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

book, it’s the person. People choose how they receive information and what they do with that information. I trust you."

Chanyn knew that those last words were high praise from this man. "Thank you Khial. I will treasure these."

He shrugged, but she saw the relief and pride in his light eyes. Relief that she liked his gift and understood his gesture. Pride that he'd made a good decision and taken a step in the right direction.

"Anyway, I'll see you tonight." He wouldn't quite meet her eyes. He took a step around her, but Chanyn stayed him with her hand. She reached up and kissed him lightly on the lips. She felt his inhale of surprise. Then, as she stayed still a moment longer pressed against his lips, she felt him exhale and relax into her.

When she pulled away, he gave her the smallest of smiles, but it was a genuine smile, straight from the wounded organ that was his heart. His hand snaked around his head and scratched at the nape of his neck. He nodded once to her, then behind her to Jian, and walked into his bedroom shutting the door behind him.

Chanyn turned to Jian, who grinned at the closed door.

"Jian?"

He gave her his full attention.

"How long are you here this time?"

"For as long as you need me."

29

"Maternal Goddess, I seek your presence as I align myself with one of your sacred daughters.

I offer my body as a vessel of your will and your grace.

The desire of my heart is pure and known to you.

I wish to please your daughter and garner your favor.

The miracle that pleases a woman and creates life is of your design, Divine Goddess.

With great anticipation, I align all of the energy systems of my body, my soul, and my mind with you.

I give thanks in advance for your blessings of this experience and know that I walk in the light of your sun and the fertility of your earth.

Ashe."

The monk's melodic voice decresendoed. Again, Khial wondered how that deep tenor might sound accompanying his violin.

Jian asked for stillness. He and Chanyn closed their eyes in a silent moment of gratitude to the Goddess.

Khial picked at the buttons of his shirt, the itch on his nose. He looked around Chanyn's bedroom. Large blooms decorated a dresser near the window, beside them teetered the stack of books he’d gifted her. Golden-haired men clenching women with swollen bodices dominated each cover. Khial scratched at his chest.

The monk clasped Khial's hand. Khial's dick pulsed in time to the circular pattern the monk traced on the flesh between Khial's thumb and index finger. Was the monk trying to seduce him? Khial looked for a hint in the monk's eyes, but they remained closed.

Between them, both men held Chanyn's hands in each of their own. Her hands were by no means delicate. They were capable and strong. She interlaced two of her fingers with Khial's, leaving him feeling grounded, tethered. And aroused.

Khial tried to take his mind off his dick and focus on the two people on either side of him. Their fingers were wholly entwined. Their palms pressed together. Suddenly, Khial felt like an intruder. Chanyn and the monk loved each other and he was imposing on their intimacy.

The monk opened his eyes and focused on Khial. The monk—Jian. Khial figured he should start using his name, as they were about to be intimate. Jian's eyes said he read Khial's desire loud and clear, but he cast no judgment. Instead, a flicker of heat sparked in the other man's eyes.

Khial swallowed. It was too soon to think about another man. He was still getting used to the idea of a woman, his wife. He looked over at Chanyn.

"Should you always pray... before?" Khial directed the comment at no one in particular, but he knew who would answer.

"A woman's body is sacred," answered Jian. "If you do not prefer to pray, you should at least set an intention."

"An intention?"

Jian nodded. "Our intention tonight is to pleasure the lady." Jian turned to Chanyn. "Pleasure her until she begs for mercy."

A slow, intentional smile spread across the monk’s face. He rose to his feet bringing Khial and Chanyn along.

Jian stood behind Chanyn and turned her to face Khial. She'd dressed in a simple nightgown of light purple silk. Lace ties held the flimsy garment together. Her dark nipples poked against the material.

"Undo the laces, my lord."

Khial's hands shook like the strings of his instrument. Not from nervousness—not entirely. Khial trusted Jian to make this experience pleasurable, not only for Chanyn, but for all. Khial's fingers trembled in anticipation as he lifted them to the first tie.

Chanyn smiled in encouragement as she watched Khial's progress. I trust you, that smile said. Khial felt his heart expand a fraction.

Jian also marked his progress with the ties. His dark eyes portraying the same trust. Khial was not one to trust easily. He could count on one finger the number of people he'd trusted. The idea that he trusted these two people, whom he'd known for such a short time, astounded him. The hard fact that he did trust them both steadied his fingers, and Khial pulled the last tie free.

Jian swept the garment from Chanyn's shoulders. Khial's fingers, his legs, his dick, lost the battle of steadiness. He began to throb from his eyelashes to the space between his toes. Chanyn stood completely bare before him.

Her brown breasts full, her erect nipples pebbled, so dark they appeared black. Her waist narrowed into a sculpted stomach with curves and planes. Her hips flared out to powerful thighs. A dark set of curls lay at the juncture between her thighs.

Khial's mouth watered. He'd dreamed of that space last night. Of diving in there once more. Of getting lost in the bliss of that warm heat. Of their own accord, his hands reached out, but Jian pulled her away.

Khial glared. Jian only smiled that serene smile of his station. Khial's blood heated. Was this a trick?