Page 28 of Desire

“A deal is a deal,” Garron said. “You wash the dishes.”

I glanced at Daemon, who was grinning from ear to ear and already kicking off his second boot. He guided me to the bench and knelt before me.

His hand slid up my calf in his quest to remove my boot and earned him an ear tweak. He chuckled but properly adjusted his hold.

“And how would you like me to spend the day with you?” he asked.

“In silence. I wish to read.”

He followed me across the room where someone had already stacked the bedrolls under the window. He removed a chair from the stack for me.

“Would you like it before the window or the fire?” he asked.

“The window, please.”

I settled onto the chair and opened my book to where I’d left off.

Daemon was completely attentive. He brought me food and drink, fed the fire, and found ways to subtly provoke me into giving him attention.

He sat on the floor and rubbed my feet—which resulted in more calf touching and earned him a kick to the side. He asked to comb and rebraid my hair then claimed it was too dirty and needed washing.

The others hauled in water at his behest. I ignored them and read.

When Daemon tugged me to my feet, I paid him little mind…until he started untying my lacings.

“Unhand my clothing, Daemon.”

“Keep reading, Lamb, and pay me no attention. I will have you washed, clean, and redressed before you reach the end of the book.”

“You are not bathing me, Daemon.”

“Not presently. You’re still dressed. Come, let’s remedy that.”

His fingers plucked the ties loose before I could tug them from his hold.

I caught his hands as my bodice loosened.

“I’ve already seen you in your shift, Lamb. There’s no need for feigned modesty between us.”

“Feigned?” I arched a brow. But rather than lose my temper, I decided to teach him the meaning of feigned.

“You believe me to be immodest, then?” I asked, giving him my pitiful, sad look—the same one Eloise often used on Judith when caught stealing pastries.

“No. Never,” Daemon said quickly, concern and a hint of panic creeping into his gaze.

I released his hands and slowly tugged at the top of my dress.

“Perhaps you’re right. Perhaps I am immodest.” The ties loosened enough for my dress to fall off my shoulders. It wasn’t anything he hadn’t seen before, yet his gaze heated.

“Did you like seeing me in my shift?” I asked softly.

His gaze swept over my face. “Yes. I liked it very much, Lamb.”

“And would you like to watch me bathe?”

He swallowed hard and nodded once. I let my dress fall to the floor and closed the meager distance between us.

“Brandle wanted me to kiss him this morning. Do you want the same?”

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