a Pleasure Rites, #1 by Ines Johnson (top ten books of all time TXT) 📗

the crumbling face of the temple and then met Jian's once more.

Could this be the chance Jian prayed the Goddess for? A clearly wealthy patron, needing him to train a grown woman who was unlikely to harbor any of the childish unsanctioned fancies of love. It seemed too good to be true.

Jian put the packages down and stuck out his hand. "You have a deal."

The man clasped Jian's hand. "Excellent. My name is Dain. When can you start?"

7

Chanyn plopped down on her bed, finally kicking off the torturous heels. The plush mattress cushioned her decent and embraced her aching body. Chanyn's day had been exhausting. She'd been plucked and primed in the morning. Spent the afternoon touring the house and grounds with Dain. And then returned to her rooms to be plucked and primed again this evening. She never expected leisure to be so exhausting.

Instead of going to sleep, she had one more appointment to keep. Dain had hired the Pleasure Hound earlier in the day and his arrival was imminent. Rianald, Tem, and Clent dressed her in a sparse gown with a handful of ties down the front. It was the most reveling piece of clothing she'd ever seen. Not to mention, she wore it to meet a stranger who would help her perform intimate relations with the man of her dreams and his sulky lover.

Just two days ago, Chanyn had been alone. Today, she was trying to juggle three men.

She stood once more, too antsy to keep still. Dain had made no more overtures to her after his proposal. Instead, he started an inquiry into her parentage with only her mother's name to go on. It shouldn't be too hard to find them, he assured her. Women did not routinely run away from society.

During their time together in the afternoon, his touches had all been friendly, not proprietary. Their conversation had been as thought-provoking and engaging as their time in the car ride. They continued to learn more about each other and find things in common.

He hated beets. She loved them.

He loved the mornings. So did she.

He favored board games. She was eager to learn them.

He hadn't attempted to kiss her or embrace her.

Khial had been entirely absent the rest of the day.

"He's practicing his music," Dain answered when she queried the other man's whereabouts.

Chanyn ached to hear more of his music. She was sure she would get to, once they were truly bonded. Once they had an actual conversation without him scowling at her. Chanyn took her mind off Mister Tall, Dark, and Broody and waited for her carnal tutor to show up.

Panic set in.

What if this hound was unattractive? Dain compared the hound to a monk, that was like a priest. Most priests she'd read about were old men with white hair, pudgy bellies, and strict faces. Could she really be expected to have her first experience with an old, crotchety man?

A gentle rap sounded at the door.

Chanyn froze. She looked around for escape, but the only way out was the door.

The gentle rap sounded again.

"Lady Chanyn?"

The voice didn't sound old, it sounded gentle, pleasant.

"Yes?" Chanyn croaked.

The handle turned.

The door opened.

Chanyn gasped. "You're not old."

The man who stood in the doorway bowed his head. He was dressed in green and brown robes held together with a golden sash. His head was shaved bald, but Chanyn could tell that the hair that grew there was black. His coloring was a few shades lighter than her brown, darker than the tan of Dain's skin, with a healthy glow like Khial's.

The man rose and Chanyn caught sight of his face. His eyes were wide and slanted. Dark pupils peered back at her. Though they were dark, his eyes reminded Chanyn of a pool of still water. There was depth there that she felt pulled to.

He frowned. "Would you prefer someone older?"

It took Chanyn a moment to realize what he was referring to. Unable to pull her gaze away from his, she shook her head.

"My name is Jian. I am here to please you."

His voice reminded Chanyn of Khial's instrument, the language of souls. The tenor of his voice spoke of peace, serenity, and pleasure.

She tried out his name, "John."

He nodded. "May I come in, my lady?"

Chanyn nodded mutely. The hound came quietly into the room. He shut the door behind them and they were alone.

"Lord Dain said you were not from the city, my lady?"

Chanyn shook her head.

"Did they explain to you what I am? Why I'm here?"

Chanyn nodded. Great, she'd gone mute again.

She cleared her throat, determined to force words out and not be dumbstruck each time she came face to face with an attractive man. "We're going to have sex."

The monk's eyebrows rose. His smile held a hint of mischief, like Dain's when she said something naive. But, like Khial's, the monk's face was guarded as he regarded her.

"My task is to find what pleases you," Jian explained. "My religious order believes the Goddess only sees fit to bless a union with female children when the mother orgasms during conception. The female orgasm is an elusive event. Since women have become so scarce, men have little opportunity to practice their skills on women. Pleasure Hounds are trained in the carnal acts and understand how to bring women to orgasmic climax. It's my task to learn which triggers bring you to climax, and then teach them to your mates."

Chanyn gaped at the man, speechless.

"Do you understand?"

She nodded, mute once more.

"Do you consent?"

Chanyn forced air into her lungs. "It all sounds very reasonable."

Jian smiled then; a genuine smile. It lit his face up like the sun. "My aim is to make it pleasurable, my lady. Shall we begin?"

He reached his hand out to her. Chanyn took it. His fingers were long and strong, warm to the touch. Chanyn felt the warmth arrow through her.

"Will you pray with me, Lady Chanyn?"

Jian led her to kneel before the bed. Hands still clasped, he closed his eyes and began to