Jasmine woke slowly, allowing her achy muscles to stretch and her mind to come into focus. Her heart rate kicked up a notch at the delicious memories of the soreness brought back to her. Turning to look on the face of her savior, she again thought of her plan to leave.
Even after having making love with him she still felt she needed to get far from him. She was torn now though. She really liked this handsome man with the chiseled jaw and the silvery hair falling over his sleeping face. She had felt that he wanted her. But, her mind kept coming round to the fact that she was damaged, possibly beyond repair.
The things Thomas had done to her had to have warped her in some way. She just knew it. She also felt that this handsome brave man shouldn't have to continue to deal with her problems. She also didn't think she could handle rejection from him.
As quietly as possible, she left his room and found her way back to her own room. Finding Isleen in the hall, she inquired about a meal and a bath.
"Certainly, Milady. Would you like Seamus or may I offer myself?" the small blond asked quietly.
"I think Seamus may be getting a bit attached. So yes you may offer and I accept. Thank you." Jasmine responded with a small giggle. Thinking of the look on Seamus' face the last time had come into her head. The pleasure on his face had made her think he had been thinking about something entirely other than her feeding from him.
As she waited for Isleen to return with bath water, she began packing her bag. When she had packed all of the cloths into the bag she shoved to the farthest corner of the wardrobe, then sat on the edge of the bed.
She had been sitting for only a few minutes when the girl returned with several others carrying buckets of warm water. When the tub was filled, all but Isleen left and Jasmine fed. After Isleen too had gone, Jasmine disrobed and stepped into the large tub, allowing herself to remember the wonderful feelings Raife had given her.
Finishing her bath, she decided to leave the following evening. She would be far from here before he even knew she was gone. Stepping from the tub she found a large fluffy towel and dried herself. Just as she was sliding her arms into a light robe, there was a loud knock on her door.
"Just a moment." She called as she finished covering herself. Before she could finish tying the sash, the door burst open and Raife stomped into her room.
"Why did you leave me?" He asked just a little too harshly, the worry for her coloring his words.
" I...I...I wanted a bath." She stammered in the face of what she perceived to be his anger.
"Why did you not wake me? You could have bathed in my room?" his voice softening bit in response to fear he could feel coming off her in waves. When she didn't respond e continued.
"Have you fed yet?" he asked her softly.
"Yes." She whispered.
"Good. I must meet with my men; I will be unavailable for awhile. Can you find something to occupy yourself?" He said, as his eyes traveled her form clad in only the robe. If he didn't leave soon he would ravish her again, and he didn't want to push her too far too quickly. At her almost imperceptible nod he turned and headed toward his office.
He found his own meal and mentally called to his men, to check if they were within his range yet. If not he could have a few moments alone to calm himself. He had thought that having had her once would be enough. Now he knew it never would be. Just seeing her had him hard and aching yet again.
With no answer he continued to his off ice to ponder the evening's events so far. When he had awoken to her gone he had nearly flown from the room to find her. He was shocked and angered at himself for not hearing her leave his bed. He needed to be more aware. And he needed to find Thomas and dispatch him so that he could finally be somewhat calm when she was not in his sight.
The fear he felt as he had spoken to her had hurt him right through to his heart. He hadn't realized until then that he had been so harsh with his words. Hopefully after his meetings were finished and his men situated he could go to her and explain that he had only feared for her.
