Page 228 of Phoenix's Fire

And I'd drunk just enough that the sight of her took my breath away.

Seventy-One

Ayla

Iwas blushing. I was sure of it, but Rymar finally nodded, proving he couldn't see anything he shouldn't. There was just one little problem with this. My bottle of wine was still on the grass, and my arms weren't that long.

"I think I need to get out," I said sheepishly.

"Huh? Why?" he asked, moving closer. "You can stand, right?"

"I left my wine, and you'd see if I tried to get it."

Which earned me a grin, then Rymar waded over to the edge. Before I knew what he was going to do, he heaved himself halfway out of the water. I watched as the muscles along his back flexed, making the splotches of color across his spine bend and flex. When the base of his tail reached the surface, I remembered I should look away - but couldn't.

Then he grabbed my bottle and sank back down. "For you, my lady." He offered it with exaggerated gallantry.

Which made me giggle. Part of it was from nerves, but some was from the drink. "What happens when I get drunk?" I asked.

"Your inhibitions will vanish," he said. "It's a great way to stop worrying and have a little fun."

So I tilted up the bottle and drank again. This stuff was good. It was both bitter and sweet in a way that made me want a little more. When I swallowed a second time, Rymar reached up to ease the bottle down.

"You also build tolerance from doing it, so I'm going to bet you're a lightweight," he warned.

"Is that bad?"

"Nope." Then he made a little sound. "Not with us, at least. See, some people are assholes who would take advantage of your lowered inhibitions. Or they lie, saying what they think you want to hear so they can get whatthey want."

"Like Gideon did to Meri?"

He nodded. "Or like Qavan did to me." Then he sighed, moving to lean against the rocks. "Ayla, what's wrong with me?"

"Nothing!" I hurried to assure him. "Why?"

He lifted a hand, dripping water as he flicked it back towards the town. "They say I'm sexy, but all they want is to fuck or have me buy shit."

"You buy lots of shit," I reminded him before taking another drink. My thoughts were starting to feel a little blurry. "And you have nice muscles."

"Like those?" he asked, standing up to show off his bare chest. "I like it when men have these." Then he flexed his stomach and bent forward a bit, creating multiple ridges of muscles across his abdomen.

I moved a little closer so I could feel them. "Those are muscles?"

"Mhm," he agreed. "I've got six. Some men - like Zasen - have eight."

"What does Kanik have?"

He grinned at me. "Eight. He also has dimples on his back, just above his tail."

I giggled. "No! You're teasing me, right?"

"They're right here," Rymar said, turning to point. "I don't have them, but Kanik does. The next time he's shirtless, you'll see. I think they're cute."

"What did Qavan have?" I asked as I moved back, aware I was standing much too close to him.

But my foot slipped on the rocks beneath me and I dipped down. Right as I was sure I'd go under, Rymar darted in to wrap an arm around me, pulling me back to my feet. That put my bare breasts right up against his chest.

"See?" he asked. "I promised I wouldn't let you drown." Then he drifted back just enough to put space between us.

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