Free Stardancer (Tellaran Series) by Ariel MacArran

said, his dark eyes reflecting the firelight. “I find that I do.”
    Kinara tossed back her hair. “I don’t think that I’ll be risking another ‘disobedient Tellaran’ lesson by telling you what I think, thanks anyway.”
    “Tell me your thoughts, Cy’atta . I will not punish you.” She didn’t answer and he sighed again, more deeply this time. “I have not punished any other for your words, either. Truly, you do find me ‘bully,’” he said, struggling over the Tellaran word.
    “And you don’t think you are?”
    “Yes, I admit, I was ‘bully’ today.”
    “I know why you did it.”
    He lifted his eyebrows.  “You do?”
    “Of course. You wanted to show me what to expect from my new station in life.”
    “It was ill done of me.”
    “Is that an apology?” He opened his mouth to speak and she held up a hand. “Wait, let me guess. You don’t apologize to inferiors.”
    “You make this difficult.”
    “Why should I make anything easy for you? You have no thought for what I want.”
    “It is not my place to think of such,” he said, his tone suddenly sharp. “I have waited long enough. Come here.”
    Kinara froze, the cube still in her hand. “Why?”
    “Because I would have it so.”
    Kinara made her feet move until she was standing in front of him. His dark eyes reflected the flames.
    She started when he touched her and his hand slid over her waist to rest on her hip as he stepped closer.
    His fingers traced the skin of her cheek lightly. “You are not afraid?” 
    She shook her head, unwilling to trust her voice.
    “I want your pleasure not your fear, Cy’atta ,” he said, his voice husky. He tilted her face up and brought his mouth to hers.
    Her breath drew in sharply but he was gentle, his lips barely touching hers at all. He stayed like that, his lips just lightly brushing hers as he pulled her against him. His body was warm and solid against hers; his mouth became more coaxing, his tongue parting her lips to deepen the kiss.
    It was like falling into warm currents and the sensation held her still as he kissed her. He drew away and laughed, soft and breathless, at seeing the cube still held in her hand. He took it from her and tossed it onto a couch. He leaned his forehead against hers, letting his fingers run over her body from her shoulders to her buttocks. She shivered at the light touch.
    “Do you see? There is nothing to fear. We will both have pleasure in this joining.”
    She wanted this, wanted him too. It wasn’t something she was proud of either.
    His mouth was on hers again and this time her arms went around him instinctively, pulling him closer, breathing in his clean, exotic scent. His arm slid around her waist to draw her against the length of him. Kinara softened against him, her body heavy and languid as his hand rested on the small of her back, already aching for him.
    Gods, he feels so good.
    His lips traced her cheek. He bent her back as his mouth found the sensitive skin of her throat.
    Her eyes opened briefly. The Az-kye tapestry and its images of warriors with their teeth bared in battle came into focus. 
    Kyndan, the Reliant crew, my friends . . .
    His breath was coming faster. Her heart thudded in her chest. She could feel him hard against her.
    I can’t forget what he is. What he will always be.
    And who I am.
    He drew away to look at her, his eyes sleepy with desire. “What is wrong?”
    “Nothing,” she whispered. “Nothing’s wrong.”
    He cupped her chin, his glance going over her face, her hair.
    “Gods, I have never seen your like, Cy’atta ,” he murmured hoarsely. He tilted her face to kiss her again. His hand slid under her hair to rest at the back of her neck as he explored her mouth, nibbling lightly at the corners. His mouth became more demanding and his breath quickened as she ran her hands over him.
    But when he drew away again, he was frowning. “Something has changed.”
    She didn’t bother to deny it, merely looking up at