Page 109 of Dark Awakening: Hidden Currents

She chuckled. "If your and Morelle's sex education in the temple was based on the Kra-ell customs, I wouldn't be surprised if it was your choice to become a celibate priest."

"It wasn't my choice, but if I was given one, perhaps I would have chosen celibacy over being mauled by a ferocious she-beast."

Jasmine laughed. "I wonder what Jade would have to say about being called that."

He pretended horror. "I would never dare say that to her face."

Jasmine shrugged. "Maybe she would find it funny."

"Jade doesn't seem to have a sense of humor. She's a warrior."

A playful smile lifted Jasmine's well-kissed lips. "You are her prince, and she said something about being duty-bound toprotect you. I think you could say anything you want to her, and she would bow her head respectfully."

He hadn't known that. "I need to speak with her to learn more about my past, but once again, I forgot to ask Kian to arrange a meeting."

"No worries. You are getting a phone and a laptop, so you can call her yourself anytime you want. I'll show you how to do that. I'll also show you how to use a laptop, but I don't think either device will come programmed with Kra-ell, so you might have to learn English first. I'll help you with that, too."

Ell-rom felt his heart swell with emotion. He pulled Jasmine close again, burying his face in her hair, breathing in her familiar scent. "I don't know what I did to deserve you," he murmured.

Jasmine's arms tightened around him. "You're you. That's more than enough." She kissed him lightly and then untangled herself from his embrace. "Come on." She pushed to her feet. "Let's get into bed and just lie down together. It's too early to go to sleep, but I know that you are exhausted."

He was, but he didn't want to sleep.

They settled onto the bed, Jasmine curling into his side, her head resting on his chest. He wrapped his arm around her, enjoying how perfectly they fit together.

78

JASMINE

Jasmine rested her head on Ell-rom's chest and listened to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. The warmth of his body and the gentle rise and fall were soothing, but the current of awareness that still hummed through her veins kept sleep at bay.

She had known that he wasn't ready, but a small part of her had hoped for a miracle and that tonight Ell-rom would finally bite her.

She'd sensed his hesitation and had no problem with waiting however long it took him to get over his aversion, but in the meantime, they could make love as many times as they could manage on any given day.

The problem was that Ell-rom was not on board with that, and it wasn't because he suffered from low libido and didn't find her sexy enough.

He was just scared.

"Can't sleep?" Ell-rom's hand began to move, tracing lazy patterns on her back.

The simple touch sent shivers down Jasmine's spine, the good kind that translated into tingles in all the right places, and as she tilted her head, Ell-rom's gaze met hers in the dim light of their bedroom.

Love and need took on a ferocious gleam in his eyes, the hunger in them matching her own. Without a word, Jasmine shifted, bringing her lips to his.

He cupped the back of her head, taking over the kiss.

Jasmine liked the unexpected dominance and confidence he was suddenly displaying, and she had a feeling that this was the true Ell-rom, the one that she'd caught fleeting glimpses of before but who had hesitated to come out because he feared hurting her.

Her hands began to explore. Tracing the contours of Ell-rom's chest, she marveled at the play of lean muscles beneath her fingers. He was still very slim, and his ribs were still too prominent, but he was starting to fill out.

She loved his long, lean body, and she loved the way he responded to her touch, his breath hitching and his body leaning into every caress.

Ell-rom's hands were not idle either. They roamed over her back and her sides, leaving trails of fire in their wake. When his fingers brushed the sensitive skin at her waist, just under the hem of her shirt, Jasmine moaned in anticipation.

Ell-rom grew bolder and slipped his hand under her shirt, palm flattening against the small of her back, pulling her closer.

Jasmine arched into him and nipped gently at his lower lip, reveling in the low growl that rumbled in his chest in response.She could feel his arousal pressing against her thigh, matching the ache building in her core.