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The following excerpt from THE MASTERS: TARAK is for readers 18 and over.
The Masters: Tarak
Available from Changeling PressBlurb:
When Deva leaves Tarak after a thousand-year marriage, he returns to his master at Sunlight of the Soul and becomes a Master of Ecstasy. Though he hasn't lost his magnetism and skills in the ways of love, his heart is cold without Deva. To his surprise, she follows him to Sunlight of the Soul and asks him to guide her through the sexual gauntlet. Knowing her, he realizes her point might not be to rekindle their love, but to prove that they should make their split permanent.
Even so, he vows that by the end of their night together, she will be begging him to take her back.
Excerpt:
Deva finally arrived at Sunlight of the Soul and went to her room. Her appointment with Tarak began at ten o'clock, and while she could hardly wait to see him, she didn't want to appear too eager.
She took her time preparing. After a long, hot shower, she smoothed scented lotion on her skin. It took a long time to dry her thick, waist-length black hair, but it was one of her best features. Tarak loved her hair, so she left it flowing freely over her shoulders and down her back. She slipped into a gold satin bra, matching panties, and strappy gold high-heeled sandals. She'd painted her toenails and long fingernails burgundy to match the satin robe she slid on and belted at her waist.
Glancing at herself in the mirror, she smiled and drew a deep breath. Now she was ready.
The clock by the bed told her it was five past ten. Perfect.
After dabbing on a bit of perfume, she took the elevator to the third floor. As she'd been instructed, she walked to the room labeled See No Evil. The first chamber of the sexual gantlet.
The faint aroma of rose-scented incense drifted though the crack under the door and she detected the sound of soft flute music.
She cleared her throat and tapped on the door.
Almost immediately it opened and her heart skipped a beat as she faced Tarak. Have mercy, the man still turned her on more than anyone. He was so much taller than her that she had to tilt her head to meet his dark gaze. Lean yet well-muscled, he reminded her of a sleek cat. At the moment he wore only black boots and snug jeans with a sexy tear in the thigh. His broad, dark-skinned chest beckoned her to touch it, but she clenched her hands into fists and forced herself to remain in control.
"You're late," Tarak stated, his deep, husky voice sending a delightful quiver down her spine.
"I wanted to make certain I was presentable."
"You do not keep a Master of Ecstasy waiting," he said curtly.
In spite of her irritation, Deva smiled seductively and took a step closer. "Does that mean you're going to punish me?"
"Be careful, Deva. This is not a game. Once you enter this chamber, you will be under my control and obey my commands. "
"Hmm." She narrowed her eyes, then trailed a fingertip along his taut belly, feeling the muscles ripple beneath her touch. "Sounds like our marriage."
Ignoring her, he continued, "Now is your only chance to leave if you do not intend to conform to the rules." Tarak curled his lip, grasped her hand and removed it from his chest. "I should have known you wouldn't take this seriously."
"All right. I'm sorry." She forced the smile from her face and stood at attention. "I agree to your rules."
He gazed at her for a long moment and her stomach clenched with desire. Tarak's intense dark eyes never failed to seduce her, which was why she'd fled their marriage without talking to him. If she had told him face-to-face that she wanted a separation, he would have given her "the look" and she'd have weakened.
The man had a power over her and by the strong, delicious scent of his arousal and the emotions gleaming in his eyes, she still wielded power over him as well. While she had never doubted their lust -- and love -- for each other, would they be able to come to an agreement and once again live a happy life?
Perhaps she was getting ahead of herself. One step at a time.
He tugged a black silk scarf from the back pocket of his jeans. "This is the Chamber of Darkness. Turn around."
She did as he asked and he fastened the scarf over her eyes, leaving her in darkness. Actually it was better this way. Now she wouldn't have to look at him.
Slowly he unfastened her sash and slid off her robe. His strong, sinewy arms slid around her waist and his chin brushed her shoulder. Damn. This was worse than a look. Her entire body tingled at his touch and her heart beat faster.
"It's strange what six months apart can do, isn't it, Tarak?" she asked softly and placed her hands on his forearms, stroking gently and relishing the feel of his warm flesh. "I feel like we're young again."
"I don't know," he said into her ear, his voice low and husky. "You're much more attractive than the naïve young girl from so long ago."
"I think you preferred the young girl. She was easier to control."
Dropping his hold on her, he sighed in exasperation. "Deva, my first command is there will be no arguments in this chamber."
"I wasn't arguing. I was merely stating --"
"Be quiet and come with me." He grasped her arm and guided her inside, closing the door behind them.
He led her across the room until her feet nudged something soft. "There is a large cushion in front of you. Lie on it."
She knelt and slowly stretched out on her back atop the enormous satin pillow. Beneath the blindfold, she closed her eyes, yet in spite of the soothing music and the intimacy of being blindfolded, she felt anything but relaxed. Filled with lust and anticipation, she couldn't stop her heart from racing. Her clit already buzzed just from Tarak's nearness, and her nipples tightened, pressing against the smooth material of her bra.
"Are you excited?" he asked, unfastening her bra and slipping it off. He snapped her wrists into cuffs embedded in the floor and stroked her legs before removing her panties.
"Do you hope I am?" she asked with a smile.
