Markus went very still. For a moment, he didnt react. Then he put his arms around her and pulled her forward until she was straddling his lap, her knees on either side of his body. When she felt his erection through his trousers, a mixture of arousal and panic flickered through her.
Just see what happens. It wouldnt change her wish to go home, but her life with him would be so much more bearable if she didnt feel forced every time he came to her as her husband.
Markus opened the jerkin and slid one hand around her waist, but he kept her in his lap with the blanket around her body. She held him close, her arms around his torso, and breathed in his scent, soap and musk. He smelled good, even his sweat. She was too nervous to know what to do, but her lack of experience didnt seem to bother him. He grasped her hips and rubbed her against his erection while he dusted kisses down her neck. When he reached down to unfasten his trousers, though, she caught his hand.
She tugged up the hem of his undershirt. “Take this off.
He regarded her with a drowsy, sensual gaze. Bedroom eyes. “You really want me to undress?
When Allegra gave a shy nod, he pulled the undershirt over his head. His muscles flexed in the process, and watching them, she felt warmer than she had all night. He lifted her off his lap, setting her at his side, and pulled off his boots and trousers. He started to pull her back into his lap, but she put her hand against his shoulder.
“Lie down, she murmured. “On your back.
“Why? He kept trying to lift her to straddle him. His eyes were only half-open, and his breath was coming faster.
“I want to look at you, she said.
“You do?
“Yes.
“Oh. He seemed startled, then intrigued. “All right.
He spread out the ocelot blanket and lay down on his back. Starlight sheened his body. Allegra sat next to him, supporting her weight on one arm, and took in the sight as if he were a draught of wine: his wide shoulders, muscular chest and flat stomach. His erection in its nest of black curls. She had never realized an aroused man looked that way, and it excited her.
“Youre beautiful, she said.
Markus groaned as if she were tormenting him. He rolled on his side and pulled her down onto her back. As he stretched out on top of her, he pushed apart her thighs. Even with the miradella affecting her, she wanted to pull away. She had never felt attractive, yet he treated her as if she were irresistible temptation. He got up on his knees, drawing her with him, until he was sitting on his haunches with her thighs on either side of his hips, her back arched over his arm and her head hanging back, leaving her nipples pointing upward like an invitation. He suckled her breasts, and ripples of sensation went through her.
“Markus, please. She didnt know whether she was asking him to slow down or go faster.
“Thats it, kitten, he whispered. “Stay with me. He brought her up and embraced her, then he lifted her hips and brought them down, entering her. She held on, hugging him while they rocked together, slowly at first, then faster. She kept building, wanting him more, until she couldnt take it any longer.
When Allegra cried out, Markus groaned into her hair and laid her down, on her back, lowering his body on top of her, still moving, steady and fast. He gave a final, huge thrust and pinned her to the ground while his hips jerked. Then, with an exhale, he collapsed on top of her.
Allegra closed her eyes as the tremors in their bodies subsided. For a while she didnt think. She felt languorous. Content. Eventually he slid over to her side and laid his head next to hers. “Beautiful night bird, he murmured. “So lovely.
She rolled her head against his. “I cant be both a bird and a kitten. Cats hunt birds.
“Then Im a satiated lion. He pulled the blanket over them, throwing his leg across hers so they could both fit under the half of it they werent lying on.
As Allegra drifted, Markus lay still, breathing deeply. He gave a snore, then jerked his head and mumbled, “Mustnt sleep. After a while, he sighed. “We have to go.
Markus slowly sat up, letting the blanket fall over Allegra. She watched him dress, wondering if he had any idea what aesthetic things his muscles did when they flexed. When he reached for the jerkin, though, she tugged it away.
“Its so cold, she said, sitting up so she could pull the jerkin around her. “And I cant get that skirt on.
“You can keep the jerkin. I have a lot of them. He smiled at her. “Ive never removed my clothes that way with a woman. It was odd. But pleasant. I love the way your skin feels on mine.
“You never undress when you make love?
“No man does.
“Of course they do!
“Not in Jazid.
“Why ever not?
He started to answer, then stopped. “Youll get mad at me. And right now I feel quite fine. I dont want to argue.
So it was one of those things. “Is this something you came up with, or something thats true for all men here?
“All men. His smile turned languid. “Though I doubt Im the first to discover how pleasant breaking that custom can be.
Well, the customs of a country werent his fault. “I wont get mad at you.
“Humans wear clothes, he said. “Animals dont.
“What?
“You said you wouldnt get mad.
“You take mine off when you make love to me. In fact, he was always taking them off.
“Men are human.
“And women are animals? It was astonishing that he could actually look her straight in the eye and spout such horse manure.
“Legally a woman is above a goat but below a horse.
“I cant believe you said that.
“Ah, night bird, lets not argue. He drew her into his arms, sitting side by side with her.
She pushed back from him, her palms against his shoulders. “You just called me an animal.
“It is Jazid law, he said firmly.
She glared at him. “Yes, well, then men must be below pigs.
His grin flashed. “Oink.
“Oh, stop.
“Allegra, of course I think youre human. He tried to pull her back. “But the laws have been with us for centuries.
Although she kept her hands on his shoulders, this time she didnt push back. “Its about control. If youre dressed and Im not, it makes me vulnerable.
“I suppose. If we were attacked, I would be better prepared to defend us.
“Attacked? She gaped at him. “You think youre likely to be attacked when youre with a woman?
“Of course. A man is vulnerable then. He shrugged. “I never thought much about it. I just like being dressed when youre not.
“But why?
“Maybe for the reasons you said. Your vulnerability is erotic.
“For you, maybe. Not me. She lifted her hands, then dropped them in frustration. “Its this country. Its too harsh, too cold. It hurts all of you, even if you cant see that.
“Contrary to what you think, Im not a blind idiot.
“Markus, I dont think youre an idiot. If he wasnt so smart, it would be easier to escape.
“Gods, he said. “One and a half compliments in one night. Ill fall over in shock.
“One and a half?
He murmured in her ear. “First you say I have a beautiful body. Now you tell me Im not stupid. The second counts as half.
She smiled. “Id better be careful. Youll get cocky. As if he wasnt already the cockiest man she had ever met.
He stared pensively past her at the night beyond the hollow. The hint of dawn showed in the lightening of the eastern horizon. “The thing is, I see the problems we have in Jazid, but not a solution. Except to conquer Taka Mal.
“How does it solve Jazids problems to attack Taka Mal? she asked. “I dont understand why men always think they have to kill each other.
His voice softened. “Youre so naive.