Lake, Ciara - Xihirah [Xihiran Shifters 1] (Siren Publishing Classic) (8 page)

Kael led the way to another ornate door, opened it, and ushered her inside. Without a word, he left her next to the door and began a sweep of the room. She giggled when he vanished out the terrace doors before reappearing. “Does it meet your standards, my lord?” She placed her hands on her hips.

Kael regarded her for a moment before he flashed a quick smile. “Ah, you tease me.” Kael smiled again. His look along with his comment was as if her teasing him meant something more than she understood. “Yes, the suite is secure. Please come in, Saleeya.” Saleeya felt her insides clinch with longing. She surely loved the way he said her name. The way he made her feel was so unfamiliar to her, yet she recognized it, enjoying the lust-filled sensation. “Did you think it might not be?” Saleeya raised her right eyebrow and cocked her head to look up at him. Teasing him was fun. She enjoyed the devastating smiles he gifted her with. Saleeya debated what to do with this overly masculine, controlling male who confounded her emotions, making her mind swirl. He was completely taking charge of her. She surprisingly enjoyed it.

Kael ignored her question. “Over here.” He guided her. “This is your vid-com screen.” He pointed to the large screen that sat on the table across from the seating area. He opened the table’s top drawer to remove a handheld remote. He placed the vid-com remote in her hand. When his fingers touched hers, the tingling sensation ran up her arm into her chest, and her heart skipped. “You may carry the vid-com remote with you. It has its own speaker with screen to make it portable. You may call for whatever you need. Take it wherever you want. Press this key”—he demonstrated—“to request the computer to connect to whomever you like. You may even call the Kriton world to speak with your family.” He paused, his stare reaching through her, an expectant look in his eyes. It was as if he was undressing her with his eyes, and Saleeya blushed at his bold gaze. However, she found she wondered what he looked like out of his tight-fitting uniform. She’d never allowed her mind to think about a particular male that she was interacting with in this way before. Sure, she thought of men, but not one she could reach out and touch. Kael interrupted her imaginings. His husky voice brought her back to reality. He was attempting to explain how to use the vid-com. She could care less about the gadget. The only thing she was absorbing from him as he instructed her was the feel of the heat from his body. His clean, masculine scent made her want to bury her nose against his shoulder to inhale deeply.
Hmm, I had no idea that I could enjoy the way a man smelled. I’m really in trouble here.
Saleeya chided herself. Her breasts felt tight, heavy, her nipples hardening. She imagined him touching them, kissing them. Her face reddened at her sensually graphic imagination.
Behave yourself, Saleeya
.
I can’t think about the Prince in such a way. It’s simply inappropriate. This is my job. I’m performing official duties.
She tried to convince herself. “I carry my palm vid-com all of the time, so you can contact me at any time. Over there.” He redirected her attention.

“Can I call you?” Saleeya blurted, interrupting him. She couldn’t help but ask.

“Any time, I’d like that.” Kael’s smile sent a thrill right through her. His deep voice caressed her like silk. She was aching to feel his lips on hers. She could almost taste him. “Like I was telling you, over there’s a chill unit with your drinking water.” Pivoting on his toes, he pointed in the other direction. “In through those doors is your bedchamber along with your cleaning chamber. On Xihirah, we use real water showers. There’re many delightful uses for such a luxury.” Saleeya was so caught up with his news of a real water shower she jumped up on the tip of her toes to race in the direction of the shower.

“Oh, my Kriton Moons, a real water shower with hot and cold water? This is fabulous.” She clapped her hands together gleefully. “Oh, Kael that’s just wonderful. When can I use it? Can I use it anytime I want? Are there any restrictions regarding the use of it that I need to know?” With much energy, Saleeya was caught up with the news that she could have a water shower. The thought of enjoying the water shower momentarily replaced her current obsession with Kael. She darted past Kael into the bedchamber to get to the shower he had mentioned. Kael followed quietly, watching her unexpected excitement.

“I’d like to excite you like this,” Kael whispered after her.

“How does it work? Is it easy to use? Can you show me?” Another burst of energy overtook Saleeya. Kael smiled from ear to ear, following behind her.

“I’d love to show you how to use the shower. Shall I take my uniform off so I can demonstrate more thoroughly? It’s the easiest way to show you.”

Saleeya entered the cleaning chamber, stopped in the middle of the room to rotate around on her heels. Mirrors wrapped around the entire room. In the corner of the room, beautiful glass doors enclosed the shower area. Two eye-catching silver sinks stood against another wall of mirrors. A commode with privacy was tucked behind another mirrored wall. The room was brightly lit. “Oh, my Deity, I need sunglasses in here. It’s so bright. My Kriton Moons, look at this marvelous shower area,” Saleeya excitedly rambled on.

“Adjust lighting to dim twenty percent,” Kael instructed the computer. Not paying attention to Kael’s presence, Saleeya happily danced into the shower area. She turned around and around giggling like a young child.

“My gosh, it’s big enough to hold three or four people at once. I love it, but I can’t imagine what you’d do with such a big shower.”

“I’d love to show you. There’re many things,” Kael murmured under his breath.

“This is heavenly. I’m in heaven.” Saleeya twirled around. Saleeya ignored Kael. “Mia’s probably in her heaven too.” Saleeya continued dancing about the room. “Look, there’re benches in here. Wow, you can sit down to have the water wash over you.” She sat down on one of the benches, leaned back against the mirrored wall, and closed her eyes. “I’m so happy. I can’t wait to try this out.”

“You’re beautiful,” Kael reverently whispered. Saleeya in her excitement hadn’t really forgotten the handsome male’s presence. He was difficult to forget. Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw him watching her intently. She also had heard his comments. His tight uniform pants molded his erection. Nothing much was left to the imagination. Saleeya knew she was performing, no doubt fueling his imagination. However, she continued in her performance. She knew he watched her closely with his glowing eyes. Instinctively, she knew he exercised every ounce of self-control not to remove his clothing as he had suggested earlier. Saleeya caught his reflection in the mirrors as he watched her. His eyes were on fire, having completely transformed. His beast obviously watched her. Saleeya wasn’t oblivious to him. Even though it appeared she was only focused on the shower, she saw every move he made.

“I can sit here and take my time while the water runs all over me.” With closed eyes, she dreamed. “This is absolutely fantastic. I can’t wait to take my clothes off and give this a try. I’ll never want to leave.”

“I can’t wait either,” Kael whispered loud enough for her to hear. She jumped up from the bench, rushing toward the other room to collect her things. She hadn’t fully decided what to do about him. Her mind raced with all sorts of ideas. She heard him gasp as she bumped into him. He was a solid wall of muscle. Quickly, she glanced up to look into his face. She recognized lust filling his animalistic eyes. His body’s response to her thrilled her. The feminine power she felt over this male delighted her. Truth be known, she was enjoying this male animal’s reaction to her. In the back of her mind, she knew she was playing with fire. But, she liked the restrained burn from his flame. Thinking of how it would feel if fully released made her hot all over. Kael seemed to be caught off guard by her behavior. It was evident by the look on his face that she had surprised him when she had run straight into him.

* * * *

“Are you hurt?” Kael demanded. The concern he’d harmed her pushed aside the desire, at least for the moment. “Are you all right? Are you hurt, Saleeya?”

Saleeya’s soft body shuddered, and the tremble raced through her into his hard frame. Kael swore softly as he pulled her tight against him to absorb the shaking.

“My Deity!” Saleeya exclaimed. “I’m sorry I bumped into you. I was so caught up in my excitement. I saw you there, but ran right into you. How clumsy of me, please forgive me. My word, I should have been paying more attention,” she stammered. “Are you smiling?” She frowned, her lips turning up at one corner as she squinted at him.

“Yes, you’re a delight, even though you forgot I was standing here and ran right into me,” he teased her. “I’m glad I wasn’t the wall.” He chuckled.

“You’re as hard as one.” Saleeya smiled back.

“Yes, I am.” Kael’s eyes gleamed wickedly. “And yes, your enthusiasm makes me smile. Now, let me show you how to use the shower.” Saleeya pushed against his chest, and Kael watched her hurry to her luggage to pull out a small case.

* * * *

“Okay, okay, do you mind terribly if I get my soaps? I’ll be right back for you to show me how to use the shower.” In mere seconds, Saleeya was back with her soaps. “I’m ready for you to show me what to do.”

“If you wish, but I’m sure it’ll come naturally for you.” Kael’s tone and expression spoke volumes more than his words. Saleeya knew that they weren’t exactly talking about the same things. He watched so intently she could feel his eyes on her. It was delightfully smoldering. He wanted to demonstrate more than how the shower worked. He wanted to show her how he worked. She wasn’t surprised when he asked.

“Saleeya, I’m going to disrobe to shower with you. I can demonstrate better without clothing.” He looked at her with such desire, drawing a wave of heat to her cheeks.

Saleeya sobered, smacked him lightly on the chest. “Show me how to turn the water on and off. Show me how to adjust the temperature. That’ll be sufficient. You can keep your clothes on for that.” Saleeya stunned herself that she had actually smacked him on his chest. She was becoming overly giddy and flirtatious, which could be disastrous. Being a Prince of Xihirah and their military leader, she was sure not many people would tease him or strike him teasingly. No doubt, most others would be apprehensive of his reaction. His social position made him a man to be taken seriously. One could see that by his interactions with his soldiers and staff. Also, how he dealt with Vitalion made her see he wasn’t to be played with. She should be wise enough to avoid such a compromise in their relationship as well. She was definitely behaving poorly.

She bit her lip, and her mind raced. Her behavior was so unlike her. She always made every attempt to be professional. She had no idea how to control this giddy immaturity or where it came from. His lips curled upward, and he palmed his chest where her fingers had struck. Had he enjoyed her touch, she wondered. Her own fingers tingled and burned where they’d made contact. Touching him was electrical. “Did I smack you too hard?” Saleeya bowed her head in apology.

“No, you can’t hurt me. I enjoy your touch, no matter how it’s delivered.”

He winked at her.

“Walk into the shower, make sure the doors are closed. Simply tell the shower to turn on a gentle stream. You can tell it to stream hard or soft, hot or cold. When you’re finished, tell the shower ‘turn off stream.’ It’s that simple. Since you don’t wish for me to stay to assist you further, I’ll take my leave. I’ll return in two hours to escort you to the midday meal. I’ll let myself out. I’ll lock the suite door behind me. Enjoy your shower. Tell me all about it when I return.”

“Kael, I’m certain you’re aware of the reasons for my being here. If I’ve in any way…” Saleeya ducked her head to try to squeeze past him to go back into the bedchamber. “I feel embarrassed.” Her cheeks flushed.

“You’re even more beautiful when you blush.” Kael’s hand reached out to snag her to him. He pulled her close against his body, so snug against him that she could feel every contour of his strong body. His arms were muscular. His chest was hard, well defined. There really was no softness to him. He was solid all over. Saleeya shivered at the pulse of his penis pressed against her stomach. It was solid, throbbing, and much larger than anything she’d ever imagined. He crushed her to him. His warm breath stirred the hair near her ear. A low-pitched growl escaped him as he pressed hot, open-mouthed kisses along her throat to the flesh of her shoulder. His fingers pulled the fabric aside to suckle at the pulse beneath her skin. Saleeya’s body shuddered in response, and moist heat gathered between her legs. A rumble originated from his chest. She automatically moaned in response.

“Saleeya,” Kael whispered in her ear. “You’re delectable. I want to taste every part of you.” He kissed up and down her neck. “Woman, you’re driving me crazy. Your smell, your touch, I need to have you. I need to mate, to claim you. If you don’t want that…you need to tell me now. I’m losing control over myself.”

Saleeya shook her head. Every part of her screamed not to back away, to accept what he offered. Desire, like a firestorm, raced through her, pooling between her legs. Her nipples tightened into hard points. They were tender as they pressed into him. Her fingers dug into his arms. Her nails scored his flesh. Dizzy, arousal flowing like wine, she arched against him. Saleeya continued to act on impulse, the primitive instinct that moved couples to intimacy, caught her up in the bliss of the moment. Kael’s warm lips claimed hers. He kissed her deeply. His tongue dove into her mouth. She loved the taste of him, warm and spicy. Saleeya shivered. She moaned into his mouth. Fervently returning his kisses, her hands roamed up and down his back. Their tongues dueled in a sensual dance as she embraced him. Further encouraged by Saleeya’s responsiveness, Kael turned her, backed her up against the mirrored wall, and pressed his body into hers. Their kissing intensified, and she could feel his hands on her buttocks grabbing, pressing into her. Then his hands were on her breasts, and he cupped them, massaged them through her gown. She wanted to surrender to him. Kael’s hips rocked into her. Saleeya instinctually rocked back, and they rocked together in the dance imitating sexual intercourse. Saleeya wanted his touch. Her entire body ached for his touch. She considered wrapping her legs around him, pulling him into her.

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