I flashed a wicked grin at him and shifted as quietly as I could down so that I was seated more snugly on his lap while bracing the majority of my weight on my knees. In response, Alan’s violet eyes widened further, and his mouth dropped open as the press of my groin rubbed gently against his. He began to breathe heavily, tipping his head back and revealing the barest edge of his neck which was mostly covered with his high collared robe.
A wave of lust raced through me at the sight of Alan in my arms, laid out like a gift waiting to be unwrapped. Whatever was happening in the room, I cared not. Instead, my focus narrowed on the young tom beneath me. His violet eyes, meeting mine, were at first guarded, and then, as if a veil were drawn back, heat flashed into his eyes in silent invitation.
Gently trace a path along the line of his hard jaw, my fingers drifted to his quivering lips that parted slightly as my thumb brushed across them. My lips then followed where my fingers had touched, enjoying the soft brush of his skin against mine.Even better, the feel of his fingers digging into my sides as he clutched me. Alan’s hips arced up into my touch as I ground against him.
My lips crashed against his, battering down whatever wall remained between us. I led the charge, and whatever protest Alan might have had faded. His lips met mine with equal enthusiasm as our tongues discovered a dance we both instinctively knew. As my kiss deepened, Alan responded with rising heat, and he moaned softly.
Somewhere, a door creaked open and shut. I barely noticed. I simply hoped that anyone searching for me would not hear Alan’s needy whimpers, only because I wished to kiss him senselessly uninterrupted. If I had my way, I would finally manage to test Alan’s limits, revisit the night of passion we had shared. I could remember that night with sharp clarity—the desperate grip of his fingers clutching my arms and shoulders, the warmth of his body enclosing me, and the timbre of his voice as I drew passionate release from his body… and I wanted to know if that was but one night’s fevered dream or something we could share forever.
I had to know. Gods willing, I would find out tonight.
Chapter 8
Alan
Was anyone about to enter? Who cared.All I could think about was Hugh. Hugh had, yet again, won me over with a single look. He eclipsed my world, drowning everything out. One moment, I was ready to toss him to the metaphorical wolves, hating how easily he shared his smiles with others. The next, I was protecting him.
As soon as I pulled him into the window seat, I knew I had made a grave error. When I tried to shush him, I realized with shock that he was staring at me so intensely. It was as though I were his prey, and he had caught sight of what he would hunt. His golden brown eyes darkened with such desire that had me frozen in place. Breathless with excitement, I battled the desire that arose within myself.
Yet, all too soon, I melted beneath his gentle touch. Even as his gaze undressed me, his fingers promised more delights to come. All I had to do was give in… and before I knew it, I was following my instincts. After all, I wanted this too. That was theother shock—as he ground himself against me, my entire body shivered with delight although there were at least three layers of clothing between us.
Then his lips touched me, and I became his. The warmth of his mouth against mine, the dominating roughness of the kiss, the tongue that battled mine—all of these weakened me in the knees and drove all sense of time and place out of my mind. All I felt was hard length grinding against my own arousal, the taste of wine that chased after the touch of his tongue, and the brief caress of his broad fingers stroking me behind my ears. For those brief moments, I was his, and he was mine.
After the amazing day we had together, this felt like the perfect capstone. The memories of our adventure, our laughter, and our partnership swelled up in my heart. Hugh had shown restraint, kindness, and protectiveness. He was the perfect knight of my dreams today. I wanted to ride at his side forever. I wanted the moment to last forever. I clung to him, and when he finally eased back, I refused to let go.
Since the day that Hugh had come to escort me to Rimefrost, I had felt as though I had met a knight of old. In many ways, his charisma left its mark on me as much as it had many a young molly and tom. But Hugh was not mine. He was not my Ser Knight after all. He belonged to so many others, his favors spread generously throughout the king’s court. There was also that name he’d spoken. His heart surely was taken by another. That truth was as bitter as some of my potions.
But he is here now, I reminded myself,and perhaps he will find something worthwhile fighting for between us. What kind of future could we forge together?
He shifted, gathering me into his strong arms. I could feel the tight muscles of his biceps press against my shoulders, and I tried to stretch up and kiss him—and froze as the door to the room creaked open again. Any hope I had for continuing ourkissing dissipated as I realized that Hugh had eased back. Voices were once again close by.
“Very well, let us discuss this matter. In private… and keep your voice low. Gods know where Hugh is prowling.”
I didn’t recognize the voice offhand. For the first time ever, I cursed my lack of time spent in the court and my failure to meet and get to know everyone who frequented high society parties. Did Hugh recognize them? Judging by the curious tilt of his head and his flickering ears, Hugh was figuring it out. When the door eased open further, the voices grew louder.
“I promise. It shan’t take long.”
“Better not,” grunted the first voice. “Here. I know this room is rarely frequented. In here.”
There was the sound of movement as the two voices—two toms by the sounds of it— continued to speak in lower tones. If you were standing outside the wooden door that was now shut, you wouldn’t be able to make out their words, but Hugh and I, separated from them by a single thick velvet curtain, could hear everything. And if we made a sound, they’d hear us all too easily as well.
Hugh twisted slightly, making certain the curtain was closed properly. It was, thank the gods. Raising a finger to his lips, Hugh slowly shook his head, eyes wide. I smirked up at him, and he gazed down at me with hilarious alarm.
I ran my hand down the rumpled fabric of his fine white cotton shirt. Tugging gently at his shirt cravat, I began to work on the buttons. Hugh’s broad warm fingers instantly covered my own and he mouthed at me, “Stop it” and something else I could not make out. I simply raised my eyes and blinked at him, hoping that my spectacles would not diminish the limpid sultry look I was aiming to achieve. It only made him glare at me even more.
The feel of his erection pressed up against me showed me all too clearly how interested Hugh was in my touches. It filled mewith courage. I bit my lip and began to run my hands down to his waist and below, gently grinding my palm against the hard outline of his desire. Hugh’s arms stiffened and he allowed his head to fall forward, cheek pressed against my temple.
With the breathiest of voices, Hugh whispered, “Stop it, minx.”
He pulled back and shot me a solemn look. I stopped and frowned, looking up at him. Gone was the flirty Hugh I knew so well, the professional, dangerous knight I also knew existed now sat above me, craning to hear the catkin’s words. The conversation seemed to last forever, starting with the second voice. Second Voice, a rough rumble, sounded like an older tom. First Voice was younger and a bit more hesitant. A youthful lord was my guess.
Second Voice was posing a situation before the First Voice—a reminder of what Sumarene had just emerged from, a bloody war. What if it were to happen again? It would be a shame, wouldn’t it?
First Voice agreed, mildly, pointing out that good King Landis seemed focused on making peace with Sumarene’s neighbors. Even though the wedding with Princess Estrellia had fallen through, the treaty was going forward. Everyone was feeling happy. Wintermas was just around the corner, and it would be spent peacefully. Not that last year wasn’t peaceful, but last year King Landis had just ascended the throne, and fears about Sumarene’s potential enemies had hung in the air. That had all changed.
“And you believe that the king, young as he is, will find the path to a prosperous future for Sumarene?” asked the Second Voice.
“Prosperous?” First Voice hesitated. “It will take time, but I choose peace over prosperity anytime. Prosperity will come in time.”
