the good ole United States of America. We have families mourning our loss."
Everyone ignored her.
Frustrated but determined, she continued. "There are enough of us to overtake the guards. We can bust free and beat feet to the portal."
So many gasps of outrage sounded, they could have been background music to a song.
"My family would want me to be happy. I'm happy here."
"I'm not leaving," someone else said. "I've waited my whole life to a meet man like Rueben."
"If you try to run, I'll scream for help. I'm not going to let you ruin this for us."
Shaye gripped the sides of her gown, nearly ripping the fabric as her frustration pummeled her determination. "That's how we settle our problems now? We tattle? Why do you want to stay here, anyway?" She said the words for her benefit, as well. "We're nothing but T and A to these guys. One day, they'll meet their mates and cut you loose."
"The poor girl's repressed, y'all. She's got lady blue balls, and it's made her daft. Let's offer support."
Almost everyone gathered around her, concern darkening every gaze. I'm part of a cult. Or at the center of an intervention.
For the next hour, she endured major TMI as the women told her their preferred sexual positions. If she tried this or that, they said, her mood would finally improve.
She countered with a speech about being worth more than temporary pleasure. And that's all the nymphos could offer to anyone other than a mate.
In fact, she was the only mate here.
And yet I'm the one who wants to leave?
Eventually, the crowd grew tired of listening to her and called for the guards...summoned Valerian.
Her insides quivered. She paced. If there'd been a clock, she would have watched the hand mark the seconds. How long would Valerian make her wait for-
He strode into the room without preamble, shirtless once again, sweat and dirt smeared over his muscled chest. Her adrenaline levels spiked.
Silent, he homed in on her like a heat-seeking missile. She stood, dumbfounded, as he wrapped her in his arms and-
Made dirty, filthy love to her mouth.
The kiss had nothing to do with exploration and everything to do with persuasion. But it ended far too quickly, his tongue thrusting inside her mouth once, twice, staking a claim...just long enough to remind her of his taste, consume her senses and drive her crazy.
He lifted his head, leaving her wanting and desperate. Her lips tingled as she struggled to catch her breath.
Women had closed in on them...and they were now running their fingertips all over him.
Mine! Shaye scowled at the offenders.
What am I doing?
Control! "What was that for?" she asked, hating the tremor in her voice.
He brushed his fingers over her cheekbones. "Rather than wallowing in the fear of losing you, I'm striving to romance you."
Sweet fancy roses. If he hadn't started romancing her until now... I'm in serious trouble.
"Over the years I've learned that what you fear, you welcome into your life," he added. "Like a self-fulfilling prophecy."