No, she was certain of one thing. Nasim must be punished.
"You'll have your price."
"Good."
Silence in the chamber. She grew uneasy when he did not move but still sat looking at her. "Well, go to your bed. We have nothing more to say."
"Soon. I'm enjoying this."
"I am not. Go away."
"You would, if you permitted yourself. The darkness makes everything more sensual, doesn't it? I've always loved the scent of you. I can hear every change of tempo of your breath. A bar of moonlight is lying across your body. I can see your breasts covered by the blanket, but your shoulders are naked and shimmering. . . ." He suddenly chuckled. "Your breathing has quickened. Why?"
He knew why. He always knew everything about her body's responses. "I want you to leave."
"Do you?" He was suddenly kneeling on the floor by her bed. His features were still shadowed. "And I want to put my hand on that strip of moonlight." His hand came out of the darkness to lightly rest on the blanket covering her belly. The muscles of her abdomen clenched beneath the touch. "Look at us," he whispered.
She couldn't help but look. His touch was light, but the warmth seemed to burn her through the blanket. His hand gleamed pale against the brown wool. From the forearm he was in shadow, but his hand was bold and clear, strong, fingers spread wide and stiff.
She was having trouble breathing. "This is not my will."
"Shh, it's not unusual for a man of my profession to be given a small payment for a deposit." He was pushing the blanket aside.
She should move.
She couldn't move.
His cheek was against her belly, rubbing slowly back and forth. She could feel the slight male roughness against her softness.
"Here," he whispered. "Soon, Selene."
A child. He was talking about a babe.
His hand moved down to stroke, rub, pluck.
A shudder went through her.
His mouth was suddenly on her nipple and he was sucking, hard, fast.
His fingers plunged deep.
She gave a cry and arched upward.
"Yes." He gave her more, in, out, fast, deep. "Call out. Let me hear you."
Her fingernails dug into the sheet.
Faster. Harder.
"Come for me."
Darkness. Deepness. Searing heat.
She cried out as the tension climaxed.
He stopped, his forehead slowly bent to rest on her stomach. His breath was warm on her flesh, his chest laboring.
She was panting. Her heart was beating too fast. She felt as if it would leap from her breast.
