Rian got a naughty look on his face. “I'd rather you sweat and look prettyandbe comfortable. Very comfortable.”
Images of our naked, sweaty bodies filled my mind, just as he intended, and I blushed. My face probably matched my new cloak. But I didn't look away. I held the King's stare and let him see how much I wanted that too.
Rian grinned and led us off the skating area, over to a bench. Before I sat down, he removed my red cloak. The cold blasted me, instantly chilling the damp fabric beneath. At first, it was refreshing, but it soon became frigid.
“Too cold!” I declared and swept off my velvet cloak.
Chuckling, the King set my new cloak back around my shoulders, then helped me sit down. As I snuggled into the fur, he sat down beside me, lifted my right boot to prop on his knee, and unstrapped my skate. Then the other. I watched him, my chest filling with bubbling emotions. It was going so quickly, far faster than it had with Rontor. With him, I'd fallen under his sway before I'd fallen in love. I wanted to be possessed by him and at first, I thought that feeling was love. I later learned I was wrong. Love goes much deeper. It takes time to develop. Mature. That was still true. But I recognized it better now. I knew what I was feeling was the start of something real. Something that may even surpass all love that had come before it.
“Better?” Rian asked.
“Oh, yes,” I whispered.
With a smile that said he knew I spoke of other things, he unstrapped his skates. Then, taking both of our skates in one big hand, Rian stood up and offered me his free hand. I took it immediately, no hesitation, and used his strength to stand. Allowing someone to help me up wasn't a sign of weakness. His power added to mine, not detracted. And it felt damn incredible to receive it.
“Are you hungry?” Rian asked.
“Famished,” I said.
The King handed my cloak and our skates to one of his guards. Two Dragon knights had been following us around at a respectful distance all day. That didn't bother me. I knew all about the King's Guard—as in the unit of knights, not a singular man. The only person a Dragon would ever serve was their king, and it was considered an honor to be in the King's Guard. They took their responsibilities very seriously, even when it involved carrying the King's stuff.
The man hurried off to the carriage as we continued, going down one of the vendor lanes. We followed our noses to a few food stalls, Rian buying everything I pointed at, and passed on our brown paper packages to his remaining guard to carry. The other knight caught up with us after our second purchase. Our final food purchases were actually beverages—mugs of hot pear cider. We took them to one of the tables set out beside the cider stall. Rian's knights set down our collection of food, then stepped back to watch over His Majesty, hands on the hilts of their swords and stares sweeping the fair.
Rian tore open the steaming packages of food, creating makeshift plates. I took off my gloves and warmed my fingers with my mug, then sipped as I watched him work. When all wasprepared to his liking, we set into the food together, smiling at each other whenever one of us groaned appreciatively.
Sausages in puff pastry, huge pieces of soft bread that we dipped in mustard, chunks of breaded and fried cheese, stewed apples, pork pies, and custard buns covered in caramel. It was a feast, and I helped Rian eat every last crumb. We even licked our fingers.
I lifted my last sticky finger toward my mouth, but Rian snatched my wrist and dragged it to his mouth instead. My jaw went slack as his wet heat enveloped my finger. He sucked. Stared at me. The pull of his mouth went down my finger, up my arm, and through my belly until it tugged at my shaft.
“Oh, dear Gods,” I whispered.
Rian released my finger, having sucked it clean, and licked his lips. “That's a promise.”
I didn't bother to pretend that I didn't know what he meant. But I couldn't respond either. Not beyond gulping.
The King understood and met my silence with low laughter. The sort of laughter that spoke of certainty and triumph. And who was I to dispute the truth? He had me. Rian hadn't bedded me yet, but I was his. Some men need sex to fall in love. Not me. As much as sex had led to my last love, it wasn't the impetus of my fall. Rontor had known what I needed sexually, and that gave him an in, but it was his strong, caring nature that reached past my lust and summoned love. Rian didn't need all that. He jumped the hurdles Rontor had left behind with his words. With his eyes and hands and the beating of his heart. Sex would seal our relationship, no doubt. But I was already his. Twodates, that's all it had taken. I didn't love him yet, but the seed was there and I was absolutely certain that it would bloom.
Chapter Thirteen
“This has been the most fun I've had in years,” I said to Rian as we rode away from the fair. “Thank you.”
“I can say the same.” Rian, who had an arm around my shoulders, squeezed me and nuzzled my cheek. “Is it too soon for me to invite you home with me?”
“Yes,” I said.
He looked a little disappointed but smiled through it. “All right. I understand.”
“I don't want to go to the castle,” I went on. “I don't want to be faced with all that just yet.”
“I see,” he whispered.
“But I don't want our date to end either.”
“You don't?”
“No.” I glanced out the window and saw we were nearing my shop. “Would you like to spend the night with me in my apartment instead?”
“Yes,” Rian said, barely waiting for me to finish.
