She giggled, then winked back.
Yup, they were going to get along just fine.
She handed Rowan a key, and he followed Milo back out, as they had to bring the horses around to the back, where the stables were. When Milo grabbed the draft horse’s reins, though, Rowan paused him with a light touch against his arm.
“How did you do that?”
“What, convince her we only needed one bed? I don’t know what to tell you. Charm? Direct communication?”
“Well.” A pleased smile played around Rowan’s mouth again. “You are good at both.”
“Aww, what a nice compliment!”
Rowan bent at the waist before placing a light kiss on his mouth, voice deep as always but softer, somehow. “Don’t let it go to your head, little mage.”
Milo basked in both praise and kiss. Seriously, the best part of dating Rowan was all of these little compliments boosting his ego. Not to mention the nice kisses.
Rowan shifted back to business, gathering up Stan’s reins and leading them off.
Milo happily followed.
Rowan got the horses settled in for the night while Milo applied the lightening spell to the cart, then they took in what bags they needed. Milo washed up in the small washbasin in their room, wiping off the worst of the travel dust. When they’d come in from the stables, he’d noted with interest that the inn had a bathing room in the back. Communal, granted, but at least they had one. He was so going for a bath later tonight. Feeling gritty, he really needed one at this point. The breeze today had kicked up a lot of travel dust and Milo felt covered in it. Bath. Definitely bath.
He beat Rowan down the stairs, heading straight for the dining room. He settled into a chair, breathing in delightful smells. He had no idea what the alluring scent was called, but he needed three plates. Maybe four. It was something with garlic, that much he knew.
The scuff of a boot warned him someone else was nearby, but Milo paid the owner no attention until a deep voice purred, “Why hello there.”
Turning his head, he blinked up at a ginger giant who had appeared out of nowhere. He was massive, to the point it felt like he filled the room, his red hair cut short, and he was clean shaven. He looked like another traveler, with the knee-high brown boots, matching brown pants, and basic cream shirt.He also looked…strangely familiar? No, that wasn’t it, rather he reminded Milo of someone he knew.
The stranger’s lips widened into a full smile as his eyes swept over Milo. “Not often I meet a handsome man while traveling. What’s your name?”
“Milo,” he answered with a tinge of uncertainty because he didn’t really like this vibe. It felt seductive. Granted, even four days ago, if this man had approached, Milo might have gone for some casual sex. But now? No way in hell. “Uh, I have to tell you, I’m not available—”
The stranger’s eyes shifted from Milo, his head canting in question.
Eh, was someone else behind Milo?
A fist came out of nowhere and slammed into the top of the stranger’s head. Ducking backward, hands up to ward off another attack, the stranger snapped, “Use your words, dammit!”
Rowan met him toe to toe. “Mine.”
Eh?
Milo’s eyes darted between the two of them andbing! Bought a clue. Oh, that was why this stranger looked familiar! He had to be Rowan’s older brother. They were almost twins, in a way, although his brother seemed to know how to emote and had a good three inches on Rowan, though they were nearly identical in build. The brother’s eyes were blue instead of hazel, and he seemed to favor the clean-cut aesthetic. Rowan looked more like a barbarian king roaming around for his next conquest. He scowled at his older brother with something like a pout.
Sitting between these two giants made Milo feel short as hell.
Rowan unbent enough to explain to Milo, “This is Ruben.”
“Brother, right? Hi.” Milo popped up, maneuvered under Rowan’s arm to make it clear where he stood. “I’m Rowan’s snuggle bunny.”
Rowan snorted in amusement but didn’t disagree. In fact, he wrapped a muscular arm around Milo’s waist, pulling him in a bit more.
Ruben’s jaw dropped as he took them in and then his eyes snapped to Milo. “Whatever he has on you, I promise I can protect you.”
Rowan promptly aimed a kick at him, which Ruben dodged, but the move seemed to be teasing? Mostly?
Still, Milo didn’t like Ruben’s insinuation and frowned. “Excuse you, do you know how much charm I had to use to convince this man to date me? Don’t you dare fuck that up.”
