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

He was so boyish when he laughed, when he was unguarded and forgot to shield himself from the world. Unfortunately, his shields didn't stay down for long.

Khial sobered and rebuilt his mask. But the material had grown weaker. "I'm not thoughtful like Dain. I'm not patient like Jian. I don't know that I can love you the way either of them did. But I do care about you, Chanyn. I want to provide for you, protect you, and please you."

"Okay," Chanyn said. She wanted those things, too. Not only for herself; she wanted to provide, protect, and please Khial in return. They both deserved happiness after the rough beginnings of their lives.

Khial's eyes scanned her face. Whatever he read there made him nod. "Okay," he said.

Then he leaned in, carefully, concentrating. When their lips met, it wasn't the bliss that came on Jian's breath. It wasn't the compassion that came with Dain's. Khial's kiss was his own: eager, fearful, and determined.

Chanyn relaxed into him, letting him explore her. His hands held her gently. His lips sipped at her as though she were the thing to quench the thirst within him. Khial turned her head here and there to gain maximum access. Before long Chanyn clung to him neglecting her lung's need for air.

Khial pressed her down into the couch. She felt his erection throbbing between two layers of clothing. In response, her own core heated. Chanyn became torn between pressing her legs together to relieve her ache and spreading them wide to welcome Khial.

Khial pulled away from her, breathing heavily. With shaky hands, he reached beneath her dress. Reaching her underwear, his eyes asked for permission. Chanyn gave a dazed nod and felt a tug. His knuckles brushed against her moist core and his eyes widened in surprise.

His hand shook as he relieved her of the under garment. His movements frantic, he shoved his pants down and knelt between her legs. Chanyn felt him fisting himself. He trembled as he aligned the head of his penis with her core.

He shoved into her.

Chanyn gasped. Not in pleasure. Not quite. Khial's penis was long and thick, leaving her feeling full. However, there was too much friction to enjoy the fullness.

Khial failed to notice. His face screwed in rapture as he withdrew and plunged again. And again. His pace became faster, his thrusts frantic. It became increasingly uncomfortable. Before Chanyn could decide how to voice her discomfort, it was over.

Khial shuddered inside her and slumped down into the crook of her neck. His penis softened, taking with it her discomfort. He lay atop Chanyn, his tremors subsiding, his breath unsteady, his face unguarded. A sudden protectiveness washed over Chanyn, and she stroked his neck for long moments after, as he lay there.

Finally, he straightened on his arms, a small sheepish smile on his face. Chanyn tried to return the look. Evidently, she failed.

"You... didn't?" he asked.

She searched for phrasing that wouldn't hurt his feelings.

"Did I hurt you?" Khial pulled away, his face knitting up the unguarded expression.

Chanyn fought the instinct to cover herself. Khial did it for her. He slid her dress down over her exposed thighs. Then he stood, fastening his clothing, his shield closing into place.

"Khi—" Chanyn tried to sit up, but the venture was difficult and she winced.

Khial caught sight of her expression. In one second flat his shield fell. The carefully knit expression unraveled into horror and shame.

"I'm sorry," he said. "I won't come near you again."

"Khial!"

But he was already out the door.

27

Khial heard Chanyn call after him, but he couldn't turn back. He couldn't face her. His pride would not allow it, though his desire for her burned bright.

It was like touching a star.

Dain's words ran on a loop through Khial's head. Being inside Chanyn's wet, hot pussy had set him on fire. Khial burned to return to her and sink once more in the inferno between her thighs. He'd sated himself only moments ago, but he'd begun to grow hard again the moment he'd pulled away from her. That is, until he saw the pinched look on her face.

He raced down the hallway, putting distance between them. Ignoring Rianald's call, he burst through the front entrance and out into the cool night air.

For just a moment, I touched the Goddess.

When Dain had said that to him, Khial wondered if it was the illness talking. Now he knew from firsthand experience that the man spoke the gospel truth. Khial had no complaints about his sex life with Dain. He'd felt fulfilled with every encounter, wanting more after each time. But being with Chanyn was something entirely different.

The moist heat of her. The soft constriction. The moist heat.

Khial's balls, emptied just moments before, felt unbearably heavy. He came to the end of the property and sat down on the curb at the main street. In the distance he could see cars carting people home after work or headed out to enjoy the city nightlife. It became a blur to Khial.

His heart ached from the loss of Dain.

His jaw throbbed from the kick delivered by that ruffian the night before in the shelter.

His head felt dizzy from the visit to his mother's cell.

And now his balls and dick wanted in on the pity party.

Khial's mind and body swirled with too much sensation. He couldn't hold on to any thought for too long. Only one thing was certain. He wanted to be back inside Chanyn.

In those few moments, he'd known peace. That same sense of peace he had after making love to Dain. In that space, when he'd pounded every ounce of pleasure from his lover and then lay in the cradle of his arms. Khial had stolen inside Chanyn, emptied his very soul into her, and known a deep sense of rightness. Only, when he opened his eyes, he found that she had experienced only discomfort and pain.

He didn't need his mother to ruin anything. He'd done a damned fine job of it himself.

When Khial