Unleashed by the Defender (Brides of the Kindred #25) - Evangeline Anderson Page 0,50

that made her frown but then she shrugged.

“Well, Commander Sylvan did tell me I was authorized to spend whatever was necessary,” she murmured to J’are. “And it’s certainly necessary to be sure I can get to court on time. All right, I’ll take the one-day membership deal,” she said, nodding at the bot.

“Very good, Mistress. If you could just show me your cred chip?”

“Oh, it’s locked up with my clothes!” Imani said.

“That’s all right,” J’are told her. “It should be on file since you used it to pay for our meal.”

“If your chip is on file, all I need is your name,” the bot said to her.

“Oh, it is.” Imani nodded. “Um, look under Mistress Imani Williams,” she told the bot, who accessed the chip information easily.

After the transaction was complete, the bot said, “And now, allow me to lead you to the treatment room for a soothing massage.”

“Oh, I don’t—” Imani started but then she stopped. “You know, actually, a massage might be nice. I always get so tense right before court.” She looked at J’are. “Do you mind if we don’t go swimming again right away?”

“Not at all.” He shook his head. “But if you think I’m letting anyone else massage you but me, you’re crazy.”

“What?” Her eyes got wide. “What do you mean?”

“Think about it,” J’are leaned down and murmured in her ear. “There have already been two attempts on your life. What makes you think they won’t try again? Once you’re alone in a room with some stranger—”

“Okay, I get it!” Imani whispered. “But, well…” She looked at him uncertainly. “You, uh, really want to massage me?”

“I want to protect you,” J’are emphasized. “And don’t worry,” he added, giving her a grin. “I’ve taken private lessons in several massage techniques, so I know what I’m doing.”

“You do?” Her eyes got even wider.

He nodded. “Mother Hownow sent me to the classes, hoping it would help me find a Mistress who wanted to bond with me.”

“I…I don’t know that I’m exactly, uh, dressed for a massage, though,” Imani pointed out.

“Don’t worry,” J’are growled softly. “You can leave your bathing suit on.”

Her saw her nibble her lush lower lip while she thought about it. At last, she nodded.

“All right. I…I guess that would be all right.”

Her words sounded uncertain, but there was nothing unsure about her scent. J’are could smell the heat on her—the unmistakable feminine fragrance of a female in need. She wanted him to touch her as much as he wanted it. But he would have to take things slowly and not overstep her boundaries.

J’are swore to himself that he could do that—that he could give her what she wanted—what they both wanted—without going too far. After all, it was still daylight outside and his feral side was locked up tight.

He swore to himself he would be certain it stayed that way.

Twenty-Six

Imani couldn’t believe she’d just agreed to let the big Nightwalker massage her. But now that she’d agreed, she found she didn’t want to take it back.

It’s not a big deal, she told herself. He has to protect me, like he said. And I can keep things professional.

You mean like you did last night when you gave him a bath and jerked him off? a little voice whispered in the back of her head.

Shut up! Imani told it. That was all a mistake—a misunderstanding. And besides, J’are was in his feral state then. He’s in his thinking mind now so nothing’s going to happen.

Right?

“Come this way,” the reception bot said, interrupting Imani’s inner argument with herself. It whizzed down another long arching corridor of feathery fronds and Imani hastened to follow it with J’are right behind her. They came to a stop in front of a dark red doorway with a curving top and a silver knob directly in the middle of the door.

“This is your treatment room,” the bot intoned.

It opened the door with a click, revealing a dim cave of a room lit by flickering candlelight. A waft of some exotic spice and soft strains of relaxing music issued from within.

“I will send your massage therapist at once,” the bot told Imani.

“Oh, well actually, my, uh, bodyslave here is trained in the arts of massage,” Imani told it. “So if we could just have access to the room and any massage oils or products or whatever, we’ll be fine.”

“As you wish.” The bot nodded its head. “Many Mistresses prefer to let their own bodyslave give their treatments. You will find all necessary items within.