The Seer (Tellaran Series) by Ariel MacArran Read Free Book Online

second platter when his stunned sense filtered through her ravenous hunger.
    Jolar’s face was white and shocked.
    Mortified, Arissa dropped her gaze and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.
    “Sorry.” Fumbling she grabbed a napkin to clean the sauce from her fingers.
    “No, it’s—” He cleared his throat. “It’s all right. Go ahead and eat, Arissa.”
    Shaky and embarrassed she sat at the table, put a clean napkin on her lap and ducking her head, used the utensils to fill a plate for herself, her cheeks burning.
    He took a seat across from her at the table but took nothing for himself. She kept her head down while she ate.
    She wished he would stop watching her.
    She scraped a plate clean in minutes and she glanced longingly at the serving dishes.
    “It’s all right,” he said quietly. “Take all you want.”
    She tucked a curl behind her ear and filled her plate again.
    “Thank you,” she mumbled when he put a glass of ice water next to her. She took a couple swallows of the water. She finished another plate and only stopped because she couldn’t manage another bite.
    She put her hand to her stomach, shifting a little against the fullness.
    “You okay?” he asked.
    She gave a quick embarrassed smile. “Just ate too much too fast. I haven’t—It’s been a long time since I’ve seen so much food.”
    “Do you want anything else?”
    “I do. I can’t right now.” It took an effort to meet his eyes. “I’m really sorry.”
    “No, I’m sorry. I should have gotten you something hours ago back at the spaceport.” His blue eyes were serious. “Listen, whenever you’re hungry—whenever—you tell me. You can eat whatever we have here any time. If we’re out, I’ll get you something and I’ll make sure you have money to buy food for yourself if I’m not with you. I won’t let you go hungry again. Okay?”
    A rush of tears blurred her vision. “Okay.”
    He searched her face. “I know you must be frightened, wondering why I’ve brought you here.”
    She gave a short laugh. “A full meal and a real bed to sleep in? No vermin, no feeling someone weighing if it’s worth it to rob me or rape me or kill me? You think this is frightening?”
    “Yes, actually I do.” He rubbed his hand over his eyes. “I have a lot to tell you but it’s ship’s afternoon we’ve been up all night already. You look exhausted and I know I am. We should get a few hours sleep at least before we go over it.”
    Arissa’s heart sped up but she could catch no sense that he felt at all awkward about them sharing the bed. Nor did he show any reluctance to strip off his clothes once they were in the bedroom.
    Broad shouldered, Jolar seemed all warm golden skin and muscle. There was glimmer of blond hair over his chest and a darker line below his waist. On either side of his abdomen, the muscles of his groin created a vee before disappearing into his undershorts and her gaze dipped to follow the shape of him under that thin material.
    He already had the blankets thrown back, one knee on the mattress to get into bed when he noticed her standing awkwardly by the door.
    “What’s the matter?” he asked.
    “Nothing.” She found it very hard to look at him.
    And very hard not to.
    “I’m not going to fuck you if that’s what you’re worried about,” he said sharply. He got in bed and pulled up the covers. She stayed where she was and he threw her an impatient look. “I need some sleep and so do you. Get in bed, Arissa.”
    She sensed he wouldn’t hurt her, would never force himself on her. That wasn’t the problem.
    “I don’t—” She crossed her arms over her chest. “I don’t have a nightgown.”
    “So?”
    Her face went hot. She couldn’t just take her clothes off in front of him.
    Could she?
    “Damn it,” Jolar muttered, then louder: “Lights off!”
    The room went dark. Light reflecting from Tellar gave some illumination but barely enough for her to see the way to the bed.
    “There,”