Worlds Apart 2: Hunter's Revenge by Bonnie Rose Leigh Page A

basked in the tranquil setting.   Scattered around in an almost haphazard fashion were flowering bushes with pink and orange blossoms. Between the benches were statues of men and women in various sexual poses, all undressed.
    Even though the whole clearing screamed it was here for sex, for mating, a sense of peace and tranquility washed over her. It was as though she belonged here and someone, something, was welcoming her home.
    Something about the turquoise water of the shimmering pool called to some part of her, something deep within her and she had the overwhelming urge to strip and walk into its soothing depths.
    She turned to look at Hunter. “Can I wade into the pool? Something within me needs to wade, to swim in these waters. Can I?”
    He took her hands in his, bending to kiss them. “Tonight, moya , listen to your instincts in all things. If you wish to bathe, by all means, bathe. If you wish me to join you, you need only to voice your request.”
    He turned around, facing the other direction. “I shall even look the other way as you undress if it makes you more comfortable. Remove your clothing and let the waters of the Goddess wash your tensions away. This night in the pool is your night. If you wish to complete the bond, you merely need to direct me to your wishes. If there is something you wish do to, do it. If there is something you wish to say, say it. In this pool, you are the one in charge.”
    Amy nodded, though he couldn’t see her with his back turned. Quickly, she stripped from her clothing and waded into the pool until the water covered her breasts. Something about being in the pool both relaxed and rejuvenated her. Still, something wasn’t quite right. It was though a part of her was missing.
    Invite him into the pool, Amy. It is your destiny—and his. He will not harm you. In fact he loves you so much already that to harm you would be to harm himself . Invite him into the pool and greet your destiny.
    Amy licked her lips, nervous. What if he hurts me? With the others it always hurt. Fear gripped her at what she was about to do, about to allow. How do you ignore an instruction from the Goddess herself?
    He will not. The mate bonds make it easy to know your fears, your feelings. As soon as you complete the ritual, he will know exactly what to do to please you. Show him he is mated to a strong woman who will face her fears rather than run from them. Reach out to him and offer to wash him, comfort him.
    Amy looked away and made her offer, unable to watch as he undressed. “Will you join me in the pool, Hunter?”
    It didn’t take long to receive his answer. She heard the unmistakable whisper of his zipper as he shrugged out of his uniform and the rustle of the material landing at his feet.
    She turned to look at him when she was sure that he was in the water deep enough to cover the part of him that frightened her, then realized she hadn’t waited quite long enough.
    He was so tall his hips were still above the water. That part of him she’d hoped to miss, jutted up from a nest of red-gold hair, a drop of clear fluid at its tip. She felt his need to be inside her, to feel her lips wrapped around his shaft. Her face burned at the thought. For now, she’d do as the Goddess suggested and offer to wash him.
    Strangely, she wanted to bathe him with her own hands, feel his flesh beneath her fingers. She could almost feel the rippling of his muscles beneath her fingertips already.
    He moved deeper into the pool, covering that part of him that made her so nervous. For a fleeting moment, she wondered if the waters were drugged some how, but the slight shake of his head told her no. What was happening to her? She actually wanted to seduce this man, to feel his hands and lips on her skin. Why him when so many others had made her shudder with revulsion?
    Remembering the TV shows she’d watched on Earth and how the other women seduced their mates, she used that knowledge to bring Hunter closer.
    She had no