Love's Beguiling Healer Read online

  Illam pinned her with a direct look. “Be honest, Tera. Would you tell your father when you had your first sexual encounter?"

  "Well, I...” Tera faltered, her cheeks reddening.

  Illam leaned forward. “Or is it common practice among the Argons to sleep with others outside of marriage or bindings?"

  "Of course it isn't common, we take our vows seriously! Only the uncommitted are free to sleep with others."

  "So, are you?"

  "Am I what?"

  "A virgin.” Surprised that he wanted to know, Illam was even more surprised that he'd asked.

  Those luscious lips pinched together, and Tera stiffened her shoulders. “Back to your species. The females and males mature at sixteen, and can choose have sexual relations before ... what did you call it? Binding?"

  Disappointed that she chose to ignore his question, Illam settled back against the sofa. “Yes. It's a form of your marriage."

  "Okay. We'll go into that later."

  "It might have some bearing in the mating now."

  "Then we'll bring it up when we come to it.” She glanced up from where she was reading something on the data collector. “We haven't come to it yet, have we?"

  "Depends where we are on the mating issue.” He raised his brow in polite query.

  Drawing a deep breath, she almost hissed, “Never mind. Now, what happens to cause the male and female to bind? Mate. Whatever."

  "There's only one thing, Tera. Not whatever.” He grinned hugely.

  "Just tell me."

  "Fine.” Illam settled himself back more comfortably in the sofa. “The female is only in a true heat phase two or three times in her lifetime. During this time, she is fertile. When the female starts to come into heat, she lets off a scent, an alert to her mate that her time is coming. He takes her away from the rest of the clan, and spends her heat phase with her."

  "What happens during this heat phase?” Tera leaned her elbow on the table, her eyes full of interest.

  "Basically, the female is not yet ready to mate. This is hard on the male, but he knows that her body isn't ready. Her moods are unpredictable at this time, and she becomes in turn loving, snarling, irritable and seductive.” Warming to the theme, Illam's eyes half closed as he watched Tera rest her chin on her hand in rapt attention. She had a cute, determined, little chin. I wouldn't mind giving it a nip. “There are times she will be in the throes of passion, and it is the male's duty to ease her during these times."

  "Ease her?"

  "You'd call it masturbation, to bring on a climax. We call it easing."

  Was it his imagination, or was the cabin becoming warmer?

  "Oh.” Her gaze never wavered from his face. “What else?"

  "At this time, the female can become submissive and dominant in turn."

  "Submissive is when she lets the male ... ease her?"

  "Yes. Dominant is when she brings the male to climax."

  "How?” Rapt, Tera's eyes were unbelievably bright.

  "She pleasures him with her mouth.” Illam's voice was husky, and he unconsciously kneaded the top of the backrest where his hand rested.

  "That's enough to bring him to climax?"

  "There's foreplay, Tera.” Illam's voice lowered. “But the mouth pleasuring has other significance."

  "Oh?"

  "When the males climaxes, she takes his seed inside herself. Taking the male's essence deep inside her establishes a mind bond."

  "Mind reading?"

  "No. They will be able to establish contact in times of dire circumstances."

  "Fascinating.” Tera nodded. “And how does the male and female know they will be mates? How does the female choose? Is the beginning of the heat phase the decision time to choose the one she wants to bind with?"

  "They may be attracted to each other before, but her scent alerts the male that she is meant for him.” Illam slid his ankle off his opposite knee and stretched his legs out before him. “Her scent alerts everyone that she is coming into her heat phase, but it alerts her nature-bonded mate, too."

  "Nature-bonded?"

  "There is no other way to describe it except falling in love. The nature-bond is only recognized when the Felys reach their sexual maturity."

  "Immediately?” Tera's brow arched quizzically.

  "We're not like other species, Tera.” Illam's gaze swept over her. “You must remember that. Accept it."

  "You're right.” Taking a deep breath, she tore her gaze from Illam and checked her data collector.

  It gave Illam the chance to study her with renewed interest. The talk of mating and heat phases was surprisingly titillating. When he'd learnt about it in the clan teaching, it had been so cut and dried. Teaching Tera made it all seem so much more ... real.

  Her high cheekbones held a touch of pink, and her lips glistened as she moistened them with her tongue. Soft breasts rose and fell in deep, even breaths. Her long legs shifted restlessly. Those legs were made to wrap around a man's waist while—

  Illam's eyes snapped upward as Tera turned to face him again. Get a grip! Yeah, I'd like to. A grip behind both those knees as I tilt her up to—no! No, no, no! Hormones down! By God, I need a cold shower, and I hate cold showers!

  "Illam?” Concerned, Tera leaned forward. “Are you sure you're all right? Your jaw is clenched."

  "Really?” He ground out from between clenched teeth. “I have no idea why."

  "Do you want to stop?"

  "Maybe that would be best."

  "I can ask Denyon for someone else to talk to about this and—"

  Someone else? Someone else discuss mating with Tera? Not bloody likely! It's bad enough I'm practically drooling at her feet. There's no way another male is getting near her with this conversation! “Continue."

  "But you said—"

  "Forget I said anything.” Lithely getting to his feet, he started prowling around the cabin. “Continue."

  "Are you—"

  "Yes!” He snarled, before catching himself and quickly adding, “Please."

  "All right,” she said slowly, dragging the word out. Turning in her seat to watch him prowl the cabin, she asked, “So when does the male know that the female is ready to mate?"

  "The mating can be dangerous.” Pushing the curtain back, Illam looked unseeingly out at the stars passing beyond the space shield. “The female has been known to claw and scratch if the male attempts to take over too quickly."

  "So how does he know when the time is right?"

  "The male allows her dominance. He sees to her pleasure, allows her to lead and dictate, until she shows her readiness by submission.” Illam's nails dug into the velvet curtain as the image of a female showing her submission came to him.

  "How does she show her readiness?” Tera repeated again.

  "She'll tease him. She'll lead him on until he's near on insane with desire. But he'll hold back. He has to.” Heat pooled in Illam's groin. The woman in his vision had brunette hair. Teasing him, her undulating body on the satin sheets.

  "Because she's dangerous?"

  "Yes.” Oh, Jocat, yes.

  "So—"

  "She'll writhe on the bed, she'll rub against him, she'll cast him coy looks...” Crystal blue eyes cast him coy looks over a shapely, pale shoulder. “She'll make him so hard with desire, he'll feel like he's bursting. But he'll wait ... he'll wait..."

  "He'll let her play?"

  "Love play. She'll nip. She'll suck.” His breath caught. Luscious lips closing on his skin, sucking, biting ... closing over the end of his aching staff...

  "Wow.” Tera's voice sounded closer. “And then?"

  "Then she'll give her back to him...” His fantasy female rolled onto her stomach, those crystal blue eyes pleading at him over her shoulder...

  "And...?"

  "She'll roll onto her stomach, and the male can mount her.” Nostrils flaring, Illam drew a deep breath. “Now he's the dominant one. She's still aggressive. She'll even cry out when he first plunges deep—”
his fantasy writhed, her brunette hair spilling back over her shoulders as she arched in ecstasy, while he plunged deep and deeper still “—but he'll keep going, because he can't stop now. If he does, she'll tear him apart. This first entrance to her body is crucial."

  "Because of her fertility?"

  "Because of nature. He sinks his teeth into her shoulder to hold on. He rides her hard.” Illam distantly heard the sound of fabric tearing and knew he'd slitted part of the curtain with his nails. Letting it go, he drew a deep breath, trying to ground himself in reality.

  "So the whole mating is dangerous?"

  "Not all of it, no. Just the initial stage."

  "Then that's it?"

  "No. The female is insatiable. She'll need to be mated over and over. Roughly, gently, furiously.” Just like I want to do to you. “Until she's had enough. Until she's sated."

  "And the male can continue to fulfill her desires?"

  "It's nature. He can and will do it."

  Tera's voice was a little breathless. “And then?"

  "They'll mate often, resting in-between. But the initial mating frenzy will produce a litter of Felys kits."

  "Does the bonded couple enjoy sexual relations afterwards?"

  "Oh yes. It might not be the frenzy of the heat phase, but it's ... indescribable."

  "Is it different?"

  "Sexual relations between a couple depend on each couple.” Turning around, Illam looked directly at Tera. “It's individual."

  They stared at each other for several long seconds. Illam knew his eyes were glowing. Glowing with arousal. He silently cursed the dead giveaway. Maybe she wouldn't know what the glow meant, maybe Lysie hadn't told her that much, maybe—No such luck, damn it.

  Looking flustered for the first time since the conversation had started, Tera cleared her throat and crossed the cabin to stand near the rail. She was clearly seeking a diversion.

  He watched her every step, measuring her progress, noting her movements. The curl that danced beside her cheek, the brush of her ponytail against the back of her gown, the sway of her hips. The nervous flutter of her fingers before she hid them in the flowing material of her gown. Her trim ankles.

  Illam could practically smell her nervousness, and her spicy sweet scent hit him hard. He inhaled deeply, his eyes narrowing as he surveyed her, his gaze going from her trim figure to the rail above her head. I so want to bite you, little healer. The feral in him rose and yowled hungrily.

  "So, this rail...” Tera cleared her throat again. “Denyon said they're used for mating."

  Noiselessly, Illam stalked her unsuspectingly across the cabin. Her scent called to him, enticing him.

  "Do you use the rail during the heat phase? Or is it—” Her voice ended on a gasp as Illam suddenly grabbed her each side of her waist and lifted her up on the step. “Illam! What are you doing?"

  "Grab the rail,” he rasped.

  "What?” Glancing back at him over her shoulder, she froze. She was now only just below eye level with him.

  Still holding her waist, he repeated, “Grab the rail."

  "Illam, I don't think this is wise. I—"

  A growl rumbled from his throat, and he knew she'd glimpsed the feral in his expression when her own eyes widened. Letting go of her waist, he grabbed her hands in his, reached up, and slid her hands over the rail.

  With her arms raised up, she had to turn forward, and she titled her head back to stare up at their hands.

  "Now hold on.” His voice was gravelly. Deep. Almost alien even to himself.

  Releasing her hands, he ensured that she maintained her grip on the rail. Then slowly he started to slide his hands down her arms.

  Leaning into her, he inhaled deeply of her scent. Her hair tickled his nose, and he rubbed the side of his face against the silken tresses. Warmth blossomed through him, and he purred, low and deep.

  His hands reached her shoulders, and he slid them down her side, pausing near her breasts before moving lower. Placing his hands on her stomach, he spread his fingers, then started to knead gently.

  Delcat, even though she's trim, she's also soft. Soft and sweet and spicy.

  He purred louder, enjoying the sensation of his fingers on her body.

  "Illam,” her words were shaky. Breathless. “What are you doing?"

  "Showing you the rail. Showing you how good it can be.” He nuzzled into her hair. “Now do as I say, makit." The pet name rolled from his lips on a throaty purr.

  She shifted, her soft curves rubbing against him. Her rounded bottom pressed against his erection, and he lifted his lips in a silent snarl of approval. The predator in him moved restlessly. Demanding more.

  In a smooth motion Illam leaned over her shoulder to rub his cheek against hers. Angling more, he slid the corner of his mouth against her cheek, drawing back to move lower and do the same along her jaw line.

  "What are you doing?’ she whispered, her hands clenching the rail until her knuckles were white.

  Marking you with my scent. He lowered his lips to the elegant length of her throat and nipped the pulse that beat within so erratically. The curve of the join from her neck to her shoulder beckoned, and he started to lower his mouth, almost feeling the sweet flesh between his teeth before he'd even got close.

  "How's the sex class going, Tera?” Wylin asked cheerfully.

  "Huh?” Tera replied dreamily.

  Illam snarled, his head snapping up. He looked over his shoulder, but the cabin remained empty.

  "Tera?” Wylin's voice came again.

  "Bloody hell!” Tera swore, and let go of the rail.

  Where was the Argon? Illam snarled again, his gaze snapping around the cabin. He'd kill him for interrupting the mating. For—

  "Get off me, you fur-ball!” Tera elbowed Illam hard in the stomach.

  The pain combined with the insult helped to break through Illam's aroused senses. With a grunt of pain, he stepped back, one hand on his stomach.

  The color high on her cheeks, Tera glared at him. “What the hell was that about?"

  He squinted up at her warily, half expecting her to swipe at him with her nails. Only her nails were sensibly short, so they wouldn't do much damage. Maybe.

  "I don't know what you're playing at, Felys, but you're not amusing yourself with me!” Storming across the cabin, she grabbed the data collector then swung around to glare at him once more.

  He couldn't help but notice that her nipples were straining against her bodice, and that those enigmatic eyes of hers held a bright light. He could almost smell her own arousal, one she was denying now.

  "Stop staring at my chest,” Tera ground out. “And get out!"

  Illam straightened slowly. One thing he didn't feel was ashamed. Now shock, yes, he felt that. Shock because he shouldn't have felt anything for her. It has to be because she's a female. A beautiful one. But he supposed he should say something.

  "I could eat you.” Shit! Not that, you wally! “I mean, I won't apologize for what is a perfectly normal reaction of a male for a female."

  "I'm not one of your females!” She was almost yelling now.

  "But damn, you're sweet.” What the hell was wrong with him? His voice was still husky, his hormones still churning. His staff throbbing. And he wasn't saying what he should be saying to appease this termagant, who was swearing at him now.

  "Get out and don't come back!” Tera pointed at the door. “You touch me once more, and I'll castrate you!"

  Well, that certainly took the lead out of his pencil. His manhood deflated like a balloon with a puncture. That was one of the worst insults she could have said to him. His ears flattened against his head.

  Striding across the cabin, he gave her a blazing look out of his eyes and snarled, “Don't worry, Argon. I wouldn't touch you by the length of a tail now!"

  With a twitch of his gluteus maximus, he stormed out of the cabin. Slamming the door behind him, he turned to see three of his Felys friends standing a little further down the corridor,
all of them grinning like loons.

  "Had your claws clipped, Illam?” chortled Sama.

  "Phew, that's a nasty threat, Illam!” Aras sniggered.

  "You better tame that pretty Argon first if you want a piece of her,” Melar added, his grin revealing his sharp canines.

  Illam didn't just snarl his annoyance, or growl his frustration. He gave a harsh yowl of rage.

  It made his friends back up in surprise.

  "By Delcat, Illam.” Aras held up his hands placatingly. “Steady on."

  "Didn't know it was that serious.” Melar looked at him warily.

  Sama frowned. “Apologies, Rafel."

  Illam growled once more, then turned and stalked back to his own cabin, seeking peace, quiet, and tranquility. Seeking to forget the healer who had made him do things he shouldn't do with any but his own kind.

  She was so cold, she was probably laughing at him right now. The female had no feelings.

  * * * *

  God above, she was on fire! The throbbing between her thighs was something she hadn't felt in a long time. Her heart was thundering, her palms sweating, and her nipples tingling.

  "Tera!” Wylin's voice snapped out of the comm.pin she wore on her gown. “Answer me. Are you all right?"

  Thank God he had called her over the comm.pin, and not walked in on Illam and her! Touching the little switch to activate the communications line, she managed to answer, “Fine. I'm fine, Wylin."

  "Are you alone?” The note of suspicion in Wylin's voice revealed plainly that her lack of replying immediately had aroused his suspicions.

  "Of course I am.” She swallowed and took a fortifying breath. “Illam left awhile ago, and I'm about to start organizing the data I've collected so far."

  "I'll be right there."

  "There's no need, Wylin. I'm fine."

  "Who said I was coming because of that?"

  "I know you."

  "Then you know I'll come regardless."

  The pin went silent, and Tera sighed. She knew he'd clicked off and was on his way. She better try and cool down fast.

  Hurrying into the bathroom, she splashed cold water onto her face and took a drink of water. Throwing her head back, she took several long, deep breaths. Returning to the main cabin, she sat at the table and started to read the data. The mating data.