Page 42 of Over the Emerald Valley
Solon stiffened. Not intentionally. But Temaj must have noticed because he drew himself up enough to peer down at Solon with scrutiny.
When Solon had first met Temaj, he’d thought the slave was sent to spy on him, to gather information for the viceroy. But now? He no longer suspected that was the case, and yet. How much should he share with a palace concubine?
Could it be a mistake to include Temaj in his plans?
Yes.
Would he risk it anyway?
He wanted to. A profound longing plucked at his heartstrings, urging him to tell Temaj everything. To include him completely. But was that wise?
Temaj’s beautiful tawny brown eyes and that look of concern said he could be trusted.
“I’m here to conduct an audit,” said Solon carefully.
“Numbers and such?” Temaj shrugged this off as unimportant. “But you haven’t finished yet, and you feel, what? Like you should be faster? Well, I, for one, disagree. Please take your time, as I’m in no hurry for you to leave, ever.”
The sentiment brought a smile to Solon’s lips. “I quite like you too, plucky.”
Temaj returned the smile and gave Solon’s cock a little squeeze. “What do you want?”
“Actually.” Solon couldn’t believe he was about to turn down whatever Temaj was offering. If he was making a mistake, so be it. Solon’s instincts were telling him to put his faith in Temaj. He made the leap. “Can we talk? I could use your help.”
“Believe it or not, I can do both at once,” Temaj practically purred as he rose over Solon and straddled his hips.
But Temaj wasn’t hard yet either, and Solon suspected this was more of what hethoughtSolon wanted rather than what he wanted for himself.
“You’re an absolute delight, and I’m a lucky bastard to be in your company, but I think this conversation might be best had out of bed and in our clothes.”
Temaj grew still, swallowed, and looked heartbreakingly unsure of himself.
Solon reached for him, “Awe, plucky, don’t worry. It’s only because you’re a temptation impossible to resist. What we have to speak of is of such importance I can’t afford the distraction, however alluring you may be.”
“And yet you’re resisting me.” Temaj pouted.
“Don’t take it personally.” Solon sat up, jostling Temaj in the process, but grabbing him around the waist before he could flee. “This isn’t true resistance. It’s more of a request to delay my acceptance.”
Temaj returned the embrace and pressed a kiss to his forehead, but his expression still held a fragile hint of vulnerability Solon wished he hadn’t put there.
A diversion might help. “Are you hungry? I can send for breakfast, and we can talk while we eat?”
That perked Temaj up. His eyes brightened, and his usual grin returned. “Ask for the honeyed dates. They’re positively mouth-watering.”
“I will.”
Temaj obligingly climbed off Solon’s lap and made for the washroom, leaving Solon free to stretch and shake out his tingling arm.
He rose, dressed, and sent for the food while Temaj finished his morning ablutions.
Sun streamed through the billowing fabric over the open window. It would be another hot day, but a breeze billowed the curtains. This close to the coast, the air smelled of salt and seawater. A hint of humidity had his hair curling at the ends.
Solon took his turn washing up, and by the time he was finished, the food had arrived.
Temaj arranged the plates on the table in the sitting room and poured from a goblet into two cups. Then he plucked a date drizzled with golden honey and held it to Solon’s lips.
Solon opened, taking the sweet treat and kissing the tips of Temaj’s fingers, which lingered a moment too long to be casual.
Rich and delicious, the date was as mouth-watering as Temaj had promised. The sort of delicacy he’d never eat for breakfast when simple bread and cheese would do, but a nice luxury he wouldn’t soon forget.
