Page 34 of The Sins of Silas

His lips parted, color staining his cheeks, and that signatureRoland smirk took over. “Aww…you were worried about me, Ginger Snap?”

I smiled softly, my eyes falling to his neck. I traced my fingers over where the wound was. “Very worried…”

He lifted his hand and ran it along the arm that was caressing him. My eyes found his again, his face serious. “Kiss me,” he breathed.

No one was awake yet…

My stare slid from his eyes to his lips a few times before that desire ruled me, and I leaned down, pressing my mouth to his.

It was a soft kiss, one that sent warmth throughout my whole body. When I kissed him the second time, his fingers weaved through my hair, holding my face as he kissed me a third.

“Roland,” I whispered over his lips.

“Hm?” He kissed me again, sucking my bottom lip into his mouth.

I was about to lose my mind. The need for his entire body, for his touch…

It was almost painful how badly I craved it—cravedhim.

“Fuck,” I whispered, pushing away.

Roland chuckled, the sound arousing me further, and I pinched his side, holding back my own laugh.

Chapter Ten

LENA

“Thank Ravaiana!” Elowen had cried, hopping off the horse and twirling around. “I never wish to travel through there ever again!”

It was another twenty-four hours after Roland awoke that we had made it out of Half-Life Pass, and that final day had dragged the longest. I hadn’t gotten Roland's kiss out of my head. To make matters worse, as we were riding on our horse, he’d sneak pecks on my neck when no one was looking. I wasn’t even fighting him anymore, nor was he teasing. We simply wanted one another.

It took three more evenings until we could see Forsmont in the distance. We would arrive in the morning. The lights from the kingdom shone like stars from this far away, and I couldn’t wait to sleep in an actual bed again…so long as everything went well once we arrived.

And a shower. Gods, I couldn't wait to shower.

“Are youcold?” Edmund asked Elowen as she shivered beside him. The wind tonight was cooler, but still pleasant for a summer evening. We managed to travel with a couple of bottles of mead, waiting to drink until we were near our destination. I was enjoying the slight buzz it gave me.

“A little,” she whispered with a smile, and Edmund opened up his arms. She snuggled in closer to him and kissed him on the lips, the action causing Merrick to grunt in distaste.

“Is there a problem?” Edmund asked after pulling his lips away, his tone causing my eyes to widen. Never once had he stood up to all of Merrick’s displeased words or actions.

We all looked at Merrick, whose eyes darkened. “Myproblemis you messing with Elowen’s feelings.”

“Merrick—” Elowen began.

“No, El. I’m sorry, but I still do not love whatever—this—is,” he said, twirling his hands toward them.

“Listen, pal, it’s clear that you’re into Elowen,” Edmund said calmly, his back straightening. “I don’t think she returns the feeling. So, get over it.”

Viola and I choked, and Elowen’s hand flew to her mouth, suppressing a chuckle.

Merrick gave him an incredulous look laced with disgust. “I sure as fuck hope she wouldn’t return that feeling, considering she is my sister!”

At the sight of Edmund’s mouth falling open, the three of us burst out laughing, Edmund’s face heating. Even Merrick couldn't hold back his smile as he shook his head and covered his eyes. The others bit down their smiles.

“O-oh.” Edmund cringed as he rubbed the back of his neck.

“Looks like you royally misread that, buddy,” Roland teased, chuckling as he patted the soldier on the back.

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