"The usual way. Pachtaland Abdar didn't hesitate to use me when they were here before. I'll call youwhen it's safe." She opened the door, pushed Jane into the adjoining room,and slammed the door.
Chapter3
Even in the dim lamplight Ruelrecognized the gleaming auburn of Jane's hair as she hurriedly entered theroom.
The muscles of his abdomenclenched and his loins immediately hardened in response. Easy, he told himself,he was here for a purpose other than what his body demanded. Easy? The thoughtwas ludicrous; at this moment both calmness and reason were out of thequestion.
She was here.
Soon he would know more abouther than ever before.
Soon he would touch her forthe first time.
** *
Jane heard the key turn in thelock of the door behind her. Another click sounded in the lock on the onlyother door across the chamber.
She was a prisoner.
Her chest was tight with fear.The caged feeling reminded her of the helplessness she had experienced when shehad stood sandwiched between Pachtal and Abdar on that lonely street only a fewweeks before.
Darkness hovered over thechamber lightened only by a single oil lamp on the table beside her, and theheavy scent of musk and incense pressed down on her.
"At last. Come here andlet me look at you."
She froze, her glance flyingacross the room to the man lying on the bed.
In the dimness she could tellonly that he was naked and lying on his side facing her. His cheek rested onhis hand as his gaze slowly ran over her. "Unusual. It seems Zabrie tookme at my word."
This time she caught theslight brogue in the words. The Scot, Jane remembered, the man whom Zabrie hadordered brought here, the man who had wanted something different. "Zabriewill come to you later. She's busy now."
"But she sent you toentertain me?" He crooked his finger, motioning for her to come to him."Don't be nervous. I don't mind. I told her I was in the mood for anEnglish lass."
He had mistaken her panic fornervousness at his displeasure. She would have laughed if she hadn't been sofrightened. "I'm not English and I'm not nervous. You don'tunderstand."
"I understand I'm goingto be a little annoyed if you don't come over here and let me see what you looklike." She moved reluctantly to stand beside the bed. "I'm sureZabrie will not be—"
Dear God, he was the mostbeautiful human being she had ever seen. He was all lion colors, golden skin,tawny hair pulled back in a queue to reveal a bone structure that was close toperfect. But his eyes were blue, not a catlike green or yellow, a deep,piercing blue…
He lifted a brow. "Howlong before Zabrie arrives?"
She had forgotten what she hadbeen about to say. She swiftly gathered her composure. "Just bepatient."
He chuckled. "This isn'ta situation where patience comes easily." He gestured to his lower body."As you can see."
Her gaze followed the gestureand she inhaled sharply as she saw bold, pulsing arousal, splendid dimension.She quickly looked back to his face. "Zabrie will be here soon."
"It's not Zabrie who mademe like this. You walked in the door and I wanted you."
She stared at him indisbelief.
"It came as a surprise tome too. I didn't expect it. In those masculine clothes you certainly don't lookvery appealing." He reached out and grasped her wrist. "Take themoff," he said softly.
Her flesh under his grasp feltstrange, hot, tingling, and she was experiencing a queer breathlessness."No."
"You prefer that I doit?" He pulled her down to a sitting position on the bed beside him. Hislight eyes narrowed on her face, holding her gaze. The scent of him surroundedher, soap and spice and something deeper, darker, blending with theincense-laden air. "Why not?" he murmured. "I might find itinteresting changing a boy into a woman."
"I didn't say that Iwanted—"
