Acting Out by Paulette Oakes Read Free Book Online Page B

real man instead of one of the
masks that the king was forced to wear. She wanted to know more, see more, and
she settled herself several feet away on the bed next to him.
    “I wanted to thank you for allowing me to purchase her. I
was told that they are quite pricey, but I’m afraid I still don’t understand
your monetary systems enough to determine exactly how much I spent today. I
hope I didn’t go overboard. I tried to keep my purchases within a reasonable
limit, but there was just so much to see. The marketplace is amazing! I could
have stayed there all day and still not have seen everything on display,”
Jessica gushed, her excitement from the experience returning to brighten her
expression.
    Korian’s eyes softened and his smile was genuine when he
replied, “You have no need to thank me, Jessica. Not only was it my pleasure to
provide you the means to make you happy, it is also my duty to ensure you have
everything you need or want. Allow me to also put your mind at ease about the
credits spent today. The amount was so little that my secretary chastised me
for being stingy with my guest. I only wish that you had felt free to spend
more. Perhaps I can take you to visit the global market in the city of U’Tira
before you leave. It is only two hours away by hover craft, and their market is
easily three times the size of this one.”
    Jessica reached out to run her finger over the fur of the
animal now lightly snoozing against the king’s neck. She felt unaccountably shy
at the king’s offer, but she agreed readily. “I would like that very much if you
have the time to spare, Korian.”
    His gaze snapped up to spear her to the spot and his voice
was low and full of heat when he replied, “I will make the time for you,
Jessica.”
    Jessica’s cheeks burned and she dropped her gaze, ostensibly
to resume petting her sleeping companion. “I should put her to bed,” she
murmured, changing the subject. “She’s had a long day.”
    Jess slid her hands beneath the warm bundle of fur and tried
not to shiver with reaction at the spark of awareness that flooded her system
when she grazed Korian’s throat. He closed his eyes and tipped his head back to
give her more room, and she had the wild desire to lean down and lick the
column of his throat to see if she could feel his pulse against her tongue.
Instead, she bundled the bimbop against her breasts and carried it over
to a crate and nestled the creature inside the warm, cushioned bed she had
prepared inside it.
    She stalled on returning to the temptation of the man
sitting on her bed and fussed over the sleeping companion until she could no
longer find an excuse to stay away. Instead, she began to pull her purchases
out and show them to Korian, placing distance and false cheer between them, and
even modeled some of the headscarves for his enjoyment. She almost showed him
the dagger hair pin, but she held back with the thought that she wanted to
surprise him with it. Korian was good company, keeping the tone of their
conversation light, and only a brief flash of scorn crossed his face when
Jessica thoughtlessly dropped Zandar’s name, but it disappeared as quickly as
it came as the king politely inquired after the warrior’s good health.
    Before she knew it, an hour and a half had passed while they
chatted and laughed, and Jessica filled him on her exciting day and what she
enjoyed most. Korian was warm and polite, his smiles and laughter genuine, and
Jessica only caught his eyes lingering on her body a few times before he looked
elsewhere.
    Korian stood from the bed and announced, “I fear I have kept
you too late, Jessica. Tomorrow is an important day for us both, and you need
your sleep. I will send Enahara to you tomorrow to help you dress, and my
secretary will meet with you in the morning to go over the agenda for the gala.
Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.”
    Jessica drifted closer to him. She was loathe to see him go
so