“I can imagine. I have a lot of ready information, and I’m always eager to trade, but I need access to the prince.”
So, he was after my bounty. I should be furious, at least territorial, but his hand was so warm, his fingers so enticing. Perhaps the Sheriff wasn’t telling the whole truth. He obviously had an ulterior motive.
I leaned in, expecting to taste the ale on his breath but only mine lingered between us. “And what do I get for all this information?”
The Sheriff grinned. “I’ll show you.” He took my hand and lifted me to my feet. He strode toward the back of the inn, and I followed, my palm sweaty in his. I kept my head turned away from the game in the center of the room. Would Clement notice?
The Sheriff dropped my hand, and I wiped it on my cloak as we entered the hallway. Spurs clinking, he climbed the wooden stairs to the third floor. Running one hand along the floral wallpaper as we rose, he hummed a jaunty tune, never once turning back to check if I followed.
He knew he had me.
Maybe Clement wouldn’t care. He’d just think I had found my own entertainment for the evening. As long as I made it back before he could check on me, it would be fine. He wouldn’t see the aftermath, and I couldn’t be blamed if I was tucked up back in front of Lilyanna’s door staring at the gaping hearth. I shook the nerves from my system. I couldn’t let the mere sight of him unsettle me. He was probably only watching my movements out of professional curiosity. It was his job to know everything going on in or around the castle, which extended to me.
The floorboards creaked, the aisle undulating slightly beneath my feet. The Sheriff stopped at the first open door and held it open. As I moved past him, he leaned into me, pinning me against the frame with his hot body flush against mine.
“Your brother-in-law works at the castle too?”
I nodded. “Prince’s personal bodyguard.”
His lips closed on mine, groin hardening against my stomach. “I live for challenges like that,” he whispered, freeing my mouth for just long enough to hear my moan of agreement.
He rolled me around the door frame and flattened me against the wall. The door snicked shut, its lock snapping into place. He tore open my cloak, and I tugged the tunic over his head, throwing the fabric into the corner. He worked his mouth down my face, my neck, my chest, his hands roving under my shirt in perfect synchrony.
Goddessdamn was he good. He was a professional. No wonder someone wanted retribution. I freed his belt, an assortment of knives clanging to the floor and my ring caught against the light hair on his chest as I moved upward.
“Sorry,” I panted. “I should take this off. Wouldn’t want to scratch you.”
He grasped my wrists and held them above my head, pressing me back against the wall. “Keep it on.”
Good as he was, I had a sudden image of Clement in front of me. He’d take his time, working his way systematically through every pleasure point in my body. A welcome heat pushed lower into my abdomen.
The Sheriff regained my focus, tugging the rest of my clothes off and letting my undergarments pool on the floor by my feet. I stood with the gummy wallpaper molding to my back, dim moonlight illuminating my naked body while he stood back. His gray eyes travelled slowly down my breasts, tracing an invisible line to my stomach, my skin tingling as if he were running his tongue across me.
His erection throbbed, and he took himself in hand, stroking slowly while his gaze penetrated every inch of me. Heat pulsed between my legs, wetness seeping down my thighs.
Sometimes I really loved my job.
“I can taste you from here.” He licked his lips, moisture beading on the slick surface.
“I’d rather you tasted me here.” I tilted my hips, arching my back to allow him full view of me.
Lust shone in his eyes, his face breaking into that mischievous grin that I’d followed around the country. He had me. He wanted me, but it was my turn first.
He grabbed my hips, lifting me up and onto him. I wound my thighs around his waist, sinking deep upon his shaft. His mouth covered mine, swallowing my moan. I threaded my fingers through his hair, my nails tingling as I gently scratched his scalp.
Not enough to bleed, not yet.
He thrust harder, my back pounding against the wall. Magic swirled through my veins, setting my nerves on fire.
I was losing control.
Pressure built deep within me, my senses numbing to everything except the heat, the sweat, the pleasure.
He took my breast in his mouth, working my erect nipple between his teeth, and I was done.
I was his.
I threw my head back as he dug his teeth into my skin, sucking and tugging while he speared me deeper. I screamed as the fire within me burst, clinging onto just enough sense to realize I'd dug my nails into his back. There was no hesitation this time as my magic released.
