by Dara Joy
Chum-off to the Slice! She liked him the way he was—as long as he didn't take this too far. Green placed her arm around his neck and pulled him down to her. "Personally I find it quite charming." She lightly kissed his mouth.
Jorlan hesitated but gave over to the kiss, if a bit reluctantly at first. Green felt his lips tremble under hers and knew he was having a hard time holding back. One part of her was delighted that he was so taken with her.
The saner part of her was worried.
His unrestrained responses of the previous evening had shaken her. Without any prior sexual experience, he had lost himself in a pleasure-seeking act of unbridled eroticism.
Not for the first time she wondered what complications would arise due to the fact that he was a Sensitive. And not just any Sensitive. Jorlan coupled the trait with an almost reckless disregard for decorum. The combination was dangerous.
He definitely needed her to guide him. That was certain.
And she needed him for the fire he brought to her life.
Last night had proven that for both of them.
"You were wonderful last night, you know. I thank you for such a beautiful and meaningful gift, Jorlan."
"It is I who must thank you, Green. Despite my initial reluctance, the experience was more than I had ever thought. I am sure it was due to your kind patience and expert tutelage. You made it memorable for me."
She smiled warmly at him. "Then I am forgiven for fastening you?"
His expression hardened. "No. But since it is done, and there is naught to be done about it, I will try to make the best of the circumstances."
He saw by her crestfallen face that there was no sense in trying to deny the obvious. He was just causing her unnecessary distress.
Unsettled, he ran his hand through his hair. She deserved more from him. He gave it to her. "In truth, I enjoy your touch—as you well know."
It was not what Green had hoped for; however, considering how he had been only yesterday, it was a vast improvement.
"We can explore more of that 'touch' later, if you like," she punned. Touch was a popular slang term, referring to torrid sex. ;|
His dimples showed. "I would like that very much,' but..."
"But what?"
"Need we wait for later?" He viewed her through that thick fringe of black lashes.
He was not going to step down on his attitude. Somehow, she knew he wouldn't. Somehow, she liked that.
"Not too much later," she promised him. "Meantime, I have something for you."
"Yes, so Avatar said. What is it?"
Green called out to the coophands. Two young women led a very frisky Klee out of the building. The energetic animal almost broke rein several times as they tried to bring it forward.
A huge grin spread across Jorlan's face. "Sabir!"
At the sound of Jorlan's voice, the buoyant Klee paused in his bucking. He prawked a loud greeting. Then he rushed pell-mell toward his master, dragging the poor coophands behind him.
Jorlan heartily embraced the Klee around the neck. Sabir bleated in ecstasy.
Behind her, Green heard a suspicious pharunk!
She turned and saw Kibbee watching the whole scene. Disgust was evident in every flesh-fold of her neck. She turned her back, showing the Klee her raised Kloo backside and dismissively fluttered off. But only after she made another terribly rude noise.
For some reason, Kloo and Klee often got into what appeared to be competitive mock battles for human attention. Strangely enough, the trait was mirrored by humans, who were vehemently divided into either Kloo or Klee camps.
Jorlan grinned at her as he patted Sabir's neck. "Thank you for bringing him to me, Green. I think your Kloo is jealous, and well she should be." Sabir trilled a happy agreement,
Green put her hands on her hips. No one insulted Kibbee! "Oh, really. I wonder if you would be saying that during an arc storm when this fine fellow left you to roast!"
"If he did such a thing, I would deserve it, for I would not have the ability to ride him and I would be endangering us both. But that is not the case. Sabir knows he can race the arcs with me if he wishes. He knows I will stay with him all the way."
"Race the arcs?" Her face showed her confusion. "What do you mean?"
Sabir bleated. A shutter came over Jorlan. He shrugged. "A figure of speech. Klee are not the undependable mounts that people make them out to be. The problem is most do not know how to ride them—they only think they do."
"Most name-givers would not see it that way, they would not allow you to ride one. At least not until they have had their heir from you," she quipped.
Jorlan snorted. "Sabir and I understand each other, don't we?"
Sabir prawked.
"But you, my name-giver, cannot ride a Klee." Jorlan grabbed the reins in his hand and expertly slung himself up Onto Sabir's back. The Klee pranced playfully.
Green's jaw dropped. "Who says I can't ride one?"
Jorlan bent over the pommel. "I do," he whispered provocatively.
"You do! You can't be—"
"In any case," he interrupted her, "you don't have to worry about an heir just yet, Green, for I have no intention of giving you one."
"What?" Green was staggered. "What do you mean?"
But Jorlan was already racing out of the yard and into the Tamryn hills. The way man and beast moved over the terrain it was a wonder they both didn't break their impossible necks.
Green clenched her fists.
She was going to have to talk to him about judging risk.
She was also going to have to find out what he meant by that last cryptic statement.
As far as she knew, no man had control over such things. It was strictly a woman's decision. Perhaps he did not understand that.
She shook her head. Anya really should have schooled him better in fastening matters. She sighed. She supposed it eventually would fall to her to enlighten him.
She laughed to herself. Maybe she could make the lesson instructive and pleasurable at the same time.
She called one of the coophands. "Lida!" The girl came running over.
"Yes, my Lordene?"
"Take a mount and find the Marqueller. Remind him that he must return within a few hours so he can get ready for the postfastening meal at his grandmother's."
"Yes, Lordene, but it may take me that long to catch up with him." Lida looked doubtfully at his dust trail.
Green nodded in commiseration. "His Klee will wear out long before your Kloo is even winded. And, while you're at it, follow him at a distance to make sure he doesn't break his fool neck."
The girl went to saddle a Kloo. "I don't think that beast is quite tamed, Marquelle."
Green was in complete agreement. "No, I don't think he is."
Only she wasn't referring to the Klee.
Green heard Jorlan's boot heels clinking on the flooring as he made his way into their chamber.
She had taken the opportunity to do some reading, a favorite pastime of hers and one she hadn't had very much time for lately. Her vid-tomes were stacking at an alarming rate! The small window in the corner of her airscreen was already blinking a warning that she needed to do some thinning of stock.
She sighed.
How was she to do that? The stories were too captivating! Maybe she could purchase another wristview? She bit her lip. She already had three and they were full to bursting, so to speak. Collecting is a nasty habit, she admitted.
Right after, she resolved to get one more wristview. She looked up from her seat by the window as Jorlan opened and closed the door. He was covered in dust from head to foot. A chagrined smile greeted her. It was rather endearing.
She smiled genially while snapping off the button on the wristview. "Did Lida find you?"
Jorlan rubbed his ear. "Ah, you might say we found her."
Green sat forward. "What happened?"
He chuckled. "Sabir and I doubled back and decided to take that old stone wall down by the—"
"You jumped the Tamryn Wall?" The structure had been part of the original wall of the first Tamryn dwelling, built right after the settlers had arrived. It was an ancient landmark. "It's at least three and a half meters in height!"
"Probably higher." He grinned.
"Jorlan!"
He put a hand up. "Klee are excellent jumpers. They can easily achieve the momentum they need to clear—"
"Tell your grandmother that! That's-just how she almost killed herself."
She was altogether right on that one. Only his situation was entirely different. "Well... that's true about her; but—"
"Sweet Cybella!" Her face paled. "You didn't land on Lida; tell me you didn't!"
"Not exactly." He hedged.
She eyed him. "What do you mean, 'not exactly'?"
"I saw her before she saw us, so I managed to veer Sabir to the left. Unfortunately we were midair at the time."
Green got paler. "Did you have a fall?"
He gave her an insulted look. "No."
"Then how did you get covered in dirt?" She swept her arm, indicating his mussed-up condition.
He chuckled. "Lida's Kloo glanced up in time to see Sabir and me springing over its head—sideways. The Kloo, um... "—he looked up at the ceiling—"sort of fainted dead away. I think it thought we were a giant screech wing or something."
Green arched her eyebrow, crossed her arms over her chest, and tapped her foot.
Jorlan's gaze nickered to the left. "After we landed, I rode back to see if Lida was all right. She was, but her Kloo was so angry that it kicked dirt all over Sabir and me."
She tried not to smile. It definitely wouldn't do to smile. "Mathers has drawn a bubble-pool for you. We need to leave for the Duchene's soon."
He nodded and began to head toward the alcove. Green called after him. "Jorlan."
He looked at her over his shoulder.
"No more jumping."
He stopped. "I can't agree to that, Green."
"You must. It is far too dangerous. Everything today turned out fine, but only by the sheerest good fortune. You must see that this is reckless behavior. The risk far outweighs any momentary thrill you get from it."
He exhaled heavily. "It is not about momentary thrill. It is about feeling the wind and heart of the land, it is about moving like one with Sabir. It is about freedom of the spirit."
Touched by his impassioned words. Green held back what she was going to say. Could she take that away from him? But the danger... ! "Jorlan, I would not be doing my part as your name-giver if I did not at least try to safeguard you from what is surely trouble waiting to occur. I am only concerned for your safety and the safety of my people."
He noticed her distress; he walked over to her. "I understand that." He cupped her face gently. "I will ride more carefully."
She hesitated. It was in her power, and certainly her right, to forbid him to jump—or ride for that matter. Any other name-giver certainly would.
And Jorlan knew it. He waited to see what she would do.
She sighed softly. "Very well."
His eyes flashed with admiration and more. "I'm glad you feel that way, Green," he drawled huskily.
She lifted her chin. "And if I didn't?"
"I'd find a way to do it anyway," he answered truthfully.
"I figured that."
"Mmm. I figured you figured that."
They smiled at each other. "Go take your bath." She shooed him away.
He held out his hand. "Take it with me."
Her lips parted. The look he gave her was open and incredibly mature. It took her breath away. She placed her hand lightly in his.
As he led her to the bubble-pool, he said in a low voice, "You need not worry, my name-giver; I will not come to harm in this manner."
She glanced up at him through the corner of her eye. "You cannot know that for sure."
"Yes, I can."
The water gently lapped against her.
Sitting comfortably between his muscular thighs, Green closed her eyes and leaned back into Jorlan's chest. Mathers had floated scores of lillacia blooms in the pool. The eccentric old servant must have been duly impressed with the new Marqueller to do such a thing. Now there was an unlikely friendship brewing! She chuckled to herself. Avatar had already warned her that she had seen the two of them bantering heatedly. There was no telling what aggravation the two would cook up.
Green sighed blissfully in the water. They probably shouldn't dawdle; they needed to get to the Duchene's. Tongues would wag if they missed their postfastening dinner.
Only she felt much too good to move.
She suspected Jorlan felt the same by the low, pleasing sound that rolled from his throat every now and then. His lips nibbled the back of her neck, sending chills down her spine in a superb contrast to the hot water. She arced her neck to give him better access.
Earlier, when they had undressed, he had gathered her long, heavy hair in his hands and helped her pin it up. There was something very sensual about the feel of those capable hands sliding through the locks of her hair. The tender motions he used, his gentle touch and care, told her that Jorlan felt more for her than he wanted to admit.
Conscious of the late hour, she had helped him wash, running the cloth over his body and hair in brisk strokes. It had the opposite effect than she intended. He had dunked his head under the water, flinging his hair back when he broke the surface. Small droplets of water clung to his black lashes and dripped over his golden skin. His azure eyes sparkled, the water reflecting in his eyes. He blinked slowly as he watched her.
"Come rest against me," he had said enticingly. And so she did.
"Rrrtttrrrt." He placed his lips against the curve at the base of her neck and playfully let the rumbling sound vibrate along her skin.
Green jumped.
He chuckled against the nape of her neck.
It always surprised her when this side of his nature came out.
"I've always loved your hair like this," he drawled as he brushed his cheek aside her throat. "It looks like it is precariously situated and unseen forces could make it fall over at any moment; yet somehow it never does." He caught a lock between his lips and playfully tugged it. "It stays firmly where it is. It reminds me of you."
Green paused. He had a remarkable sense of intuition. Without realizing it, he had sensed her stance exactly. She would never give in to any battle without the good fight. Metaphorically speaking.
"Except it was you who placed it atop my head to begin with, Jorlan. If it makes a picture you like, it is your own doing," she responded ambiguously.
"Not so." He nipped her shoulder. "We both know whose fasten holds the clasp."
A small grin curved her lips. He was clever. "Are you trying to sweeten me, wilding?"
"Me? Now why would I do that?" His arms encircled her waist, pulling her very tightly against him under the water. His swollen member jutted against her buttocks.
"I see. Then what is it you are doing?" She raised her eyebrow and peered up at him over her shoulder.
He looked down at her through half-closed eyes. "I am simply adjusting your attitude so you can be more comfortable, name-giver."
"How thoughtful."
"Yes."
His hands cupped the fragrant lillacia water, letting the water and some blooms cascade from his palms over her breasts. The rivulet slid between her legs.
"Perhaps it makes you think of something?" He flexed against her. Exactly as she had taught him. Only better.
"Um, no, not really."
He exhaled heavily. "Really."
"Can't say it does."
"Hmm... "
"And so subtle." She laughed. He bit her shoulder again. "I suppose you would like to help me wash, as well?"
"Do Kloo irritate everyone?"
She thwapped the cloth back over her head into his face without releasing it.
"I suppose not everyone," he conceded under the circumstances.
"Just
remember that Kibbee is very hurt that you are not paying attention to her."
Jorlan rolled his eyes. KLOO. They were the most difficult beasts! Who could understand them? Green, apparently.
She put the cloth in his hand and placed her hand over his. He gazed down with renewed interest.
Guiding him, she brought their wet hands over her chest, rubbing the cloth over her breasts.
He liked this already. The texture of her skin was the softest—
"Kibbee is very sensitive. She's been sulking and you haven't even noticed."
Jorlan grimaced. Why didn't she just splash him with cold water? The image of a "sulking" Kloo face was not what he wanted in his mind at the moment. Or any moment. It was the multifluttering nostrils that finished any sympathetic tendencies one might have—as far as he was concerned. "May we not speak of Kloo right now?"
"Very well." She sighed deeply, but brought their hands down along her stomach and over her taut thighs.
Much better subject, he thought. He slid between her cheeks from behind, letting himself barely tease against the soft folds of her femininity.
So knowledgeable yet still so untutored. His Sensitive's erotic abilities were awakening. Green opened her eyes slightly and smiled knowingly.
"And what are you thinking about?" he breathed in her ear.
"You."
"What about me?" His teeth captured the small lobe, tugging on it.
"I'll tell you some other time."
"Is it good?" His foot slid along her calf under the water, back and forth, stimulating with the luxuriant sweep of skin and warm water.
"Very good." She felt the dampness of his chest above the waterline as it skimmed her back with every deep, silent breath he took.
Then he began to move their hands.
He brought the cloth up between her inner thighs, the light scraping motion sensitizing the tender area. "I am entranced by these tight auburn curls."
"Are you?"
"Yesss." The cloth rubbed through them, dipping between her woman's folds beneath the water. He turned their hands, letting her feel the tip of his manhood just resting at her portal.
Then he placed the cloth around his finger and stroked her there with both. It was smooth and rough at the same time.