The Kadin - Bertrice Small [43]
“If you do not come out my little mermaid, then I shall come in.” Laughing, he removed his shirt His broad chest was smooth and tanned and well muscled.
Daring possessed her. “You will find the water quite refreshing, my lord.”
So, she wants to play, thought the prince, surprised. The little vixen! He stripped his boots and pants off, never noticing that Cyra carefully kept her eyes on his face. Plunging in, he surfaced to discover himself alone in the water—Cyra had scrambled ashore as he dove, and was frantically trying to get into her clothing. Swimming to the pool’s edge, he vaulted out. He was furious, and the look in his eyes was unmistakable.
She was naked from the waist up as he caught her to him and loosed her hair. It tumbled about their wet shoulders. Kissing her slowly and deliberately, he forced her mouth open and touched her tongue with his. She trembled violently and then went limp.
Taken aback, Selim lowered the inert girl to a mossy carpet Her dark lashes were like a smudge against her pale cheeks. He could see her heart fluttering wildly between her breasts. Confused—for he had never before been faced with a fainting woman—he wondered what to do. Her obvious helplessness had cooled his lust, and he suddenly felt strangely protective. As he reached for her cloak and covered her, her eyes opened.
“Please, my lord,” she whispered, “not like this. I am not a peasant wench to be tumbled in a wood.”
“Why did you faint?”
“I was afraid, my lord.” A little smile touched her lips. “You looked very angry.”
“I should have you beaten.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Her repentance was so sincere he could not help laughing. “You did invite me to come into the water.”
“I was thinking only of gathering my garments and fleeing you, my lord. I did not think you would chase me without your clothes.”
Her honesty perplexed him, and he heard himself say, “I have, you know, seen you naked before. You need not blush. You are quite lovely. The human body is nothing to be ashamed of. Perhaps when we know each other better you will not be so shy.”
She lowered her eyes, and for a few moments they sat in silence. Then he bent and kissed her. He felt her tremble again.
“Do not fear, little virgin. I will not ravish you,” he said gently.
“My lord—” Her voice was apologetic.
He stopped her mouth with his hand. “You were correct, my lovely Cyra. You are not a peasant wench to be tumbled in a wood. For you it will be a full moon and a scented chamber. The softness of a Persian love song, and a prince who at this moment is already in love with you. Put on your blouse and return to the encampment. I need not tell you to speak to no one of this interlude.”
After she had left him, he sat by the pool in deep thought. The sight of her slender body had aroused him terribly. Had she not swooned, he would have raped her and ruined everything. Hadji Bey had spoken to him at length about the three girls he had purchased, but always the agha had come back to Cyra. When Selim asked him why, Hadji Bey had smiled, and said only, “You are perceptive, my son. You will soon see why this maiden touches me. I will not influence you further.”
Selim had quickly discovered enough to pique his interest Her actions at his birthday fete had aroused his admiration. Her wisdom, immediate loyalty, and intelligence pleased him. In their three days of travel he had observed that she was a natural leader, yet sweet-tempered and kind to her peers. She deferred to his aunt and this afternoon he had discovered her modesty. It was more than enough to encourage his further investigation. He wanted to know more of his lovely slave than just her body, but right now it was her body that disturbed him.
It would take a good month to get his palace into order, and if he must remain in the constant presence of this virgin temptress, he could not be responsible for his actions. He had promised her a scented, moonlit chamber, and he did not think it would do his cause any good to break that promise.
He might of course, take one of the other girls