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

Merlyn shook her head. Jaspir stepped closer to her, one hand on her waist, the other at the nape of her neck. Her hands rested against his chest. She didn't push him away.

"Did he kiss you lightly?"

"Yes," she nodded. "Light kisses. Just like with you."

A sliver of pride shot up Jaspir's spine that his lessons had pleased her. Jaspir was so close to her. He felt her breath on his lips. He tasted the scent of her on his tongue. Her words aroused a powerful erection.

"And then he began to thrust his tongue in my mouth."

"Tell me what that felt like, Merlyn?"

Her eyes fluttered shut, her head tilted back. "It was warm, and soft, and wet. A throbbing began between my legs. I pressed them together seeking relief."

"Did he relieve the throbbing, my love?" Jaspir's mouth was less than an inch away from her. He only needed to dip his tongue out and he would taste her, satisfy the throbbing in both of them.

"No. He couldn't." Merlyn opened her eyes, and the fog cleared. "My mother interrupted us."

Her last words were like a cold shower. Jaspir released her and took a step back. He turned from her until his breathing, and his erection, were under control. He'd never had such a powerful erection before from words only. And never from the machinations of another male.

"You wanted him to do more?" Jaspir asked.

"Yes." Merlyn's voice was wobbly. "Are you angry with me?"

Jaspir turned, perplexed. "Why would I be angry with you?"

"Because I let another man kiss me."

Jaspir took her in his arms. He couldn't help it. "No, my love. I'm not angry." He tucked her head in to the crook of his shoulder. "I want you to be taken care of in every sense of the word. I crave your happiness." Jaspir didn't realize the truth of his words until he'd said them out loud. "It eases my heart to know that he can please you."

"Really?" Her words were muffled against his chest.

Jaspir pulled away from her and put her hand on his heart. "The heart doesn't lie." His heart pounded beneath her hand, so hard he saw her fingers twitch with each beat. "This does not change the way I feel about you. I will never stop loving you, but you know that we cannot be together. If I cannot make you happy directly, I'm pleased that he can."

Beyond that, Jaspir was pleased that he was the orchestrator of her pleasure.

12

Liam stood in the center of Jaspir's room. His money had paid for him to bypass the waiting room, and he was admitted down the hall immediately. Many of the stallions tried to get his attention, whistling and making suggestive comments about what they could do for him. Liam rushed to Jaspir's door, but not before noting that he still felt no pull to any of the other men.

Liam felt a bit disappointed at the empty room. He knew Jaspir wasn't there. The concierge had said as much, after grilling Liam about his connection to Jaspir.

He was thrilled with his progress with Merlyn. The thought of the kiss they shared made his cock hard. But he was also anxious. He knew that Merlyn would accompany her mother to the Sisterhood to present their findings soon. The Sisterhood would debate the matter for some time before taking any action. Liam did not feel confident that the council of women would decide in the favor of men.

If the insemination trials began, it could spell the end to bonding between men and women. And it would be, in large part, due to Liam's mathematical finds. If he had known that was Lady Angyla's end game from the beginning, he would not have worked so hard to make headway in Merlyn's research. He was certain Merlyn hadn't known of her mother's ultimate goal. He'd seen the shock on her face when the older woman announced her intentions. He'd seen the reluctance in her eyes after they parted ways that evening. That gave Liam hope. Hope that maybe she wanted a traditional bond and all it entailed.

Merlyn had been absent from the lab all morning. Likely preparing the presentation for the Sisterhood with her mother. Liam knew he didn't have much time to make his next move with her.

He looked at his watch. He'd been in Jaspir's room for hours. Where was the male? Perhaps he'd taken the initial payment and left, he was a scoundrel after all. It would be the perfect revenge. Liam had him kicked out of his home, which landed him in this place. But all of his things were still as they were the night before. Some were strewn over the floor.

He might as well be of use while he was here. Liam began tidying up. He picked up a pair of silk pants. He folded them and then placed them back inside Jaspir's chest of drawers. He saw that many garments were unfolded. He emptied the drawer and went to work. Before long each drawer had been visited.

Once done, he scanned the room. At the window was a plant box with the most unusual flowers. Liam remembered the garden of grafted plants that graced Lady Regyn's backyard. People had come for miles to see the colorful wonders. Liam never understood the draw of foliage or the joining of two plant species that had no business being together. He was glad when the spectacle was mowed down and replanted with edible crops. The field was much more practical afterwards.

Footsteps sounded out in the hall and the doorknob turned. Jaspir didn't look surprised to see Liam standing in the middle of his rooms. His brow did rise at the flower petal Liam held in his hand.

Liam released the plant. "I kissed her."

Jaspir nodded, taking off his over coat. "Tell me about it."

"I did everything you said. I rubbed her lip lightly, and then I grasped her neck to gain control of her head."

Jaspir nodded once more. "Did she