Page 6

Alaric presses his mouth to mine.

I kiss a lot of clients. I don't have a hang-up like some workers; I'm not saving my kisses for my true love. And yet, the gentle slide of Alaric's plush lips feels…different, somehow. More sincere. As the kiss deepens, every brush of his tongue gives me a strange, giddy thrill. I nearly chase him when he pulls away but catch myself at the last second.

Alaric's soft smile widens into a mischievous grin. He runs his hand down my chest until he reaches the silver chain connecting my nipple rings. "Mmm. Big fan of this," he observes. He gives the chain a light, experimental tug.

Sensation zaps from my nipples to my groin. I moan loudly. Nearby centaurs mutter their appreciation, shifting their weight impatiently. Fuck yes. I love an audience.

"You like it, huh?" I purr, thumbing my left nipple ring.

Alaric catches my wrist and moves my hand away. "No playing with yourself tonight, kitty-cat. That's my job."

The heat in his dark eyes makes my cock chub beneath my short skirt. I lean back on my palms, smirking at him. "So do it, then."

Alaric's fingertips drag lightly down my torso. When he reaches my flouncy skirt, he dips under the hem…and stops. I huff. He winks. "Patience, little Kitten. The party hasn't started yet. We've got allllll night."

I squirm at the ticklish brush of his knuckles against my stomach. "Or maybe, I'll have to go find someone else to — "

He laughs. The loud, mocking sound sets me on fire. "Oh, Kitten. You're not going anywhere. Do you know why?"

His fingers leave my skirt and drop to my leg. I hiss a hopeful breath. Alaric's eyes dance as his hand creeps steadily upward, climbing my inner thigh.

I eye the drop off the table and shrug. "Because it's a long way down, and I'm lazy?"

Alaric snorts. "No. You're staying put because I'm your Stud tonight. I'm going to open your sweet hole and breed you first. All the other fuckers dying to shove their cocks in you have to wait until I'm good and done."

His fingertips are inches from my growing need. My hard-on is clearly visible; its outline is shrouded in sheer fabric. Alaric cups my cheek, tipping my head back so he can kiss my neck. I emit a low moan as my throat is exposed to his soft, exploring lips.

"Rumor says your friend Crystal found a mate and moved on to greener pastures," he murmurs against my skin. "Is that true?"

It's so unexpected that I blink several times before replying. Unwarranted jealousy slithers through my chest. "Yep. It's true."

"Hmmm. Someone in the herd is very disappointed by that."

"Oh? Who?"

Alaric's voice is a low, intimate thrum in my ear. "The captain of the royal guard has carried a torch for Crystal for years."

The news is so startling that it distracts me from the role I'm supposed to be playing. "Oh, shit! Really?!"

"Really really. Trust me, Kitten. I know these things."

As casually as possible, I cast my gaze over Alaric's shoulder. Across the room, the stern-faced white centaur who escorted us from the front gate stands with his arms crossed. His expression is utterly stoic. Piercing blue eyes watch us without blinking.

Huh. I wonder if Jasper knew about the captain's interest. Even if he did, he wouldn't have told me. We were good work friends, but Jasper kept his personal life private. "So…does the captain of the royal guard have a name?"

"Of course he does."

"What is it?"

"Captain."

I snort. Alaric grins.

"Missed his chance to tell Crystal how he felt, poor bastard. 'Course, you'd have to pull his teeth out to make him admit it." My Stud kisses my cheek, then whispers slyly, "Do you want to know who else is having trouble in love? It's all over the herd."

"…Sure?" I honestly didn't expect to get the full rundown on juicy herd drama before being fucked by said herd, but here we are.

Alaric mouths my neck as he murmurs. "Look at the two roans to your left. Behind the pintos."