Carnal Rites by Ines Johnson (learn to read books .TXT) 📕

"Really? I'd love to hear all about it." Jian turned them down the street. "Come. Meet my family."

"Family? Do you mean to tell me the girl from all those years ago, you bonded with her?"

Jian let out a hearty laugh. "By the Goddess, no. Come, meet my lady. We'll catch up along the way."

The front door of the grand house was pulled open by a manservant who smiled congenially at them both, and then bowed. Now one had ever bowed to Jaspir. Only lords and monks received such reverence. Jaspir was neither. He wondered what the manservant would think if he knew a gigolo crossed his cleaned floors.

"Jian," called a feminine voice. "Is that you?"

Jian followed the voice to a room off the main hall, with Jaspir in his wake. When Jaspir entered the room, he saw Jian lean over to kiss a pregnant woman. Her brown face glowed up at him with joy. Their hands met on her abdomen. Jian pulled away to reveal his lady... and her companion.

"Jaspir, this is my wife, Lady Chanyn."

Jaspir wasn't sure if he nodded his head or said a greeting. His focus would not move from the lady seated beside Jian's wife.

"It's good to see you again, Lady Merlyn," Jian said.

Merlyn didn't respond. Her eyes were locked on Jaspir.

"Lady Merlyn," said Jian. "I'd like to introduce you to my brother—"

"Brother?" Merlyn asked.

"Yes. We were brothers in the temple. Though both of us are not under the temple's vows, brothers we remain."

Jian turned to Jaspir, a knowing look passed over his dark eyes. Jaspir had told Jian and his other two brothers all of his secrets during their time in the Brotherhood. He'd told them about his undying love for a young lady. Jian knew that that was the reason Jaspir couldn't take the vows to the Goddess and thusly, caused him to leave the Brotherhood.

The stare off between Jaspir and Merlyn was interrupted by the arrival of another male. This male looked around the room and scowled at Jaspir. His look was assessing, as though he believed Jaspir a threat.

Jian walked over and put his arm around the male. "Jaspir, this is my husband, Lord Khial."

Lord Khial made no move to embrace hands with Jaspir.

"Khi, this is one of my brothers. He grew up with me at the temple."

Lord Khial took his gaze from Jaspir and glanced up at Jian. Something passed between the two and Jaspir saw Lord Khial relax, a fraction. Lord Khial nodded at Jaspir and then turned away, heading directly for Lady Chanyn.

"I'm headed out," he said dipping down to kiss his bondmate's eyelids. "I'll be teaching a music class at the shelter."

Lord Khial went to straighten up, but Lady Chanyn caught his face and pulled him down for a kiss on his lips. He grinned and went willingly. Before straightening, he glazed his hand over her belly.

"Make sure she eats enough meat and lentils," Lord Khial said to Jian. "Growing babes need protein."

"I will, Khi," Jian answered. His smile was good humored.

"And try to keep her inside," Lord Khial straightened and went to Jian. "She's already been out in the gardens today for hours."

"She is right here," said Lady Chanyn. "And she is not a pet to order about."

"I will try to make her heel," Jian winked at her.

Lady Chanyn rolled her eyes.

"Try not to be too late, Khi." Jian turned his attention to Lord Khial. He ran a hand down the other male's bicep. Lord Khial pressed a kiss to Jian's lips.

Jaspir should have looked away at the heat between them, but he couldn't. It fascinated him. When the two males parted, Jaspir's eyes caught Merlyn's. Her eyes had been fixed on the two males as well.

Dinner was a happy affair. Lady Chanyn and Jian included both Merlyn and Jaspir in their conversation. All talk steered clear of the unspoken topic in the room that was Jaspir and Merlyn's past. Jaspir had a lovely talk with Chanyn about her garden and her eclectic mix of plants. After the last dish was cleared, Lady Chanyn yawned. With that small sigh, all of the male servants and her husband were at her side.

Lady Chanyn rolled her eyes again but allowed herself to be led away to bed. Jian embraced Jaspir and made him promise to visit again soon. And then he and Merlyn were alone.

Jaspir reached his hand out to Merlyn. "I'll walk you out to your conveyance."

When she placed her hand in his, he realized his mistake. He'd promised Liam that he wouldn't touch her again. He'd promised himself she would never become like Lady Myra and his other former clients. The feel of her hand in his set off alarm bells that tripped along the veins to his heart and his heart began to pound. His nostrils filled with her scent. He couldn't take his eyes, or his hand, off her.

They walked slowly down the hall and out of the front doors. Once on the stoop they paused. Jaspir did not let go of her hand. Merlyn did not take hers back.

"Liam kissed me."

Jaspir played the words over in his head twice. The first time a spark of anger struck. The second time a light of curiosity hit him. "Did you enjoy it?"

Merlyn blinked. Clearly, that wasn't the response she had expected either. "I... I did."

Jaspir rubbed his thumb over her pulse. The vein jumped at his touch. "Tell me about it."

"You want me to tell you about kissing another man?"

"Yes." Jaspir traced his fingers to the crux of her elbow. "How did it start?"

Merlyn blinked, but she began to speak. "He began by rubbing his thumb over my lip. He said I had something on my face."

"Clever of him. And then he leaned in and kissed you?"

"No, he put one hand at my waist. The other he wrapped around my neck."

"Good." The male was heeding Jaspir's instructions. "Go on."

"I... Then he tilted my head up. I was going to push him away."

"But