Page 12 of Tender Captivity
This conversation reminded Holian of the list of things Renalan had been muttering about the day before. “I might have a solution,” he murmured. “Make use of the bathing chamber, and I’ll be back here when you’re finished.”
“Sure,” she agreed and disappeared into the small room. The moment the door slid shut, he hurried to the front room where boxes of goods had been stacked. It was early enough that Renalan shouldn’t be awake yet, but he could smell something brewing in the food preparation room. The male must have woken early specifically to fix Jinna food.
That made him determined to find at least one human who wouldn’t mind leaving Kalor to live with Renalan here onTalarian. The male was lonely and would take good care of a human if he was allowed.
Grabbing most of the boxes, he hurried back into his room and dropped them all on the bed. He unceremoniously unpacked them until he found a box of wraps, another of slippers, and finally a box of human hygiene and care products.
That made him realize Jinna had nothing but harsh cleansers and rough grooming stones in the cleaning unit. Snatching up the gentler products, he cursed himself for a fool as he let himself into the cleansing chamber.
Jinna was already under the water doing her best to wash herself with only her bare hands. Steam filled the room, and she jerked when he walked in, making him feel bad for not warning her of his entrance.
When had he turned into a clumsy youth?
He tilted his head down to indicate his arms full of scrub cloths, cleansers, oils, and lotions. “I have things for you to use.”
She blinked then, her gaze focused on the products he was holding. A delighted smile curved her lips. “Thank you.”
He stood frozen, taking in her naked form. Lust hit him, but more than that, affection filled him. His staring must have made Jinna self-conscious because she wrapped her arms around her chest and dropped her eyes to the floor.
“You can set everything down,” she murmured.
“You’re beautiful,” he blurted. Uncaring about getting his things wet, he stepped into the spray and dipped his head down to brush his lips across her forehead. Although lip-presses weren’t part of Talin culture, he and many other Talins had readily adopted them.
Closing her eyes, she leaned into his body. “I’m old,” she whispered as if sharing a secret. “I’m not sure what it would be in Talin solars, but in Old Earth years I’m forty-three. My body isn’t like it used to be.”
“And my right shoulder plates are permanently disfigured. I can’t hear very well out of my right ear hole, and even adjusting from years to solars, I’m still older than you. Do you find me displeasing?”
Opening her eyes, she looked up at him. “Of course not. If I didn’t like you, I wouldn’t have had so much fun last night.”
“They why would you think I’d judge you differently?” he asked simply. “I’m quite literally risking execution to be with you, little flower. If that doesn’t tell you I find you beyond appealing, I don’t know what would.”
“I don’t know. Guys will go to great lengths for sex.” Although her tone was lighthearted, he could hear the fear in her voice.
He sounded a gentle, reassuring rumble. “I’ve been around human pets almost my entire life, and you’re the first to ever tempt me. You’re my one and only, Jinna. If you decide to leave me, there will never be another.”
She wrapped her arms around him and held tightly. Because it would simply be washed away, he didn’t give into the urge to rub his scent glands on her. But he did drop everything he was holding so he could hug her back.
Her skin felt unimaginably soft under his hands. When she sighed at his touch, he gave in and started rubbing his cheek against the top of her head. The steam from the water pouring out of the cleansing unit’s spigot spread the scent, so it quickly saturated the air around them.
“That is the best smell,” she murmured. She let go of him with one hand to run her fingers through her hair.
“May I bathe you?” he asked, picking up a soft cleansing cloth and one of the bottles of gentle soap.
“No,” she said.
He had to fight a rattle of disappointment as he held out the items to her. “Then I’ll leave you in peace to finish.”
“No,” she said. She grasped his hand in hers and tugged him closer. “You can’t bathe me, but you can join me, and we’ll bathe each other. Show me were you like to be touched.”
Blood flowed to his mating shaft, and his pouch became tight so quickly he nearly rattled in pain.
“You already know how to touch me,” he murmured as he worked the buckle to his regalia belt with one hand. “But perhaps I want the same, to know your body as I know my own.”
“I’m sure there’s more to learn,” she agreed. “For both of us.”
“I’ve always been an apt pupil,” he answered, his regalia clattering to the floor, quickly followed by his sopping pants.
This was one test he didn’t mind studying for.
