a Pleasure Rites, #1 by Ines Johnson (reader novel .TXT) 📕

Jian prepared to hand the package back to her, but the shape and feel of it caught his curiosity. "What is this?"

Chanyn frowned. "I keep forgetting that these are no longer a part of your world."

Thoroughly curious now, Jian unwrapped the package and saw a firm piece of square leather that bound sheaths of thin material. He opened it and saw writing. He glanced up at Chanyn. "Is this a book?"

Chanyn nodded. "I brought it with me from my home. It’s one of the only works of nonfiction that I actually enjoyed."

Jian turned the book's cover back over. A Natural History of the Senses by Diana Ackerman, it read. There was something about running his palm over the leather cover. Pinching the thin pages with his fingers. It was sensual for his mind.

He glanced up at Chanyn. She grinned proudly, watching him. He set the book down behind her, careful of the new treasure. Then he turned back to her.

"Take your clothes off, Chanyn."

She smiled at the mention of her name. Her free hand went to the tie at her collarbone. "Aren't we going to pray? I really liked the prayer." She gave the string a pull.

Jian sank to his knees along with the fabric and began to recite the prayer.

When he ended the prayer with "Ashe," he inhaled the scent emanating from Chanyn's core. They were not touching but he sensed the tremor that passed through her body.

He opened his eyes. She stood above him. He was on his knees ready to serve. This was the way of things. This is where Jian excelled.

"Go to the bed, Chanyn"

She went, on unsteady legs. Jian watched the up and down motion of her plump behind. Like her stomach in front, the flesh at her rear rose and fell like waves. She was not slightly built, like the women of the city. Her curves were an art in and of themselves. He could trace them with his eyes for hours before giving his fingers their turn.

When she reached the bed, she turned, awaiting further instruction.

Jian, still on his knees, folded his hands in his lap in simulation of the meditative pose that prepared him for this session. "Sit down," he instructed.

She did.

"Open your legs."

Chanyn hesitated. His eyes locked on hers, and waited.

Finally, she made up her mind and slowly spread her thighs. Jian didn't look. He kept his eyes on hers while he crawled on his knees to her.

She made no sound, but he knew her breaths had sped to pants because her chest rose and fell rapidly.

His eyes still glued to hers, he said, "For today's lesson, we're going to test a theory. Did your mother teach you about theories?"

She nodded.

"I have a theory," Jian undid the sash of his robes, eyes still on hers. "I think you may be multi-orgasmic."

Chanyn's eyes flared at that.

"I'm going to test that theory now. I will test it using three tools. First, I'm going to use my mouth. Second, my hands. And then finally my shaft."

Jian freed the robes from his shoulders. Chanyn watched them fall, and then her eyes held at the area between his legs.

Jian grabbed her chin and brought her gaze back to his. "Here are the rules. You are not allowed to touch my shaft. Not with your hands and not with your mouth."

There was a slight frown that came to her lips and he saw the disappointment in her eyes. Jian had to take a breath so as not to throw her down on the bed, like a Neanderthal of the twentieth century.

Chanyn nodded her understanding and agreement. In truth, Jian felt a bit of disappointment that she didn't argue.

"This is sacred work, Chanyn. Are you ready to begin?"

For the first time, worry creased Chanyn's brow. Jian stifled the temptation to smooth her worries from her brow. Had he been too harsh in his instructions?

"Are you frightened, Chanyn?"

"No, I'm just... I do have one question?"

Jian nodded. She looked down, a bit uncomfortable. He did not let her chin go. He splayed his fingers along her cheekbone. Her skin was soft against his fingers. "You can ask me anything without fear of judgment."

Her eyes came back to his. "I've read... in my books... that the first time... hurts."

Hounds didn't have many vices outside of sweet berries. They lived simply and didn't want for much. They were taught not to boast. They were taught to tell the truth.

"It will not hurt."

Chanyn looked as though she didn't believe him.

A confident gleam lit his eyes. "I'm very well trained, Lady Chanyn. Anything that I do to you will bring pleasure, and only pleasure. This I promise you."

He held her gaze so that she felt the full weight of his vow.

She swallowed.

"Shall we begin?"

She nodded.

Jian continued to gaze into her eyes. He wanted to see the moment she gave over to his ministrations. Keeping one hand on her chin, the other sought her heat. He found her wet.

Chanyn gasped when Jian's thumb made contact with her clitoris.

Her eyes widened, then narrowed. "I thought you said you were going to start with your tongue."

Jian bit his lip to stop himself from bursting into laughter. "Do not contradict your teacher."

She grinned at him. Jian had his hands on the warm treasure of a woman for the first time in five years, but it was that unabashed smile that sent warmth spreading throughout his whole body. His heart pounded with want inside his chest.

Chanyn began to pant from his manipulations. He knew she would close her eyes and fall back onto the mattress soon. That she would give herself over to the feeling and get lost inside herself. But she didn't close her eyes. Her gaze stayed locked with his. She let him see everything.

He saw surprise, pleasure, ache, desperation. All of it she shared with him.

True to her word, she did not touch him. Her hands clutched the sheets. Her heels left the floor to balance on the balls of her feet. This motion tilted