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He didn’t return the smile. Those intense blue eyes were focused on her mouth, his expression almost… hungry. She hadn’t realized he was quite so close and her pulse started to race. Her tongue darted out to moisten suddenly dry lips and his tail gently tugged her closer. Just as her body made contact with his, he stiffened, then released her with a muttered oath.
“I’ll get the camping supplies,” he said, his face once more expressionless as he headed towards the back of the wagon.
She watched him go, her heart still pounding in her chest. She was almost positive he’d intended to kiss her. And I wouldn’t have stopped him. The flutter of arousal had returned and she didn’t need to look down to know her nipples were erect, still tingling from that all too brief contact with his big, hard body.
What’s more, she was sure the arousal had been mutual. He was attracted to her - but apparently he didn’t want to be. I’ll just have to keep my distance, she decided, then took a somewhat shaky breath and followed him to the back of the wagon.
“Can I help?”
He didn’t look at her as he opened the storage compartment beneath the wagon bed.
“I’ve got it. Once I get everything set up, I’ll fetch some water and start gathering wood. I thought we’d cook outside tonight and save the stove for another time.”
“That sounds good, although I don’t know much about cooking over an open fire,” she added doubtfully.
He finally looked at her, his face still unreadable.
“I’ll teach you. We’ll start with something simple like a stew. Why don’t you get some food from the supplies in the wagon? Just the usual ingredients for a stew.”
“Of course.”
Having something to do made her feel more like herself as she climbed into the wagon. The inside of the wagon clearly wasn’t new, but it was clean and tidy, everything neatly packed away in a surprising number of compartments. The compact area was also well-equipped with a small kitchen area, a built-in bench and table, and a bed platform across the back.
One bed platform.
One that barely looked big enough for him, let alone both of them. When she’d accepted his proposition, she hadn’t really thought about this aspect of the arrangement, but of course a married couple would share a bed. He’d said their relationship would be in name only, but as she looked at that narrow mattress, she suddenly wondered just what she’d let herself in for.
CHAPTER 5
Iam a fool, Celenk thought as he returned to the campsite with an armload of wood and began preparing the fire. He had not considered the impact of having a soft, sweet-smelling female so close to him all day, nor the enforced intimacy of their solo journey. The fact that she didn’t seem immune to him either certainly hadn’t helped - he’d caught the delicious hint of her arousal several times throughout the afternoon. And how did his tail keep ending up around her waist?
If he had been involved with a Karthikan female, naturally their tails would have intertwined, both as a sign of intimacy and a way of heightening their sexual pleasure. It had never occurred to him that a small human hand stroking his tail could be equally - more - arousing. So arousing that his codix had threatened to emerge.
The same thing had happened when he steadied her as she descended from the wagon. Frek, that one brief moment when her soft little body had been pressed against his was still branded in his memory.
This is a business arrangement, nothing more, he reminded himself as he finished lighting the fire and she emerged from the wagon. Her cheeks were flushed again and she didn’t look at him as she carried a basket of vegetables to the fire and sat down next to him, concentrating on organizing the vegetables and carefully placing Raja’s satchel next to her. Was she remembering that moment as well?
“I didn’t realize that the wagon interior was so… compact,” she said hesitantly, sneaking a quick look at him from under her lashes.
“It should be enough to serve our needs for such a short journey.”
He deliberately kept his tone casual, but he hadn’t missed the note of uncertainty. Was there something about the wagon that bothered her? It was only a standard model but it was more than adequately equipped for a couple… A couple. Ah. He suddenly understood the cause of her discomfort.
“Are you concerned about the sleeping arrangements?”
Her head jerked up and that delightful hint of color appeared in her cheeks.
“Not exactly. I just hadn’t realized we would be sharing a bed. I mean… well… obviously, a married couple would sleep together but I assumed…” She trailed off, shaking her head. “I know you said you didn’t expect us to have a physical relationship. I’ve just never shared a bed with anyone other than my husband.”
The thought of her sleeping with that worthless male angered him, but he pushed it aside.
“You are correct that I am not seeking a physical relationship. I will do my best to respect your privacy.”
“Oh. I see.”
She started slicing the vegetables and he couldn’t stop himself from watching her. The slender, capable little hands were suddenly fascinating. How would they look wrapped around his codix? Or would she stroke her long graceful fingers up and down the length, learning him before she lowered her head…
Frek!
