Page 100 of The Heir's Bargain

"So, no more pretending?"

"No more pretending," I said. I picked up the card and held it in the space between us. "If you answer one question for me."

"Go for it, Ferrios."

"How long have you been holding onto this card?"

A wide smile split across his face, but his answer never came.

In truth, though, I didn't care about the answer—not when his lips met mine.

The kiss was soft at first. Then, he parted my lips with his tongue, and the softness vanished. It was all-consuming, head-spinning. And without the lie sitting between us, Fynn was unrelenting.

Chapter 24

FYNN

What has you smiling like you just caught the biggest buck of the season, brother?

I straightened in my seat and tried to wipe the grin off my face at the sound of Terin's voice in my mind. I failed miserably, though, the corners of my eyes wrinkling.

I hadn't stopped grinning like a smitten fool since Dani and I had parted ways two days ago. Despite my attempt in the carriage—because I had thrown caution out the window once I had gotten a taste of her—she had declined to go any further than kissing—something about not wanting Jorian and Lance to hear.

I could have cared less, of course. Lance had the unfortunate (or fortunate, depending on one's opinion) task of taking the night shift one too many times over the years. Overhearing what I did in private would have been nothing new to him. But then, when I kissed Dani below her ear, and that sinful moan escaped those soft, plump lips, I no longer wished to share that beautiful noise with anyone.

So, seeing her lips swollen, cheeks flushed, and breaths shortened had to suffice.

And that was precisely what I had been thinking about as the advisors discussed the success of the solstice ball.

I took a sip of my tea.

A success, indeed.

Never mind. I don't want to know, Terin thought.

I refrained from chuckling and propped my chin on my fist, pretending to listen to the advisors as they changed topics. They went back and forth about some dispute about a lord's land and a wolf infestation.

My mind, however, was still stuck on the solstice.

"Daises or roses?" I asked Terin as we headed down the hall in the opposite direction of the advisors.

Graeson walked ahead of us, his fists deep in his pockets. When we left the meeting, he shook his head after glancing my way and mumbled something unintelligible.

I didn't care about his sour attitude, though. Not today.

"Excuse me?" Terin asked as we exited the castle and headed toward the training grounds.

I shook off the stiff jacket and tossed it over my shoulder. "You're right—both are far too simplistic. Perhaps a bundle of those purple ranunculuses from Mother's garden."

"Are these for Dani?" Terin pulled me to a stop.

"Yes. One often gives flowers to one’s partner. Perhaps you should try it, Ter."

Dani had said that she had never been courted—after all, those frivolous outings with her mother's suitors did not count. Not when they made a woman go running for the hills on horseback. While this might have started as a fake courtship, it would be impudent of me not to show her what it was like to truly be courted.

"While you two continue to prattle about flowers, I'm going to go do something worthwhile," Graeson grumbled ahead of us, not bothering to wait.

Terin rolled his eyes at him and slapped my arm. "Wait, is this why you've been smiling nonstop?"

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