Total pages in book: 159
Estimated words: 144433 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 722(@200wpm)___ 578(@250wpm)___ 481(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 144433 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 722(@200wpm)___ 578(@250wpm)___ 481(@300wpm)
He just gives me a radiant grin that tells me I've agreed to things, whether I realize it or not. Hell. "You are an excellent wife."
"You're only saying that because you got your way," I mutter, but I'm secretly pleased at the compliment.
"No, I am saying it because I also just had some very fine sex with you." The wink he sends me is exaggerated and makes me snort with amusement. "I hope it is something we will continue to do. I would enjoy a repeat performance very much."
Play it cool, Maeve. Play it cool. He's just offering to give you more mind-blowing G-spot orgasms. Don't show your hand. "I mean...maybe. We can see how things go. We should probably think about kissing at some point, too."
"Again with the kissing." He shoots me an amused look. "We can do the kissing if we go visit Nassakth's home. Then we both get something."
"A single kiss is not the same as showing up on some ex-gladiator's porch wanting to be best friends! That's not even close to the same sort of thing. That's a terrible bargain."
"As many kisses as you want, wherever you want," he purrs, leaning over me in a distinctly predatory (and damn sexy) fashion. He moves the washcloth between my thighs slowly, indicating just where he'd kiss me.
And I am absolutely the weakest creature on the planet because I'm actually considering it. "We...we don't even know where he lives."
"But you can find out, my chatty little human wife. I think you could find out very easily. We will go into town tomorrow and begin our information-seeking. I am confident with your conversational skills and your sly demeanor, you will find it out in no time."
I'm totally being manipulated. He's using sex to get what he wants, the bastard.
I...guess it couldn't hurt to at least find out some information on where this Nassakth is? If it'll shut Zhur up for a little while. "We'll see."
CHAPTER
SIXTY-FOUR
ZHUR
Something subtle has changed between us.
I notice it the next morning over breakfast. Normally Maeve would shoot me looks that expressed her frustration with me, her brows furrowed as if she did not quite know what to think of the praxiian seated across from her. Today, though, her expression is soft, and she blushes when we make eye contact.
Last night was pleasant. No, more than pleasant. Last night was terrific. We exhausted each other with great sex and fell asleep tumbled in the blankets together. I woke up with my hand between Maeve's thighs, her scent all over me, and slept better than I have in weeks, thanks to bedsport with my wife.
My wife. It feels less objectionable each time I say it. I will have to deal with the fallout from marrying a human when I return to Praxii Minor, but that day is very far away. For now, I shall simply enjoy the pleasures of a marriage to a human. Maeve makes this backwater planet almost tolerable.
Almost.
"I should go into town today like usual," Maeve says, poking at the eggs on her plate with her eating sticks. "Do you want to come with me?"
She says it almost shy. How adorable. "We are to be a united front, aren't we? So I should probably go with you, yes." I pause, thinking. "Unless it will cause problems with your questioning."
Maeve tilts her head. "My questioning? Questioning what?"
"You said you would inquire about Nassakth and where he lives so we can meet him." Just thinking about it makes my tail twitch. I have seen every Nassakth bout a dozen times over. I studied his moves in my combat classes. He is a legend to me, more of a role model than my own father was. The thought of meeting him fills me with excitement and terrifies me as well. Good terror, though. I think. I've never been intimidated at the thought of meeting another person, but the very idea of meeting Nassakth makes me giddy and also makes me want to vomit.
Maeve puts down her eating utensils, frowning at me. "Seriously? Are we still stuck on that?" She picks up her drink and shakes her head. "You should have married him."
"They told us he had a wife. And I have promised you kisses in exchange for finding out his location, and I mean to hold up my end of the bargain."
She chokes on her tea, glaring at me over the rim of the cup. "We didn't agree on that!"
"I'm quite sure we did."
Maeve shakes her head again. "No, we didn't. Don't try to rewrite history on me. I swear, you're the most impossible man I've ever met."
"You say that with such affection," I tease, knowing I have won the battle the moment she starts to refer to me as “impossible.” She is no longer saying it is out of the question, after all. "Know that I am full of intense gratitude for your assistance in this matter. I won't forget how you've helped me."