“I’m clear about it. You need to battle your mind,” he said at once, kissing my fingers.
I yanked my hand back from his hold and smiled weakly at him.
“Don’t starve yourself. I brought you dinner, and it’d be good if I didn’t walk out empty-handed at this late hour from your chamber,” I said, and he stood up with a smirk.
“Someone’s getting good at sneaking out,” he said, walking us toward the couch.“Let’s eat together.”
I immediately shook my head, feeling the heat in my cheeks at the sight of him half-naked and tempting before me on the couch.
“You know, I cannot do it.”
He chuckled softly.“You’ve already done a lot more,” he said, reminding me of our heated encounter. As I sat beside him, he asked,“How was your day?”
I watched him tear a bite, shoving it into his mouth.“Um… it was good, and you should wash your hands before eating,”
“Have you ever seen a lion wash his hands before having his meal?” he countered.
I took a deep breath and gaped at him.“But isn’t there a difference between an animal and a human?”
He quickly lifted his gaze to meet mine, and I felt as though I had spoken out of turn and muttered,“Sorry.”
“Good,” he said, pushing the plate closer to me.“Do you want to eat?” he asked, and I looked at him in disbelief.
“From your plate?” I asked, and he nodded.“I don't think I should.”
He paused for a moment, then said,“I think you should. Both my brothers share their plates with their wives.”
I bit my lip, feeling a flutter in my stomach at his words.“But they are their wives,”
He raised an eyebrow and asked,“Did I say anything different?”
I clenched my hand on my skirt.“I had my dinner.” I came up with an excuse.
He chuckled and insisted again,“The fuel is spent; you need more.”
A smile curved my lips, and I looked at my hand.“I should clean... it,”
He shook his head.“I already licked it clean. But yes, unless you want to get rid of my sal...”
I licked the tip of my finger before he could finish, and a broad smile appeared on his face.
“Okay, you don’t want to,” he mumbled, turning red.
I reached out to take a bite, reminding him,“Just a bite.”
He nodded and continued eating.
“Um… you know, an attendant tried to seduce me,” he blurted.
“What???” I asked, shocked.
“Yes,” he chuckled, chewing his food.
“Who?” I asked, frowning, already cursing her in my mind.
“The one who saw us together,” he added.
“Yesterday afternoon?” I asked, and he nodded.“How?” I added.
