by A. J. Cove
Now Doshi crept invisible through the room to locate two items. She had spied on her sister days ago to learn the secret of covering her freckles and tonight Gabriella's new dress had been delivered and stood waiting inside her wardrobe.
She pilfered the small case which held her sister's foundation and stuck it inside the deep pockets of her lounging dress. Next, she eased open the nearest wardrobe to search for the blue muslin. Her heart pounded so loudly in her chest she couldn't hear anything above it. She could only hope Mary wouldn't disobey orders and return to check on Gabriella.
Tonight she would visit Tarin again. This might be her one and only chance to make love to a man. As Gabriella was fond of telling her, she was not getting any younger. If Gabriella didn't care if her future husband had affairs, then why should she? Besides, no agreement had been signed. The king had explained that the prince would make his final decision once he met Gabriella in person. He hadn't met her yet.
"Tonight,” she whispered into the darkness as she let herself out of her sister's room. “I will become a woman. I hope."
* * * *
Doshi watched Tarin as he poured over a stack of papers. His furrowed brow told her he was concentrating deeply and she was loath to disturb him. She'd avoided wearing her rose-scented perfume for the last few days. He was unaware of her presence.
Before she could make herself known, a woman slipped quietly into the room and tiptoed up behind him. She was scantily dressed in a garment that was nearly as transparent as Doshi. She slipped her hands around Tarin's head to cover his eyes. A delicate giggle escaped her as she pressed her very large bosom against his back.
"I'd hoped you'd come again,” he breathed
Jealousy flared in Doshi. He already had a mistress! She clenched her fists at her sides and glanced down at the dress she'd stolen. So much trouble for nothing. He hadn't missed her at all. Prince Tarin was just like all the rest. He'd already found another woman since she'd turned him down.
Humiliation twisted in her belly. She moved toward the door as Tarin stood and faced the woman.
"You? I mean, Lady Dalia, you should not be here.” Hearing the surprise in Tarin's voice, Doshi paused.
Lady Dalia pouted. “But my prince, we had a moment in the dining room tonight. I know we did."
"A moment?” He shook his head. “I'm sorry. I'm not sure what you mean. How did you get past my guards?"
"Oh, they knew I wasn't about to harm you. I'm a very influential person, you know.” The cat practically purred, rubbing herself against the prince. Though Doshi now knew the prince hadn't invited the slut, she couldn't shake her jealousy.
She searched for something to get rid of Lady Dalia, then grinned when she remembered the stick pen in her purse. She retrieved it and looked for a place to leave the purse while she handled the lady. As soon as it lost contact with her body, the purse would be visible. A bucket of ice on a serving table to one side of the room would do nicely. When her fingers left the glittering material, the purse appeared. She smiled down at it and then her expression hardened. The lady deserved what she got, attempting to seduce her prince.
She brandished the pin as she glided on soft slippers behind the lady. She didn't doubt her pin would make contact since the woman was nearly naked.
Dalia pouted as she ran a hand boldly over the prince's bare chest. Doshi saw red and jerked her hand forward into the lace and cotton. Immediately, Lady Dalia yelped and jumped against the prince. Doshi jabbed her again. This time, Lady Dalia jogged around the room holding her bottom in a very uncivilized fashion.
Doshi slapped a hand across her mouth to stifle her laugh. She cast a glance at Tarin and knew by the wonder and excitement in his eyes that he was aware of her presence. Feeling possessive, she brushed fingertips along his chest, tangling her fingers in the silky hair there. He gave a fleeting look of pleasure before he turned back to Lady Dalia.
"I think it's best that you leave, my Lady. I wouldn't want to ruin your reputation.” He hooked a hand around her elbow and fairly dragged her toward the door.
"But ... but...” The crestfallen expression on her face was comical.
Doshi arranged herself on the couch to await her prince's return. She listened as he gave instructions to his guards not to be disturbed again.
She closed her eyes and slowed her breathing, willing herself to become more visible. Her control was increasing. Those first few nights, she'd popped in and out until finally mastering her gift. Now, she could adjust the volume of transparency with a thought and her will. Now, she hoped to appear before Tarin in outline so that he could see her basic form, but not identify her.
Tarin locked the door and turned to face her. She waited nervously, hoping he could see.
"Rose!” Tarin rushed forward. “I can see you!” He stared, stroking her face. “Honey, you're so beautiful."
She blushed. She'd never been called beautiful. No one had ever seen her outside the shadow of Gabriella, she supposed.
"But I can see right through you.” Tarin's gaze had dropped to her almost bare breasts. She lifted a hand to cover them. Quickly, she faded from his view.
"Please don't, Rose. I want to see you.” He searched blindly for her, but she had moved away.
"I'm afraid.” She hesitated. “You wouldn't find me attractive if you could see my flaws more clearly."
"But I just have. You are beautiful, honey.” He moved toward her, his hands stretched out before him.
She wanted nothing more than to feel his arms encircling her. She dropped her gaze from his face to his bare chest. She wanted to stroke the blond curly hair again. Following her thoughts, she reached out to stroke him. She felt the shudder that rippled over his body and continued her exploration lower to the band of his pants.
"Rose."
She tugged at his buttons and lowered his trousers. A memory of his nakedness flashed in her mind, heating her flesh. She had to see that again. When nothing hindered her inspection, her eyes drank in his form, following every carved angle, every contour. Already he was erect and she boldly reached for his shaft, fascinated with its shape.
Her feathered touch traced the veins upward and bumped over the head. She dragged in a trembling breath when her finger stopped on the slight indentation at the top.
Tarin's eyes closed. His jaw tightened and he tipped his head backward before closing his hand over hers. “Rose, you must not tease me."
"I'm not,” she breathed. “I wanted to see what it felt like. May I touch it again?” She knew she sounded like an inexperienced child.
He attempted to focus on her and then grinned. “You may stroke it to your heart's content, honey. But only after I have had the pleasure of watching you strip before me."
She gasped. Did she dare? She'd stolen her sister's new dress, put on foundation. She'd even shellacked her unkempt hair with some jelly-like stuff she'd found on her sister's vanity. There was no turning back now. She wasn't a tease.
"All right, but you must promise not to touch until I'm ready."
"Agreed.” He moved to the couch, reclining calmly as he'd done that first day she met him in his room. She wondered at his complete lack of modesty. She supposed those born with perfect bodies didn't need modesty. Gabriella was just as confident.
When she was sure he was settled, she stood several feet away from the prince and gradually increased her depth until she was almost visible. “Do you see me?"
"Yes.” The prince leaned forward. “Could I not have a little more?"
She smiled. “No, that's all for now, my prince. Shall I remove the dress?"
"Yes,” he demanded. “Slowly."
She had found new boldness with her invisibility, but stripping before the prince of Lockmoor was not such as easy task. What if he didn't like her body? Would he be disappointed in her bosom, her hips? And what if she messed up completely later? Making love with a real man was a far cry from her imaginary lovers.
"I'm waiting,” he reminded her.
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She reached up to the shoulders of the dress she wore and tugged downward. Gabriella had always had her clothes made to be easily removed. There were no endless rows of tiny buttons to fight with, just a delicate elastic band holding the thin material up over her full bosom.
Tarin gasped when she exposed her nipples, already tight with awareness. They rose and fell, seeming to mesmerize him with every breath she took. Nerves and excitement mingled to make her feel she was on fire. The material of the dress was light, but she felt it weighed heavy on her blazing skin.
Moments later, she was naked. Tarin hadn't moved his eyes from her for a second. She wondered if he'd even blinked.
"Are you all right?” she asked.
"No, I have never seen a woman as alluring as you, honey.” He held out a hand. “Come here to me."
She moved to take his hand, grateful since she wasn't sure she could stand up much longer. But he kept her from sitting when she would have joined him on the couch. He stood to cup her face and plant sweet kisses on her lips, her eyes, her cheeks. She melted against him, breathing in his scent.
"You're not wearing your perfume. I didn't know you were here at first."
"Yes, I wanted to surprise you.” She didn't want him thinking of the Wild Rose while she was with him.
"I miss it, the roses.” She tried pulling away, but he held tight. “Your scent, honey. Every time I smell it, I will remember."
It was precisely what she had intended to avoid. Now she couldn't wear it again when he came to visit the castle.
His kisses began a slow and titillating descent down her quivering body. He paused at her nipples, suckling and playing his tongue about them until she mewled like a kitten, tugging his head closer.
His seeking tongue dipped into her navel briefly before he ventured even lower. Panicked, she yanked too hard at his hair, trying to keep him from his aim. He yelped and glanced up at her, surprised.
"I cannot please you, honey, if you hold on to my hair that way."
Irrational fear paralyzed her, closing her throat. She could not respond. He reached for her hands and unfurled her fingers. Holding her hands at her sides, he continued his ministrations.
She could not look away as she watched her lover's head dip between her legs. A second afterward, she felt his wet tongue slide over the sensitive folds of her center until it slid inside her. Her legs collapsed at the onslaught of sensation.
Before she could fall, Tarin caught her and lifted her to the couch. He laid her on her back, with a look of a man starved, and bowed again between her legs. She thrashed, overwhelmed by the pleasure. Never in her wildest fantasies had she thought it could be this way.
She felt herself growing wetter at the skillful lashing of Tarin's tongue against her bud. On instinct, she raised her legs higher to give him better access. He took advantage of the move by dipping deeper inside her, his tongue making lapping sounds that only heightened her need.
Gabriella must have been mad, Doshi thought. Once she'd confessed the first time hurt, but this was heaven. There was no pain, only pleasure. She had trouble keeping her hips still. When he moved to cover the tiny sensitive bud at the top of her womanhood and sucked against it, she nearly wailed.
She planted her heels on his back, tangled her fingers in his hair again to yank him forward. If she didn't reach that something ... that peak she was climbing and then crash down over the side of it, she'd go insane. She needed it.
"Tarin, please,” she begged.
He raised his mouth only long enough to mutter, “Almost, honey. Almost."
She yanked down his head again and wriggled against his tongue. Her head thrashed from side to side as she called out his name again and again.
"Do that again, Tarin."
His mouth closed down on her and she exploded. Her body rocked hard against him as she gasped for breath. She'd made it to that place and waves of sensation rushed across her belly and out along her limbs repeatedly until she lay exhausted against the couch.
Her eyes were closed, but she opened them when she felt him stroke her cheek. Tarin lay braced above her, his naked body less than an inch from her own.
"Are you all right?"
She nodded. “Yes."
Tarin grinned. “Good. Now the best part.” He gathered her in his arms and carried her to the bed. He laid her down and followed, positioning himself at her side. “We'll go very slowly. Then nothing will compare to the delight our bodies will share."
She nodded, not trusting her voice as tremors still rocked her body. She stiffened when Tarin slid a hand up her thigh and pushed it out. He bent to plant a kiss on her tender skin. “Relax, honey."
She nodded again and willed her muscles to comply. When he raised himself above her and fitted his stiff erection against her folds, lust took charge of her fear. She opened to him as much as possible and then gripped his shoulders when he penetrated her. She sucked in a ragged breath at the pain, unwilling to cry out. His first few strokes were uncomfortable, but gradually the pain faded, replaced by waves and waves of pure delight.
"Are you all right, honey?” he gasped between slow thrusts.
"Yes. I ... yes.” Her fingers tightened on his shoulders and she raised her hips from the mattress to meet his rhythm.
The rumbling in his throat seemed to signal an increase in his speed. She moved beneath him, loving the sensation of his extended shaft sliding in and out of her.
Soon she recognized the climb to that ultimate explosion. She rocked and bucked against him, her quivering limbs demanding more. He drove deeper and faster until she screamed, and he clamped a hand over her mouth to muffle her enthusiastic release. Before she could come down from the height of passion, he jerked and she felt delicious warmth spread over her abdomen.
"Now, honey,” he gasped hoarsely as he collapsed to her side and pulled her into his embrace. “What did you think of that?"
She curled herself closer, tucking her head beneath his chin with her lips against his chest before she answered. “I think I will like doing that as often as possible."
His hold tightened and his growl told her he agreed completely.
Chapter Five
Doshi lay curved into Tarin's arms, enjoying the warmth of his embrace and the afterglow of his lovemaking. Remembering their limited time together, she buried her face in his throat, feeling the beat of his pulse thump against her lips. “This has been wonderful, but our time is nearing an end."
"It doesn't have to end. You could admit to me who you really are.” Tarin sat up, pulling her with him to his lap. “I could work something out."
"What? What will you work out, my prince?"
"For us to continue seeing each other. At least for a while."
She stood, retrieving her dress from a chair, the soft material fading the moment her hands touched it. “These past two weeks have been more than I could have imagined. But I know you're promised to marry Gabriella Lagrin, Princess of Glamdire.” She struggled to hold back her tears. “This is a fantasy. It cannot last."
He sighed and rose to dress as well. “You are right. I am all but promised to another. And if I were not an honorable man, I would either break my promise or ask you to become my mistress."
"So you're fine with agreeing to marry a woman you haven't seen?"
He shrugged. “It is the way of our world, of royalty. If our kingdoms are to survive, we must do that which has to be done in order to ensure a future."
"You don't really mean that.” She frowned. “It sounds so heartless. I know you aren't like that, Tarin."
"Do you?” He reached out to find her. Doshi moved further away and he dropped his arm to his side. “You don't know me so well, Rose. And I don't know you. Otherwise, you'd show yourself to me."
"I..."
He held up a hand. “No, don't protest. I've heard your explanations. I accept things as they are. In another time, we might have been more than lovers. We're a perfect match."
"In bed."<
br />
"In all ways."
"I've hidden the entire time we've been together. You look a fool riding alongside a riderless horse."
"It was your own choice."
She walked around to the foot of the bed. “And now you're going to Glamdire. This must end.” She gestured to the rumpled sheets, his half-nakedness as he stood holding his shirt in his hands. He was so beautiful. Her heart constricted at her loss.
"You could visit me at the castle for a while.” He frowned. “Although it will be next to impossible to get you inside. I know how it is at home in Lockmoor. Not a moment's rest from the servants, advisors, and dignitaries under foot. I'm thankful to have had this time with you, to know you before the chaos. I will figure something out."
Her gaze dropped to the floor and she shook her head. “It cannot be, but I would not change anything. These two weeks will stay in my memory forever.” The pent up tears spilled from her eyes and she sank to the floor, covering her face.
Hearing her, Tarin leapt to her side and dragged her onto his lap. “Honey, don't."
She couldn't help it. Stupid woman that she was, she'd fallen in love with him. It broke her heart beyond bearing to know he would marry her sister. She would forever be the lesser sister, the one not sought after. No man would ever break his heart over love of her. Tarin wanted only the physical pleasure he'd enjoyed, something he probably didn't expect to receive from a high-born female. It was too much to bear.
"One more day together, before I go to Glamdire,” he whispered. “One more perfect day."
* * * *
Doshi sighed and climbed down from her window seat as she heard Lin enter the room to help her dress. A clamor in the hall drew her attention.
"What's that noise, Lin?"
Her maid chuckled, placing the basin of water she was carrying on a table near the door. “Just Princess Gabriella throwing a tantrum."
"What is it about this time?” Doshi glanced down at her dress, noting the wrinkles. Her father would be furious if she didn't change before meeting her newest prospect for marriage. She sighed again.