Balek came up behind her to lean over her shoulder. "What will you do first?"
She walked over with a handful of dried herbs to the flagon of wine. She poured the rest of the wine into an empty cup and dropped in the herbs, then gave it a stir with her finger. She then offered it to Balek.
He took the cup and eyed it suspiciously. "Drink it," she instructed. He seemed to ponder the idea for a moment or two before he finally shrugged his shoulders and did as she asked.
"Not bad. Not bad at all!" He set the now-emptied cup aside. "What will that do?"
"It will help your blood flow more freely so that it may surge to your manhood when you require it to."
"Good! Are we done, then? Can I send for my betrothed?"
"Nay!" she said, perhaps a bit too loudly. "I have not yet applied the oil," she continued in a calmer voice.
"Oh, all right. Will you rub it into my temples to soothe my nerves, then?"
Belinda gave him a level stare. "Nay, ’tis not where I intend to rub it, my lord."
It took him a second or two to understand her meaning. "I ... I suppose I should unclothe myself, then?"
"Aye, remove everything, if you please, then make yourself comfortable. Perhaps on the bed or on the rug before the fire?" She watched with barely contained enjoyment as he began to peel off his clothing before her. Being a powerful lord, he had arrogance about him despite his little problem, so he didn’t bother with any false displays of modesty. All of his clothing came off, and soon he stood completely naked before her.
Belinda licked her lips again. "Ah, please…take your ease." She gestured toward the fire, hoping he would take the hint and lay himself down there. He regarded her for a brief moment, then sauntered over to relax before the heat of the flames.
Belinda grabbed the oil and went over to join him. She knelt at his hip. Balek’s long legs stretched out before him, and his elbows propped up his upper body. Belinda knew he intended to watch what she was about to do. She wasn’t sure if that would make it easier on her or more difficult. She did know that she’d never been more nervous about anything in her life.
