the city, where traders from the other parts of Carinia transported their goods along its wide, calm waters. The place Johar was pointing to was a tributary that fed the river; it was quiet and pretty, perfect for two lovers in the evening twilight to hide away.
“We should get back,” she said nervously.
“Why, so we don’t break curfew?” he teased, trying to bait her.
“I do not want trouble. But then, I suppose trouble is coming.”
“Then let’s stop.” His eyes said he wanted to do more than talk, and her body wanted to agree.
She slowed the cruiser and he was out of it before they had come to a stop, but instead of walking off towards the river, he came to her side of the cruiser, and helped her out. Gathering her up as if she was a small child, and cradling her to him. “I can walk, you know,” she said.
“I know.” She rested her head on his large chest, listening to the strong beat of his heart as he carried her over to the river and set her down on the soft springy grass. “I like holding you.”
His admission seemed hard fought, as if words like these were alien to him, as alien as he was to her. As she looked at him, his silver tattoos seemed to glow brighter than ever. Kneeling up, she placed her hand on his chest, and traced the pattern of what looked like a crescent moon. Where her fingertips touched him, the skin glowed whiter, and a small electrical charge seemed to emanate from him.
“Tell me about them.” She leaned forward and pressed her lips to his skin, feeling the buzz against them.
He groaned, and moved, so swift she was unprepared. He laid her down on her back, his body nestled between her thighs. “I want you, Tallia. You have no idea what you do to me.”
He moved his body, his cock hard, stimulating her clit, making her want him, ache for him, in return. “Not here.”
“Why not?” Johar pressed his lips to hers, his hand sliding between their bodies to press against her sex, he would know how much she wanted him, how much she ached for him, when he felt the heat there.
And maybe he was right. Maybe they should make love out here beneath the trees. He might put the child she needed in her belly, and then there would be no need for weddings and husbands. Her child would be a bastard .
“Johar, stop, please.”
“Don’t tell me you don’t want me, I feel the heat between your thighs, and smell the scent of your arousal,” he murmured against her neck as he kissed her softly, his lips leaving a trail of fire on her skin.
“I … we, have to do this properly.” She pushed him, but he was too strong, too big and she was like a tiny timil beneath him, powerless and small.
“I aim to do it properly, and for that we need neither a bed nor a ceremony.”
“Johar, please.” Her voice was urgent, as were his fingers pushing against the fabric between her thighs, making her want him, trying to make her forget her uncertainty. “Johar, stop.”
This time her words connected with his brain, and he lifted his face, his eyes heavy with arousal. “Yassa’s words have made you change your mind?”
“What?”
“I saw how you thought on what she said.”
“About. What … about getting married?”
“Yes. I would make a good protector, but not a good husband.”
She couldn’t move away from him, he still had her pinned beneath his body. Inside, her anger flared. “What do you think this is? I paid you fair and square.”
“Half. You paid me half fair and square, remember.”
“And the other half when…” She shook her head. “This is all about making sure I marry you, so you can get the other half of your money. What, you think I’ll withhold your fee unless you fuck me on our wedding night?”
“That was the deal.” His voice rose too, and she wanted to shove him aside. Instead she felt tears prick her eyes.
“Damn you.” She pushed at his chest, but he didn’t move, and her tears spilled down her cheeks, too quick for her to wipe away
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