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An Excerpt From: MASTER OF DESIRE
Copyright © LACEY
ALEXANDER, 2005.
All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave Publishing,
Inc.
Teesia’s body began to hum
with heightened anticipation. She had no idea if the man in black would
seek her out, but maybe, if she were lucky, she’d get a taste of the
mysteries of sex that so haunted her these days. She simply didn’t think
she could wait until bride’s age to experience it, and even as much as his
stare intimidated her, she realized this was an opportunity that would
never return to her if she passed it up.
Of course, her father would kill her if he had any
notion what she hoped for, and she knew wanting to be with this
feral-looking man was wrong, but she couldn’t help her feelings, her body’s
urges. Ralen of Charelton
had brought them to boiling level with just a glance, and she couldn’t help
wondering what else he could make her feel.
She slipped from the fortress’ great hall into a
corridor that led to the garden—which she thought would be a delightful
place for a seduction. But she stopped when she caught sight of herself in
an enormous viewing glass, its rare and jagged pieces from the Before Times
pasted together on the wall. Her father owned many of the valuable antique
viewing glasses, but she’d never seen one so large, and it reminded her what power and wealth lay outside the royal
fortress, as well. Maven had married well and Teesia
could only hope to be as lucky.
A sconced candle lit the space
only dimly, yet highlighted the shadows and coves of her body. The manner
in which the green silk clung to her curves reinforced the notion that she
was becoming a woman.
Then she noticed her hair, pulled back from her face. No
man would touch a girl with braided hair—it was unthinkable, an offense
punishable by death if her father found out.
Dare she? Dare she take away the one aspect of her
appearance tonight that identified her as a virgin, a girl with a valuable
bride’s price between her legs?
If her parents or sisters saw her hair flowing free,
she’d be in immeasurable trouble…yet somehow, just now, the risk seemed
worthwhile. Maybe it was the wine driving her to such lengths, or maybe it
was the stark lust she was experiencing for the mysterious Ralen—but whatever the reason, she wanted to be
beautiful. A real woman, not just a girl on the way to becoming one. She
wanted to be a desirable, attainable woman that the forbidding dark-haired
warrior in the great hall could want—and have!
Biting her lip as she peered into the jagged-edged
viewing glass, she reached up and began untwining her hair. She could
re-plait it later easily enough. And even if the dark man did not seek her
out, she could at least look on herself at her most exquisite—with her hair
falling loose around her shoulders, framing the pale green silk that
highlighted her feminine curves.
Soon enough her hair was free, somehow setting her
free, too. She smiled boldly into the viewing glass and thought, Come
and get me, dark warrior from the south. Come and make me a woman.
“Lovely,” said a deep voice from behind her in the
darkness.
She flinched and turned, but could only make out the
shadowy shape of a man.
“It was designed by my friend, Bella,” she said
nervously, glancing down at her gown, “and the fabric came from the
silkworms on our estate.”
The man chuckled. “The frock is very fine, too, but I
was referring to what’s underneath.”
She drew in her breath, but tried to hide her reaction
as her pussy—that’s what Bella had called the feminine parts between her
thighs—spasmed softly. “Come out where I can see
you,” she demanded.
Ralen of Charelton
stepped into the light.
His dark eyes glimmered with flirtatious intent even as
something within them signaled danger. He stood even taller, his shoulders
stretching even broader, than she’d realized from across the room. His
smooth, straight, onyx-colored hair seemed almost too soft for such a hard
man, but it added to his masculine beauty. Her heart beat so violently that
she feared he could see it pulsing within her chest.
“What’s your name?”
Still holding her breath, Teesia
thought fast. She couldn’t identify herself as Enrick’s
daughter or Ralen would likely flee the corridor
in a heartbeat, fearing Enrick’s wrath. Even if it was difficult to fathom this
man fearing anything, better safe than sorry. “Tee…Teenya,” she said.
He tilted his head, his expression possessing a hint of
mischief. “You unbraided your hair.”
She gasped gently, reaching up to touch it. Then she
remembered what she’d so quickly forgotten in the flurry of wanting to hide
her virginity. Dratted wine! “You saw me in the great hall.”
He gave a short nod, and she thought of a lie.
“My family is not from this region. Where I hail from,
the braid signifies nothing. It was only as I spoke to the mistress of the
estate, Maven, that I learned what it indicates here.”
He cast a wicked grin. “So you quickly rid yourself of
it, for it would be terrible if anyone thought you a virgin.”
A wave of fresh heat echoed through her. “Yes. For
I…well, I am not. And I would not want to give a false impression.”
She couldn’t read his smile—it seemed laced with secrets.
“Perhaps that’s my good fortune.”
Another burst of flames ignited inside her, filling her
breasts and pussy with a startling warmth, a warmth
she wanted to invite him into. “Perhaps,” she said, the word coming out
huskier than she’d intended.
“You must know how creamy and ripe your breasts look
within that dress,” he said deep and low, taking a step toward her.
She swallowed nervously, unable to reply.
He moved ever closer. “And you must know that your every
curve is accentuated, on display for men to see.”
She found her voice, wanting to be bold. What she
yearned for felt as if it were almost within her
grasp, and she couldn’t risk losing it now. “I wish for men to see what I
have to offer. I have nothing to hide and much to give.” If other women in Caralon could give freely of their bodies to anyone
they chose, she could, too. At least for tonight.
His voice went lower still, his eyes darker. “Do you
wish to give it to me, sweet vixen?”
She felt deliciously captured by him already. “If you
wish to take it.”
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