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

other hand, throbbed at the thoughts he refused to have about the ordeal. He refused to remember Chanyn's glistening skin, her chocolate dipped nipples, her parted lips...

Khial turned the handle.

On the other side of the door, Chanyn sat on the bed, fully clothed, though the silk covering her was scant. Alongside her sat the monk. When Khial opened the door, he spied their entwined hands, heads bent together in an intimate conversation. At Khial's entrance, the monk's fingers loosened on Chanyn's, but as his eyes connected with Khial's, Khial saw the monk change his mind. He re-clasped his hands with Chanyn's and brought them both to standing. They looked like a united front.

For a moment, Khial wondered if the monk was going to go back on his word. Were they about to tell Khial and Dain that they were running away together?

Dain came in behind Khial.

The monk released one of Chanyn's hands and bowed to both Dain and Khial. "Greetings, my lords, and felicitations on your bonding."

Khial followed Dain's eyes to the entwined hands of their wife and the monk, but Dain didn't say anything about it. "Thank you Brother Jian. Is our lady prepared?"

After his grand speech just a moment ago, Khial heard the nervousness return to Dain's voice. Khial glanced over at Chanyn. He saw a tremble in her free hand. It appeared the only two people in the room who weren't trembling or nervous were Khial and the monk.

"We are ready, my lord," the monk spoke for Chanyn. "Will you join us in prayer?" The monk reached a hand towards Dain. Dain stepped up and took it.

They all looked expectantly at Khial. He looked at the circle of people: the man he loved, his wife, and the man she loved.

"I won't be joining in," said Khial. He went to the window, turning his back to the whole affair. The joke was on him. He could clearly see them all in the glass' reflection. Khial stood on the outside looking in as Dain and Chanyn clasped hands with the monk and closed the circle.

The monk began his prayer.

"Maternal Goddess, I seek your presence as I align myself with one of your sacred daughters.

I offer my body as a vessel of your will and your grace.

The desire of my heart is pure and known to you.

I wish to please your daughter and garner your favor.

The miracle that pleases a woman and creates life is of your design, Divine Goddess.

With great anticipation, I align all of the energy systems of my body, my soul, and my mind with you.

I give thanks in advance for your blessings of this experience and know that I walk in the light of your sun and the fertility of your earth.

Ashe."

"Ashe," intoned Chanyn and Dain.

They stood silently, eyes closed, heads bowed in meditation. Then the monk took Chanyn's hand and moved her towards the bed. The monk's back was to Dain so he couldn't see the questioning look he gave Chanyn. From the reflection of the glass, Khial saw Chanyn answer the monk with a trusting nod.

The monk pulled the ties of her gown and the material fell to the ground. Khial heard Dain gasp. Khial had seen Chanyn before, but still his fingers gripped the windowsill as he beheld her once more. She'd been sitting the last time Khial saw her so he hadn't seen how perfectly proportioned she was. Large breasts, small waist, flaring hips and the triangle of curls below her navel. Khial had to swallow many times. His dick throbbed, begging him to turn around.

Khial closed his eyes and heard the bed creak indicating Chanyn climbed aboard.

"No, no," came the monk's gentle voice. "Do not disrobe just yet, my lord. We must prepare her."

"I thought you said she was ready?" Dain's voice was husky.

"I said she is prepared, my lord. We have to make her ready. A man may become aroused in an instant. That is not so with a woman. Come, let me show you."

Khial's senses were so aware that he heard Dain move closer to the bed. A moment later, he heard Chanyn's small sigh.

"You're doing very well, my lord," encouraged the monk. "Only, a woman needs a slower, lighter touch. Like this."

Chanyn let out something between a groan and a sigh. Khial could take it no longer. He opened his eyes and gaped at the reflection in the window.

Chanyn lay on the bed, Dain and the monk on either side of her, their hands gliding over her body. Khial saw Chanyn undulating under their touch. He clenched his hands once more.

The monk's eyes roamed over and caught Khial's eyes in the glass. The monk held Khial there as he continued moving his hands over Chanyn's body. Khial looked away from the monk's eyes and followed his hands as they went over Chanyn's breasts. Then Khial's eyes went back to the monk. The monk still looked at Khial's reflection in the window. He said nothing, his face a mask of serenity.

"Now you may disrobe, my lord."

Khial's hand slipped off the window ledge from all the sweat gathered on his palm. The monk tore his gaze from Khial and his eyes landed on Dain. It had to be Khial's imagination. The monk did not just smirk at Khial before turning his serene face to Dain.

Dain straightened, his fingers trembling once more.

Dain made quick work of his clothes and then stood before both Chanyn and the monk in all his naked glory. The throbbing of Khial's dick became nearly unbearable now.

The monk slid behind Chanyn, sitting her up and cradling her in his arms. Khial saw him smile down at her, the look both supportive and an acknowledgement of love. It was that exchange, and not the fact that his bond mate and wife stood naked preparing to couple, that made Khial feel like a voyeur. He nearly looked away, but when Dain climbed on the bed and between Chanyn's thighs, Khial had had enough.

He turned around.

Dain had his dick in