CHAPTER 7

The room was softlyilluminated by candles and the fire burning in the fireplace. The food was already laid out on the small table where they had their meals. But what really captured his attention and made the blood pound in his veins and his cock stand at attention was the sight of Kalli taking a bath by the fireplace.

She hadn’t bothered with the privacy screen and was simply lying in the tub in plain sight of him, sipping some wine and relaxing as if there were nothing amiss. His cold and discomfort vanished as a wave of heat rolled through him. He could see the rounded tops of her breasts as they emerged from the soapy water and a rosebud nipple peeked at him amid the foam that covered her.

Suddenly furious, he asked. “What on earth are you doing?”

Her reply was airy and innocent. “I would have thought that was obvious. I’m taking a bath.”

“Why aren’t you doing that behind the screen?”

“It was too cold over there.” As if just now noticing his bedraggled state, she gasped and stood. “What happened to you?!”

Seeing her nude body in full frontal display had the impact of a rocket blast on his already primed and explosive state. Taking a step back, he put out a hand to stop her.

“I’m fine. Just had the idiotic idea of rescuing a puppy that had fallen into the river. I only need to get out of these cold and wet clothes and into a hot bath.”

Unperturbed, Kalli calmly stepped out of the tub, grabbed a towel that was resting by the fire, and came to him. “Here, have this towel. It is warm from being by the fire.” Stepping behind him, she started wrestling to remove his sodden jacket.

“Cover yourself, please. I’m fine,” he growled. Thrusting the towel back into her hands, he stepped away and finished removing his jacket, necktie, waistcoat, and shirt by himself.

She simply raised her eyebrows, the very image of surprised innocence, but at least she complied and wrapped herself in the towel.

“Sorry. I didn’t think it was a problem. We have seen each other naked before. In similar circumstances, in fact. And you looked like you needed help. I didn’t think...”

“Yes, I get it. You didn’t ‘think.’ You don’t seem to be doing a lot of that lately.”

“That’s uncalled for. And untrue. Just because you don’t agree with my ideas doesn’t mean they are not valid.”

“I’m sorry, Kalli. I’m just grumpy because I’m wet and cold. Don’t mind me.”

“Apology accepted. You can get into the bathtub. The water is still hot.”

“The innkeeper said he would send a bath.”

“That could take half an hour or more. Don’t be stubborn. You need to warm up fast. Your teeth are chattering, and your lips are turning blue.”

With chagrin, he realized she was right. But he couldn’t remove his pants in front of her. The sturdy fabric of his undergarments was the only thing keeping his erection in check.

“Fine. I’ll get in the tub if you go behind the screen and put on some clothes.”

With a slightly mocking and mischievous smile, she disappeared behind the screen. The minx. She knew exactly the effect her nakedness was having on him and was laughing at his predicament. No matter. With some privacy finally achieved, he removed the rest of his garments and sank into the tub with a sigh of relief.

The blissfully hot water felt heavenly. The cold had permeated the marrow of his bones, but finally his frozen body was thawing from the outside in. Now, if he could only get a glass of cognac, everything would be perfect. He dunked his head to rinse the river water from his hair, and when he emerged, a perfectly warmed goblet of the fiery liquid appeared in front of him.

“Care for some brandy?” Kalli said, handing him the glass.

He took the glass that still retained the heat from her hands and sipped it appreciatively. Ahh, delicious. A sense of well-being started spreading throughout his body, further aggravating his response to the woman in front of him.

She had covered herself with a velvet robe, but he would bet she was wearing nothing else underneath, and the knowledge was at once titillating and alarming. She was watching him pensively while sipping her own brandy.

She was about to say something; he wasn’t sure what, but at that moment there was a knock on the door. It was a kitchen boy with two pails of hot water. Kalli directed him to place the buckets by the fire and, after giving him a coin for his efforts, dismissed him. Grabbing one bucket, she slowly poured it into the tub.

He wanted to protest. To tell her he could do it himself, but she didn’t give him time. And the hot water felt delicious.

“You are spoiling me.”

“It is in my own best interests to keep you in good health.”

“I’m hardly ill.”

“Not yet, but if you don’t warm up rapidly, you are likely to catch a chill, and that would be a nuisance.”

“I’m warm enough. In fact, one could say I’m overheated.”

She made a point of glancing at his member before replying in a low, velvety voice. “I can see that. Would you like something to nibble on?”

Yes, your lips.Luckily, he didn’t say that out loud. Or, at least, he didn’t think he had. The way her eyes crinkled with amusement informed him she was aware of where his thoughts had wandered. She had probably done it on purpose, too. The sly minx was trying to seduce him.

The idea should have alarmed him, given the resolutions he had made during this afternoon’s walk. But all his intentions were melting in the face of her irresistible allure. It might be the hot water, or the brandy, or maybe the intimate atmosphere, but he could not remember why it was such a bad idea to have sex with her.

What had seemed so clear in the harsh light of day was becoming blurred in the seductive heat and dim glow of this room. Maybe they could indulge. Just a little. As long as they both knew the terms and conditions. As long as they both played by the same set of rules. It didn’t have to be a problem. They were both rational adults.

She had gone to the table to retrieve a plate of fruits. It was supposed to be dessert, but just as in everything else, she seemed determined to break the established arrangement.

Coming back to sit next to the tub, she popped a piece of strawberry in her mouth, closing her eyes to better savor the fruit. His own mouth watered at the image. She then grabbed another piece of fruit with her fingers and held it in front of his mouth. He promptly captured it, closing his lips over her fingers, and was rewarded by her sharp intake of breath. It felt good to turn the tables back on her.

The atmosphere between them became charged. The air fairly crackled with sexual tension. He wanted nothing more than to tug her into the tub and have their wet, naked bodies sliding against each other. But some things needed to be said first.

“Are you trying to seduce me?” he asked quietly.

She shrugged. “If that’s what you want to call it. I would just call it signaling that I’m willing if you are.”

He raised his brows, his eyes boring into hers. “I would say my ‘willingness’ is more than evident.”

She smiled at that, but then her eyes turned serious. “I know the flesh is willing. But is the mind in agreement?”

He sobered too and replied honestly. “The mind has doubts, but at this moment, it can’t recall any good reason why this shouldn’t happen. There’s one thing I would like it to make clear, though.”

“Yes?”

“It would be purely physical. Like engaging in a sport. I don’t want our personal relationship to change. We obviously have needs that have gone unsatisfied while we have been on this mission. But as soon as we get back to our time, we will return to our lives and our parbots. And our relationship will continue to be strictly professional. I don’t want emotional entanglements.”

“We can’t always control our emotions, Dariux. I don’t think anyone can predict or dictate that.”

“I can. I have spent my life cultivating a logical and rational mind, culling useless emotions and unnecessary drama. If you can’t promise that you will do the same, I’m afraid we won’t be able to...indulge. As much as it would pain me to deny us.”

Kalli lowered her eyes. He watched as the cogs in her brain turned, considering her options. She wasn’t as confident as him in their ability to remain unmoved. At least not in her ability. But he was adamant about this. And he was being honest and upfront about his position. He would not move forward unless she accepted his conditions. He saw the moment she capitulated.

“Fine. I accept your conditions. No entanglements. No drama. All I ask is that you allow me to scan your brain after a certain period of...intimacy.”

His body tensed at that. “That seems highly invasive of my privacy.”

“It is no more than what we are doing to all the test subjects we are studying.”

“But they don’t know we are doing it, so it doesn’t affect them,” Dariux said with perfect logic.

“Would you prefer it if I scan you secretly, then?” she asked sweetly.

“Don’t be sassy. Of course not. Fine, you can scan me. We are likely to get tested and scanned anyway when we get back. You probably won’t get what you want from me.”

“Really? Is that your way to seduce a woman? These parbots seem to have men’s skills a little rusty. I’m not impressed with your...prowess and beginning to doubt it would be worth my trouble.”

Her eyes danced with humor, and her teasing was more than he could take. Did she want to see his prowess? He would show her.

“Oh, I haven’t even shown you my skills.”

“I would agree with that. So far, it’s been all talk and no action.”

“You want action?” Suddenly standing from the tub, he grabbed her and hugged her against his naked body.

Her arms came up to brace against his chest, but she wasn’t trying to get away. Her hands slid over his shoulders and around his neck. She leaned back in his embrace and looked at him. All humor gone; naked hunger showed in her eyes that he was sure was mirrored in his.

“So we are doing this. Are you sure?” he asked in a hoarse whisper.

Kalli merely nodded her head and tried to kiss him, but he pulled back.

“Tell me. Tell me this is what you want.”

“I want it. I want you.”