“What?” I squeaked.
Taeven grinned. “I want you to see what you're giving up before the offer is gone completely.
Gone completely? Why did that make a greater flash of fear lance through me? It prompted me to say, “As you like, Falcon Lord.”
“Taeven,” he reminded me gleefully.
“Taeven,” I repeated morosely.
Chapter Seven
The Falcon Lord kept me up late that night, drinking. He said it didn't matter since I didn't have to wake up early, and, in fact, he wanted to prevent that so I wasn't left to twiddle my thumbs until he woke up. I didn't argue, but the man was exhausting. He didn't want to merely sit in his tent and drink. Oh no, he wanted to walk around the camp with me—and his escort of knights—while we talked and drank. That would have been fine if I wasn't full of amazing food and it wasn't my bedtime. I also didn't appreciate the overwhelming amount of soldiers who approached Taeven to proposition him. As in blatantly proposition. As in walk up and say, “How about some hot sex with me tonight, Falcon Lord?” The ease with which he brushed them off, and the way he did it kindly, made it even more annoying. I didn't want to like this guy, but with a belly full of food and wine, my inhibitions were lowered, and I wasn't able to deny that I liked him a lot. Maybe more than a lot.
“He's taken for the night,” I growled at the sixteenth man to sidle up to Taeven. I wove my fingers with the Falcon Lord's and gave the guy a fuck-off look.
“Then I'll look for you tomorrow, warlord,” the man promised with a grin and sauntered off, not at all disheartened.
I stuck out my tongue at his departing back.
Taeven snickered as he squeezed my hand. “I'm taken, eh?”
“I was just trying to do you a favor.” I attempted to let go of his hand, but he tightened his grip. “They just kept coming.” I winced. “That may have been a poor choice of words.”
He chuckled, then lamented dramatically, “And yet the man I'd like to take to bed has no interest in me. Alas, that is how life goes.”
“Shut up,” I said in a teasing tone and knocked his shoulder with mine. “We both know you don't actually want me, not that bad, at least. You're just trying to convince me to be your valorian.”
“Is that what I'm doing?” Taeven slid me a side-look.
“Isn't it?”
The Falcon Lord stopped suddenly and used his grip on my hand to pull me against his chest. I gasped, sloshing wine out of my mug, and while my mouth was open, he covered it with his. Instantly, my body surged with vibrant energy. I dropped my mug and grabbed the back of his head, groaning as his lips took possession of mine. The kiss was passionate but also teasing, his tongue flicking and twisting, and a shocking thrill ran down my chest, on a direct course for my cock. His hair was silk between my fingers and his body like a statue come to life, he was so fucking solid. Strong hands gripped my back, then moved confidently, one arm settling across me to hold me close while the other hand lowered to my ass. And squeezed. Between us rose the evidence of our mutual desire. There was no denying it now; he wanted me, and I wanted him.
Taeven eased out of our kiss just far enough to speak, “Now what do you think, Captain?”
“I think that even though you don't have to resort to it, you're very good at seduction, my lord.” I let him go and stepped back.
Taeven's eyes widened, and a couple of his guards, who were standing at a respectable distance away, made choking sounds of disbelief.
“Then why are you pulling away?” he whispered.
“Because, to be absolutely honest—and I don't think I could be anything else right now—I wouldn't survive you. If I fuck you, I'll be instantly addicted, I know I will, and when you decide you're over the newness of me, I will be absolutely shattered. No, thank you. I'll stay sane—sane Shane.”
The Falcon Lord stared at me for several heartbeats, then picked up my nearly empty mug and handed it to me before he reclaimed my hand and started off again.
“You're not going to say anything?” I asked after a few steps.
“What can I say to that?” Taeven glanced at me. “It would do no good to dispute it, you wouldn't believe me, and I shouldn't expect you to.”
“No?” I eyed him warily.
“No, you barely know me, and what you do know does not seem to be working in my favor.”
Fuck, he was being damn reasonable and just plain nice about it. That made me want to kiss him again.
“So, I'll just be happy with knowing how highly you think of me and endeavor to get to know you better.”
“What?” I whispered, looking at him in horror.
