Page 53 of Desire

“Continue to vex me and you will lose your place. I believe Liam finished after you did.”

“I will gladly take Eadric’s place,” Liam said from his spot farther away.

Eadric patted my hip. “You are very agreeable, and I was wrong, Sparrow. You hate when we touch you.” His hand trailed up my hip and curved around my waist. My breast was in his palm before I knew his intent. My breath left me as he gently pinched my nipple and caused it to pebble.

“Yep. Definitely an adverse response.” He continued to pluck and roll the sensitive bud between his fingers as I fought to deny the sensations it created.

“You’ve proven your point,” I rasped. “Please stop.”

“Why must you refuse the truth, Princess? Do you truly believe we have ill intentions toward you?”

“What would you have me do, Darian? Allow you all to take turns with me? Use me while you wait for me to break the spell holding you? Not only will I be exiled from my home for the magic I wield, but I would also be rejected from any polite company wherever I go for being a wanton woman. Is that your level of care for me? To see me with a future where I am alone and rejected by everyone?

“No, Princess. A future where you are never alone because you have us.”

I snorted.

“I am young but not as naive as you would have me be. I know men speak sweet words when they want something and cruel ones when it suits them. Do as you will.” I rolled into Eadric, giving him access to my other breast.

“No, Sparrow. We want to do as you will.” He nuzzled my neck, creating more heat. “Tell us what you want.”

“I want you to stop plucking at my breast and go to sleep.”

“How many times has he gotten away with touching her now?” Daemon asked. “Not a single cuffing.”

“I question my sanity,” I responded.

Darian pulled me away from Eadric’s wandering hands and onto his chest. His fingers stroked over my hair.

“Sleep, Princess. I will protect your virtue.”

“She’s stronger than she knows.”

The words penetrated my dreamless sleep and drew me toward reality. I had my hand under Darian’s shirt and my head pillowed on his chest. Eadric’s arm was wrapped around my waist, and his hips were firmly anchored to my backside. His desire for me pressed against me quite noticeably.

“Is she in danger?” Brandle asked.

“I’m watching for signs but haven’t seen any yet,” Garron said. “I would like to take her to the mines tomorrow.”

“No,” Edmund said. “She said they would attack soon.”

“After then,” Garron said.

“You’ll need another to go with you,” Liam said.

“I think it’s too soon,” Eadric said from behind me. “She needs more time.”

“I agree,” Brandle said. Edmund and Darian echoed his approval.

“Tomorrow matters little when I won’t survive the night,” Darian whispered.

“What’s she doing now?” Daemon asked.

“Now? Nothing. She settled again. But she keeps tugging at my shirt. I think the material is bothering her and she wants it off.”

“Here,” Eadric said a moment before he stole me away from Darian.

“You two better not wake her,” Edmund said as I listened to a rustle of cloth.

---