Page 8 of Over the Emerald Valley
Baffled, Solon shook his head. “I thought you’d enjoy a night off. Do whatever you wish. I’m in no mood for bed play.”
“You will let me in your bed.” Challenge sparkled in Temaj’s intense brown eyes.
“I won’t.”
“Well, I’m not sleeping on the floor.”
Solon gestured to the door. “You’re free to leave.”
“No.”
“Sun’s rays, why not?”
“You insult me by parading me through the palace naked, then reject my services and evict me from your rooms? Are you trying to make me the laughingstock of the entire harem? Well, I won’t let you. I’m staying.”
“Is that so?”
“Men do not simply kick me out. They keep me all night so they may have me again in the morning, and you will do the same. I’ll not have my reputation ruined because you can’t get it up.” Temaj flung a dismissive wave of his hand toward Solon’s skirt.
Solon’s jaw hung open. “I can get it up just fine, thank you.”
“Prove it.” Temaj eyed his groin.
“What? No. Who are you to demand things from me?”
Temaj shrugged. “Nobody, apparently.” He flopped dramatically onto a green silken lounge, not bothering to close the damned robe.
“Sulk all you like. I meant no offense. I thought you’d be happy.”
“You thought wrong.”
“Why are we arguing?”
“You tell me.” Temaj casually inspected his perfectly manicured fingernails, somehow sounding bored. “I’d rather be fucking.”
“I don’t fuck slaves.”
Silence.
Enough silence Solon regretted his words.
“So that’s it, then.” Temaj lowered his voice and peered at him through dark lashes. “You think I’m beneath you. You find me unworthy.”
The man was impossible. Had Solon actually hurt his feelings? “No, nothing like that.”
“It’s exactly like that.”
“It isn’t if you’d listen. I prefer willing partners, that’s all. It’s not personal. You’re”—Solon gestured to Temaj’s nakedness—“perfectly lovely. In other circumstances, I’d be honored to court you, but I’ve no interest in a man ordered to my bed because he has no other choice in life.”
Temaj stared. Swallowed. Crossed one slender thigh over the other and leaned back against the lounge. “You think me unwilling?”
Solon was questioning all his thoughts on the matter. He let his gaze wander over Temaj’s willowy frame, his smooth, unblemished skin, pert pink nipples, and soft cock resting on the crease between torso and thigh.
Solon wet his lips.
Temaj’s eyes tracked the movement.
“I think you…a temptation that I would be unwise to pursue.”
