Choosing Theo: The Clecanian Series Book 1 Victoria Aveline (the giving tree read aloud TXT) 📖

side to side, “I had a nice time. I enjoyed talking to you.” She shot him a coy smile. “I also enjoyed licking you.”

His eyes darkened at that, and he scrubbed a hand over his jaw.

“I decided I’m done fighting with you. As time passes and I don’t betray or kill you, you’ll understand I’m not a spy. So instead of arguing with you about it and driving myself crazy, I’m just going to try and enjoy myself.”

She felt an amused thrill go through her at the flash of panic that crossed over his face.

“And how, exactly, do you intend to enjoy yourself?”

She grinned. “Let’s just say I’m not opposed to our weekly bath time anymore.”

Theo swallowed then turned to grab a mott from a low refrigerated compartment.

“Except for next week, that is,” Jade said.

“Next week?” Theo asked after taking a long pull from his bottle.

“Yeah. Asivva explained the custom to me.” Jade grinned innocently. “Instead of a couples’ bath, I get to choose what we do. She called it females’ choice.”

Chapter 26

He was going to throttle Asivva the next time he saw her.

“She said you probably just forgot to mention it.” Jade reached for the bottle of mott, and Theo absently handed it to her. “I wanted to make sure there weren’t any other traditions I didn’t know about. She said those were the only ones.”

He couldn’t deny it now or Jade would figure out that the bathing ritual was a lie. He didn’t think she would, but if she got upset and reported him, he could be in serious trouble.

He had to call Asivva and find out what else she’d told Jade.

Jade studied the bottle of mott. “Do women here typically drink alcohol?”

Realizing he’d given her his bottle on command without thinking, he said, “Yes, but not usually this kind.” He snatched the bottle out of her hand. “It’s very strong.”

She rolled her eyes at him.

How was he going to make it through the next three months? She’d implied she would welcome his advances. It was almost impossible for him to keep his hands off her as it was.

She looked beautiful in her new dress. The silken material clung to her curves, and the neckline dipped low and exposed the tops of her generous creamy breasts.

Her only flaw was that she now smelled different. He’d realized with frustration that she smelled different than before because she was no longer wearing his shirt. His scent wasn’t mingling with her own anymore. When she’d greeted him, it’d taken no small amount of effort to keep from running over to rub himself on her, marking her with his scent.

“I need your help with something,” she said slowly. “But it’s a little embarrassing.”

“I am here to serve, wife,” he said darkly.

She smiled at him. The sight was almost as beautiful as the unguarded smile she’d given him in the bath yesterday when he’d purred.

“After you left last night, I cut myself on a broken tile in the tub.”

Shit, that was his fault. He’d cracked it to keep from touching her.

“It’s in a very uncomfortable and difficult to reach spot. Do you have one of those magic healing sticks around?”

She had been hurt this whole time? “Why didn’t you say anything?” he barked.

She jerked, surprised by his sudden anger. Rather than cowering, she said, “Don’t you yell at me!” In a raised voice, she continued, “Last night you stormed out of the room and it was clear you wanted to be left alone! This morning you left without a word or a way to get a hold of you. I told you about it at the earliest opportunity. It’s not my fault you’ve made yourself scarce.”

Theo flushed. She was right. He had tried to keep his distance from her. “Come with me,” he grated out. He led her to his bedroom but paused before going in. “You wait here.”

She cocked one hip and crossed her arms impatiently but didn’t move to enter his room.

Theo wasn’t embarrassed about his room but he didn’t want even a hint of her scent in here or he’d never be able to sleep again.

He crossed to his bathroom to retrieve the home healing device and when he returned, she was standing in the middle of the room, examining it.

Impossible female! “Don’t you ever listen?”

“I don’t see what all the fuss is about,” she said ignoring his question. “This is a great room. I wouldn’t have pegged you for a soft-and-fluffy type of guy though,” she said, running her hands over one of his fur pillows.

“I like to be comfortable,” he said defensively.

Jade leaned down to pet the fur rug, perfectly displaying her heart-shaped ass.

He felt himself growing hard. Those curves of hers aren’t fair. How am I supposed to resist? His hand itched to touch her and he found himself taking a step forward despite his inner protests. “As I told you before,” he said, clenching his fists, “I enjoy soft things.”

She turned her head and smiled when she caught him ogling her. He quickly glanced away.

“No need to be shy,” she said, sauntering over to him. “That’s where my cut is.”

“What?” Theo said, transfixed by her swaying hips.

“I cut the back of my upper thigh when I tried to sit on the bench. I can’t reach or see that area easily.”

As her words sank in, his shaft shot hard. How high is the cut? Would he get a glimpse of her stunning ass if he helped her?

He started to back away from her. “Maybe I should get Asivva to come and assist you.”

“Don’t be silly.” She continued stalking toward him with a mischievous smirk on her face. “You’re my husband. It’ll only take a second to heal.”

Her smile told Theo that she understood how she was affecting him. His anger began to rise.

Was she trying to get him to let down his guard because she was in his room? His office was next door, but there would be no way for her to access any