PARADOX II

by Rosemary Laurey

  "Have you ever seen a liter of deuces?" he asked.

  She shook her head.

  "You haven't seen it, but do you doubt it exists?"

  The surprise on her face was almost comical and he grinned. She wanted to object, he could see it in her eyes, but she had no reply because he was correct. Just because one hadn't seen it, didn't mean something didn't exist.

  "Is that why they're after you, because you're a merman?"

  "Yes." He held the flint near the base of his pyramid, then struck the flint several times before leaning forward to blow softly on the little sparks that danced in the dried grasses.

  "How did you become a slave?"

  He indicated she should wait while he concentrated on the tiny embers. Within a few minutes the grasses had caught and the flames raced toward the twigs. He sat back.

  "My clan lives on an island called CasadUne not far from here and we don't associate with the land dwellers very often. But there are times when we come ashore to barter or enjoy a taste of your civilization." He looked to the final rays of the sun streaking the sky with dark pinks and purples. "There's nothing more compelling than a sunset, is there?"

  She took a drink of wine then offered him the bottle. "And you were caught while watching a sunset?"

  "Not quite." He took the offering and raised the bottle to his lips. He'd never had human wine before. The fruity, slightly sweet taste spread through his mouth as he swallowed the dark liquid. "I'd been traveling for hours and was tired. I'd come ashore to bask in the warmth of the nooning sun. I had climbed onto the rocks and fallen asleep and I woke with a net over me." He took another drink. "I was hauled to the slave market and bought." He lowered the bottle as he considered the unexpected effects of the drink. After a few moments, he decided the warmth spreading through his system was quite... enjoyable.

  "By Evi?"

  "Yes."

  "What did he want with you?"

  "To make money." The anger he felt at being paraded before the slave buyers raced to the fore and he could feel his skin flush. How anyone could treat another being with such a lack of compassion was beyond him. "He charged people to see me swim, then charged extra to touch me."

  "And that's why he beat you, isn't it?" She took a drink from the bottle and handed it back. "Because you fought him?"

  Wyn nodded. "I'm not some quirk of nature to be towed from town to town locked in a wagon. He didn't see me as a person with feelings and emotions and neither did the people who paid to touch me. Money means nothing if someone gets hurt in the process." He spat.

  Nova turned her face toward the sunset, her expression distant.

  "He was making plans to sell me to a land dweller woman who wanted to use me as her jaJin, her pleasure bearer. I wouldn't be free to come and go, I'd be her sexual slave." He raised the bottle to his lips, enjoying the warmth the liquid delivered to his gut. The more he drank, the farther he could distance himself from the pain and humiliation of his imprisonment.

  She shook her head. "Why would he do that? I mean, in any of the larger cities anyone can hire a jaJin and it's socially acceptable behavior--"

  "Mermen are known for being exceptionally... sensual."

  Her eyes widened and her gaze dropped to his crotch, then up again. "In what way?"

  "For instance, we can maintain an erection for hours at a time thus guaranteeing a woman multiple orgasms."

  Nova snorted and shook her head. "The ability to hammer away for hours does not guarantee an orgasm."

  "It is if the man knows how to do it right," he boasted.

  She rolled her eyes. "All men think they do it 'right'. Luckily for us women, we know better."

  "You're jaded."

  "No, just realistic." She rose to retrieve another bottle of wine from the basket in the cart. "Most men think with their cocks. Unfortunately, it usually gives bad information."

  "Says who?'

  "Says me."

  She resumed her seat and removed the cork with the tip of her dagger. When she took a deep drink of the ruby liquid, a drop ran down her chin and Wyn was seized with the desire to lick it off.

  "Besides, if men knew how to do it properly, there would be no prostitution," she said.

  "Why do you say that?" He tossed the old bottle behind him as he enjoyed the floaty sensation in his head. Maybe he needed to eat something.

  "If they knew how to use their equipment properly, then most women wouldn't be adverse to sex." Nova leaned over to rummage in the food basket.

  He shook his head. "Most women aren't--"

  "Many women are." She tossed him a chunk of white cheese.

  "Yourself included?" He caught the food as well as the flash of indecision on her face. Something bad had happened in her past and it held her back even now.

  "We weren't talking about me. Besides, I'm different." She shrugged. "I choose not to have sex."

  "And why is that?" He bit into the cheese, enjoying the sharp flavorful bite. Never had he tasted such wonderful cheese...

  "Sex is about power--"

  "What?" He almost bit his tongue.

  She nodded and he could see her movements weren't quite as precise as they'd been before. The wine was having as much of an effect on her much as it was on him.

  "I don't know how it is in your world, but in the human world sex is about power. Men use the power of sexual attraction to control their mates while women use it to get what they want." She pulled a loaf of bread out of the basket and tore it in half. "If women withhold sex from their mate, invariably the men come running back at some point." She tossed half of the bread at him. "Or they go out and buy it."

  He caught the bread and set it on one of the rocks near the fire to warm. "Your view of sex is twisted. If you look at your society, speaking sexually of course, the jaJin are the ones who have it made. By their own consent, they willingly engage in sex and they receive cash for their work as well as the pleasure in giving satisfaction to another."

  She snorted. "Men do not receive satisfaction in giving pleasure."

  "I do."

  "Uh huh." Her tone was disbelieving.

  He leaned toward her. "It's true. I receive almost as much satisfaction from giving pleasure as receiving it. Obviously I receive physical pleasure from an orgasm, but I receive divine gratification from bringing release to a woman."

  She cocked her head and her pupils were large, making her eyes appear darker, more vulnerable. "Are all mermen like you?"

  "Most."

  "Well," she laughed, "I shall seek your kind when I decide to take a lover."

  A slow burn began in his gut at the thought of this woman taking a lover. The thought of another man kissing her full lips, caressing her breasts and the soft hair between her beautiful thighs. Another man entering her, taking her, bringing her to satisfaction.

  Another man loving her.

  "What's wrong with right now?" he asked.

  She put down the bottle and tore off a bite of bread. "Right now, what?"

  "Let's make love."

  "Now?" She gulped.

  The expression in her dark eyes spoke volumes. Fear and curiosity warred in their blue depths. Her breathing was accelerated and through her thin blouse he could see her erect nipples. She was aroused, and even though they were separated by a foot or so, he could smell her heat. He ached to touch her, taste her essence.

  "Meet me halfway, Nova. Let me prove what I can do for you."

  Her dark lashes fluttered and she swallowed, hard.

  "If you're shy, I can come to you--"

  "Who said I was shy?" A mutinous look crossed her face.

  He fought the urge to grin. This woman was proud, very proud. "If you're scared--"

  "You think I'm scared?" She lunged at him for a brief punishing kiss. But, before he could get a good taste of her, she backed away. "I'll take a lover when I decide the time is right. You can't goad me into it." She grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him onto his knees. Up close he was as
sailed by her fragrance. Her eyes were dilated and she licked her lips, drawing his attention to her mouth. "Maybe you should be afraid of me, merman." Her voice dropped. "I am a very accomplished lover."

  He cupped her hips and brought her closer. Her eyes widened as he pressed his burgeoning erection into her stomach. They were a perfect fit.

  He slid his hand beneath her skirt, his palm hot against her thigh. "I am not afraid of any woman." His words were brave, but he wasn't at all sure that this woman didn't scare him to death.

  He dipped his head and his lips brushed hers--once, twice. It was more of a tease than an actual kiss and he wanted inside her mouth, he needed a taste of her. His tongue snaked out and just as it touched her lips, she shoved him backward. He went down on his back and, with a soft cry, she flung herself on top of him. He grasped her by the hips and rolled her beneath him, their legs tangled as they moved. If he didn't taste her soon, he'd explode. He swooped and captured her mouth. Hot and sweet, she opened and took him deep, her tongue wrestling with his as her busy hands worked to remove his shirt.

  Their kiss was wet and greedy as they ate at each other's mouths. A soft moan sounded from her throat and she sucked his tongue, driving sensation directly to his throbbing groin. She nipped his lower lip before breaking the kiss to tear at the buttons on his pants.

  He braced his hands on the ground and pushed to give her better access. With her eyes wild and her lips swollen from his kisses, she was magnificent and he wanted to tell her so.

  "You're beautiful."

  To his surprise, she scowled at him. "You don't have to seduce me with pretty words, Wyn."

  She released her grip on his pants to tangle her fingers in his hair and drag his mouth back to hers. Together, they rolled across the ground until he ended up on the bottom--each struggling to touch and taste more of the other. He felt as if he couldn't get enough of her. Like a starving man he wanted to spread her across the ground and feast on her. Her nipples would taste of--

  All thoughts of seduction flew from his mind as her hand plunged into the front of his pants and her fingers encircled his cock. She squeezed gently, causing sparks to arc before his eyes. She certainly had talented hands, and if she didn't stop, he wouldn't last long enough to enjoy any other part of her. And he wanted to so very badly.

  Panting, he reached for her wrists. "You have too many clothes on."

  A wicked smile curved her kiss-swollen lips. "I can take care of that."

  She sat up, her thighs parted to bracket his hips. Grasping her shirt, she pulled it over her head and tossed it aside. Her full breasts bounded free and he reached for her. Shaking her head, she gave him a saucy smile that further heated his blood. She rose to her feet and removed her skirt.

  She was magnificent.

  His cock gave a twitch as if in invitation and she slipped to her knees over him, this time wrapping her hand around the base of his cock. Adjusting herself, she positioned him at her entrance and, with a heady sigh, sank him deep.

  He captured her hips and adjusted her angle, catching her clitoris dead on. A moan broke from her lips as she drew her thighs tight to his hips, rubbing her lower body against him. Each tiny movement wrought an answering noise from her throat. She caught his hands and placed them on her breasts, showing him exactly how she liked to be touched.

  Then she began to move.

  Head tipped back, she lifted her body from his only to return, barely giving him time to draw breath. With a dreamy smile on her face, she moved easily, her body rocking in harmony with his as her pace increased. The tips of her silken hair tickled his legs when suddenly she tightened around him, straining, coming apart over him.

  He gritted his teeth as her orgasm caressed his cock. It was too fast. He wanted to savor her, touch every inch of her skin. He wanted it to last for hours, not minutes.

  But Nova wasn't done yet.

  She gave a hum of satisfaction when her soft, questing fingers caressed his nipples. With lips swollen and damp, eyes luminous with her release, a wicked smile blossomed as she swooped to capture a hardened nub between her teeth. Rocking her hips, she suckled him with abandon and he was lost.

  With a cry, he grabbed her hips and hammered into her. Sensation raged through his body as she teased him with her mouth. Sounds of delight escaped her throat as she met him thrust for thrust, her body surrounding him in wet heat.

  She released him and sat up, taking his cock deeper and that was all it took. Hands tight on her hips, he held her in place as he came hard. Within seconds, she tensed over him, her voice mingling with his as she convulsed around him once more.

  Nova collapsed over him, her thick dark hair blanketing them. He stroked her back, and a few moments later he realized she'd fallen asleep. He stared up at the dark sky and noticed something was poking him in the back but he was too stunned to move.

  What in the world had just happened between them?

  CHAPTER SIX

  The cool sea breeze did little to lower the temperature of Nova's overheated skin. The sun was high overhead and they'd been working hard to remove debris from the interior of the house since sunup. Even though the work was grueling, nothing could prevent the thrill of homecoming that raced through her every time she stepped across the threshold.

  Thunk!

  Out of the corner of her eye she saw Wyn in the far corner near the collapsed fireplace. He was chopping the massive beams that had once supported the roof. He'd removed his shirt and his muscular body was drenched in sweat. As he brought down the ax, the play of muscles and sinew was mesmerizing. Her tongue grew thick. Her breasts tingled and her skin grew moist. Since their encounter last evening, every breath seemed deeper and fuller, making her more aware of her body than ever before.

  Would she lie with him again?

  Yes...

  Her cheeks flushed and she stooped to gather another load of wood, then hurried outside, her arms full of manageable pieces of what had once been her roof.

  Ever since last night's earth-shattering events, she hadn't been able to look him in the eye. Luckily she didn't have to speak as he'd already been hard at work when she'd awoken. Other than a hurried nod, they hadn't communicated at all unless it was to shout a warning or give instruction.

  She strode to the pile of refuse at the side of the house. Never had she responded to a man as she had last night. Never had it been so... hot. Then again, rarely had a man taken the time to arouse her before. Most men didn't care if their slaves felt anything during sex; they were only interested in achieving their own satisfaction.

  She dropped the armload of wood and her breath caught as a splinter tore through her gloves. Disgusted, she tore off the glove to inspect the damage. Blood oozed from the wound and a good-sized splinter stuck out of the palm of her hand. She swore beneath her breath and picked it at with her ragged fingernails.

  "What did you do?"

  Hearing his voice so close startled her and she drove the wood deeper into her palm. She swore again.

  "Are you hurt?"

  Before she could answer, he took her hand in his. Warmth radiated along her hand and up her arm, and her breasts ached.

  "A splinter. Nasty business when doing work like this." Without releasing her hand, he led her to their camp.

  "I can take care of it." She tried to pull away but he didn't release her.

  "It's easier if I do it. These can be tricky one-handed." He pushed her down on a makeshift bench he'd made from a roof support earlier in the day. "You don't want it to get infected."

  He gathered a bottle of fresh water and a rag and began cleaning her hand. As he worked, her gaze caught on the clean, light strands of his hair. His hair was bound at the back of his neck with a strip of leather. The two braids were still in place and they swung with his movements, accompanied by a soft click as the shells struck each other.

  His touch was gentle and he smelled of male sweat, seawater and sunshine. Already his wounds were healing and his frame was filling out
. Her gaze moved over the rippling muscles of his arms and shoulders. Arousal beat slow and steady beneath her skin.

  "Your wounds are healing well." Her voice came out husky and she felt breathless.

  His blond head came up and his gaze met hers. "Yes," he said. "Now that I'm back near the ocean, I'll heal soon enough." He returned his attention to her hand. Once the wound was clean, he asked for her knife.

  "What do you need it for?" She pulled the weapon from her boot and handed it to him.

  "I need to make a small cut to get the splinter out. You've pushed it in too far."

  "I've already said I can take care of--"

  "Don't worry." His gaze was teasing. "I'll not cut off your hand. I've had plenty of practice in removing splinters." He cleaned the blade with fresh water and a clean cloth.

  She frowned. "Does one get a lot of splinters as a merman?"

  "Not like humans." He made a tiny incision and her breath caught. "But we have wickedly sharp coral and sometimes the spines will embed themselves and have to be dug out."

  He dipped his head and she jerked as his lips touched her palm. He sucked at the wound and her toes curled at the sensuality of the action. His lips and tongue were soft, and after several pulls, he raised his head. His mouth was stained with her blood and between his gritted teeth was the splinter. He spat it into the fire ring.

  "Thank you."

  He poured water into his hand, then rinsed his mouth. "It is I who should be thanking you."

  "For what?"

  "Saving me." He poured a liberal amount of water over her palm. "For giving me my life back."

  "Well, you already thanked me and you don't have your life back--"

  "Yet, but I will." He dried her hand with one of the cloths and applied some of the wound salve. "Evi kept a tight rein and I didn't know how I could get away, though I knew at some point I'd have to. To remain in captivity was not an option." He grinned. "Little did I know I'd achieve freedom with the help of an ebony-headed enchantress."