Flipping them both over so that Jade was now on top of him, he slid her up his chest so that her breasts fell to either side of his face. He licked at them, smacking his lips like she was a stick of candy. She arched toward him, offering her sweets to him.
Eli positioned her once again on her back so that he had access to all of her. He captured her leg between his knees and spreading her wide, explored the juncture of her thighs with his tickling, probing fingers. She’d be more than happy to let him satisfy his curiosity and hoped he took all the time in the world to do so; she could do with a few trips to heaven and back.
“Mmmm, you are so wet, my Zsa-ninah. So tempting,” he whispered.
But for all his expert petting, he refused to allow her to come. He pulled his hands away from her excited flesh just before she crested.
“Eli, why—”
“Shhhh. I want to be inside you. I want to feel your heat.”
“I can’t,” her voice sounded like a whimper.
“I don’t understand, Jade.” His disheartened words spoke of disappointment rather than irritation.
She gritted her teeth. He’d gone and used her first name and with an ache in his voice that sounded like it came straight from his soul. How could she resist now? His thumb circled through the curls. Oh how she wanted him to scratch her itch and fill her with his magnificent cock. But she knew her heart couldn’t take it. She would give herself to him, fall head over heels, and then probably never see him after she returned to her own camp. Just like that rotten apple from U of C. And she couldn’t let that happen again. It was too painful.
Good thing that, on top of all of Eli’s skill, and the hard-won words that thrilled her to the core, she wasn’t tipsy from a few glasses of gin. That’s how she’d gotten into trouble with that rower.
“Your silence tells me you are considering it. What can I say or do to entice you further?” He pressed two fingers inside her. “Eli,” she gasped. “I can’t.”
“Just say, ‘take me, Eli’.” He added this thumb to her sweet spot, and she shook her head no. “I want you to trust me.”
“I don’t even know you.”
“Can you try? Have I done anything to cause your mistrust?”
After a moment, she answered. “No,” came her barely audible whisper.
“Then let me show you how honorable I can be.”
She opened her mouth, but the words caught in her throat as her orgasm dangled just out of reach. Jade pressed her lips together to further deter the sentence that would leave her bereft and not in charge of her own heart.
Just like that, Eli released his hold on her body. He rolled her onto her stomach and set the length of his cock between the cheeks of her bottom. He ground his hips into her, and her pelvis pressed into the velvet cushions below. Her sweet spot pushed against the edge of one of one of the pillows. She groaned at the immobile, half stimulation. She needed to come so badly, but was trapped underneath a large, sexually frustrated male.
She felt the entire length of his shaft against her while he whispered to her. “You deny us both of unfathomable pleasure with your resolve.”
Stifling a whimper, she found her speaking voice. “If you had any compassion you would try and understand my plight. I fall in love way too easily.”
“A passionate female must find a way to spend her emotions or she’ll go mad—and bring the rest of us with her.”
She inhaled, expanding her ribcage, hoping he’d get the hint and take some of his massive weight off of her. When he did, she sighed. He just didn’t understand. He’d never understand. He was a man—and with men, the heart wasn’t attached to their nether regions.
“And yet I am unmoved.” Jade had tried to keep the sarcasm from her voice, but it was impossible. Revealing the darkest secret of her soul—her penchant for falling in love, made her feel weak, vulnerable.
She really needed to get out of here.
Chapter Five
With his cock mercilessly stiff and longing to be buried deep within Jade, Elydian shifted his weight and lay next to her. Her reason made no sense to him. He had not asked her for her love, only the act. Her inability to separate the two was odd. Regardless of his feelings, he would comply with the curvy, unique female. He was confident she’d give in eventually—no woman yet had resisted him.
He put his arm around her waist and pulled her to him, nestling his staff against her soft body.
“You have nothing to fear from me. I will respect your request.”
“That is very noble of you. Again, thank you.”
His Zsa-ninah’s sweet voice floated to his ears in the darkness, and he closed his eyes, allowing the sound to echo in his mind. Elydian suddenly felt the need to save her from more than Lothar-Canute. “In all things I will protect you.”
He felt her belly quiver against his forearm and a whisper of laughter escaped from between her lips. “I don’t need your protection. I just need to find my own camp.”
Impertinent girl. He grinned in the darkness and then sobered. It was an inconceivable notion that the Omari had no say in all that went on in his camp, including those who came and went. Every person who lived there, save Lothar-Canute, had been invited by their Omari. In his eyes, they qualified for residency because they had something to contribute to the small township and displayed the natural desire to share their talents with others. This philosophy intertwined those who resided in the camp, gave them pride, and a reason for living—together they were a kindhearted, peaceful people. They even tolerated Lothar. Together these elements made for a successful reign for Elydian.
But Elydian didn’t want Jade to leave, at least, not yet.
The regulated rise and fall of her breathing caught his attention, and he knew she had fallen asleep. He sighed and relaxed against her. No, not yet.
* * * *
“Elydian Amun, get yourself up and eat! You have an inspection to attend to!”
Jade must have been dreaming. Who could sound as chipper as a lark following the sleep of the dead? And in Egyptian, for heaven’s sakes?
“This instant, my young Omari, or I shall come in there with a bowlful of cool water to help rouse you!”
A very manly groan erupted from behind her and at that moment, she remembered where she had slept the day away—in the arms of the most delicious male on the planet.
“I’m up, Me-Ma, I’m up.”
Parts of him are up. Jade smirked and arched her back so that her bottom pressed against his up-ness.
“Behave, Zsa-ninah,” he murmured and moved away just enough to land a smack on her rump.
Her yelp echoed against the fabric walls of the small room.
A tall woman poked her head beyond the barrier curtain. “Ah-ha!” Her gray hair, shorn as short as the other woman Jade had seen, stuck out all around her head like a porcupine. But, Me-Ma had a kind face that oddly conflicted with the demands she tossed at Eli. “I had heard you were entertaining when you should have been resting up for your work!” she scolded. “Now move your rusty bones.”
Jade waved at the woman half in greeting, and half hoping to hear another order hurled at the big oaf behind her.
The woman nodded in acknowledgement. “Get dressed and come eat. You are already late.”
Eli chuckled. “I’ll get up if you give me some privacy.”
Me-Ma harrumphed and replaced the curtain.
Jade rolled onto her back and grinned up at him. At once Eli’s gaze roved over her chest. Ignoring the heat of his stare she asked, “That’s either your mother, your warden or both.”
“Me-Ma is the best cook in the camp.” After the diminutive preface, Eli smoothed a hand over Jade’s breasts, pausing to taunt her nipples to hard peeks.
Shivering, Jade protested with the strength of a newborn. “Didn’t you tell her you’d come eat?”
“I said nothing of the sort. I said I’d get up.” His tongue darted out, teasing her flesh.
“Then you’d better—�
��
“I will. But right now I need to do this.” Eli took her in his arms and rolled so that she was on top of him. Jade held herself up with wobbly arms as he ravished her breasts—suckling both nipples into his mouth at the same time, shaking her, exciting her.
Her labored breath came forth in frantic pants. The pressure between her legs he’d elicited before they’d fallen asleep had not ebbed one iota. If he didn’t make her come now, she’d do it herself.
“Will you let me have you now, Jade?” he murmured against her skin.
“B-but that woman… She’s just in the next room,” Jade whispered, her mind swirling along with the sensations he’d drawn from her body.
“She won’t be able to hear us. I promise.”
With a gasp she shook her head no. Gads, she was she close to coming!
Eli inhaled deeply and moved out from under her, leaving her needy and breathless. Coming to his feet he presented his back to her. “I can’t even entice you in the morning, can I?”
“Eli, it’s not you. I-I’d be happy to bring us both to climax if you would just come back here.”
He shook his head. “Not enough.”
The urge to touch herself ebbed. His frustration spoiling the feeling. She watched him throw on his clothes and storm into the next room.
Arising, she searched amongst the pillows for the shirt he had loaned her. Finding it, she slipped it over her head, adjusted her wrist cuffs and turned toward the barrier curtain.
At the entrance to the room, Eli stood watching her, remorse etched into his beautiful face. “I apologize. That was unfair of me. You are not from this camp. I shouldn’t demand your trust in that way.”
She’d give him one thing. He was quick to express regret when he messed up. A nod of acknowledgement was all she afforded him.
“Come. Share my table. Me-Ma will return with a suitable traveling outfit for you.”
This time she had to respond verbally. It would be rude of her not to. He was being very benevolent, after all. “Thank you.”
He held out his hand, and she let him lead her into the next room.
Two large cushions were set on either side of a low table laden with flat breads, preserves, cold meats sopping in gravy and dipping creams that looked like melted cheese.
Eli lowered her down and took his place across from her. “Eat whatever you wish. All dishes are Me-Ma’s specialties.” He grinned. “She likes to stuff me full just before an inspection.” He tilted his head back and dropped a juicy piece of meat between his lips.
She eyed the glass decanter half filled with a clear liquid then glanced up at him. “So you are off to an inspection tonight?”
He chewed and swallowed. “M-hm. As soon as you are safe back at your camp.”
Jade’s gaze dropped back to the food before her. Did she really want to go back? Lying in wait was the bad news she’d have to give Dr. Harper. “I see,” she murmured and reached for some flat bread.
* * * *
Me-Ma brought a basket full of clothes for Jade to sort through. The woman was the no-nonsense type, knowing her duty and executing it flawlessly—a woman who demanded respect without words and got it. In addition, she was kind and cared for Eli as if she was his mother. He was indeed lucky to have her seeing to his well-being.
Jade chose a long, coral colored, tri-tiered cotton gypsy skirt and a pair of soft leather sandals. How Me-Ma had know her size would be a mystery to unravel at a more fortuitous time. Me-Ma wished them well and took her leave.
Tucking in Eli’s shirt and tying the drawstring belt into a bow, she stood before a reflective glass mirror and combed out her hair.
Watching him, she noticed her host brooding in a corner of the tent, his arms folded across that wonderfully masculine chest of his. Pity she couldn’t bring him back to C of U with her.
Satisfied with her hair, she put the comb down and faced him. “I’m ready.”
His gaze moved over her from head to toe and back again as if he were memorizing her very presence. She warmed at his appreciative look.
Eli strode over and parted the curtain at the entrance to his tents, holding it open for her.
An invisible nagging force tugged at her heart. Her regard darted back and forth across his sitting room, then she swept beneath his arm the same way she’d entered the night before.
Jade stopped short, causing Eli to bump into her. He caught her around the waist, stopping her from toppling onto the ground. “Your pardon, Zsa-ninah, I didn’t—”
From behind a few stacked crates, Lothar-Canute’s eyes were fervently trained on Jade, and she suddenly felt as if his hands were on her person. Gads, how long had the creep waited there for me to emerge from Eli’s tent?
“What do you want, Lothar?” Eli said and tightened his hold on her.
Lothar’s beady-eyed gaze darted to Eli’s face. After an insolent pause, he bowed “Omari. I know you are off to an inspection. I would be glad to keep her for you until you return.” When he indicated to Jade, she backed into Eli as if Lothar could reach her from where he stood.
“That will be unnecessary, but I thank you for your consideration.”
Lothar stepped out from behind the crates. “Ah, but I insist,” he said with a bit more force and held out his hand to her.
Repulsed, Jade couldn’t help but glance down at the slightly tented loincloth beneath his protruding belly. His “very small reptile”, as Eli had called it, didn’t carry much of a threat. It was his large, most likely smelly person she feared. Her shaking hand came to rest upon Eli’s arm at her waist. His thumb swept down the side of her ribs in silent affirmation of her action.
“I apologize, Lothar. I have already offered to take Jade to see the Oasis, and I’d hate to go back on my word—”
“But—” Lothar took another step forward in protest.
“—as Omari, I must fulfill my promises.” Eli finished slowly, having put emphasis on his title.
“Y-yes. Of course.” His gaze flickered to Jade and back to Eli. “I shall await your return, Omari. Then we will see what can be arranged.” He bowed and slithered away.
“Ick. That could have been unpleasant.” Jade murmured. By the way Eli had taken hold of her, she would have bet a diamond tiara by Cartier that he’d never allow Lothar to get within a foot of her person.
“I’m just glad he’s too lazy to make a trip to the city of Anuk-dye to appeal to his relative about his choice of Lambish.”
Still in the circle of his strong arm, she turned to face him. “Why didn’t you tell him I wasn’t one of those women?”
Eli shrugged. “Do you think he would have listened?”
She relaxed against him and rolled her eyes. “You got me there.”
For the briefest of seconds, his brows drew together. “You say the strangest things, my little Zsa-ninah.”
“Yes, well… Let’s hope Zsa-ninah isn’t a name for some other wicked profession.”
His other arm snaked around her waist. He tried to come off stung by her words, but she could detect humor in his eyes. “I take great offense to that. A Lambish serves the people in a very old, very prestigious—”
Jade rolled her eyes again. “Yeah, yeah. Blady, blady bla. You men are all alike.”
“Hush now.” He kissed the top of her head. “It is time to depart for your camp.”
* * * *
Not far from the oasis, Jade sat on a low sand dune with her face in her hands. They hadn’t found a single trace of Dr. Harper’s camp in any direction. It was as if the entire company up and left, not even considering that she may be lost.
Silent tears seeped through her lashes to soak her cheeks and palms, and her heart twisted within her chest. She hadn’t felt so alone since Pop dumped her off at University that first day.
Eli hovered near—she could sense his comforting presence.
“I’m sorry, Jade. I have no explanation as to what happened to your camp. Honestly, I should have known about the d
ig of which you spoke, but this particular instance has eluded me from the beginning.”
His hand came to rest upon her shoulder, and she covered it with her own. Lifting her tear-drenched face, she gazed up at the stars, unable to come to grips with her plight.
Her gently moved her hand aside and swept at the moisture there with his fingertips. The soft, sympathetic touch barely registered with her. “If it will help, I can take you further out into the desert in search of your camp after the Feast of Moons.”
She sniffed. “Feast of Moons? When is that?”
“The night after we return to Omari Amun.”
A sob escaped from deep within her chest. “How could it be that I walked such a far distance that night?”
He released her and moved to stand before her. “I-I do not—”
“One moment I was inside the temple room and the next I was smack on my bottom in the middle of the desert.” She looked up at him, unashamed of her tears. “How is that possible? I couldn’t have been that zossled, for Pete’s sake.”
Eli offered a hand up. She acquiesced, and he pulled her up to him. “How can I soothe your torment, Zsa-ninah?”
She leaned her forehead against the strong wall of his chest. “I guess I’ll just have to wait another two days and hope they don’t think I’ve run away.”
“They won’t. How far could you go with the elements as they are?” he’d asked rhetorically. “Will you let me amuse you until we can return you to your camp?”
Jade nodded.
He held her for some time stroking her hair. She wept some, but not hard enough to embarrass herself, thank goodness.
“The light on the horizon grows,” he murmured, “We need to move into the interior now.”
Oasis of Eden Page 4
