17. Chapter 17

NIARA

Well, I wish you and your betrothed a long and happy life. I hope he is aware of what he is in for? Your temper seffy, is nothing to be trifled with, my mind mimicked his words, while my nose twitched in annoyance.

My temper ?

I bit my lips, when I remembered that I had misjudged him already once tonight. It was plausible that he wasn't after me, right? So he had flirted with me before. But I had laid my ground rules down and kept my door locked. I had been told before that I was beautiful, Conrad called me a temptation, so I had automatically assumed that Myles….

There you go with your assumptions again , my mind supplied, you also assumed he got your clothes so you would jump to bed with him . My face still burned at the memory of my earlier misconstruction of his intentions.

Slowly I moved into the closet, which was indeed a treasure trove the likes I had never seen before, or ever expected to own. His explanation of it being a thank you , I could fully accept and appreciate.

For the gods' sake, this closet was bigger than my bedroom on Horn. There had to be nearly a hundred garments here, ranging, and here my heart skipped for a moment at Myles's obvious thoughtfulness, practical pants to the most elaborate formal dining dresses.

He told me before that he didn't like to see me in pants, and yet, he had ordered them. What further proof did I need that he wasn't interested in me that way then?

And why did that thought sting?

I had Conrad, right?

I should be excited to show myself off to Conrad wearing one of these dresses.

Instead I pictured deep, black eyes sparkling with desire.

I sighed, I was turning into… what exactly? Bitchy because I didn't know myself what I wanted or a simpering idiot because, yeah, let's face it, I was attracted to the impossible vissigroth and yeah, it had stroked my ego to think he desired me.

It didn't matter, I told myself, it really didn't. Tomorrow Nathan would meet with the Chrymphten and the day after Myles and I would go see him. After that he had no further reason to keep me as his hostage. I would be united with Conrad and everything would be perfect.

Why then did my stupid heart feel as if it were frowning?

"Are you coming to bed, seffy?" Myles called from the other room.

I stuck my head out and found him lying… was that man naked? sprawled underneath the covers of his bed .

Make up your mind, do you want him or not ? an inner voice questioned.

No , I thought defiantly, absolutely not. "I will not share a bed with you."

He shrugged but didn't make a move.

With a huff, I went to the bed, grabbed a pillow but hesitated to pull off the covers, afraid of what I would see underneath, coward !

There was however a blanket by the couch in front of a large fireplace. I put the pillow down, shook the blanket out. "Where is the bathroom?"

He had both arms crossed underneath his head, he freed one and pointed at one of three other doors. His expression was amused as I marched in the direction he had indicated and entered another spacious bathroom that nearly took my breath away. Wow, just wow .

During the last few days, I had become accustomed to bathing and showering in regular water, not sea salt. My hair was softer than it had ever been and I couldn't find one patchy, dry spot on my skin. I wondered if Myles would allow me to keep some of the soaps and lotions and then berated myself. Why don't you ask him for water filters at the same time ? My spiteful me challenged.

I had to admit, I would miss this luxury, I mused as I stood underneath the shower's hard spray. Using an illis flower shaped soap to run over my body before using what I had become to understand was a shampoo and conditioner for my hair. Yes, I would have given pretty much anything to keep those .

And the towels , my mind mocked next. They were like nothing what we used on Horn. They were soft and absorbent and didn't scratch my skin in the slightest.

From the closet I had liberated a nightgown that would cover me from head to toe, wondering if Myles had picked it or just ordered a random assortment of things he thought I needed. If he had, he really didn't seem interested in my body whatsoever.

Which was absolutely fine with me. Perfectly fine.

His back was turned to me when I reentered the bedroom, he didn't move or give any indication that he was awake. Damn him.

I blew out the candles, except one and slipped underneath the blanket on the couch, trying not to think how narrow it was or to worry about falling off it in the middle of the night.

If he's not interested in you, there's no reason not to sleep in his bed , a voice tempted.

True , I agreed.

So ?

Frustrated I hit the pillow into submission, pulled the blanket up over my ear and closed my eyes. The couch wasn't that uncomfortable, it would do.

Colored dots danced in front of my closed eyelids, I hadn't realized how tired I was, but now I recognized the slight ringing in my ears I always got when I overdid it. I took a deep breath and was asleep within seconds.

I don't know how much time passed, but not much longer I felt strong arms surrounding me and myself lifted of the ground, realizing that I must have indeed fallen of the dang couch at some point.

"Stubborn seffy," a familiar voice chided.

"Hmm," sleepily I turned my face against his broad chest. It was warm and hard, yet surprisingly comfortable. "Where are you taking me?" I mumbled.

"Where I should have taken you before, stubborn seffy," he said and his breath whispered against my skin.

Gently he laid me on the bed, reached for a pillow and put it under my head. "Comfy?"

"Hmmhm," I mumbled barely awake.

My eyes fluttered and opened in an instant as I stared into the mother of all erections. Good grief, he was naked!

"You're naked," I observed.

"That's how people are supposed to sleep," he answered and I heard the grin in his voice. "I don't understand why you silly humans insist on wearing clothes to bed."

I was too tired to start a debate about the merits of pajamas and I really didn't enjoy staring at… the eye of his cock. That thing was huge.

Nope , closing my eyes .

He leaned around and pulled a blanket up on me, his massive thigh muscles worked underneath his skin so beautifully, I nearly stuck out my hand to touch it, to see if they were as hard as his chest, as hard as his biceps, abs and…. nope, not going there .

It took an unbelievable effort to keep my eyes closed. I focused on the sounds of him shuffling about, felt the dip on the bed as he sat down on his end. The thump, thump, thump of my heart increased slightly, would he turn around, would his hand find his way to my hip, leg or arm? Did I want him to?

I held my breath, aware of every little movement on the mattress, of his long body settling to lay down, the whispered shush of the blanket being pulled up, a slight rattle as he readjusted his pillow. A deep inhale from him, followed by an exhale.

Involuntarily, I took a breath too, holding still like a corpse. Waiting. Hoping?

Nothing.

A slight snore, that turned louder made me rip my eyes open. He is asleep. The damn bastard fell asleep. Just like this .

That's what you wanted, isn't it ? I asked myself.

Was it ?