Page 19 of Oath of Rebellion

She shook her head. "That's not my cup of tea, especially when I know my brother will be in attendance. I like some kinky stuff, but I like my privacy too. At least at the tavern, I can take someone to a room instead of going down in public."

He choked, a puff of green gas escaping and slowly sinking to the forest floor. He waved a hand to disperse it, hoping she didn't see it at all when she turned her head to look at him.

"Are you alright?" She looked so innocent but with that twinkle in her eye, he realized she was trying to get a rise out of him.

Well, mission completed. He gripped her hip, and she wiggled her tight little ass on his hard dick once more.

"I'm fine," he growled. "Face forward."

Her lips tilted in a sultry smile but she obeyed. He leaned forward, moving the long black hair to fall over one shoulder. It bared the back of her neck, and his mouth went to her ear.

"You're teasing me on purpose," he said softly, so close to touching her. He wanted to nibble on her ear but was afraid it would hurt her.

She stiffened and leaned back against him. "Maybe. Is it working?"

"Depends on what you're trying to do, princess."

"Seduce you, of course. Not that we have any time to follow through with anything," she said with a sigh. He stiffened behind her, and she let his arms cocoon her in the protective shelter of his muscles.

He didn't reply, and the silence was peaceful.

"Why did you leave me flowers on the windowsill this morning?" she asked softly.

He hesitated between telling her it was just a nice thing to do or the truth. They were approaching the edge of the forest though, and the closer they got to town, the more he wanted to hold on to her.

Desperation ate at him, demanding that he claim her. At the very least, he had to know if this was one sided, if only to drive his dreams on the cold, lonely nights in the forest.

He dipped his head, and his breath on her neck made her nipples pucker through her dress. He wanted to reach around and cup them but didn't dare.

She closed her eyes, shuddering as his nose grazed her ear. "I wanted to tell you how I felt but didn't know how."

His heart raced as she leaned back against him. "How—how do you feel?"

He licked the shell of her ear, and the air shifted. Green gas sank to her shoulder, and he blew it away to sink to the grass. She didn't notice the gas but shivered at the wind.

He couldn't hold back the truth. He had to know if she was just flirting with him or if she truly did desire him.

"Peach roses for desire and hope that one day we can have a moment together."

She gasped, her hand reaching down and gripping his thigh. He wrapped an arm around her waist, and she grabbed his forearm with hers.

"Do you truly desire me, princess, or are you just toying with me?"

She moaned as his hand dipped down to cup her mound. "How—how can you even ask that? Of course I desire you."

"Are you sure?" he asked, licking the pulse under her neck.

She whimpered and wiggled on the saddle. "Hells, yes, I'm sure. If Helga and Scarlet weren't here, I'd climb off this horse and ride you now."

He kissed her neck, growling, "I would love that." And he would. The intensity of his desire took him by surprise. No wonder people had sex all the time. No wonder there were camp followers and brothels and...

He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself before he turned the horse off the road and ravished her. Helga and Scarlet be damned.

"White peonies are for admiration and awe at how you handled the carriage accident yesterday. You're so brave and strong, princess."

She shivered at the praise of his words. "You—you're kind to say so."

He shook his head, his nose nuzzling under her ear. She tilted her head to the side to give him greater access.