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

"Liam?" Jaspir touched each of Merlyn's eyelids reverently.

Liam couldn't find his voice to answer. He watched the scene, feeling like an intruder on a private moment.

"I'm leaving in the morning," Jaspir traced the slope of Merlyn's nose. "Allow me to hold her this one night?"

Liam understood the request. It would be only this one night, this third and final night of lessons. And then afterward Jaspir would be out of their lives for good.

Liam felt a hollow space in his chest. "Yes," he said.

Jaspir gathered Merlyn to him, tucking her head against his heart. His sigh was of such contentment. Liam still knelt frozen on the same spot. He wasn't sure if Jaspir had meant he wanted to be alone with Merlyn. Did he want Liam to get dressed and leave?

"Grab the quilt from the chest," Jaspir said. His eyes still closed. "It's the only one big enough to cover all three of us."

Liam did as he was told. He spread the cover over Jaspir and Merlyn. Then he climbed in on the other side and sank under its warmth, but somehow he still felt left out in the cold.

16

Merlyn felt surrounded by warmth. A feather light touch skated along her brow. She turned into it. There was a sigh of breath at the back of her neck. The smell of Jaspir filled her nostrils. But she recognized the sound of Liam's voice in her ear.

"He talks in his sleep." The voice was Jaspir's.

Merlyn opened her eyes. She was greeted with the dark eyes that haunted her dreams. "You're here."

Jaspir's response was a smile and a light brush over her lower lip.

"This may sound silly," she said, "but I dream of you. Nearly every night since... But, it's always been difficult to remember the details. Not the physical details. I'm good with facts. It’s difficult to remember the emotions, the feelings. I'm not so good with those. I could never remember how soft the pads of your fingers were. Softness is a hard memory. I couldn't remember the heat either. What if I forget after you leave?"

Jaspir scooped her in closer. The heat from Liam's breath at the back of her neck lessened.

"Don't focus on the small details, my love. Focus on the big picture. I love you. When I say that, what does it make you feel?"

"My heart races and I feel a... fullness."

"See, you can remember just fine when you focus on the big picture."

Merlyn pulled away from him. "Where will you go?"

"I've had my eye on a piece of land outside the city. It’s a small cabin with fertile land as it’s near a small lake. I've been saving up for it for years. I'll close on the deal in just a few days."

"It's just like you said when we were children. You said you'd buy me a home and plant me a garden."

"I'm a man of my word."

"Only I won't be going with you."

"You've been with me every day, Merlyn. In my mind, in my heart. It’s only these last few days that I've received the gift of your physical presence."

"I don't want you to go, Jaspir."

"Why not?"

"I like your physical presence."

Jaspir smiled. "I like your presence too. I'm going to live my dream. I'm going to build you that garden. I'll have land that can never be taken from me. I was childish to think that I could bring you there and have a life with you. Your life is here. You're going to change the world. Just be certain that you change it for the better."

"You know what my mother plans to do with my work?"

"I know that you would never intend anyone harm. I have faith that you'll figure out a way to make your work a benefit to all humankind. Don't you agree, Liam?"

Merlyn leaned back and looked over her shoulder. She'd felt Liam's warmth, but forgotten his presence. He looked alone lying at the edge of the bed watching the two of them with guarded eyes.

"Good morning, Liam," she said.

Liam ducked his head in a mock bow. "Good morning, my lady."

"Did you sleep well?"

"I did, in fact. Best night of sleep I can remember."

"Me, too."

Liam reached his hand up and brushed her hair out of her face, his fingers caught a stray curl and wrapped it around his finger. Then his eyes looked over to Jaspir. A slight blush colored Liam's strong jaw and then it was gone.

"We should be going soon," Liam said. "We may have already been missed."

The sky was still dark, but the sun was beginning to stretch its rays up into morning. Merlyn hadn't thought about any repercussions to their night of passion, but she was certain now that there would be some. She had never spent a night out without telling her Mother ahead of time. In fact, she had never spent a night out for any reason, so attached to her lab was she.

They rose and dressed somberly, each covering the parts they'd used to pleasure the other. Both Merlyn's and Liam's eyes lingered as Jaspir pulled up his pants.

Jaspir enveloped Merlyn in his arms. "Remember, when you hurt, I hurt. When you're happy, I feel it too. Be happy, my love."

Merlyn couldn't find any adequate words for the situation, so she planted a kiss on his lips. Jaspir inhaled, but he didn't pull her closer. His eyes, when he pulled away, told her he wanted more. But he handed her over to Liam.

"Remember what I taught you." Jaspir reached his hand out to Liam. Liam clasped his hand.

Jaspir opened the door. Once she and Liam were across the threshold, Jaspir quickly and quietly shut the door. Merlyn and Liam stood on the threshold staring at the closed door for a moment.

Then Liam turned and put his arm out. "Come, my lady. We should be getting home."

Merlyn took Liam's arm and walked out of the establishment with him. The car ride home was quiet, as they both were lost in their own