to settle a debt. It is unacceptable, and I would have chosen to show them the error of their ways, but Taliane would rather forget.”
Varga’s own anger flared. He had heard that some of the great merchant houses placed little importance on the lives of individuals, both male and female, but to condemn someone to such a fate…
“If you ever change your mind, I would be happy to accompany you.”
“Thank you, my brother.” Issar’s face lightened when he saw Varga’s shock at the term. “We have undergone an epic adventure to rescue our females and defeat evil. Amongst my people, that makes us brothers.”
Varga nodded slowly and clasped Issar’s shoulder, before rising to his feet.
“It’s time to leave you, brother. My mate has been alone long enough.”
“If you want my suggestion,” Issar called after him. “Ask her what she wants.”
Varga sighed and waved a hand in the other male’s direction as he left. Why would Joan object to where they were going? She seemed to appreciate the company of other human females, even spending time with Polly. And it wasn’t as if she had anywhere else to go. Most importantly, what if he gave her a choice and she decided she would rather not go with him?
No, he decided. Best not to bring up the subject.
Joan stretched lazily, appreciating the comfort of the big bed. It would have been even better if Varga had been there, but a night’s sleep seemed to have restored him completely and he had left earlier to exercise. She shuddered at the thought and started to burrow back under the covers when an intrusive memory made her frown.
Kevin used to do that. He would leave every morning to exercise. Of course, unlike Kevin, Varga had kissed her thoroughly before he left and hadn’t suggested that she would be better off exercising as well. But Kevin didn’t start off as dismissive either.
Don’t be ridiculous, she told herself, but the pleasure of sleeping in had disappeared and she sat up. She looked around the room, taking in all the details she hadn’t paid attention to before. The enormous bed, the ornate fabrics, the elaborate and undoubtedly expensive furniture—it reminded her uncomfortably of the home she had shared with Kevin. One he had insisted be designed to showcase his wealth rather than to create a comfortable home.
“Now you’re just being crazy,” she muttered to herself and headed for the shower in the equally elaborate bathroom. Varga had never voiced a word of complaint about the minimal guest quarters he had been allotted on Drahana, or the stifling heat of the tunnels, or the lengthy trek across the surface while she had been unconscious. He had nothing in common with her ex-husband.
Except the tendency to assume that he knew best, a small voice argued. He hadn’t consulted her before he added Ahona to their group. Because he’d already added everybody else they encountered—at her request, she reminded herself. And maybe he was a little bossy in the bedroom, she thought as she remembered his hand landing on her ass. At the time, she had thought they were playing and found it immensely exciting, but what if he wasn’t playing? What if he thought he had the right to punish her?
She told herself again that she was being ridiculous but the tiny niggling doubt did not completely disappear. It flared up again when Varga returned and joined her in the shower. He was a magnificent sight naked, and her body immediately responded to his presence. Taking the soap from her hand, he washed her with slow, exquisite thoroughness until she was writhing against him.
“Such a demanding female.” He laughed when she reached impatiently for his cock. “Do I need to remind you who’s in charge?”
He squeezed her bottom as he spoke, and she froze. She knew he was teasing, but all her doubts came rushing back. He seemed to notice her sudden tension, because he gave her a concerned frown. “Is something wrong, little bird?”
Her eyes filled with tears. He sounded so concerned, so loving, but what if she was wrong?
“It’s nothing,” she said, but the mood had changed. He finished washing her, then dried her carefully. His cock was still as hard as ever but he made no attempt to initiate anything further. An uneasy silence hung between them as they returned to the main cabin and started to get dressed. As she pulled on one of his tunics, it reminded her that she had absolutely nothing of her