“Sounds like a wise idea. Do so.”
“I also think it’s wise to receive periodic updates from the portal.”
James’s brow drew into a straight line. “Why?”
“I know you think it’s fixed because you renewed the wards around the portal. But James, you don’t even know why the wards came down the first time.”
He opened his mouth on a hot retort, then froze. “Shit. You’re right, I don’t.”
“You weren’t sure who took them down but assumed someone must have, so simply renewing the wards now and stationing four knights isn’t enough to make sure they stay up. Or am I missing something?”
He sat there staring at my shoulder as if it held all the answers to the universe. After several very long seconds, he said, “No. I was too busy trying to prepare for an invasion to do much investigation. It wouldn’t have made much difference anyway, or that was my thought then, because whatever the reason, the ward was down.”
As I’d suspected.
“Argh, this frustrates me now. I should have asked more questions.”
“Hindsight is always perfect.” I soothed him, stroking hair away from his face.
“This is why you should be king instead of me.” He groaned. “You’re better at thinking things through.”
“Don’t be silly. I can think of things like this because you’re handling the major things. Now, what I would like to do is have a mage who specializes in wards give me a rundown of how a ward can be undermined and taken down. I also want them to go to the portal and double-check that none of those undermining factors exist in the area.”
“Do it. For the peace of mind alone.”
“All right, consider it done. I brought along with me the necessary forms for this kind of research.”
“Oh, is that what those were?” James snorted a soft laugh. “Of course you came prepared.”
“Well, naturally.” What else was I supposed to do, just throw ideas at him and then tell him to wait while I did the paperwork? Ludicrous.
I fetched them from the arm of the couch and gave them over with a pen. It was a bit awkward, as he had to brace them against my chest to sign, but I knew better than to suggest I could move off his lap. James would absolutely never agree.
Forms signed, I tossed them onto the floor, the heavy stuff now out of the way.
James watched them plop on the ground, then lifted his face back up to mine, his hopeful expression rather reminiscent of a puppy who had been promised a treat. He didn’t even need to say anything—his face did all the talking.
“You’re really curious what my reward is, aren’t you.”
He nodded, still with a hopeful face.
Since he liked my voice, it was about time I used it to my advantage. I dropped it an octave, using the smooth, deeper reading voice I knew he responded to. “Well, first I’ll strip you—”
Look at those eyes, dilating with raw hunger. It was so very easy to seduce this man.
“—and use the oil I have in my pocket to very carefully massage all your fatigue away. Once you’re nice and relaxed, I’ll do the little trick with my mouth you love and get youfullyhard. Then I’ll take great pleasure riding you.”
James was already reacting; I could feel the hardness nudging at the bottom of my thigh. He seriously, truly had a voice fetish. How utterly delightful.
I tried not to feel mercenary with this knowledge, but the truth was, I would abuse this handy button I’d found. I knew myself too well in that regard.
“You might have to get me off first and then do all those things.” James sounded a little hoarse.
By feel alone, I grazed the backs of my fingers along his chest until I found his nipple. Through the shirt’s fabric, I pinched it sharply and felt him gasp.
“I brought a cock ring too,” I murmured right over his mouth. “You’re not finishing quickly. Today, you’re going at the paceIset.”
He whimpered.
