The Devil's Match (The Devil DeVere #4)(31)

Salime made an exasperated noise. “Have you no understanding? The hammam is a ritual, a purification of body and spirit.”

“Why is this important?”

“Because you will attend him there. You will cleanse and massage his body and give him pleasure.”

“In the bath? Is that not a job for a manservant? I told you I have no wish to be his slave.”

“How can you be so ignorant of the ways of the flesh? The massage I would teach you, it is not only to relax the body, but to arouse. If done correctly, you have the power to bring Enfendi to the very pinnacle of rapture, a release like no other.”

“You have done this before? To him?”

Salime smiled. “I often attend him in the hammam.”

Diana wished she hadn’t asked. The image of this woman so intimately touching him, pleasuring him, burned into her brain and made her seethe with an irrational jealousy that was hard to shake off.

“You will disrobe,” Salime commanded.

Diana stared at her in incomprehension.

“Disrobe,” she repeated. “How else can I teach you anything? Or do you wish me to call in a servant of this house to demonstrate? Of course we must come to that soon, but it will not be without cost. Madam will expect payment.”

“You wish to demonstrate on me? Is there no other way?” she asked. While Diana was accustomed to being dressed and bathed by a maid, she was loath to expose herself to this worldly woman.

“No, Khanum. How can you understand that which you do not know? You must see and feel it to fully comprehend the power over both the mind and the body that lies in skilled hands.”

“I will require assistance,” Diana said, choking down her qualms. “I cannot manage my laces and stays.”

Salime made an impatient sound and spun Diana around, making swift work of both garments. While Diana shrugged out of her gown and stays, Salime retrieved a glass bottle and a large cloth. “It is almond oil,” she answered Diana’s questioning look. “Most soothing to the body, but it must be heated in a bucket of warm water. Your shift,” she commanded, “remove it.” She indicated the divan. “Lie there. On your stomach.”

Diana proceeded to do as she was bid, feeling strangely unnerved. Salime, however, moved efficiently and impersonally, positioning her body with her head resting on a pillow and her arms down by her side. “You will close your eyes and breathe deeply,” she directed. “You must concentrate only on the feel of my hands, what they do when they touch your body. You will memorize this, Khanum, for I do this for you only once.”

Diana felt the first strokes of warmed, oiled hands on her lower legs, ankles, and feet. The feel of a closed fist on her soles sent a ripple all the way to her belly. The kneading of her lower muscles seemed to work inwardly to penetrate her insides and fill her lower body with a wonderful languor. The sensation moved upward, and her body continued to relax and grow heavy, giving itself up fully to the magical ministrations of Salime’s expert hands.

“You see, Khanum?” Salime kneaded and molded Diana’s back and shoulders. “The massage brings mind and body to a state of unity and peace.”

Diana almost moaned her agreement. “I do see. One could so easily put another to sleep in this way.”

“Most effectively...if that is the goal.”

“And if arousal is the object?” Diana asked over her shoulder.

“Then the massage must quickly focus on the areas to be aroused,” Salime answered, moving to Diana’s buttocks. “This is a most sensitive place to begin such attentions, especially in the man, Khanum. There are hidden areas of heightened sensation to be explored—”

Diana abruptly sat up. “It is too much. I am uncomfortable with this.”

“As you wish.” Salime stepped away with a shrug. “You may go now.”

“Go?”

“Yes. There is no purpose in remaining when you refuse what I teach. I waste no more time.” She retrieved Diana’s discarded shift and threw it at her.

Diana pulled it hastily over her head. “It’s not that... it’s just that...we are two women.”

“So?” Salime said.

“I am unaccustomed to such intimate touch,” Dian explained. “I think I should prefer to watch.”

“While that may be arranged, Khanum, it is not enough just to watch. As with any art, it must be practiced to develop skill, but any gentleman here will likely wish you to participate.”

The notion filled Diana with distaste. After a moment, she asked, “You said you frequently attend Lord DeVere in the hammam. Could it be arranged for me to attend him with you? Perhaps incognito? You know I do not wish to touch another man, so this is the way you must teach me.”

Salime answered with a slow nod. “It could be done if that is your wish, Khanum.” Salime proceeded across the room to an ornately carved ebony box, retrieving from within an object wrapped in blue velvet. She opened the cloth to reveal what appeared to be an artificial phallus, large, slightly curved, and intricately carved of ivory. “But you must practice with this.” She presented the object to Diana. “Do you wish me to demonstrate?”

Diana nodded, too shocked to speak.

“Sit then.” Salime lowered herself to a cushion on the floor and indicated Diana should do the same. “This is the kam??, a most magnificent organ of pleasure. It is perfectly made for worship with your hands, your mouth, and your k?l?f.”