His lips twitched. With measured grace, he stalked forward. “I’ve heard a weaponsmith lives here. They call her Aspen of Autumn. Lady knight and expert crafter for the Crown.”
“It’s after hours. She’s not open for business again until tomorrow.” I audited his chiseled physique as though I’d never laid eyes on him before, much less ridden that body. “On the other hand, I might be persuaded. You can call me a Brazen Creature, if you’d like.”
“Only if you call me a stubborn, cantankerous, Noble Knight.”
“I might be obliged.” As we sidled closer, my flesh pebbled, and desire coiled between my thighs. “What’s your request, soldier?”
Aire unstrapped his weapons and exhibited the pair of worn leather scabbards. “War may be coming. I fear I’ve outgrown these and require an upgrade from a trusted source.”
“Is that right?” I sauntered just near enough to evaluate the harness. I angled my head, feeling the tender strokes of his eyes over my profile. “Quality accessories,” I said, my words quavering. “I’m not sure anything I can offer would live up to that.”
“I disagree,” he whispered, his breath rushing along my temple.
My fingers itched to touch, seize, hold on to this man. “My commissions list is pretty full. It may take a while. How long do you have?”
The knight took another step, his baritone guttural. “Forever.”
Love swelled in my throat. “My favorite answer.”
“Mine as well.”
“In that case…” I gestured to the metal plate resting on the anvil. “I’ve been working on a special design, with one recipient in mind.”
Elegant and sleek, the plate was a single component of many. Once combined with a second fitting and other hardware I had already created, plus the necessary bindings, the result would form two unique harnesses. Prime scabbards with mechanisms that released while the fighter withdrew two swords in unison.
Aire had been the rare soldier who could extract twin blades from his back with seamless ease. But this design would be more efficient. It would help him fight smoother and quicker.
“They’re beautiful,” Aire marveled. “I only hope to be worthy of such a gift.”
“Oh, I know you are.” I traced one finger across his jaw. “You see, I tried forging these scabbards for my Noble Knight years ago but never mustered the ability to finish. Sometimes you need to see the wielder through clearer eyes.”
Aire’s husky timbre sent tingles up my spine. “What do you see now?”
“A soul mate,” I proposed. “These days, I’m feeling mighty confident we suit each other.”
After setting the broadswords against the workbench, his thumb sketched the beauty mark above my upper lip. “Aspen,” he rasped. “I cannot stand it any longer.”
I rushed out, “Good, because you don’t have to.”
With a groan, he swooped in. I sighed with pleasure as he hoisted me forward, the slit of my legs throbbing, the foliage motifs scalding along my skin.
Dammit, one hour until dinner wouldn’t be enough. In which case, I’d take the suggestion to heart and make it count.
With a desperate growl, Aire veered his head toward mine, about to crush my lips against his own. Reeling back, I set a finger to his hot mouth. “I have a request.”
“Anything,” he swore. “Everything.”
Now we were talking in my language. “The scabbards aren’t done yet, but I do have something else that needs testing.”
Sashaying out of his grip, I twisted and detached a helmet model from the wall. Sauntering back to Aire, I wagged the object. “Try it on for me.”
The virtuous knight paused. Because he recognized the raunchy dip of my voice, his skin burned red. Such a big warrior. Such a deep blush. Calling it one of my favorite reactions from him was an understatement.
Seconds later, temptation overrode modesty, elemental need blazing in his pupils. Another side of Aire existed beneath the hard surface. Numerous times while naked and panting, we had discovered this, drawing out his inner beast like a kink.
He didn’t probe, didn’t ask questions, didn’t hesitate. No, his fervid gaze panned from the helmet to me. “As you wish.”
That husky timbre spiked my pulse. “Good man.”
