[Atlantean's Quest 02] Exodus (17 page)

“I am not.”

“Then what are you going to do with that?” Jac pointed to the red liquid.

Ares smiled and lifted what looked like a paintbrush and began dipping it into the dye.

“Ares, I asked you a question…”

His eyes flashed with pure devilry. “And I’m about to give you your answer.”

Chapter Eleven

Ares raised the brush that was dripping with red liquid, to Jac’s nipple. The scrape of the bristles caused her areola to pucker. She held her breath as he circled the turgid peak until it had been thoroughly saturated in dye. Jac glanced down—her tit looked engorged. He proceeded to paint the other, lingering on the tip long enough to evoke her passion. She felt her pussy flood, drenching her inner lips.

Jac groaned and tried to catch her breath. “Is all this necessary, when I’m going to be clothed?”

The carnal look Ares gave her told Jac without words there was no doubt he was up to something.

But Jac would be damned if she could figure out what. She let him finish, before asking again. “You’ve ripped up my clothes, so what am I supposed to wear in the meantime?”

Ares dipped a brush in a clear fluid, rinsing the dye away. His hand moved up and down, then side to side. He didn’t turn or even give a glimmer of acknowledgement, acting instead as if he hadn’t heard her at all.

She looked around the hut. Jac supposed with his help she could create some kind of toga out of one of the furs on the bed. She could always wrap a scarf around her waist to hold the thing in place, but of course that hadn’t worked earlier.

Ares put the brush down and sealed the containers. He walked to the hidden compartment and placed them inside. Before he turned back to Jac, she saw him pull jade colored material from the inside and then close the door. He walked back to her, his hand encasing the item. When Ares stood before Jac he held out the cloth.

Jac looked at it and frowned. The color was beautiful, but seemed of little use to her. “What do you want me to do with that?”

“I wish you to wear it.”

She stared at the scrap of material, then looked up at Ares. “On what, my head?”

He snorted, his eyes never leaving Jac’s face. “’Tis a skirt.”

Jac took it from his hands and examined it. “Where’s the shirt?”

He grinned again.

The skin on the back of Jac’s scalp prickled, tightening to the point of pain. Surely he joked. She ran her hand over the skirt and it appeared to change color in the low light of the fire pot.

“No, I mean it.” She tilted her head. “Where’s the rest of the outfit? You can’t expect me to run around half naked like the other women here.”

“’Tis all you need.” Ares laughed. “’Tis all you’ll ever need, in Atlantean society.”

“Yeah, well therein lies the problem.” She moved her hands to her slim hips. “I’m not part of this society. I’m a New Yorker. We don’t wear anything out of season.” Jac shook her head. “Hell, we don’t wear much that isn’t black, so…” She handed the skirt back to Ares. “This isn’t going to work for me.”

He took it, running his palms over the material. It instantly turned black and then handed it back to her.

“Fine. Now if you can produce a top, we’ll be set.”

“Nay.” He shook his head. “’Tis disrespectful in the eyes of
our
society.”

Jac’s jaw set. “Screw your society. I’m not going anywhere without a shirt.”

His eyes hardened. “Then you go nowhere.”

By the tone of his voice, Jac could tell he wasn’t bluffing.
Damn him
. She glanced down at the sheer black skirt in her hands. She didn’t have anything against nudity, per se. Hell, she’d been to nudist beaches before, but this was different. These people were different. They didn’t view toplessness as anything unusual, but with the challenge going on, the thought of being semi-nude left her feeling at a distinct disadvantage. What if she ran into Coridan? And how in the hell was she supposed to kick major ass in a skirt?

Just as quickly as the thought entered her mind, Jac began to formulate a plan. If Ares was set on her going topless, then she’d make sure he was as uncomfortable as her. Jac planted the sweetest smile on her face that she could muster, then slipped the skirt on. She sashayed across the floor, adding a little more swing than her hips naturally had. She turned in time to see Ares’s expression change from stubbornness to hunger.

Oh yeah, this might be fun after all.

“Lead the way, I’ll follow.” She smiled again, looking forward to the torture to come.

Ares led Jac through the jungle, careful not to let her trip on the lianas. She looked particularly seductive with her nipples rouged and her tattoo marking her. She thought it to be temporary, but he knew better.

The gleam in her blue eyes held nothing but mischief. There was no way he could predict her next move, only anticipate it coming. Ares chose not to read her mind, even though he could easily do so. He wanted her to trust him and that wouldn’t happen if he continued to violate her privacy. Ares blew out a steadying breath, then pushed the last fern aside, so she could step into the compound. Jac hesitated but a moment, then walked on, head held high.

Rachel and Eros sat at the head of the feasting table. The rest of the tribe was seated along the sides. The table was surrounded by lit torches, illuminating the evening meal. They raised their heads when Ares entered the area, but said nothing. Ares did not miss the surprise, lighting their eyes. He led Jac over to the banquet and seated her near Rachel.

“You look fantastic. Is Ares treating you all right?” Rachel leaned forward and asked.

“Thanks, you could have told me I was going to wind up naked, too.” Rachel’s face flushed under Jac’s sarcasm. Jac bit back a curse, then apologized. “I’m sorry. I get cranky when I’m kept away from all the action in town, you know that.”

Rachel giggled, then shook her head in understanding.

“What else don’t I know?”

Rachel flushed and looked away.

Ares raised a brow at Jac’s question, then looked to Eros.

Has Coridan dined tonight?

Nay my friend.
Eros answered in the preferred Atlantean method.

Ares’s jaw clenched, as his eyes scanned the peripheral of the village. There was no sign of Coridan, but that did not mean he would not arrive. For some reason it disturbed Ares to have the young warrior lay eyes upon Jac in her proper attire. He fisted his hands.

Eros clasped Ares’s forearm.
Sit my friend and break bread with us. It does no good to worry about what is not.

Ares gave Eros a curt nod and sat beside Jac. The material of her skirt brushed against his hard thigh, causing every muscle in his body to go on alert. Five large bowls of fruit had been placed along the center of the table, cups, carved from the huingo fruit, containing mango and banana juice had been poured, ready for consumption. Ares snatched a cup, quickly passing it to Jac, then took one for himself. She acknowledged him with a tilt of her head, but kept talking with Rachel. He ignored the need to capture her attention. He wasn’t ready to share Jac yet, with the rest of the tribe.

The hair on Ares’s nape stood on end, the only warning he got of Coridan’s impending approach. The young warrior stepped from the jungle. His eyes sparked blue fire as they landed on Ares, then moved onto Jac. For a moment his corded body tensed, then Coridan strode forward to join the group, his gaze unwavering from Jac’s lithe body.

Ares gripped the edge of the table, every instinct screaming at him to fell his opponent before Coridan had a chance to take his mate. Jac may not consider herself his mate yet, but in time she would come to accept him…Ares hoped. He watched as Coridan made his way around the table, positioning himself next to Rachel. Coridan dropped to his knees beside her chair and greeted her in traditional Atlantean fashion, pressing his lips to each of her nipples, before standing to take a seat.

From Coridan’s position he had an unimpeded view of Jac’s pert breasts. Her puckered nipples stood out daringly, since Ares had applied the red dye. Ares felt the wood beneath his fingertips begin to splinter. Coridan’s gaze had not left Jac’s creamy peaks since he’d joined them. Ares shoved a glass of banana juice toward Coridan, almost upending it in his lap. The young warrior caught the cup at the last second, a taunting smile plastered on his golden face.

Ares cursed under his breath and brought his hands down to his sides. His knuckles accidentally brushed Jac’s leg, causing her to jump. He didn’t miss her quick intake of breath or the way her pupils dilated in response. The past few days had gone better than he’d expected. They’d grown so attuned with each other’s needs and wants that words were no longer needed.

Ares had memorized every inch of Jac’s pale white skin, long legs, and tantalizing lips. With a scrape here and a nip there he could have her coming for him within a matter of minutes. Her responsiveness had been a gift from the great goddess. She’d seen fit to send him a warrior woman to stand proudly by his side. He could ask for nothing more.

Ares sought out Coridan’s gaze. When he had the young warrior’s attention Ares let his lip curl back into a sinister smile, a subtle warning letting Coridan know, that in no uncertain terms would he surrender what was rightfully his. And Jac was his, whether she believed it or not. Coridan acknowledged Ares with a slight jerk of his head, but he didn’t look away, in fact he intensified his gaze, allowed it to harden, sending a direct challenge right back.

“Come Coridan, eat.” Eros pointed to a seat further down the table.

“Thank you, my King.” Coridan’s words were clipped, as he reached for some fruit and began to eat. His aqua gaze strayed back to Jac again and again.

Jac glanced sideways. Ares’s concentration centered on Coridan, his face hardened into a mask of undisguised fury. He was
jealous
. She shook her head and tucked that bit of information away for later use. His distraction would give her time to ask Rachel a few questions.

“Do you have any idea what these markings mean?” Jac whispered.

Rachel chewed on her lip. “I noticed them when you approached, but I’ve never seen tattooing in this tribe.” She glanced from side to side, then leaned closer. “It’s common in other peoples, but not Atlanteans as far as I’ve seen.”

“I tried to smudge one of the symbols with my thumb, but it didn’t budge.”

Rachel looked worried.

“What is it? What aren’t you telling me?”

“You promise not to get mad?”

Jac shook her head. “No.”

Rachel took a breath and let it out. “Fair enough. I think the markings are permanent.”

“What?” Jac’s voice rose, drawing everyone’s attention to her. “You’ve got to be shitting me.”

Rachel’s eyes bugged out of her head as she mouthed for Jac to shut up.

The meal continued in silence and eventually drew to a close, a fire crackled and blazed in the center of the compound. The stars were starting to poke their twinkling heads out from behind the canopy of trees. Locusts droned and rasped, lending song to the hushed jungle. The Atlanteans broke off into various groups, positioning themselves around the growing flame. They told stories and jokes, like children do when they’re sitting around a campfire.

Jac took in the simplicity of the sight. Something inside her swelled and threatened to burst. She didn’t like Hallmark moments or anything else that brought out sentimentality, but for a few minutes she gave herself permission to just sit back and enjoy the company. Feast her senses on the night.

Rachel had been of little help when it came to explaining the markings Ares had put on Jac’s body. With tattooing not being a common sight in the tribe, that explained why so many curious eyes sought her out.

“I’m the freak in the freak show,” Jac murmured to herself and laughed.

She tried to ignore the stares, but it was rather like attempting to ignore a buzzing mosquito in the dead of night. No matter what you did, you still heard him. Ares had made his way over to Eros’s side. Their heads were together like co-conspirators, planning their next caper. Coridan sat alone, off to the side, away from the group, staring in her direction. She really couldn’t tell if he looked at her or watched the flames. Jac glanced over her shoulder to make sure Ares remained engrossed, then made her way to the other side of the fire.

As she approached, Coridan rose to his knees and grabbed her hips. His fingers were light upon her skin, yet his grip was unbreakable. His eyes glanced to the tattoo around her waist, then grew dark for a moment, before returning to their natural fire. Jac knew what he was about to do, but couldn’t keep her body from flinching under his touch. Coridan’s lips were firm as they latched onto her left nipple. From what Jac could gather, there only should have been kissing, but what Coridan did, went far beyond that. He swirled his tongue around her areola, bringing it to point. His white teeth flashed into a devilish smile the second before he nipped her.

Jac bit back a groan, but her stomach rolled as if his touch were repulsive.

With an unhurried slowness he moved to her other nipple. He waited for a hairsbreadth, before dropping upon her pink bud. Jac’s body responded eagerly. His lips enclosed, sucking in the protruding nubbin, teasing, tasting, and longing for more. She fought the urge to push him away. The voices around them died out. Jac glanced around in time to see everyone staring at them. She felt heat rise in her face. Her eyes immediately sought Ares. Muscles tense, hands fisted, his jaw set, he glared at her, fire shooting from his jade eyes, singeing her to her toes.

Jac gulped, but met his gaze straight on. She gave him a bright smile, then allowed Coridan to pull her to the ground, until she sat beside him. She watched as Eros placed a hand on Ares’s shoulder preventing him from joining her and Coridan. Jac let out an uneasy breath, then turned to face Coridan. Chest tight, heart racing, she proceeded with her plan. She had to let Ares know he didn’t own her. She belonged to no man. In the end it would make it easier to walk away…at least she hoped.

“So,” Jac tilted her head and glanced up into Coridan’s aqua eyes. “How goes the challenge?”