He tugged me up from my curtsy with both hands and into his arms. With his warm palms cupping my face, he kissed me, his mouth searing across mine. He branded me in a way only this man could, and I clung to his tunic, stealing all I couldfrom this moment. When we broke apart, we stared at each other before our matching grins rose.
The guards studied the ceiling, the floor, the windows, and maybe even the dust specks dancing in the sunlight. Looking anywhere but at us. Thank the fates they wouldn’t follow us into his bedroom.
I kept thinking about that. Was I ready to take the next step with Merrick? Maybe after today, I’d decide.
He took my hand, and we continued down the hall and out into another, followed by yet another, one guard rushing forward to open each panel before we reached it to keep us from having to break our stride. We finally arrived in a small dining room I hadn’t seen before, though it wasn’t like I’d explored them. I’d continued to take my meals in my room, behavior I believed was on borrowed time.
Two place settings waited, and he led me over to one, tugging out my chair while I sat. Formally dressed staff hovered near a door on one end of the room, their gazes raptly watching his actions.
“Thank you,” I said as he settled in his own seat. He waved to the staff, and they bustled from the room to bring our meal to us. “Wine?” He held up a bottle, and at my nod, poured me some.
A few of our guards remained outside the room while the rest took stoic positions, evenly spacing themselves around the perimeter. Surren twitched his finger, and the air shimmered around the table before clearing once more.
“A ward,” Merrick said. “Not as strong as the one I’ve got around us, but it’ll enhance it.”
“I want to apologize again. I should’ve kept Surren with me last night.” Or at least had him remain at the bottom of the stairs. One of the first things I did last night was apologize to him. He’d nodded curtly and insisted it would never happen again. He wasn’t irritated with me but seemed to be chastising himself.
“I’m grateful Lore arrived when he did,” Merrick said.
They must’ve spoken about it, and that made me cringe. How much did they share? Lore wouldn’t—couldn’t—talk about what happened on the ship.
Staff hurried into the room with a cart loaded with covered platters floating between them. As we sipped our wine, they placed appetizers in front of us.
“I ordered a variety of food.” Merrick winced. “As I placed the order, hoping you’d agree to join me, I realized I don’t even know what you like and what you can’t eat. I want to correct that. So I’m going to dedicate some time today to you.” He flashed me a smile that made my bones melt. “You’re going to tell me everything about Reyla.”
“Maybe I’m boring.”
He lifted my hand and kissed the back of it. “Anything but.” Even a simple touch like this made me ignite. How could he make me crave him so easily?
“There isn’t much I won’t eat.”
“You said you enjoy cooking. Would you make horig cakes for me?” he drawled, his smoldering gaze locked on mine. “I can’t wait to try them.”
“Y-yes.” I sensed he was speaking of things sweeter than my cakes. A shiver rippled through me as I remembered the feel ofhis mouth between my legs and the way I’d bucked against the thrust of his hand.
“There’s my wildfire,” he said softly, his lips curling up on one side. He leaned close to kiss along my jaw to my ear. “I believe we should find some time soon to make you cry out my name again. Don’t you?”
This guy could turn me on with only one glance.
“Perhaps we should,” I said, my smile joining his.
“Then count on it.” He settled back in his seat, and we ate one course after another until I felt like I was going to explode.
“Do you always eat this much food?” I asked, taking in the nearly empty platters.
“I have a good appetite.”
“I can’t imagine why you’re not . . . rounder.”
He laughed. “Would you prefer me rounder?”
I had a feeling I’d enjoy him no matter what shape or form he came in, but his muscles . . . I’d be a fool not to salivate over them.
“Once we’re finished,” he said. “Put on those leathers that I adore and join me in the training room. I’ll show you how I stay in shape and test your skills with a blade. We can talk.”
“While battling with blades?”
“You can’t do both at the same time?” The teasing sparkle in his eyes sank through me, melting me wherever it touched. “While we’re there, I’ll give you something special.”
