“You could get on your knees. Use that pretty mouth to distract me.”
Heat blistered my neck, but I kept my expression neutral. He was just taunting me.
“I’d enjoy that very much,” he said silkily. “Especially the part where I let you think you’re in control.”
My stomach flipped.
“And when you try to break my runes?” he purred. “I’d pin you down and show you what happens when you play games with me.”
I swallowed hard, searching for a response. “What a filthy fantasy.”
He leaned forward. “Who says it’s a fantasy?”
Against my will, an image burst in my mind. His chambers. Low firelight. My hands exploring his bare chest, tracing each rune while he watched me with those burningeyes. The way his muscles would tense under my touch. The thrill of all that strength and power, softening for me alone. My mouth on his throat?—
His hand came up, fingers brushing my jaw. Tilting my face toward his.
Oh gods. He was going to kiss me.
I froze, letting him pull me closer. My body ached for it. To know what those lips felt like. It had been so long. I wanted this—gods help me, Idid?—
Kissing him would make it harder to leave, and I had to. How could I want him when my sister needed me?
Then he stopped.
His hand left my face. He leaned back, the heat draining from his expression, replaced by amusement.
My stomach dropped.
He ducked beneath the table. When he straightened, my satchel dangled from his grip. He opened it slowly. Each item he pulled out felt like a slap. Dried meat. Bread. The stolen dagger. Then the map.
He chuckled. “Bad girl.”
Heat flooded my face.
“I’ve been playing this game longer than you’ve been alive,” he said, examining the map.
“Give that back!”
“You would’ve let me kiss you to protect these supplies.” He slid the blade into an empty sheath at his belt. “That’s dedication.”
He was wrong. I hadn’t been thinking about the supplies at all.
He stood, pocketing the map. “Tomorrow, we’ll work on your gift.”
“What?”
“Your gift,” he drawled, heading to the door. “Younearly killed yourself shattering my deal. The next time you break a rune, I’d rather you not die.”
Then he was gone.
I sat there, shaking. My lips tingled where his thumb had brushed them, and I still felt his hand on my jaw. I pressed my palms to my eyes.
He had the map. The dagger. Everything.
And I had nothing but the memory of almost kissing him.
23
