Page 73 of Dark Island: Rescue

"I don't care about the food."

That got his attention. His eyes searched hers. "You are different tonight."

She took a deep breath. This was it. Time to be brave.

"I've been thinking," she started. "About us. About our relationship and where it's going."

Ruvon's expression turned cautious. "Okay."

"And I realized something." Arezoo's hands slid from his shoulders to rest on his chest, feeling his heart pounding beneath her palms. "We are engaged now. There is no reason for me to be holding back."

He looked into her eyes, but instead of the burning desire she'd expected to see, she saw worry on his handsome face.

"I thought that you wanted us to get married first."

"I did." She averted her gaze. "But not because of tradition or what my mother wanted. It was because I was scared."

"Scared of what?"

"You know." She felt her face flush with heat. "My body remembers things my mind manages to suppress. It hadn't been touched with tenderness or even desire. It was touched with cruelty and hate." She swallowed hard. "That Doomer defined what intimacy meant for me, but I will no longer allow that experience to taint what you and I have together."

Pain flashed through Ruvon'seyes. "Arezoo?—"

"Let me finish." She needed to get this out. "I didn't know how to get over that bad experience. In fact, I was afraid that I would never feel real passion for a male. But I've read something recently that exposed me to what was possible in a loving, caring relationship, and I want that with you. I don't want to let that monster steal anything else from me. I don't want to give him that power."

Ruvon's hands came up to frame her face, his touch infinitely gentle. "There is no rush, Arezoo. I told you I'd wait as long as you need, and if you want us to be married first, I'll wait until you are ready to stand in front of the Clan Mother and receive her blessing."

"I know. And that's a big part of why I love you. You're so patient with me, so understanding." Arezoo leaned into his touch. "But I'm tired of waiting. I want..." The words stuck in her throat.

"What do you want?" Ruvon's voice was low, intimate.

"You," she said. "I want more of you."

She was such a coward, afraid to put her needs into words and hoping Ruvon would understand what she meant.

Ruvon went very still. "Are you saying what I think you're saying?"

Arezoo froze.

She wasn't ready for all of it, and Ruvon seemed to think that was what she had asked for. How was she going to explain that she wanted to explore? To slowly learn what gave her pleasure from a male she trusted with her life?

"I want to make love with you." The words cameout in a rush, her cheeks flaming. "Soon, but there is still so much I need to learn, so much you can teach me." Her face was on fire. "I hope I'm not being too forward."

Ruvon kissed her again, cutting off her nervous rambling. This kiss was different from the others—deeper, more possessive, full of barely restrained hunger.

When he pulled back, his eyes were glowing brighter.

"Never hesitate to tell me what you want." His voice was rough with desire. "Arezoo, I've wanted you since the moment I met you, and I'm honored by the trust you have in me. Think of me as your servant. I will do whatever pleases you and stop as soon as you signal that you're uncomfortable."

Tears misted Arezoo's eyes.

He was so good to her, so understanding. The Fates couldn't have chosen a better partner for her.

"I love you," she murmured.

Ruvon studied her face for a long moment, and whatever he saw there must have convinced him because he nodded.

"Let's eat first, though, okay? It will give you time to rethink your proposal."