Page 196 of Forcing Fate

I smiled sadly, too afraid to commit. Fear and insecurity had me biting my lip and rising off him. I knew when the game was called, but it wasn’t a game for Rafe anymore. Something changed and rewrote the rules. I stood, knowing he could see my outline from the dim light, and unfastened my belt.

“Vy,” he choked out in warning.

I dropped my trousers, and the hem of the tunic brushed the top of my knee. Stepping over Rafe, I laid them on the table. I climbed onto the cot and burrowed into his cloak. He let out a fierce growl and slammed his fist on the floor.

“You cruel witch,” he hissed.

Smiling, I drifted off into a fitful sleep.

I stretched, sore and cold. Rolling over with a moan, I saw Rafe tending the small stove in the corner. His broad back was to me, and I pulled his cloak around me, content to lie there and admire him.

His muscles coiled and moved under his skin with every shift as he balanced on the balls of his feet, pushing more wood into the stove. He was a giant of a man, but graceful at the same time. Korzak was a true giant, but lacked the grace that came with Rafe.

He shifted, turning to reach for my cloak on the floor. He glanced up and froze, staring at me.

“Morn,” I said, groggy with sleep.

He frowned, gaze traveling down my body. I was wrapped in his cloak, except for a leg that I had kicked out during the night. His eyes stopped at my exposed calf and he glanced back up at me.

“Cover yourself.”

“Someone didn’t sleep well.” I teased, but obeyed and pulled my leg back under his cloak.

He stood, stretching his arms above his head. I watched as his tunic rose, exposing the thick muscles above his trousers.

“I slept on a wood floor,” he groaned.

My shoulders lifted in a lazy shrug. “I offered the bed.”

“I would have slept far less,” he said, dropping his arms and eyeing me.

I smirked and kicked off the cloak. Closing my eyes, I stretched to my limit, waking my limbs up. When my eyes fluttered open, Rafe’s hungry gaze was on me. His eyes were fastened to where the hem of my tunic had risen on my thighs. I threw my legs over the side of the cot and stood. He bit out a harsh curse and sat on the floor to jerk his boots on. I smiled sweetly and retrieved my trousers from the table. Stepping in, I watched Rafe from under my lashes. He tied the cloth over his injured eye, glaring at me. I pulled my trousers up and slowly pushed my tunic into the waist, but his dark eye never left my face.

“Careful how much you taunt me, girl,” he growled.

He opened the door and stormed out, slamming it shut behind him. I stood there for a moment looking at the solid wood, hearing his heavy footsteps travel down the hall.

Throwing my hands in the air, I danced a jig with myself and fell onto the cot, flinging my arms wide. “He likes me,” I whispered to the ceiling.

It was childish—inappropriate. I shouldn’t feed my desire, but I was helpless against it. I didn’t fully understand it, but the power to make him tick, to put him on edge was exhilarating, empowering—addictive.

I wanted more.

I took a deep breath, knowing it ended today. We would join the barracks again, surrounded by the Tennan. Part of me knew I would have to be careful, as well as Rafe, when we went to the spring from now on. The temptation would be great, because I had fed it and teased it.

I writhed on the bed, giggling.

I had never felt this before. Both this longing deep in my belly and the joy that came with having a terrible, glorious secret. This was between me and Rafe, and it would stay that way. We both knew we each desired each other and understood we couldn’t act on it.

The risk was great, but I cherished the ride. I didn’t feel like I had to fulfill my longing. Staring up at the ceiling, I wondered if Rafe felt the same. Last night, he clearly enjoyed himself. He acted in a manner I’d never seen, with his walls completely down. But this morning, he seemed angry.

Perhaps, because he was older, he didn’t revel in it like I did. Maybe it was harder on him. I sighed happily and rose from the cot, gathering our things. Whether he enjoyed this as much as I did wasn’t the question. As long as the feelings were mutual, it was fine.

I smiled, packing my saddlebag.

It was more than fine.

It was wonderful.

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