Page 81 of Dark Island: Rescue
Arezoo laughed. "You really have zero filter, Drova."
"Why would I need a filter? I say things as they are."
"That's very Kra-ell of you."
"Thank you. I take it as a compliment." Drova was quiet for a moment. "So, you went to Ruvon's place. You kissed. You didother things. And then you stepped on the brakes? I bet Ruvon wasn't happy about it."
"Actually, he was the one who stopped us from going too far." Arezoo's voice softened, remembering the tenderness in Ruvon's expression. "He said he knew I wanted to wait until we were married, even though I was trying to convince myself otherwise, and he was right."
"He's showing good mate potential by prioritizing your emotional well-being over his physical needs."
Arezoo hadn't expected Drova of all people to appreciate Ruvon's sacrifice. Things were verydifferent for the Kra-ell. Then again, what did she know about their customs?
Not much.
"Is that how you evaluate potential mates?"
Drova's laugh was throaty. "As a pureblooded Kra-ell female, I'm supposed to evaluate them based on their ability to overpower me. But I must be a broken Kra-ell because that doesn't appeal to me. Just don't tell anyone because I'm going to deny it."
"Who am I going to tell?"
Drova snorted. "Your gaggle of sisters and cousins, for one thing. Even if you just tell one person, everyone in the village will have heard about it in less than twenty-four hours. Perhaps I should compel you to never mention this to anyone."
Arezoo didn't like that even as a joke. "Don't you dare and never doubt my commitment to keeping your secrets either."
"I was just teasing, Arezoo. Don't be so literal. So, about those other things you did with Ruvon. Did you enjoy them?"
The question was so direct that Arezoo didn't have time to deflect it. "Yes. I did. It was nice."
"Nice?" Drova sounded incredulous. "That's a terrible word for pleasurable sexual activity. Nice is what you say about an afternoon stroll or a good meal. Sex should be amazing, earth-shattering, mind-blowing."
"It was my first time doing anything of the sort," Arezoo protested. "I think nice is a perfectly acceptable description for a first attempt."
"Fair point. First times are supposed to be awkward."Drova sounded thoughtful. "But it will get better as you get more comfortable with each other."
Drova was speaking like she was an expert on the subject when, in fact, she had even less experience than Arezoo. In fact, Arezoo was quite sure that Drova hadn't even been kissed yet.
"I'll take your word for it," she said sarcastically.
"You should. I've read fifty-three romance novels by now. I'm an expert."
That startled a laugh out of Arezoo. "Fifty-three? Last time we spoke it was fifty, and that was just yesterday. When did you have time to read three more?"
"While doing other things and pretending to listen to podcasts and lectures. I told you about that application that converts text to speech. I listen to the books with earpieces while I'm running and doing other activities. My mother thinks I'm serious about getting an education, and in a way I am. These books are fascinating from an anthropological perspective. Humans have such complicated mating rituals. I mean, compared to the Kra-ell. We might be more intense, but we are much more direct and honest about our wants and needs."
It sounded simple, uncomplicated, but it was also bloody and savage and tailor-made for the Kra-ell.
"To each her own, I suppose."
"Do you want more recommendations?" Drova asked. "After we spoke, I made a list organized by heat level and trope."
"For me?" Arezoo felt warmth spread through her chest.
"Of course, I made it for you. I organized it as acourse on human sexuality. Contemporary versus paranormal. Sweet versus steamy. Enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, second-chance romance, arranged marriage—though I don't really understand why arranged marriages are considered romantic when they're literally just business and diplomatic contracts."
"I bet the characters fall in love despite the arrangement," Arezoo said. "The romance develops from an unexpected angle."
"You see? You understand the dynamic better than I do, even without reading it. Anyway, I can send you several more if you want. The next one I'd recommend is about a warrior who's been cursed and can only break it through a truelove's kiss. Very melodramatic but entertaining and quite mild. You'd like it."
