Accidental Acquisition (Kindred)

“So…” Jillian cleared her throat. “In order to heal the, uh rest of me, you’d have to…to…”

“To lick you all over your soft, luscious body,” Kalis said, matter-of-factly, and his eyes had gone half-lidded again, indicating that he didn’t mind the idea at all. “But in case you’re worried, I swear that licking you is all I would do,” he went on, when Jillian couldn’t seem to find any words. “This is just about healing you, Mistress. Not…anything else.”

“I…I don’t…” Jillian shook her head, not sure what to say. On one hand, she was in a lot of pain and she didn’t want to have to live with the agonizing rash or turn her skin purple with the only salve that could heal it. But on the other hand…

On the other hand you have to let a man you barely know lick you all over your naked body, whispered a helpful little voice in her head. Talk about tough choices…

But there was no choice—not really, Jillian acknowledged to herself. Kalis had proven he was able to heal her. He had already healed her hands and he was willing to heal the rest of her too—she just had to trust him and get over her uncertainty enough to let him do it.

Kalis didn’t rush her while she went over the pros and cons of the situation in her mind. He simply sat back on the loveseat, waiting patiently for her to come to the obvious conclusion.

“Okay,” Jillian said, at last. “I appreciate you being willing to, er, heal me, but I’m still a little nervous about having you, uh…”

“Lick you all over your body?” Kalis rumbled, raising an eyebrow at her. “If I can make a suggestion, Mistress—why don’t I start at your collarbones and neck—that’s a fairly non-sexual area. Maybe it would help if we eased into this.”

Jillian felt a tiny rush of relief. She’d thought he might want to lick her breasts or inner thighs right away—both areas had been affected—but she simply wasn’t ready for that. She was touched that the big Kindred understood her reluctance and was willing to take things slowly.

“Thank you,” she said, nodding. “That…that sounds like a good idea.”

“Very well then, little Mistress. Come here.” Kalis sat up and spread his legs, indicating that she should come and stand between them.

Jillian did as he had indicated, opening the silk robe enough for him to get to her upper chest. Kalis was so tall that even with him sitting down, they were nearly eye-to-eye, which meant his head was on the right level to reach her.

“Let’s see now…” Kalis rumbled thoughtfully, surveying the area. “Looks to me like the problem starts around your collar bones, though I do see a few red patches on your neck. So let’s start there—all right?”

“Um…all right.” Jillian nodded and lifted her chin, baring her neck for him. She felt stiff and wooden in his arms, nervous about putting herself into such a vulnerable position.

What if that thing inside him decides now is a good time to come out? whispered an unhelpful little voice in her head. Look how you’re positioned, Jillian. You’re practically asking him to rip your throat out!

The thought sent a shiver down her spine and it was all she could do not to yank away when Kalis touched her shoulders lightly, to bring her into position.

But instead of licking her, he pulled back, frowning.

“I can smell your fear, Jillian,” he rumbled. “What’s wrong? Are you afraid I’ll hurt you?”

“No, no—not at all,” she denied hastily. “I’m just a little nervous, that’s all.”

“You’re more than nervous—you’re scared to fucking death.” Kalis frowned and drew back, looking intently into her face. “What is it? Just tell me and maybe I can allay your fears.”

I, uh…I was afraid you’d change again,” she blurted at last, when it became clear he wasn’t going to proceed until she answered his question. “Into…into your other form.”

“You don’t need to fear that,” Kalis said gently. He cupped her cheek, turning her eyes to meet his. “I can control my other form, Jillian,” he told her. “My Ursus doesn’t come out unless I say so, and I only bring him out when there’s no other way.”

“Really? Never?” she asked anxiously.

Kalis shook his head.

“Never,” he said firmly. “The other day at the market, I was facing two large adversaries and I had only one hand. I had to bring him out—had to change into my Ursus. There was no other way to win the fight and save both you and myself. I’m sorry if I scared you—that was never my intention.”

“It was just…I know now that he was going after the, uh, Trollox that was holding me, but at the time, I thought he was going to kill me,” Jillian said. “I swear, I saw my life flash before my eyes and I was thinking, ‘this is how I die.’”