by Kate Hill
“I want you to be quiet and fulfill your obligation.”
“I believed it would be a pleasure.”
Leaning a bit closer, he spoke against her lips. “Who do you think you are, woman?”
“I am Tamanna, Great Lord.”
He could smell her fear, sense it, yet she refused to drop her gaze from his. Short of causing her physical harm, there was only one way he could discern to shut her up.
Dragging her to his chest, he covered her mouth with a kiss so long and penetrating that when it ended she lay panting in his arms.
“Get on your hands and knees, Tamanna,” he ordered.
Her breathing still ragged, she did as he asked, glancing over her shoulder at him, her lovely brown eyes curious and aroused. Kneeling behind her, he leaned forward slightly. Two of his hands kneaded her breasts while a third caressed her smooth, satiny backside. His fourth slipped around her waist and explored her soft mound. His thumb stroked her clit while a finger slid into her pussy. She was warm and damp, but not nearly wet enough. A few short moments of stroking rectified the problem and soon she was panting harder and soaked with passion. Slowly withdrawing his wet finger, he rolled it over her clit.
“Oh!” Her fingers gripped the carpet hard and her bottom wriggled in desire.
Chand straightened, using two hands to steady her hips while the other two continued stroking her back and clit. His cockhead prodded her. With a pounding heart, he slid into her, inch by slow inch.
By the time he was buried to the hilt, she was moaning and writhing. He stared at their joined bodies through half closed eyes. By all that was sacred, no woman had ever excited him as much as this dark-haired beauty. What was it about her that made him feel this way?
He began thrusting in a steady rhythm, relishing every whimper and moan dragged from her throat.
“Please, oh please,” she panted, dropping lower and bracing most of her weight on her forearms. Her wealth of hair spilled onto the rug, baring the smooth flesh of her neck. When he was finished, he’d make a point to lick and kiss every inch of her.
Climax overtook her. With a wild cry, her vaginal muscles tightened and pulsed.
Chand forced his body to remain still, his buttocks and thigh muscles so tight they trembled. He willed himself to take deep, steadying breaths and resisted the urge to thrust hard and empty himself within her hot, sweet body.
When her orgasm ebbed, he withdrew his cock and released her hips, allowing her to sink to the floor, panting.
Her eyes were closed, her thick lashes casting shadows on her cheeks. A slight smile curved her pretty mouth that he longed to kiss. Pulling her into his arms, he did just that, his mouth plundering hers. She responded with more enthusiasm than he thought her capable of after such an intense climax. Her fingers tangled in his hair and her tongue met his thrust for thrust.
When the kiss broke, she slipped her arms around his neck and said breathlessly, “I knew it would be like this with you, My Lord. I knew it.”
Burying a hand in her hair, he wrapped his other arms around her, returning her embrace. He felt uncharacteristically confused. Of all the women he’d had, none had ever embraced him in this manner. None had mentioned speculating what making love with him would be like. He had surprised most of them with his vigor, but none had ever come to the Lust God with expectations. Fear and desire, yes, but expectations?
He released her abruptly and stood. “I’m hungry.”
“So am I.” She hopped to her feet.
“You will eat in that room.” He pointed to a door in the far corner. “That is where you will also sleep.”
A flicker of disappointment crossed her face. “I can’t stay with you?”
“What?” he growled.
“I thought since we only had a week --”
“How dare you make such an assumption?”
“I --”
“Out of my sight,” he hissed, baring his fangs. He grasped her arm, dragged her to the other room, and thrust her onto the silk-covered bed. “Stay here until you are summoned.”
He turned, but her words stopped him. “I thought you wanted a mate.”
Frustrated beyond reason, he pinned her to the bed, his furious gaze fixed on her. “You have fulfilled that obligation and will continue fulfilling it when you are summoned and until I tire of you, is that understood?”
Those large brown eyes gazed at him with a barrage of emotions -- fury, hurt, and, as if to enrage him even more, pity.
Her voice was scarcely a whisper, yet her words reached a part of him he didn’t want to admit existed. “There is more to mating than simple penetration, My Lord.”
In a low, dangerous voice he asked, “How dare you, a mortal woman, advise the God of Lust in sexual technique?”
“It seems someone must, since you have no idea what love is.”
Chand’s hand covered her throat and she gasped, as if she expected him to snap her neck. Instead he caressed the soft flesh, feeling the pulse of arteries, his gaze fixed on hers.
His lips brushed hers with a feathery touch. He kissed her cheek and both temples, then each eyelid while stroking her ribs. Finding a ticklish place beneath her breast, he brushed his thumb over it in tender circles. He closed his eyes, relishing her scent and the soft echo of her breath, and used the tip of his tongue to outline her ear.
“Yes,” she breathed, her breath fanning his shoulder. “Oh, please, My Lord. I love how you touch me. I --”
A twisted smile on his lips, Chand stood and left the room, slamming the door behind him.
Chapter Six
For several moments after Chand left, Tamanna lay, stunned. She must have been mad to come here and give up her freedom for a single look exchanged with a man she didn’t even know.
Perhaps he had bewitched her. He was, after all, the God of Lust. A mere mortal was powerless against him.
Then why had she stirred his anger?
He could have killed her in a blink, punished her in any way he saw fit for whatever crime he thought she had committed. Instead, he touched her with gentleness and passion that left her yearning for more. He had enjoyed being with her. She’d seen the pleasure in his eyes. But why was he angry? Why was he so alone?
Rolling onto her side, Tamanna embraced one of the soft, fluffy pillows and closed her eyes, exhausted in mind and body. It had been a trying day and something told her that unless she and the Lust God came to some sort of understanding, the week would only get worse.
* * *
In his room, Chand sat at the dining table and ate without really tasting the food. Though eating was one of the pleasures he longed for when trapped in the netherworld, at the moment he found he was too preoccupied to enjoy it.
Tamanna intrigued him. She was as rebellious as she was beautiful and had no idea how to treat a god with respect, yet her manner enticed him. He longed to know more about her. Rather than approaching him for wealth or even simple mating, it was as if she wanted to be with him just to defy him, to see how far he would allow her to go.
You’re afraid of her, Kabir’s voice echoed in Chand’s mind. A little mortal woman and the Great Chand fears her.
Silence!
Why should I be silent? What more can you do to me that you haven’t already done?
Perhaps, priest, I can do no more to you, but I can to her.
You’re pathetic, using an innocent to injure me because you don’t like hearing the truth.
What truth?
You’re afraid of her because you like her. She stimulates you. In spite of all the women you’ve bedded, you’ve never truly been stimulated. None of them have dared touch your mind, probably because they assume you don’t have one, you colossal fool.
In spite of the rage clawing inside him, Chand forced himself to remain calm.
You goad me, Kabir, because it’s the only real power you have left.
Perhaps, but I’m still right.
I do not fear the woman.
She has a name. Tamanna, or will you not use it because it means you acknowledge her as something more than a knot hole to rut?
All right. If I must, Chand replied as if to a child. I do not fear Tamanna.
Then why shut her away?
Because you know all women remain in private quarters until I summon them.
So you don’t have to know them because if you did you might feel something for them.
Our women are not mistreated.
Keep telling yourself that, Chand.
I’ve listened to you long enough.
If you’re not afraid of Tamanna, prove it. Test yourself, otherwise neither of us will ever know the truth. Let her stay with you, if she chooses, though the heavens know why she’d want to spend any more time than necessary with a bore like you.
I don’t need to prove myself to you, wretched little man.
Kabir’s inner voice chuckled. You’re so desperate for contact that you can’t trust yourself not to fall in love with the first mortal who shows you real kindness? Pathetic.
Chand’s teeth clenched and he grasped his goblet of wine so tightly the metal stem snapped in half. Enough!
Once again he buried Kabir, hoping this time the annoying little fool would stay put.
Chand stood and paced the room. He’d lost his appetite and was too annoyed to sleep. The idea of waking Tamanna for more lovemaking interested him, yet he didn’t want to see her again, either. Actually, that wasn’t true. He wanted to see her very much, but refused to succumb to the desire.
Neither she nor Kabir would control him, yet if he wanted to be with her and was refusing himself the pleasure, were they still not in control?
Even if he spent the week with her, that wasn’t enough time to fall in love. He might learn to like her, but never love.
For the ritual to be broken, they needed to fall in love -- both he and Kabir with Tamanna and she with them. He and Kabir were as opposite as two beings could be. How could she possibly love both of them? If she loved Chand, there was no way she could develop feelings for a weak, gentle creature like Kabir. If Kabir turned out to be her true love, then -- impossible as it might seem -- she couldn’t love Chand.
The Lust God laughed wickedly. As trapped as he was by the other gods, they were also forced to allow him this yearly freedom through the priests’ disgusting ritual. All he needed to do was ensure that Tamanna loved him and him alone.
Then why was he denying himself the pleasure of the woman?
Chand strode across the room, flung open the door to Tamanna’s chamber, and approached the bed where she still slept soundly.
Anger rekindled.
He, the Great Chand, was awake and miserable while the little bitch who had caused all this grief slept. While he watched her, his fury dissipated. She looked lovely and vulnerable, her face and form beckoning for his touch.
He swept her into his arms and she stirred, shock in her sleepy expression.
“You’re ready again?” she asked, desire smoldering beneath the tired surface of her eyes.
“Yes, but you’re obviously not,” he purred.
“What are you doing?”
“Silence, woman.”
“Tamanna,” she murmured, resting her cheek against his shoulder, her arms tightening around him.
“Silence,” he repeated, carrying her to his bed where he placed her down and lay beside her, covering them with the sheet.
“I thought you didn’t want me to sleep in your --” His finger against her lips silenced her.
To his surprise, she kissed his fingertip, then smiled, closing her eyes and cuddling close to his side.
Chand stiffened for a moment, resisting the urge to push her away. What did one do with a touch that was not sexual? This was the Love God’s territory, and everyone knew love had nothing to do with lust. Still, he needed to make her love him.
Finally, he wrapped his arms around her and rested his cheek against the top of her head. The sensation was pleasant. Had he been mortal, he would have thought the position comforting, but as a god he didn’t require such a weak, useless sensation.
He closed his eyes and moments later drifted to sleep.
* * *
Tamanna awoke to sunlight pouring through the large double doors leading to a garden area. Chand must have pulled aside the heavy drape that morning.
Chand!
Raising herself onto her elbows, she glanced around the chamber, but he was nowhere to be found.
The hot spring bath across the room captured her attention. Just what she needed. Standing, she yawned and stretched, her body pleasantly sore from last night’s lovemaking. Before stepping into the tub, she cleaned her face and teeth in a basin of water, her thoughts churning with the events of the previous evening.
What had made Chand change his mind about allowing her to share his bed? The man was horrible and wonderful by turns.
Not a man. A god, she reminded herself. She couldn’t expect him to act like a normal man, or could she? By the expression in his eyes, he responded to her with the same passion and need as a mortal. He certainly seemed to feel desire and anger strongly enough.
Even though he mated with mortal women, her presumption that he would want to converse with her had offended him, yet at the same time he’d seemed in need of contact beyond mating.
Sighing, she ran a hand through her hair. She had only one short week to figure him out, then she would spend the rest of her life sharing him with the other women in the temple.
She waded into the bath and released a soft moan of pleasure. The warm water enfolded and soothed her. Closing her eyes, she ducked underneath, then floated on her back.
The door opened and she looked up hopefully, disappointed upon seeing a priest enter with breakfast. The man seemed to cower in the sunlight. With a grimace that revealed teeth as sharp as the Lust God’s he recoiled deeper into his hooded cloak.
“The Great Chand will join you soon,” he said.
“Thank you.”
The priest set the food on the dining table, then approached the bath. Feeling uncomfortable beneath his discerning gaze, she remained up to her chin in water.
The priest glanced over his shoulder, as if to ensure they were alone, then said in a voice just above a whisper, “I feel I should warn you that if you wish to remain happy here, do not expect more than you deserve.”
“Excuse me?” Tamanna wasn’t sure if she felt more shocked or angry.
“I do not mean to offend you, but speak out of concern for your welfare. Many young women come here expecting to capture the Lust God’s heart, but he is not like mortal men. No woman will be favored above the others. There is no first wife in his harem. Accept this, do your duty, and your life will be pleasant. If you want more than you will ever get, then you will waste years in bitterness and longing.”
Tamanna watched the priest warily. She didn’t need to be an oracle to tell his motivations didn’t stem from worry for her, but something else. Had Chand prompted him to make this speech? Doubtful since the Lust God seemed to prefer instilling fear and squelching hopes through his own words rather than depending on his servants to do it for him.
“What are you doing here?” Chand’s deep, accusing voice caused Tamanna and the priest to jump.
“Bringing your morning meal, Great One.” The priest bowed his head and scurried toward the door.
“Then why were you standing, empty handed, by the pool talking to the woman? She is not yours to speak with or look at.”
The priest cowered. “Forgive me.”
“Leave us. I will deal with you later.”
Nodding, the priest hurried out of the chamber, closing the door behind him.
Chand approached the bath and glanced at Tamanna. “Join me at the table.”
No good morning. No smile. No pleasantries whatsoever. Tamanna wasn’t surprised, but she was a bit annoyed. God or no god, he could try being civil.
She quickly finished washing, then step
ped out of the bath and dried off with a fluffy black towel. All the while Chand’s gaze remained fixed on her. It felt strange drying off while someone else watched. He stared blatantly at her hard nipples. When she dried between her legs, his lips parted slightly and even from across the room she felt his desire.
She reached for a robe, but his command stopped her.
“You will come to the table as you are.”
“But --”
“Continue defying me, woman, and you will be punished.”
Sighing, she approached the table. Before she could sit, he dragged her onto his lap. His warmth along with the scent of cinnamon and freshly washed male encompassed her, making her heart beat faster. The sensation of his stiffening cock pressing against her made her long for him to take her, yet her stomach grumbled with hunger.
When he began licking and kissing her neck, she said, “Please, My Lord, let me eat.”
“You refuse me?” he snarled.
“No, but I haven’t eaten since yesterday afternoon and with your appetite for carnal pleasures, I’ve famished. If I don’t eat something, I’ll likely pass out in the midst of --”
She fell silent when he plucked a fat berry from the tray of fruit in the center of the table and held it to her lips. Rather than taking it immediately, she ran her tongue over it as well as his fingers. He released the berry and while she chewed, reached for another. After feeding her several, she had the urge to feed him as well, but using a different method.
Taking a sliver of melon, she placed it between her lips, then turned, offering it to him. His mouth covered hers and he bit off part of the melon. They chewed and swallowed quickly, anxious for another taste of each other.
Chand kissed her, his hands cupping her face while his second pair of hands stroked her back. Strange how quickly she accustomed herself to his additional appendages. While at first they had disturbed her, once she’d experienced the pleasure they evoked, her discomfort had faded.
Tamanna closed her eyes and gave herself over completely to his kiss. Her lips parted to his probing tongue. Her own darted out to meet it, stroke for stroke. He tasted of fruit and cinnamon. His body was rock-hard yet incredibly warm and his touch firm yet tender.
