“Oh, that’s real funny Tak. You know I don’t dance. And stop calling me Brownie, dammit!” Just then, she made a crucial error and didn’t move fast enough before Tak’s leg came out and slammed into her hip, knocking her down.
Liasare smashed into the floor with a crack, the air leaving her body in a whoosh. She rolled on her side but couldn’t get a good breath into her lungs. Finally, her diaphragm relaxed a bit and she inhaled, trying to suck in some air, only to find it caused excruciating pain in her ribs. Then she eked out, “Ribs. Broken.”
Jurek flashed to her side and healed her with his hands. In seconds, the pain melted away and she was able to breathe with ease.
“Damn, Tak, can you at least remember for a second I’m a human when you plow into me? Shit, that hurt like a motherfucker!”
“Liasare, please! Can you not use such vulgar language?” Jurek asked.
She flashed him a dirty look and said, “Right, why don’t you get knocked around for a few weeks and get your bones broken a few times a day, and then ask me that? And besides, it’s okay for you to swear, but I can’t. Asshat.”
Jurek shook his head at her and walked away.
“I think we can call it a day then,” Tak said. “Tomorrow is strength training Brownie. Come prepared to sweat.”
“Yes, Master.”
“I see I have trained you well, Grasshopper,” Tak retorted.
“Liasare, my quarters. Now,” Jurek yelled from across the room.
She pushed herself off the floor and dragged herself to his quarters. Sweat rolled down her neck and back and her hair clung to her cheek as she wiped her face with the back of her hand. She slipped off her shoes before she entered Jurek’s quarters for she loved the feel of his carpet around her feet as they sank into it.
“Did you want something?”
“Have a seat.”
“No, I’m too sweaty. I’ll mess up your furniture.”
He rolled his eyes at her. Then he flicked his eyes toward the bathroom and said, “Go shower.”
Not one to refuse a shower after a hard workout, Liasare headed to his bathroom. She took her time bathing because she loved using his shower; it was much larger than the one she normally used. Wrapping herself in his black satin robe, she towel dried her hair and ran her fingers through it. She loved wearing his robe. It was infused with his scent and that wonderful aroma did things to her she didn’t want to think about.
“So, what’s up?” she asked, rejoining him.
“The soiree is the day after tomorrow. I have some things for you.”
On his bed were a garment bag and another shopping bag.
“Go on, you can look.”
She hesitated. Liasare had never attended an event such as a soiree. She had never even gone on a date. She wasn’t sure of what to expect.
“Christ, they won’t bite you Liasare. Look at the damn things,” Jurek bit out. He so wanted her to like what he’d chosen for her to wear, but she was suddenly acting like a frightened mouse.
“Sorry! I wasn’t expecting this is all.”
What the hell! Her hands shook as she unzipped the garment bag and she couldn’t stop the gasp that escaped from her mouth. She’d never seen anything so lovely. It was a burgundy silk dress and it was beautiful. She glanced at Jurek and he was staring at her, unblinking and unmoving.
“Try it on,” he commanded.
“Right now?”
“Yes, right now.”
She picked up the dress and started to head to the bathroom when his words stopped her.
“I see no need for modesty Liasare. I have seen you naked and I have touched and held every inch of your lovely body. Take off the robe and try the damn dress on.”
Sweet God in heaven, get me through this one! His words mortified her and filled her with anxiety. Why, she couldn’t say. He was right, of course. She had lain in his arms, naked, for hours, and he had seen her bathing, yet now she felt completely stripped of everything and wanted to run and hide.
Her hands shook as she untied the sash on the robe and let it fall from her shoulders. They shook so badly, she couldn’t get the dress unzipped. She chewed her lip and fumbled with the zipper until her vision blurred. The current of electricity that was always present when he was near amplified as she felt his arms come around her and undo the zipper. Then his breath fanned the back of her neck as he whispered, “Someone as beautiful as you should never be covered in clothing.”
Holy fuck! Combustion time. She sucked in her breath at his words as goose bumps formed all over her body. She took the dress in her hands and turning around, she stared into his eyes as he brushed his thumb across her lower lip. His eyes raked her from head to toe and she felt the temperature rise in her body. That place between her legs turned to molten heat as her arousal flared. Her cheeks grew hot as she thought of what she’d like for him to do to her and she unconsciously parted her lips in anticipation. His lips were so close she wanted to pull him into her so he could kiss her. Before she knew what she was doing, her hand was reaching for his neck, bringing those lips closer to hers.
“I think you should try on the dress to see if it fits properly,” he murmured, breaking the spell.
She quickly stepped back, mentally scolding herself. Her cheeks now flamed with embarrassment. Turning her back to him, she slipped the dress on and struggled to zip it.
“Allow me,” he said as his warm fingers brushed hers aside. When he finished, he spun her around and gazed at her.
“You’ll be quite the distraction, Liasare,” he said huskily. He was sure he’d never seen anything so lovely in his life.
Her eyes dropped to the floor. She’d never been complimented before so she wasn’t quite sure how to handle it. In fact, his words made her feel rather awkward.
Shit! Why does he have to say crap like that? I can’t handle that stuff, dammit.
“What is it?”
“It’s nothing,” she shook her head.
“Tell me. You look extraordinary. Do you not like it?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t looked in a mirror.”
“Forgive me.” He dragged her to the corner where there stood a floor length mirror and her mouth formed a huge O when she saw her reflection.
“Oh holy shit. Is that really me?”
Jurek laughed. “You do have a way with words Davidson!”
The dress was amazing. It was a one shoulder that draped to the side, but was tastefully bare. Her creamy skin was displayed everywhere. The dress hit thigh high and, of course, her shoulder and back were bared. She was absolute perfection in it.
“Oh, and there’s more.” He went and retrieved the shopping bag. Inside was a lovely pair of black strappy stilettos and a matching clutch. But the shocker was the jewelry. There was the most incredible diamond choker and earrings to match with a series of delicate gold filigreed bangles and a matching ring. She never wore jewelry before, nothing, not a ring, earrings or a bracelet. And here she was, holding a number of ungodly priceless treasures in the palms of her hands.
Oh dear God! NO! No no no no no! Fuck no! I can’t do this. Huh uh. No way.
Liasare stared at everything and then shook her head, an extreme case of anxiety hitting her. “Huh uh, I can’t accept this. This is way too much. I won’t be able to walk in those shoes either. Seriously, that jewelry is beautiful, but I would be afraid to wear something as valuable as that. It’s completely out of my league. Honestly Jurek. I don’t have to wear any jewelry. I mean the dress is pretty enough as it is and I can fix my hair. Maybe I can get Jaylen to help me with some kind of an updo. I don’t really know how, but she can do anything. Yeah, that’s exactly what I’ll do. Maybe Jaylen can lend me some flats or something because I wouldn’t want to wear these shoes and face plant and embarrass you or anything because I’ve never worn shoes like these. I’ve only ever worn those boots. And well, yeah, that’s what I’ll do. But I swear, I’ll try my best not to embarrass you. I know I probably will thou
gh, because I’ve never been to anywhere like this but if I do, I swear to God it’s not because I did it on purpose.” Her hand was clenched on her chest and she took a deep breath because she had run out of air she had rambled on so long. “Damn, I’m such a loser. Sorry I got diarrhea of the mouth, it’s just, well crap.” She raised her hand to her forehead and stared at her feet.
For the love of God, please don’t let me cry. I’m making a stupid fool out of myself here. Come on, get your shit together now!
Try as she might, she couldn’t stop them. The tears oozed out of the corners of her eyes and she squeezed them as tight as she could, trying to force them back. She kept her head down and her eyes glued to the floor, hoping to God he wouldn’t see them.
“Are you finally finished?” he asked, with a hint of laughter lacing his voice.
“Yeah,” she cleared her throat.
“Look at me.”
No no no no noooooooo!
She shook her head. If she did, she’d be found out, and that wouldn’t do.
He took her chin in his hand and lifted it. When he saw the tears he pulled her into his arms.
“Christ Davidson, I didn’t mean for any of this to make you cry. First off, the jewelry is for me, not for you. I need for you to have a certain look about you, and the jewelry accomplishes that. Second, try the shoes before you condemn them. If they don’t work, we’ll figure something out. Third, you won’t embarrass me. And what the hell happened to you to make you act this way?”
I’m a fucking L-O-S-E-R...that’s what!
Talking into his chest she answered, “Nothing happened. I’m just such a loser. I’ve never been to a party or a dance. I’ve never even worn a dress, or shoes other than those stupid boots for as long as I can remember. I’m not playing the sympathy card here, but that was my life. I don’t know how to dance. That’s why I’m worried about embarrassing you. All those people there will be so refined and then there will be me ... making a total fool out of myself. I may look okay, but I’ll still be a loser. I won’t know how to act in that setting. I don’t know what to even expect.”
“Okay, fair enough. I can teach you all of that. But will you at least agree to try the damn shoes on?”
She sniffed first, then laughed and said, “Yeah, I guess so.”
“Come.”
She sat on the coffee table and he knelt in front of her and helped her with the shoes. They had a platform so they weren’t as bad as she’d initially thought they would be.
“Well?” he asked.
Pretend Liasare. Act!
“Not too bad. I’m a tad wobbly though.”
He observed as she walked around the room. Gods, the woman is exquisite, he thought. Everything about her is perfect. She is incredibly sexy in those shoes.
Jurek had a smile on his face as he stared at her. He wasn’t one to smile often, so this was certainly a rare occasion. Liasare looked at him for his opinion.
“How do I look?”
“Do you really have to ask?”
“What I mean is when I walk. Do I look like I’m about to crash and burn? I’ve seen women wearing these contraptions before that had no business wearing them and they looked like hell. I don’t want anyone thinking that about me.”
“No worries there,” he said curtly. There won’t be anyone looking at you thinking you look like hell. Quite the opposite Davidson ... they’ll be thinking you’re an angel from heaven. Most likely I’ll have to beat them off with sticks all night.
“Really?”
“What do you want me to say? That you look like a graceful ballerina doing a fouette en tournant?”
“Very funny.”
“I’m not trying to be funny. You should know that by now. I’m not known for my robust sense of humor.”
“Right you are. So what should I expect?”
Chapter Eleven
Two nights later, Liasare and Jurek arrived at the soiree dressed to the nines--she in her burgundy dress, platforms and diamonds and he in his black pants, black sport coat and crisp white linen shirt, unbuttoned halfway down his chest. He had let her use his quarters to get ready as Jaylen had come to prepare Liasare’s hair. Liasare’s tiny room in which she slept, located off the locker room wouldn’t have suited; it was barely large enough to hold her cot. When she walked out to meet him, it was difficult to tell which one was more unnerved.
Liasare was instantly aroused when she looked at him.
Holy cannoli, I’m gonna have to go change my panties. Look at the man!
He oozed sexuality. She wanted to run her hands inside his shirt right before she tore it off of him. He was clean-shaven and his soft black hair was brushed back and had been neatly trimmed. It was still long, almost brushing his shoulders, and she was happy because she loved it like that. It made her want to tangle her fingers in it as she drew his face to hers. With those thoughts, his scent seemed to increase and envelop her. He lifted her hand to his mouth, but right before it reached his lips, he turned it over and placed a kiss on her palm and then on the inside of her wrist.
“You look more beautiful than I ever imagined,” he whispered.
Not as beautiful as you. Damn! That voice, that scent. Combustion time.
“Thanks,” she replied shyly. “Just don’t let me do a face plant.” She kept stealing glances beneath her lashes at him. He was so damned attractive it was difficult to tear her eyes away.
“Don’t worry, I’ve got you. Ready?” he asked, his lips curving into a smile.
“As I’ll ever be.” And then some, she thought as she felt her damp panties between her legs when she began walking.
The place was packed with strange beings from places Liasare was unfamiliar with. Jurek would either whisper or send her telepathic messages of what she needed to know about who may be important. She would be his eyes and ears for the evening, concentrating on things he would be unable to. His arm was firmly around her waist and remained there for almost the entire evening. They mingled with Xanthians, which Liasare found most distasteful. Several times, Jurek squeezed her waist, indicating his displeasure at her actions or remarks.
“You must put these feelings aside and be a better performer Liasare. This is not a game,” he whispered harshly in her ear. Then he kissed her neck, intending to cover up their heated words as a lover’s quarrel.
“I’m trying dammit. It’s hard when those fuckers stink worse than...”
“Don’t say it. We need to come up with some other colorful metaphors for you. Shit, fuck and those other nasty words you employ shouldn’t come from such an exquisite mouth.”
“Okay, how about I call them McStinkies?”
His lips crashed into hers before she barely finished speaking and caught her off guard. Roughly pulling her into his arms, he kissed her mercilessly, showing no tenderness. Moving them behind a curtain and out of the view of everyone, he continued exploring her mouth. Liasare wasn’t expecting this, but the moment his lips touched hers, all bets were off. His lips were controlling, demanding. And that damn scent of his was making her nearly drunk with its exotic spiciness. She wrapped her arms around his neck and slid her fingers into his hair. If she were anywhere else, she would be unbuttoning his shirt too.
Liasare suddenly felt her feet leave the floor as he moved his hands beneath her ass and lifted her up in his arms, groaning into her mouth. Her lips felt swollen and bruised, but she couldn’t have cared less. She wanted more, and if it had to be here and now, then so be it. She was on fire for him, her skin burning from his touch, and all sane thoughts had fled her mind. The current that ran between them had burst into lethal flames and Liasare heard herself tell him, “I want more Jurek. Now.”
Her words brought him back to reality, to the present and to what he was about to do. He released her and gently pushed her away from him saying, “We have business to attend to.”
“Yeah, I guess we do,” she said, dropping her gaze to the floor.
Shit, how can he do this
? Hot one minute, cold the next. What an asshole!
She wanted to be away from this place. She needed to save face, unfortunately right now, the only thing she wanted was to suck face...his face, all night long.
Why does he have to be so damn hot?
“Here.” He ran his thumb along her lip, wiping her lipstick so it wasn’t smeared. Then he straightened her hair. He took her clutch out of her hand and retrieved her lipstick and handed it to her so she could reapply it. Her hand was shaking so badly he grabbed it from her and did it for her. He grabbed a tissue out of her clutch and wiped his mouth. “Did I get it all?” he asked gruffly. She nodded as she reached out to brush his hair back into place with her hands. Thinking the better of it, she jerked her hands back to her sides. Touching him again would only add to her misery.
As she turned to walk away, he pulled her to him saying, “You and I are, well, it’s complicated Liasare.”
“Everything with you is complicated Jurek. Why don’t we just go back to being trainee and trainer? That way I understand the boundaries. No misconceptions. It’s less confusing then.” She headed back to the party.
***
An hour had passed when Liasare excused herself to use the restroom.
When she was walking back to the party, she saw two men in the corridor walking toward her. They were wearing nondescript clothing and as she got closer she gasped. One of them was her brother.
“Tommy!” He had no reaction, but continued to move forward.
“Thomas, stop!” Still, no reaction. She ran after him and pulled his arm, still eliciting no reaction from him. “Tommy stop. It’s me, your sister,” she shouted. They were close enough to the party that people were now turning to look. Instead of moving into the party room, the two men turned down another corridor and continued to walk.
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