He throws his hands up dramatically and gasps.
Arse.
“About what?” he asks through a laugh as I pinch him under the blanket.
“That even an ocean isn’t grand enough to keep me from loving you.”
Jarek stops laughing, his face growing more serious.
“When the blight is over, and the seas have calmed.” I climb on top of him. “When the people of Loxley are settled, I’ll come for you.”
He closes his eyes as I take his face in my hands.
“I’ll board a ship.” I kiss his cheek. “I’ll sail across the ocean.” I kiss his other cheek. “And I’ll find you.”
Jarek pulls me into him, his kiss bruising and claiming and that’s all it takes until I’m lost in him.He peels off my camisole and tosses it aside, then my undergarments.
“On your back.” His lips graze the shell of my ear before nipping the bottom. His hands wrap around the back of my legs, tugging me toward him.
“Jarek.” I moan as he trails kisses across the inside of my thigh, then the other.
“Let me see you, Sam,” he says.
My legs fall open and he takes his time, kissing me, looking at me, driving me mad with his tongue. When I’ve had enough, I pull him up so his body encases mine.
“Needy.” He chuckles before kissing my neck.
“For you?” I say, wrapping my legs around him. “Always.”
This earns me whispers of praise, and my body ignites as the last gap between us closes. His body works against mine as my fingers pull through his hair. My legs clench around him, and when he angles me just the way he knows I like it, stars erupt behind my eyes.
“Good girl,” he mumbles against my neck. “But you can give me another.”
And so, I do.
“You’re still flushed,”Jarek whispers as we head to breakfast.
Or perhaps now it’s closer to lunch.
“I am not.” I push him lightly, but he grabs my arm and wraps me into his side.
As we reach the kitchen, the smells hit me first. Freshly baked bread, sugar-coated blackberries with mint, and… I stop just outside the doorway and take a large inhale.
“Coffee!” I scream, abandoning Jarek in the hall.
My mother, Letty, and Eviey all chuckle as I help myself to a cup of the freshly brewed liquid. It’s spicy, rich aroma calms me instantly, and I savor the first sip even though it scalds my tongue.
“Morning,” Elora says through a laugh.
“Where did you get this?” I ask Agnes as she slices the bread.
“Lord Thaddeus,” she says. “Since we’re leaving tonight, we figured we’d make the entire day a celebration. Although he and Calix plan to leave shortly. The other Guild members are arriving this week and they want to get a headstart.”
My stomach drops thinking of the other Guilds. Of all we have left to do.
Agnes turns to place the basket of bread on the counter and winces before nearly dropping it.
“Agnes?” Elora says, dropping her knife onto her plate.
