2 comments/ 4323 views/ 14 favorites Hope's Awakening By: Guinahart This story originally appeared on Literotica as "Her First Encounter". It has been edited and revised. I hope you enjoy reading as much as I enjoyed writing! Comments and emails are welcome. -Guinevere A. Hart * * * * * Adri looked around the luxuriously appointed rooms that were hers for the night. The entrance was by a seating area with soft couches and a table laden with food. There were bottles of red wine and bowls of honeyed almonds, figs, pomegranate seeds, and cherries. She saw a theme in the assortment of snacks, and giggled. Through an archway, she entered the bedroom. An enormous four posted bed dominated the center of the room. She ran her hand over the heavy, red brocade coverlet, and then pulled it back a little ways to reveal fresh linen sheets. She gave a few good pushes into the soft mattress. With another giggle, she threw herself onto the middle of the bed. Movement from above nearly scared her out of her skin, and then she doubled over in laughter as she noted the mirrored canopy. She stared up at her reflection and wondered, not for the first time that day, if she had made the right choice to cut her hair so short. Before today, her long white tresses flowed all the way to the small of her back. If she had pulled it straight, it would reach to mid-thigh. Now it was gone. She'd had it cut short on the back and sides of her head, with a bit more length on the top. Her head felt lighter, which was interesting, but she wasn't sure she liked the look. She'd also had piercings done that day, with little gold rings glinting all the way to the tapered tips of her ears. It was painful to pierce the cartilage, but as a cleric with access to divine healing, it did not hurt for long. Adri ran her hands over her chopped hair, and again wondered if the hair cut made her ears look too big. She shrugged her shoulders. It was too late to worry about it now, she had a date to get ready for. Another curtained archway led into a private bath chamber. There were shelves full of towels, soaps, oils, and perfumes. A mirrored dressing table sat next to a wardrobe in one corner of the room. In the center of the floor, a large sunken tub held clear, steaming water. Her hosts had set out fresh towels, soap, and a bottle of oil by the side of the tub for her. She crossed to the wardrobe and stripped, reverently hanging her white cleric's robes. Earlier that day, she had purchased a sheer, silk night dress and matching panties specifically for this evening's events. She thought the blue-violet color nearly matched her eyes. She took her new clothes from her pack and draped them across the dressing table. Before lowering herself into the tub, she added the fragrant honey-suckle oil. With a sigh and a smile she sank up to her chin in the steaming hot water. She had not been soaking for long before she began to feel drowsy. A hot soak can make a person feel sleepy, but she thought she felt a bit too tired, a bit too quickly. Adri sat up quickly, the motion causing a wave of dizziness. Her vision blurred, and she knew that something was definitely wrong. Clumsily, she hauled herself out of the tub. Sprawling on the cool tiled floor, she reached out with her thoughts to her goddess. Her connection to the divine confirmed her suspicions that she had been poisoned. With a murmured prayer, Adri was able to slow the poison; hopefully long enough to get some help. She stood on shaking legs. If she had to fight, or run around a brothel, she was not going to do it naked. Grabbing the night dress, she threw it on over her head and made for the bedroom. * * * * * From his position in the shadows beneath the bed, he watched the pale skinned, high-elf woman as she entered the suite. He was not particularly surprised when she did not partake of the wine or the almonds that he had drugged. Someone was trying to kill the Duchess Adrielen De'Alathan, and that tended to make one suspicious. It did not matter, he had also drugged the bath oil. If she did not use the oil, he always had the option of a well-placed dart. He was not trying to kill her. It would just be more convenient if she were unconscious before he moved her to a more secure location. He intended to question her about the dark-elf army that she had seen recently. He wanted to know if the army was led by the same hateful dark-elf bitch that had chased him all over the Prime Material for the last several centuries. He had watched Adrielen and her companions all day. She seemed to be the most reasonable of the group, the least likely to give him any trouble, even if she was a damn female. When she jumped on the bed and laughed at herself, he felt the corner of his mouth twitch. He quickly forced the smirk into a sneer. The last thing he wanted was to like the flighty, high-born elfess. Having followed her for a day, he had learned much about the girl. Though she knew someone wanted her dead, she wandered around town with her friends as if nothing bad could happen to her. She had stumbled upon a dark-elf encampment that looked as though they were prepping for a fight. Though concerned, she was not wracked with worry over it. She was clearly going through some sort of angst against her father. It led to a haircut, piercings, and a trip to the brothel. Though she was clearly grown, these were the actions of a petulant adolescent. Even so, there seemed to be no spite or guile in her at all. She smiled and laughed so easily. Nothing seemed to faze Adrielen. He had never seen a woman so full of such constant joy. He reminded himself that all women were conniving, manipulative, untrustworthy bitches. This one would turn out no different, given time. However, as he played the part of the monster under her bed, he could not help but wonder if he could not have just approached her openly. He listened as she rolled off the bed and went into the bathroom. If she used the oil, there was the distinct possibility that she could drown in the tub. A dead girl floating in the tub would be a small inconvenience, but one that he did not want to deal with. He slipped from the shadows beneath the bed and silently followed after her to the curtained archway. He watched as she undressed. The elves of this realm were tall, and Adrielen was no exception. She was six feet tall and very well proportioned. Her full breasts perked up at her large, rose colored areoles. His eyes traveled down her slender belly, and noted that she had no body hair. When she bent to retrieve her night gown from her bag, he had a unrestricted view of her toned ass. His cock kicked against his trousers. He clenched his jaw, and reminded himself that he was not there for that. * * * * * Adri half stumbled and half ran from the bathroom. Her friend Shoska was only just down the hall. If she could get to her, she knew she would be all right. She stopped short as she nearly ran into a dark, heavily cloaked figure, blocking the archway between the bedroom and the sitting area. She took a few steps back, but made sure to stand as straight as she could. She lifted her head high and stared into the deep shadow of the intruder's hood. The drug in her system made her feel so unsteady. She wanted nothing but to sink to the floor and sleep, but she was a daughter of the Light. She would look her dark assassin in the face and not show weakness. She watched as a pair of dark hands rose and pulled back the hood. He was a dark-elf, like the ones she had seen in the caverns she had explored with her friends. His flesh was such a deep violet that it was almost black. His face was finely carved from the very midnight itself. His white hair, as silk woven from moonlight, framed his face and hung straight, nearly to his shoulders. He smelled of herbs and exotic spices. She was shocked at her own desire to taste his fragrant skin on her tongue. He was the most beautiful being she had ever seen. Unlike the others of his kind, this one did not possess an aura of evil. She had never been this close to a dark-elf. In spite of the circumstances, she wanted to be closer still as moisture formed between her inner folds. At that moment, he stared at her; his deep red eyes locked on to hers. One fine, white brow arched higher than the other. He coolly stated, "You have some skills." His deep voice had a rumbling resonance that sent an electric jolt down her spine, and more fluid from her core. "I have faith, lord dark-elf," she answered him with a smile. Even though she felt like she was headed for the floor, even though she knew this beautiful and intriguing man may be trying to end her, she would go into the Light with gratitude in her heart. She could not understand how she could want this man so badly, but she was fascinated. As he folded long, slender fingers before him, she realized that she didn't care if he wrapped them around her neck or stroked her wet folds with them; just as long as he touched her. "My name is Krellyn." That voice slid into her ear and wrapped around her spine. She clenched her hands tighter and suppressed a moan. She needed to keep her head. "Are you the one who's poisoned me, Krellyn?" His name rolled pleasantly on her tongue. "Only drugged. Though, you don't seem that worse for wear." She sighed. This was the end, then. She did not have the energy to fight him, and the toxin in her system was making her legs tremble. She would soon succumb, allowing him to kill her at his leisure. "If you're going to kill me, do it quickly. I don't want to fight with you." "I don't want to fight either. I want information." Adri's vision blurred. Even as Krellyn's drug battered her defenses, she laughed. Her speech slurred through her laughter when she asked, "And, how do I 'inform' you while I'm knocked out?" At that, her knees dropped out from beneath her. She could see the lovely mosaic floor tiles rising up to greet her. Those slender hands were stronger than they looked as they wrapped around her upper arms, keeping her upright. His hands were cold and hard, but his touch sent a bolt of lightning through to her very soul. He caught her up in one arm, while his other quickly disappeared inside his cloak. All she knew was that she was surrounded by his chill embrace, floating on a fragrant and gorgeous sea of darkness. Her only light was the light of the goddess that pulsed in her heart, and that light was enough. She floated, willing to drown there, until something sharp bit her neck. A stark white light flashed behind her eyes and her blood pulsed hard in her ears. Once again, she could feel the floor beneath her feet. He still held her as she steadied herself, and she was in no hurry to move away from him. She opened her eyes to see Krellyn slip a needle back into his cloak. His red eyes locked onto hers again, watching her intently. She silently and fervently prayed that he would kiss her. Instead, he asked, "Better?" * * * * * Krellyn knew it was only a matter of time before the drugs that she had absorbed into her skin would take her out. Yet she continued to smile, even laugh, as if these things happened to her on a regular basis. What did he know? Perhaps they did. He watched her with piqued curiosity, wondering just how long she could hold off the sleep toxin in her system. She was not difficult to watch. If she had hoped to preserve some form of modesty by throwing that silk gown on, she had failed. It clung to her wet skin and revealed everything. His cock jumped again, becoming insistent. He ignored it. Based on their conversation, brief as it was, he realized that he could have just asked her what he wanted to know. He had never met a guileless woman, but maybe there really was a first for everything. Her laughter and her expression faded. He tried to remain detached as he watched her pupils dilate, her eyes rolled upwards. He resisted his own cruel and haughty urge to countdown her trip to the floor. As her knees buckled, he surprised himself by catching her. Against everything in his nature, he caught her up and cradled her to his chest. He decided it was not necessary to expend the effort to transport her and bind her, though his libido suggested that such a scenario could be pleasant. This woman would answer his questions without coercion. He injected the antidote directly into her bloodstream. He watched as she opened her eyes, and her pupils began to focus. "Better?" "Yes." She breathed, as he set her back on her feet. "Will you answer my questions now?" He had begun to feel impatient. She made him feel uncomfortable. He wanted to tear the silk gown from her body, to touch her, to taste her. He did not want to want her. Her voice was more stable as she answered, "Yes. But will you answer one of mine first?" He sighed. He was the one who was supposed to be interrogating her. "Very well." "What did you do with Starry Knight?" His frown deepened. What was this? Was she stalling for time? "I have no idea who that is." "He was my, um, date. He was supposed to meet me here. Did you kill him?" Nonplussed, he paused before answering. "No, he's knocked out in his room. 'Starry Knight'? That's the guy's name? What the hell kind of name is that?" Her cheeks blushed as she shook her head and shrugged. She laughed as she said, "I don't think his mother named him that." Something broke inside his chest, climbed up his throat and escaped his lips in a short, abrasive noise. It was strange to his ears, throwing him off for a moment. It began to dawn on him that the noise was a laugh. He did not remember the sound; it had been so long ago. He tried to tell himself he did not have the time for this, when he actually had all the time in multiverse. "Adrielen, tell me about the dark-elves you saw. I need to know exactly what you saw and where you found them." * * * * * Adri wrapped her arms around herself and shivered. She felt stupid, as well as cold. She should have grabbed a towel; anything other than the flimsy gown that now clung to her body. What she really wanted was for him to hold her again, but his expression was as cold as his voice. He probably did not want her, but she ached for him. With her date passed out, she had a long, lonely night ahead of her. It was sad that she had paid three hundred gold, just to lie in a fancy bed and finger herself to a fantasy of dark-elf who did not want her. At least she was alive and healthy, she supposed. She felt more comfortable with Krellyn, knowing that he had not killed the male prostitute that she had purchased for the evening. He only wanted to know about the other dark-elves. He had a completely insane way of asking, but he did not actually want to hurt anyone. Adri told him of the caverns that she and her friends had stumbled onto. She described the underground camp, how it looked as though the females were in charge. Her goddess gave her impressions of those she encountered, and she could tell him with certainty that all the beings in the camp radiated an intense evil. She described what she had thought was a massive a mirror on a platform near the largest tent. The cavern was only a few miles outside of the city. She told him that she could take him there if he wanted to go. Cold, silent, and still, with the patience of a statue carved from obsidian, he listened to her story. He kept his beautiful hands folded before him. He maintained eye contact with her. His gaze made her melt, but this was important to him. She kept herself in check and told him all that she knew. When she finished, she asked him, "Are they going to attack the city?" "I do not think so, at least not now. What you describe sounds like only a small unit." He paused for what seemed like a long time to her. During that pause he stared at her with such intensity, she began to wonder if she had done or said something offensive to him. Eventually, he said, "I think they're here for me." She took this in like a blow to the gut, though she kept her reaction to herself. Adri did not care what crimes his people thought him guilty of. Having reached a decision, she said, "Well, they don't get to have you. Tell me what I can do to help you, Krellyn." He blinked several times before answering. "Perhaps you could talk to your friends. Together, you could infiltrate their camp. There is a certain priestess who is leading that company. If you could eliminate her, the others would leave. Your city would be safe." "And so would you." "That's the idea." "I'll talk to them first thing tomorrow. Give me the day to prepare them. We can all meet for dinner tomorrow night. Once we put our heads together, we can come up with a plan and get this taken care of." She would not suffer the minions of a foreign and evil god to invade her homeland. The fact that they threatened a man who could touch her soul this way only sharpened her resolve against them. As far as Adri was concerned, that matter was settled. "There's something else I'd like to discuss with you, if you have a moment." She stepped closer to him, nearly closing the space between them. She was hopeful when he did not back away from her. "This night was very important to me. I had paid quite a bit for a luxurious and professional deflowering. Then you drugged my date." She moved even closer to him as he asked, "Should I wake him for you?" Adri dared to touch her nose to his, delighted when he still did not move away. She whispered, "I don't want him anymore." She was trying to be seductive, but had no idea what she was doing. She was supposed to be the one being seduced. She smiled and asked brightly, "So, are we going to do this, or what?" * * * * * Krellyn did not want to want Adrielen, did not want to trust her, and did not want to like her. He told himself that she was simply another hole that wanted filling. Her proximity and the daring in her attitude caused his traitorous prick to demand release. He certainly would not back down from her nearness and give her any indication that she made him feel uncomfortable. He searched her eyes again, looking for the deception, the viciousness, that he knew had to be there. There was absolutely nothing, just an open, honest desire. "You're rather bold." She did not move, but simply asked, "Is that good or bad?" "It's... refreshing." He said, just before she pressed her lips to his. He returned her kiss as he slid his hands up her arms to the shoulders of her night dress. She pulled away from him with a gasp as the silk gown pooled around her feet. She moved forward again to kiss him, but he caught her jaw in his hand. He held her with enough firmness to control her head, but not to bruise her. He was pleased when she did not flinch or fight his grip. If she was going to kiss him, she would do it properly. He let his lips brush hers as he commanded her, "Open." She complied immediately. When her tongue met his, a tiny sound escaped her throat. She slipped her hands around the back of his neck and filled them with his hair. She readily crushed her naked body against his. He gripped her fine ass in both of his hands and squeezed as he ground his erection against her pelvis. He was painfully aware that he was overdressed. He broke the kiss, and his hands reluctantly released their grip. Her pout was lovely as he pushed her away from him, while turning her shoulders to face the other way. He pointed at the bed over her shoulder and slapped her rump hard enough to sting. "Put that ass on the bed." Again, he wondered at her. When he slapped her, she jumped and released a little squeal, but her easy smile had returned. Her squeal was followed by a slightly breathless laugh. Without hesitation, she moved to the bed. She sat on her knees in the middle of the bed and eagerly watched him. He was surprised that she seemed to grow more turned on by his rough commands, and her quick compliance was an unexpected joy. Hope's Awakening * * * * * Adri felt a bit nervous with him, at first. Then he demanded that she open her mouth for him, and a new flood spilled from her depths. She had been horny before, but never had she been this wet. She wondered if it was normal to be this soaked, or if she should be embarrassed. He squeezed her butt, hard enough to hurt, as he ground against her. However, the harder he squeezed and ground, the more she wanted him. The sting of his palm when he slapped her made her squeal; not from the pain, but from the sudden fire of lustful need that shocked her body. The growl in his voice when he told her to get on the bed made her wonder if he couldn't make her cum just by talking to her. From her position in the middle of the bed, she watched him strip. He quickly shed his heavy cloak, his robes and his boots, but left his pants on. Krellyn's body was as beautiful as his hands and face. He had a slim build with well-defined muscles; a bit more than wiry, but not bulky. She loved the way the light in the room shone purple on his sleek black skin. Curious and painfully needful regarding the bulge that preceded him on his approach to the bed, she was a little disappointed that he had kept his trousers. As he knelt on the bed, he again growled at her. "Lie down." She suppressed another moan as she put her head on the pillows behind her. He lay down beside her, propping himself up on one arm. He rested his free hand on her belly, and covered her mouth with his own. She reveled in the sensation of his tongue twining with hers. She groaned through their kiss when he slid his hand up to caress her breast. He rubbed his thumb over her nipple. The shock of pleasure made her back arch, and she desperately clutched at a handful of his hair. He planted kisses along her jaw, her neck and down her chest. He kissed, licked and nibbled her breasts all around her nipples. He was teasing her, prolonging her anticipation to the point of pain. She could no longer think. Her whole body thrummed with every movement of his mouth on her skin. When she felt like she could take no more, he lashed at a nipple with his tongue. He used his tongue to draw her nipple into his mouth. He sucked her hard. Then she screamed as he bit her, rolling her tender flesh between his teeth. As he worked her breast with his mouth, his hand explored her stomach, her hips and thighs. That hand drove her mad as it touched her everywhere, except where she needed it to. He let go of her breast and pulled slightly away. He stung her thigh with his palm and snapped at her. "Open." She silently thanked the gods and slid her legs a little further apart. He sat up quickly, grabbed her knees, pulling them up and far apart. He snarled at her as he did so, "Damn it, I said open!" She cried out as he manipulated her legs, both from shock and from desire. Adri did not understand how his crude treatment made her want him so much more. She did not have time to wonder if there was something wrong with her, for his fingers slid up her inner thigh. * * * * * Krellyn cupped her flushed, rose colored sex with his whole hand. She was soaking wet; much more so than he had expected. He could take her tight channel now, but he was actually enjoying playing with her body. He applied pressure, making slow wide circles. She moaned deep and long as he massaged her folds. He watched her face, while she watched their reflection in the mirror. He worked two fingers between her outer lips and pinched her pearl between them. Her moaning gained in pitch when he started to wiggle his fingers rapidly together while pinching her nub. She writhed and panted. Unashamed, she clutched at her own tits. He changed his motion again, making tight, firm circles. Her every breath brought on a primal, mewling noise. It was only seconds before her back arched sharply, hips bucking against his hand, trying to fuck his fingers as her convulsing pussy begged to be filled. He held his hand still, pressed hard against her clit, prolonging her waves of climax. He moved to kneel between her knees. She looked at him and gasped while he slowly licked her sex from his fingers, purring his approval. The corner of his mouth turned up as she whimpered his name. "Krellyn, please." "Please, what?" Her body made it clear exactly what she wanted from him, but he wanted to know how bold she could be. "Please, fuck me." She said it with no shame, no hesitation. She knew what she wanted and was not afraid to ask for it. She was bold, indeed. He was not through playing with her, however. With a smirk, he shrugged and said, "Maybe later." He remained where he was just long enough to see her pretty pout. Then he drove his head between her thighs, and shoved his tongue inside of her. * * * * * Adri's whole body trembled. She burned inside and out. Her pussy still quivered from the climax he had driven her to. His fingers were so much better than hers. She had never wanted anything in her life more than she wanted to be filled by him. She was certain that if Krellyn did not fuck her, she would die. Then he responded to her request with a smug "Maybe later." It was desperately unfair, but that cruel smirk was so damn sexy. She lost her mind again as his head darted forward, and he put his tongue inside of her. Adri had never felt anything as amazing as his tongue wriggling in her pussy. She gripped tight handfuls of his gorgeous hair. As he thrust his tongue in and out of her, she tilted her hips up, moving with his rhythm. Then he moved his mouth a little and tongue-lashed her clit. She got lost in the incredible sensations of his mouth on her. He quickly sent her toward another orgasm. When she was on the verge, he clenched and rolled her nub between his teeth. The change started her climb all over again. Just when she thought that his teeth were too much, she felt his finger in her entrance. He continued to grip her clit in his teeth while he lashed at it with his tongue. At the same time, he slid the tip of his finger in and out, rubbing, massaging the tight ring of muscle. The pressure built quickly, and she fell into a second mindless, writhing spasm of unimaginable pleasure. Krellyn sat back, licking his lips. He wiped her juices from his face with the back of his hand. He climbed off the bed. Adri turned on her side, curling her legs up against her chest. Her body still quaked from her second climax. She felt weak, exhausted, yet still unsatisfied. With all the pleasure he had given her, he had not yet touched her with his manhood. She was drained, but she needed him so badly it brought tears to her eyes. She watched, hopeful, as he stood to the side of the bed, slowly unlacing his pants. She gasped when he freed his cock from its confines. Like his tongue, it was a darker shade of violet than the rest of his body. Long, and thick with marbled veins, it was larger than she had imagined. She wondered if it would fit. He was so beautiful, so magnificent; she realized that it did not matter to her if he ripped her in half with it. He stood right in front of her face, giving her a good look at him. He wrapped his hand around the shaft and stroked it a few times. With his sexy growl, he asked, "Is this what you want?" She managed to squeak, "Yes, Krellyn." She stared, fascinated by the small bead of silvery pre-cum on the tip of the crown. He snarled at her, "Lick it." "What?" she asked. That was not the right answer. His free hand shot out around her head. He grabbed and pulled the longer hair at the top of her head. Dragging her head within kissing distance of his cock, there was no small threat in his voice. "You heard me." Her eyes watered from her need and from the burn of his grip on her head. She lifted her gaze to his fierce, red eyes. "Yes, Krellyn." She extended her tongue and slowly lapped up the drop of liquid. He tasted of salt and sweetness. His dark flesh was velvet softness over solid stone. Adri had never before imagined putting a man's prick in her mouth, but as she swallowed the droplet of his essence, she wanted more. She continued to lick, exploring the entirety of the wide head. He groaned as she flicked her tongue under the rim. His deep groan sent need through her again, but also encouraged her. She popped his head into her mouth and sucked hard. He groaned again and gripped her hair tighter. She sucked again while flicking her tongue against the tip. He hissed, "Oh fuck." He jerked her head away. "That's enough. No more damn games." He barked at her. She did not take any of this as a game. Adri wanted to pleasure him as he had pleasured her. Krellyn pushed her on her back again, and climbed onto the bed. She automatically opened her legs the way he had shown her earlier. He took a pillow and snapped at her to pick up her hips. He slid the pillow under her rump. He positioned himself between her thighs, resting the length of his cock along the length of her slit. He briefly ground the head against her clit. Then he entered her with only the tip. Slowly he worked in and out, pressing further with each gentle thrust. The sharp pain gave way to pleasure. Adri felt the heat and the pressure build in her abdomen. She felt stretched, but wonderfully so. Then she looked up in the mirror. "Oh," she gasped as she noticed that he was holding the base of his cock in his hand. He was only half of the way inside of her. He increased his pace, building the friction and her pleasure. She had begun to lose herself in the sensation, and then he said her name. "Adrielen." She opened her eyes and looked up at him. "Are you ready for more?" She had no time to think about what he said. He pulled almost all the way out of her, then thrust hard, giving her all of him. She clutched at him as she cried, tears rolling into her ears. He wrapped his arms beneath her, closing his body around her. He kept his rhythm. With every thrust, the pain subsided and pleasure built again to take its place. This pleasure was different than what she had felt before. It was so much deeper. He was not just fucking her body; he was inside of her soul. His breathing changed, his thrusts becoming more insistent. Her life, her mind, her body, and soul melded into him. She drowned in wave after wave of explosive ecstasy. Her rings of muscle tightened against him, squeezing and releasing his cock in time with his thrusts. In that moment, he was everything to her and all she would ever need. His grip suddenly tightened painfully around her. He growled her name in her ear. His manhood pulsed in her throbbing channel. He stopped thrusting and firmly held them both still, prolonging their combined climax. He filled her to overflowing with his cum. She could feel the hot liquid being forced out around him. They remained that way for several minutes, and then he rolled off of her. Adri was sore, bruised, yet completely sated. Krellyn said nothing to her as they pulled back the coverlet and got under the sheets. For once, she felt she had no need to talk. Krellyn sighed and closed his eyes. He grunted, startled as Adri put her head against his chest and wrapped a leg around his. Just before she closed her eyes, she murmured, "Thank you." * * * * * Krellyn opened his eyes and stared up at Adri's sleeping face in the mirror. He told himself she was just another fuck. He told himself that he simply did not have the energy to push her off of him; that it was not worth the fight. He told himself that he was not acutely aware of the taste of her virginal juices still on his tongue. He told himself that he did not want her. He told himself that he definitely did not like her. As he lied to himself, he watched his traitorous hand gently stroke the pale, slender arm that casually draped across his abdomen. He did not stop doing it, but he could at least close his eyes against the sight. He knew he should go, but she was interesting. Maybe he would stay, just until the morning.