Page 69 of Desire

“I see through your ruse, Eadric. Unhand my person.” My actions contradicted my demand, though, as I arched into his hold. He needed my distraction, and I felt the moment his worry shifted toward desire.

Unerringly, he pinched my nipple through my dress. My heart skipped a beat, and I fought to keep my breathing steady.

“I could release you,” he said agreeably, “but then I couldn’t help you tease my brothers by making you flush so prettily.” He rolled my nipple and added in a conspiratorial whisper, “It tempts them to the point of madness. Look at them.”

I turned my head and saw Daemon, Brandle, and Garron watching us. I met their gazes as Eadric continued to fondle me through my dress, and I felt myself sinking. With my hand on Eadric’s shoulder, I tried to anchor myself. He brushed his lips against my ear, turning me slightly so I faced the others.

“Let’s show them how much you like being touched, Sparrow,” he said softly.

His words wrapped around me like a weight and pulled me deeper into what I was feeling. The well pulsed, begging to be opened. I shook my head, denying the well and trying to deny what Eadric wanted me to acknowledge.

His fingers left my breast only to delve into my bodice and tease the skin directly.

“Then tell me to stop,” he whispered against my ear.

The sound of my pulse in my ears muffled his heavy breaths as he kissed my jaw. The lid on the well slipped a fraction, and drowning in the flood of desire not my own, I moaned softly. Eadric’s whispered praise encouraged another moan from my lips, and I arched into his palm.

Another wave of desire swept over me. My skin tingled with it.

“I think that’s enough, Eadric,” Brandle said, his voice low.

My eyes snapped open, and I flushed scarlet at the realization of what I’d allowed.

The hue of Garron’s face matched my own. Shame crashed over me.

“I-I’m sorry,” I stammered.

Garron strode forward, plucked Eadric’s hand from my dress, and hugged me.

“You humble me,” he said. “Your courage. Your strength and unwavering determination. Never lose that. Not for anyone…even us. Don’t ever apologize when you’ve done nothing deserving of regret.”

He pulled back and met my gaze. “If we push too far, it’s us who owe the apology. Do you understand? You only need to speak our offense, and it will be corrected.” His hands shifted to my shoulders. “Now, did Eadric press too far?”

I glanced at Brandle and Daemon over Garron’s shoulder.

“No, Kellen,” Garron said gently. “Only you can answer this question. Did Eadric take more than you were willing to give?”

Meeting Garron’s gaze, I considered what he was asking.

If I were home and the same coddled miss I’d been months ago, the answer would have assuredly been an affirmation. But the home I knew had been cruelly ripped away from me. The life I once thought I would live—one of solitude with only my sister at my side—no longer seemed possible. Not the way it once had. In my heart, I knew I would never again be content with that future. What I truly wanted was here in this glade with these men. Companionship. Adoration. Devotion.

“No, Eadric didn’t take more than I was willing to give,” I said. “I am embarrassed and fear censure from you, but I liked what Eadric did.”

Daemon pivoted on his heel and walked away. His need to touch me as Eadric had heated him from the inside. Eadric’s gratitude and need to tell his twin what I’d admitted kept me where I was instead of closing myself in the cottage.

“He’s not angry, Kitten,” Brandle said.

“I know,” I said. “I can feel his desire.”

“Let me know what you feel when he douses himself with a cold bucket of water,” Brandle said with a chuckle.

“Perhaps it’s time to focus on something else,” Garron said.

I nodded, ready to escape from my embarrassment.

Garron and I spent the next hour in the small study, trying to solve the question of energy consumption while we also monitored the trackers. It worried Garron that I couldn’t tell how much I used or how much energy was in my well.

“What if you remove the lid from the well and leave it off? Perhaps allowing it to fill will help us understand what’s already in it.”

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