She obeyed, and suddenly the cheers of the crowd and the sweet scent of the sylvan air fell away.
She felt as if she were experiencing his feelings. They rolled over her like a tidal wave. Kodran felt overpowering and unquestioning love, and fierce protectiveness, and an intense sexual attraction. And now she felt it as if she were inside his head.
Kodran’s voice vibrated through the air, as if coming from very far away. “I am not lying to you. We did buy medical equipment.”
She felt it to her very core. He was not lying.
The intensity of the emotions she felt was making her dizzy. He loved her. He barely knew her, but he loved her. He wanted her, and desired her.
After so many years of feeling unwanted and unattractive, it was really hard for her to believe in herself, but she was trying. She’d spent the last year and a half with Talia constantly telling her how pretty and smart and nice she was. It had been like free therapy – frequently over margaritas.
She shook her head, trying to clear it. “But where were you taking the medical equipment? Who was it for? Why did you drop it off so far away from where the rest of you live?”And who were that woman and child on the ship?
“Someday, I may be able to tell you more. Right now I cannot. I can only tell you this. I know you, I know your heart and soul. I know that you are a good person, who cares about others. And if I were able to tell you everything, you would agree with what I have done.” With her hand on his heart, she knew that he was not lying to her.
She sighed. “Well, I guess that’s the best I’m going to get right now.”
They were still being jostled along, and she tried to remember how many times they’d been around the house now. She thought it was the second time.
Outside, she saw fields of some kind of bright blue corn-like plants stretching away in neat rows, next to orchards of trees with massive globes of purple fruit. She couldn’t concentrate, though; she could feel the heat of his gaze like a wave of warmth washing over her, and she remembered Kodran feeding her slivers of the fruit’s sweet flesh as they hung among the stars, alone together in the vastness of the universe.
She glanced back at him.
“Why are you staring at me?” she asked.
A slow, sensual smile curled his lips. “I am simply admiring the luscious curves of your body. The way your eyes soften when you are thinking of me.” He leaned close and all but purred, “I know you were thinking of me. I was admiring how inviting your lips are. And how soft your skin is.” He began stroking her arm very lightly with his fingertips. His hand was massive, but his touch was feather-light.
Sparks of sensation snapped along her nerves from the soft friction between his fingerprints and her skin. Her nipples tingled as a flush of arousal bloomed on her throat and chest. When Kodran’s eyes dropped to her breasts, she knew he could see the tightly furled buds pushing against the fabric of her dress. Slick need clenched her core, and her lips parted as she caught her breath.
She shivered with pleasure. “I’m not sure that you should…umm….”
He arched one thick eyebrow. “So you want me to stop?”
“I didn’t say that.”
That earned a smug grin. “So you want me to continue.”
“I didn’t say that either!”
“You are very contradictory, difficult and challenging.” He smiled fiercely. “I like that in a woman.”
“You do, do you?” Her breath was coming in pants now. She moved away from him and pressed up against the wall of the carriage.
“Yes – I did not know that until now. But I have never enjoyed myself more than I am right this minute. And my pleasure will only increase…because I will be givingyoupleasure.”
“If I let you.”
“Of course.” He nodded graciously. “But I can assure you, you will.”
Now he wasn’t stroking her anymore, and she craved his touch, but she damn well wasn’t going to ask him to touch her again.
He grinned at her.
“Enjoying the ride?”
“Nope.” She crossed her arms and pouted, looking out the window.
“I feel your heart, and I know you are not telling the truth.”