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killed a man?
 No, she admitted.
 Then why? Some women abhor violence. Some are titillated by it. Closer, closer he came to her.  Which are you?
 Neither, she said, and backed herself straight into the wall. She gasped.  I just don t  say it, hurt him   like you.
He stilled, popped his jaw. Maybe she had hurt him, maybe she hadn t. She d definitely hurt herself. Lying like that caused
her stomach to clench painfully and her throat to constrict.
 Very well, then, he said, toneless.  I will allow you to care for my wounds. Both of my arms need tending.
Be casual, unaffected.  Gee, thanks. You will allow me. She snorted, hoping she appeared properly unimpressed. While
she administered aid, would he  accidentally touch her? Would he purr his warm breath into her ears, over her skin, and let his
white-hot gaze devour her?  But there will be no... petting.
Because here was a better question: Would she be able to resist him?
Already her resolve teetered on precarious ground. Perhaps playing doctor wasn t so smart, after all. She would have to be
on full alert. Being with Valerian, she suspected, would be like shooting herself full of heroin. Addictive, lethal and absolutely stupid.
If she could resist taking that first, experimental taste, she wouldn t have to deal with withdrawal. And after she patched him up, she
could leave him with a clear conscience.
You ve already had a taste. Remember that white-hot kiss? Shut up!
 While you help me, he said,  I will not pet you. If, however, you change your mind and wish me to do so, you have only to
say.
Not giving her time to respond, he grabbed her hand, pivoted and kicked back into motion. With his final words ringing in
her ears, she was aware of every point of contact between them. Smoothness against rough calluses.
 Do you have any Neosporin? she asked, hoping to get her mind off everything related to sex.
 I have no idea, as I do not know what that is.
When his hair was damp, it had a little curl to it, she realized. Then she scowled. Why did she care about his stupid hair?
 It s medicine for your arms.
 I will gather everything that you need. They came to the room s entrance, and with his free hand, he swished aside the
white lace.
He stepped inside; she followed on his heels. Though the room was located in the same corridor as the one she had slept in,
it was more masculine than hers, a combination of battleground and leisure. A large bed occupied the far section, with rumpled
violet-and-gold sheets and the imprint of a large male body. Gold armor and an arsenal of weapons hung on ruby hooks. Rainbow
lights glistened from the walls, like diamonds trapped in glass.
To the side, steam curled from a bathing pool, twining around the flower petals that floated on the surface. That was a very
feminine touch, and she knew Valerian was not responsible. One of his many lovers must have prepared the water.
 This is your main bedroom? she asked.
 Yes. He released her hand.
Slowly she twirled around.  I noticed that some of the walls have holes, as if things have been scraped out of them. Jewels,
right? Like these?
 Yes, he repeated.
 Why is this room still intact? And the other room of yours, the one I slept in?
 After I took possession, I made sure they were worthy of me.
He spoke with no hint of smugness, no hint of pride. Only truth.  You don t think too highly of yourself, I see.
Standing there, Valerian drank in the sight of his woman. Then he drank in the sight of the bed. Large, beckoning. Violet
sheets with golden trim. He wanted Shaye there, splayed and open for his view. For his touch. Being inside his room, having a bed
nearby and Shaye within reach, proved an intoxicating dilemma.
Why had he promised not to touch her sexually while she tended him?
He d never had to seduce a woman before. They always desired him, no provocation needed. Shaye made him feel at a
loss. While he hungered for every part of her, she continually pushed him away. And of all the women in the world, she should want
him most.
How much longer could his body withstand the rejection?
Not much, he suspected.
He gathered clean rags, a basin of hot water, a jar of cleaning oil, and a vial of healing sand from the Forest of the Dragons.
He placed all of them on a tray. His ears remained attuned to Shaye  s every movement, lest she decide to bolt for the door.
Surprisingly, she didn t. She remained exactly where he d left her, in the center, gazing around.
Their eyes locked as he walked toward her. Gods, she was lovely. Her pale hair was pulled over her shoulders, an erotic
curtain. Kiss her. Instead of placing the tray in her outstretched hands, he leaned down, slowly, giving her ample time to realize
what he was doing.
He couldn t resist. He had to do this, was helpless to stop. Not petting, he rationalized.
His lips lightly brushed hers. A gentle kiss, no tongue, but arousing all the same. Her snow-sweet scent filled his nostrils as he
captured her gasp in his mouth.  Thank you for tending me, he said, his voice as soft as his touch.
Her eyes had widened and now they glinted with a trace of fear. Of him? Or herself?  I m not known for my gentleness,
she warned. Her voice trembled.  So you might want to save your thanks.
He fought a smile and straightened.  Then what are you known for, little moonbeam?
 Being a bitch. Biting her lip, she appropriated the tray from his grasp and spun on her heel.
 That is not a compliment, I take it?
Her shoulders lifted in a shrug as she moved toward an amethyst chest.  Not to some. She anchored the tray on the
surface.
After he explained what she needed to do with each item, he hefted the room  s only chair trying not to grimace and [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]