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Tai stroked long strands of dark blonde hair from her face, ignoring the rush of arousal her silky skin triggered. His gaze lingered on her perfect oval face, pretty, curved nose and delicate, full—and very kissable—lips. Her closed eyelids hid her beautiful, cobalt blue eyes and made her seem very vulnerable.
Damn this business. He’d hated the look of fear in her eyes when he’d explained why she was brought here. Clearly, she believed she would be mistreated. The pain lacing her eyes when he’d reminded her of her unfortunate past still scoured his heart like steel wool. With a history like hers, stealing her from her home was mistreatment, but as much as the thought tugged at his heart, there was nothing he could do about it.
He fetched a cloth and dampened it with cool water. He knelt by the couch and pressed it against Aria’s forehead. Her eyelids flickered open, revealing two vivid blue pools speckled with gold.
“How are you feeling, Aria?”
She pushed his hand away. As her fingers brushed against his skin, he felt heat rush through him. She started to sit up, but he restrained her gently with a hand on her shoulder.
“Relax. You’ve had quite a shock.”
“I don’t want to relax. I want to go home.” Despite her protest, she slumped back against the cushion. Although she no longer fought to sit up, he couldn’t draw his hand away from her shoulder. The need to touch her was too powerful. The sharp sparking of his senses seemed addictive.
“I’m afraid that’s not an option.”
She scowled. “Of course it’s an option. It’s just one you choose not to consider.”
Her scent, an exotic, spicy musk, filled his nostrils. He found himself easing toward her, his voice softening.
On the edge of his consciousness, a part of him worried that these wild, erotic feelings might swamp his well-trained, highly controlled restraint.
“I’ve already explained why. Once you’ve joined with your tanash’ae, you will thank me.”
“I highly doubt that.”
Silence hung between them.
He knew her hormones must be raging. That’s what happened when a tanash’ae bond was awakened. Her need would intensify to an intolerable level as they traveled closer to Sa’oul and her tanash’ae, Zander. He did not intend to allow he
r to suffer.
She licked her lips. He couldn’t help following the motion with his eyes, watching her now glistening blush-pink lips in fascination.
“So what happens now?” she asked.
Now I taste your lips and show you the heights of ecstasy. He found his head dipping toward hers and stopped, pushing aside the urge to sweep her into his arms and kiss her senseless. “Well, that depends. I’m sure we can find ways to entertain you.”
Her eyes narrowed. “What do you mean by that?”
“Are you at all curious what it would be like to make love with someone from another world?” The words escaped before he could edit them.
She stiffened, her eyes widening. Many emotions swirled through those blue depths—curiosity, confusion, arousal—but fear overshadowed them all. He drew away. Gattra, he hadn’t meant to be so blunt.
Dahran, he never thought he would regret the strong link he shared with his brother, but right now he wondered how he would survive the trip home with this woman.
Not that there was anything taboo about sharing a bed with his brother’s woman before they wed. Unfortunately, he wasn’t sure he would survive making love with her, then having to let her go.
He wished he could sense his own tanash’ae, but unfortunately, natat’ai had not seen fit to bless him with a mate just yet.
She sucked in a breath. “Umm. Would your king approve of that suggestion?”
“Until you are joined with your tanash’ae you are free to enjoy physical pleasure with anyone you like. In fact, you are encouraged to experience as much as possible. This special time leading up to meeting your tanash’ae is a time of celebration. We feel that sexuality is a wonderful way to celebrate, just as your people enjoy wine and food.”
“Gee, your Christmas parties must be a real blast.” She shifted and glanced around. “So is that why you brought me to your quarters? So we can celebrate together?”
Aria felt an electric quiver simmer in her blood at the thought. The heat of his hard, hot body so close to her, the caress of his velvet voice, the musky male scent of him—oh, heavens, she wanted to lean close and breath him deep into her lungs—all threw her senses into scorching chaos.
She returned her gaze to the pair of intense, sterling eyes staring down at her and she drew in a deep breath. Something in those eyes made her fear he saw past her defenses. Could he see the heady arousal swarming through her?
