24
(Wirnday, cont.)
Irola – Balan Center
“So, Cruro won’t play ball with us. There is a certain woman at the Joton Complex who might be able to assist us,” Belmara said.
“You mean Sheena?” Fashi asked hesitantly. “Is she trustworthy?”
“Hard to say, but she’s been one of our members since the beginning of the Neví, if you remember,” Belmara said.
“Almost… I think she initiated after you – one of the early members in Joton. But that doesn’t mean she’s trustworthy. After all, she has yet to leave the A'mara or provide for the Balan,” Fashi reminded.
“True. One does have to wonder about her loyalty. But she could still let us know if Zilan is currently in Joton,” Belmara said. “That doesn’t take very much loyalty, only a penchant towards being bought. Her new position as manager of the Freebooter Casino could prove an asset.”
“Do you want to handle her then?” Fashi asked.
“Sure. You can leave her to me,” Belmara said.
♥
Palerma, Tephsa – A’mara Complex
Kauri sat on the couch, watching the man she loved as he came out of the bathroom, freshly showered, his hair slicked back suavely. For a moment, he reminded her of someone else, but she couldn’t put her finger on who it was. Then he looked at her and smiled. He was just Kanesh again – her Kanesh.
“Shall we go down to the lounge for a movie?” Kanesh suggested.
“I am too tired, I don’t even want to move,” she replied, running her hand along the back of Streaker, who had jumped on her lap.
“Why don’t you take a relaxing bath, then I’ll rub some of that oil into your legs like the stella did before. I’ll order our food to be brought up to us and we’ll sit on the couch and watch whatever comes on – like most people,” he suggested.
“That sounds like a perfect evening,” Kauri replied.
“I’ll start the water for you,” he offered. “Do you have something you want me to put in it for you?”
“One of those bath bombs would be wonderful,” she said.
“Done,” he said, going back into the bathroom.
He may be famous. He might even have more money than she could easily envision, but it hadn’t gone to his head. He was quite a wonderful partner, she realized. She thought about where the evening could go – and what she wanted.
“You’d better correct the temperature,” Kanesh said, coming out of the bathroom again.
Kauri got up, grabbed the pajamas that had been given her when they’d arrived. Then she went to the bathroom and adjusted the temperature to be a bit hotter.
Kanesh followed her and felt the temperature. “I will remember that. Only a little hotter than I prefer.”
He got up and pulled her to him, kissing her.
“Is it bad that I’m wishing for a bigger tub?” he asked her.
“I guess it depends on why you want it,” Kauri replied.
He chuckled. “I guess I’d better let you take your bath in peace.” He went back out to the living room.
Kauri bathed, thinking amorously about the man she’d been living with for the past few weeks. Yes, she really did love him. She didn’t know what he’d done to her, other than make her feel special, capable and cared for in a way no man had ever done for her. She knew he was famous and everything, but he still made her feel special.
When she felt clean and nice-smelling, she toweled off and put on the clean pajamas. Then, she sat on the couch, seeing that their food had already arrived and Kanesh had put the holovideos on. Some romantic drama, it seemed.
She sat next to him and ate hungrily handing the occasional morsel to one of the lasa who begged at her feet.
“All the training has made you hungry,” Kanesh observed. “Me too.”
Kauri saved her olives for the end.
Suddenly, Kanesh grabbed one.
“Hey!” Kauri complained, scrambling for the stolen fruit.
Kanesh put it between his teeth.
Kauri tried to grab it, but Kanesh grabbed her hand.
“No fair!” Kauri said. Then, she used her teeth to grab it from him.
He kissed her deeply, as if chasing the olive, now lodged safely in her cheek.
“You don’t have to trick me to get me to kiss you,” Kauri said kissing him back.
“Maybe not, but wasn’t that fun?” he asked.
“Yes,” Kauri had to admit.
“I’ll let you finish,” he promised, putting his arm around her.
“Thank you,” she said.
She put the remaining olives in her mouth, feeling greedy.
Kanesh laughed again. “I wasn’t really going to steal them – maybe make you work for them though.”
Kauri giggled, thinking of how to even the score.
“You know, I’ve never felt this way about anyone before,” Kanesh said softly.
“But you’re famous. You’ve known many women,” Kauri said.
“Not like this,” he said. “Someone who has trusted me far more than I have deserved – worked so far out of her comfort zone and still has enough room for me… I feel like the luckiest man in the world when I’m kissing you.”
“I’m just an ordinary girl,” Kauri said. “I’m the one who is lucky to have the kisses of someone like you.”
“Being who I am has advantages and disadvantages. One of the disadvantages is all the people who want to be with me because of my fame and money. You and I were thrown together by my silly sense of rebellion. Your love is so much more pure than that of anyone I’ve ever met. You’re someone I could imagine spending a very long time with – and never getting bored of.”
“I don’t want to know how much money you have. If we had to start over again together – here in Tephsa – even in the Interior – no money – as long as we were together, I’d be happy. Of that, I’m certain.”
“You don’t even know my secrets!” Kanesh said incredulously.
“The A’mara trust you, so I know that I can trust you as well – even with what you haven’t been able to share with me.”
Kanesh laughed with incredulity. “And that’s why I’ve fallen deeply in love with you,” he said, going back to kissing her.
“I love you too,” she said between kisses. Her parted lips invited his groping tongue to meet hers. She grew hungrier for him, as a soft moan escaped her lips.
His hands crept under her pajama top and smoothed along her skin until he caressed her soft flesh, bringing another moan from her. “I want you,” he breathed, pressing himself against her leg leaving her in no doubt.
“Then maybe we should move to a more comfortable spot.” She led him to her bed, leaving her pajamas on the floor as she melted under his kisses and physical passion.
♥
If you have enjoyed this book, I would be grateful if you could put your thoughts as a review on Goodreads for me.
Other Chapters of this set
Acting the Part - chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Building on Promise - Chapter 1
Acting the Part, part 2 - Chapter 10
Spice of Strength - Chapter 1
Acting the Part, part 3 - Chapter 19
Maps and Guides
- continents of Alacantis and Kranisis (five maps)
- continent of Almara (five maps)
- countries of Kri'enden and Yezi'im (four maps plus "other places")
- characters, pronunciation and glossary
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Brighid's Blood 2006 and 1200 B.T.C.E. Katja and Rachel are so desperate for love that they cast two love spells one night. But the Guardians do not consider spells "fun", but rather as cries for help from the very depths of your soul. Certainly Katja and Rachel could not have possibly imagined where these spells would take them! |
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Birth of the Neví 829 T.C.E. It is a tumultuous period of Terrenden history. As is all too common, there are those who wish to profit from the misfortune of others. Some of these come together in a new "charitable organization" and step on the toes of the notorious Uugli. Combine this with draconian new measures to combat pollution and Terrenden has a situation ripe for a power struggle. Book 1 in the Rise of the Neví series. |
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Rebound of Power: 850 T.C.E. Collection of Romance Terrenden is being terrorized by a previously underestimated Neví who, through the mysterious “Curator,” have been controlling elections all over the planet. In this collection, we meet some interesting women. Iyva - a homeless teenager in Irola whose untrained power leaves her close to death in Rebound of Power; Marc’la - a breeder of prized caballus in Kasago whose heart lives in the past in Friendship on Fire; Zukie - an abused widow whose heart is afraid to try for future happiness in Courage to Trust; Jenna - an elections assistant manager and masseuse who has a prejudice against A’mara in Elect to Change; Kami - a chola student in Varkevand who has been assigned to protect Ardin, a man who has his own reasons to distrust A’mara in Ocean of Empathy. |
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Acting the Part - 851 T.C.E. Collection of Romance The Neví have infiltrated the Terrenden Freedom Party. Dr. Jarly is on the run and the Curator still dominates the Terrenden stage. Famous actor, Derick Aiden has released his Neví expose film and now the Neví want him dead... In this collection, we meet more interesting women. Kauri - a simple receptionist who doesn’t realize one of her wildest dreams has come true; in Acting the Part Tirry - an elections manager who is always the bridesmaid and never the bride; in Building on Promise Zara - a chef who has all but given up on finding love for herself; and D'zani - who isn’t even looking, but has to chaperone her more vulnerable roommate; in Spice of Strength Soala - an heiress who is expected to marry, but refuses to marry someone she doesn’t love; and Moxara - one whose past griefs have locked away her heart in Sands of Survival. We also get updates on some of the lovely ladies we met previously. |
| COMING SOON | TO AN EBOOK STORE NEAR YOU!!! |
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Rise of the Neví - 830 T.C.E. In this series, the Neví begin their rise in power with the completion of several large housing projects that seem totally charitable, but also hide a great evil within. The draconian measures brought in the previous year has caused major distress throughout the world, perfect for giving the Neví a further foothold on the Terrenden stage. Will the A’mara, now removed from the Council of Peers, be able to shut down the Neví? Titles to include: Name of the Neví, Head of the Neví... |
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Lori Svensen
author/designer at A'mara Books
photographer/graphic artist for Viking Visual
verified author on Goodreads
find me on Twitter
also on: Whaleshares, WeKu
