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

hand. He slowly approached Chanyn who had her legs spread. Khial saw the dark pink of her. He swallowed, fingertips still gripping the windowsill behind him.

"Enter her as slowly as possible," the monk instructed.

Dain nodded, focused exclusively on his target. Lining himself up, he began to push. The head of Dain's dick disappeared and his eyes went wide.

"Slowly," said the monk. "The first time can be..."

While the monk searched for an adjective, Dain gave another push. His mouth gaped open. His dick disappeared inside Chanyn.

Chanyn stiffened.

Dain let out a guttural roar as his body began to jerk.

The monk found the adjective to describe Dain's new experience. "...overwhelming."

It took Dain a moment to recover. Chanyn and the monk waited patiently. The monk stroked Chanyn's arm and back. Chanyn patted Dain on his shoulders. Finally, Dain regained sense and withdrew from her. Chanyn winced as he did so.

Dain looked horrified. "I'm so sorry, Chanyn." He came up to kneeling, his dick soft after the overwhelming impact.

Chanyn folded her legs away from him. "You didn't hurt me."

Dain looked away, shamefaced. "Well, at least it’s done now."

"No," said the monk as he continued to stroke Chanyn's arm. "It is not."

Both Khial and Dain gaped at the monk.

"She needs to experience orgasm in order for conception, particularly for the conception of a female child."

Dain looked down at his dick, limp and lazy.

"Lord Khial?"

It took Khial a moment to remember that that was his name.

"Would you help your bond mate?" The monk cocked his head in Dain's direction.

Khial looked from the monk to Dain. "Help him?"

"Yes," the monk answered patiently. "He needs to achieve another erection."

Slowly the words and their meaning became clear to Khial. With a stiff arm, he pushed himself away from the windowsill. The first step felt as though he were going off a cliff. Khial kept his eyes on Dain. On shaky legs, he let go of the ledge and made his way down the cliff towards his lover.

16

Jian observed Lord Khial perform a death march to the bed, his face shell-shocked at Jian's request to rouse his bond mate for a second go. In truth, it would have been easier if Lord Khial were a willing partner; the man was certainly able at the moment. That erection Jian spied between his legs must be killing him.

Lord Khial arrived at the other side of the bed. He stood before Lord Dain, unsure what to do next. Finally, Lord Dain reached up to him.

"You know that I love you, Khi. You don't doubt that."

Lord Khial glanced at Chanyn, who was curled up in Jian's arms watching the exchange. Jian told her that the first time with her husbands might go this way. She had been prepared. Lord Dain did well at getting her ready, though Jian knew that it would not have happened without his instruction. It was largely Jian's touch that Chanyn responded to.

Jian expected to feel jealousy, bitterness, at the evening’s events. But neither sinful emotion reared within him. He knew his actions tonight would secure the future of the woman who held his heart. He would have stood in front of a brute squad to ensure her happiness. Instead, he got to orchestrate her pleasure.

He saw that Lord Dain did indeed care for Chanyn. He believed that Lord Khial would never harm her. Once Lord Khial's grief at the loss of Lord Dain left him, he would protect Chanyn and their child. The display in the hall the other week hadn't fooled Jian. The young lord carried a tender spot for Chanyn, even if he wasn’t ready to admit it to himself.

Lord Khial's eyes lifted to Chanyn. Jian saw some silent agreement pass between them. Whatever Lord Khial saw there decided him. He nodded to Lord Dain and then sank to his knees.

The two men kissed, tentatively. Jian was certain neither of them had ever had an audience to their lovemaking before. He turned his attention back to Chanyn and brought her head around.

"Hi," he said, mimicking her greeting from the other day.

"Hi."

They looked at each other for a moment, each grinning.

"This time," Jian said, "I promise you pleasure."

Chanyn relaxed her head deeper into the cradle of his shoulder. Her eyes so full of faith and certainty that it nearly knocked Jian back.

"I trust you, Jian." She pulled his head down.

At first Jian went willingly. He'd missed the feel of her lips on his. But as she stroked his top lip with her tongue, Jian froze, remembering that they too had an audience. His eyes sought her husbands.

Lord Dain's eyes were closed, his head resting on Lord Khial's shoulders. Jian couldn't see from this angle, but he knew Lord Khial stroked his mate. Lord Khial's eyes were on Jian and Chanyn.

The two men regarded each other as they continued to pleasure the lovers in their embraces. Years ago, when words of love had been whispered to Jian, they were done in secret, behind closed doors, hidden. Chanyn didn't hide her feelings for him. Even now, in front of her two husbands, Chanyn's feelings for Jian were not a quiet secret. They were fully on display, a proud declaration.

Lord Khial's scrutiny held no judgment. His expression marked Jian as a welcome partner in this room, albeit a temporary one.

Jian heard Lord Dain's breathing change.

"Is he ready?"

Lord Khial nodded. He stood and took a step away, but Lord Dain reached out a hand.

"Stay with me," Lord Dain pleaded. After a second's hesitation, Lord Khial slowly released a breath and planted his feet.

Lord Dain kneeled on the bed before Chanyn once more.

With his arms still around her, Jian leaned down and whispered in her ear. "I've got you." He felt her internal sigh. Any remaining tension released from her body as she sank back into him with complete trust and surrender.

Jian looked to Lord Dain. "Slowly this time."

The man nodded.

Jian let Chanyn's torso rest against his chest and then he opened her thighs to her husband. Her scent was heady. All