Caress The Dark God [Scions of the Ankh 2] (Siren Publishing Classic) by Toni L. Meilleur Page B

family, as I got closer to his. Of course, as fate would have it he had known my cousin in high school. Apparently he knew her well beyond high school, because he fathered a child by her while she was still married to someone else.
    Ah, that can be a bit awkward.
    Not as awkward as finding out he fathered another child by her while we were engaged. I didn’t know this at the time, none of it, in fact. You want to know when I found out? Tessa didn’t wait for him to answer . When she crashed my wedding, saying she had left her husband for him and now it was time he owned up. Needless to say, I was devastated and embarrassed.
    Is he the reason you do not like to be called beautiful?
    He called me that all the time. Said I was the most beautiful and only woman he desired. Tessa snorted . I fell for that hook, line and sinker.
    Tessa could feel the bed shift and Torian gently tugged at her until she lay on her back. His dark eyes looked deeply into hers. It is too bad this Roarden could not appreciate the woman that you are, Tessa. But you are beautiful, in that he was accurate.
    It is all men see.
    I am not like the men you have known.
    They all say that.
    What can I do to prove it?
    Can you give me the sun and the moon? Tessa asked jokingly .
    A serious expression came over Torian’s face. In a way, yes . He turned towards the window and Tessa followed his line of sight. Almost immediately the rain stopped and the thunder quieted. The clouds began to roll away and in a matter of seconds, sunlight burst through the window. Tessa sat up in bed and looked from Torian to the window. She had to keep in mind this was just a dream. Even so, it was a damn good one.
    That’s remarkable. How did you do that?
    I control this plane. Though the sun is not real, I can make it real enough.
    Where are we exactly, Torian? I know this is just a dream, but I do not think I’ve ever seen this place to dream it.
    If you believe this to be a dream, then it should matter little where we are. Come.
    Torian rose from the bed and held his hand out to Tessa. She grinned and took it . Where are we going? Torian said nothing as he led her towards the back of the house and then outside. The dirt from the garden under her feet was rich and smelled good. Huge flowers swayed gently as drops of the fallen rain dripped slowly from the petals. She followed his long steps until they came to a round wooden structure. Tessa squealed when she realized what it was. You have a shower outdoors?
    Now I do. He smiled at her. For a second all she could do was look at this handsome man who insisted on invading her dreams . Come. He opened the door and there was nothing but mirrors everywhere. The floor looked to be made of Italian marble. Her nose picked up the scent of sandalwood incense. Various vines crept over the walls of the structure, giving it an almost jungle feel. Some of the plants even sprouted large blossoms that Tessa couldn’t even began to identify.
    This is beautiful.
    I hoped you would like it.
    Tessa watched as he closed the door behind them and automatically the water switched on. The huge, plate-sized showerhead let loose a light, massaging torrent of warm water. Torian turned her around and began to gently stroke her hair, allowing the water to penetrate the thick tresses. His fingers felt so good in her hair. He stopped for a moment and through the mirrors Tessa watched as he plucked a blossom from one of the vines and crushed it in his hands. A beautiful scent began to permeate the air and he began to rub the crushed blossom into her hair. Tessa was astounded to see the blossom produced a thick lather. This had to be the oddest dream she’d ever had.
    As he worked the lather, he massaged her scalp, sending Tessa into a trancelike state. A girl could get used to this. As the lather snaked its way down her body, so did his hands as he rubbed it into her skin, first her shoulders, then his hands cupped her breasts. He began to knead her breasts.