The Swords of Gregara - Jenala, a sci-fi romance by Cynthia Woolf Read Free Book Online Page B

taken aback.   He wanted her, not her mine.   He admired her.   Didn’t think her odd for taking on a man’s work or learning a man’s skill.   And she was very attracted to him, but marry him?
    “I’m flattered but—“ she tried to pull her hands away from his.   She couldn’t think straight, when he was touching her like this.   She hadn’t felt this way when he changed her bandages.   Was that because all she could feel then was pain?   But now, there were no bandages, the pain was gone and he was touching her.   His thumb worried small circles into her palm.   Around and around.   Her breath rose and fell with each tiny revolution.   There was a stirring in her core.   Attraction.   Sexual attraction.   It ran through her like fire from the little circles on her palms to the moisture she now felt between her legs.   Krios!
    “Don’t say no yet.   As you said, we have all winter.”   He raised his hand to her cheek and gently caressed it.
    “I can’t…” she resisted.
    “You can,” he moved in closer, his breath, sweet and clean on her lips.
    “But,”
    “No buts,” his lips met hers, quashing any arguments she had.  
    All thought flew from her mind and the only thing she wanted was to get closer.   She wrapped her arms around his neck, then he broke the kiss.
    “My sweet, Jenala.   You tempt me woman.   You will say, yes, eventually.   I can wait.”   He walked to his room and shut the door behind him.

 

    Chapter 4

    Days turned into weeks but Zlaten didn’t try to break in again.   They repaired the barn, reusing as much of the wood as possible.   They were able to replace most of the walls and three quarters of the roof, but part it was still open to the sky and the elements.   Lottie had lots of fur and would be fine, but Jenala didn’t like it nonetheless.  
    They took turns at lookout and guard duties for the first week after the attempted break in.    After that, since there were no immediate threats, they relied on the alarm system.   She wondered if Zlaten was still feeling the effects of his first attack and that was why he hadn’t tried again.  
    Santro made no attempts to kiss her and they didn’t talk about marriage.   Jenala was beginning to think she’d imagined the whole thing.   Santro was kind, gentle and polite but that was all.   In the last two weeks he hadn’t even hinted that he wanted more than friendship.
    It frustrated the hell out of her.    His kiss awakened something deep inside her.   Desire.   She’d never felt it before.   But, she did with him.   She wanted to explore these feelings but how was she to do that without agreeing to marriage?
    Just like all things in her life, she faced this head on.   That morning over their meal she asked him.   “Why haven’t you tried to kiss me again?”
    “I thought you didn’t want my attentions.”
    “That was before.” She suddenly wondered if this was such a good idea after all.
    “Before what?”  
    “Before…you…kissed me.   I liked it.   I felt…something I’ve never felt before I would like to explore it.”
    “The only way I can help you explore your new feelings is if you agree to our marriage.’
    “You realize we would have to go to town to find a theologian?   And we can’t do that because the snow has closed the pass.”
    “I do.   But if you agree to marry me, that is as binding to me as any words said by a stranger.”
    She thought about it before answering.   “I suppose.   I’ve never been known to break my word.   What about you?   Will you keep your word?”
    “Yes, my lady, I keep my word.   It is my bond.   Just so there’s complete understanding, I will say the words that bind me to you.
    “Jenala Delasa, I take you to be my wedded wife.   I will care for you and keep you safe for all the days I live.”
    “Santro Baltin, I…I…I’m scared.   I’ve never contemplated anything like this.   You make me feel so