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

all about, but he was sure he wasn't going to like it. He simply wanted to leave this house and return to the sanctity of the temple. With the money he made, he might be able to turn things around. And so long as word of the ring mishap, and the overnight stay mishap, didn't get out, perhaps the temple might acquire another client or two.

The thought of training more women left a lump in Jian's stomach where only moments ago it had burned for Chanyn. Last night with Chanyn had been the most intense experience of his life. He knew that anything after would pale in comparison. The very thought of an after left him cold.

"I'm in need of an heir."

Jian whipped his head to Lord Dain.

"Lady Chanyn has accepted... our proposal. Neither Lord Khial, nor I, have ever been with a woman and we'd like you to forgo training and move directly to conception."

Jian couldn't help but notice that Lord Dain continued to use the word we though Lord Khial's posture screamed his distaste.

"We know that when conception is attempted under the hand of a Pleasure Hound," Lord Dain continued, "the success rate is always positive. And that the conception of female children is also at a high rate with the assistance of a hound. That is why we hired you. We need to conceive rather quickly, and we need your help."

Jian watched Lord Dain as he toyed with the collar of his shirt. The thought of those blunt fingers on Chanyn's skin made Jian's head hurt. The idea of watching another male take his—

Jian stopped the thought before it could complete itself. "I have responsibilities at the temple—"

"I am prepared to make it worth your while," Lord Dain interrupted him. "I know that your temple is in some financial straits. If Lady Chanyn conceives in the next month, the temple never has to worry about its finances, ever again. I promise you that."

Lord Dain released his collar and reached out his hand to Jian.

"Do we have a deal?"

11

So this is love.

It was nothing like in the books. Chanyn couldn't focus. Food had no taste. There was a physical ache in her heart. She knew it was too soon to call it love, but he'd touched her deeply, and then walked away.

So this is heartbreak.

It was nothing like in the books. Chanyn couldn't focus. Food had no taste. There was a physical ache in her heart. She knew it was too soon to call it over. He still might come back.

Chanyn trudged through the paths of the gardens. Dain's mother returned to the Goddess many years ago, and still her flower garden thrived. Dain believed his mother's love was so deep it had yet to run out of her garden.

Chanyn did not discount Dain's belief. Flowers and plants that had no business growing in the southwestern part of the continent thrived in the soil. Thanks to her time in the reference section of her former home, she could identify many of the plants before her. She picked out the rare Desert Lily straight away. The plant's tall green shaft reached her breastbone. Its blooming, white petals hung low.

Chanyn turned away. She shook her head, trying to clear the carnal images the innocent plant brought to her mind. Farther down the path, Ocotillos stood tall and plentiful. Chanyn stretched a hand towards the red buds. They were hot and throbbing, ready to burst into bloom at any minute.

She pulled her hands back and covered her heated face.

That night, the last night they spent together, she'd thought Jian felt what she did. The way he held and caressed her. The way he looked into her soul. The way he kissed her until she couldn't tell where she ended and he began. Jian had pressed her body into his as though he would join them together permanently.

But the next morning he'd separated himself so easily, left so fast. He'd said holding her through the night had been a mistake, unprofessional. Had she just been a job to him?

An ornate white bench sat a few paces away, surrounded by a flowering bush. Chanyn settled down on it and surveyed the bush. She ran her fingers down the petals of a flower that looked like a rose, but not quite. The stem had a thick, sturdy hide. The fragrance was musky, not sweet. The deep blue petals, which were shaped like the chambers of a heart, looked soft, but felt rough. As her fingers caressed the petals, the bloom slowly closed itself off, shrinking away from her touch. Chanyn's index finger caught on one of the sharp thorns.

"Ouch!" Chanyn yanked her hand away from the fickle bouquet. She placed her hands in her lap and sighed.

From a distance, she heard the gravel of a conveyance approaching. Her heart kicked into gear. She bounced up onto her toes and took off towards the edge of the property. The soles of her shoes were flat. She'd given up on heels the second day of her stay.

Chanyn reached the edge of the property before the car stopped. Her body ground to a halt, her stomach clenched, the disappointment a heavy weight. It was only a deliveryman.

Chanyn chastised herself. Monks were humble beings. They didn't own extravagant things like conveyances. If Jian were coming, he would walk.

The deliveryman left his package and was off. Chanyn watched him go down the street. She knew where the Temple of the Pleasure Hounds stood. She'd walked by the property for the past two days. Dain had had an appointment that kept him away for a full day. As he left, she'd noticed wariness in the corner of his eyes. Before she could ask him what the matter was, Khial herded him out the door. Chanyn assumed the pressure behind Dain's eyes was disappointment in her behavior with Jian, and driving her tutor away with her silly overtures of love; aborted before she could even lay her feelings on