Page 37 of Desire

Eadric fed me another bite then darted forward to lick my bottom lip.

“I missed a little,” he said. “Tastes better on you than from the bowl.”

“How does he get away with it?” Daemon muttered. “I bet he could have had her bathed and redressed before she noticed.”

“I’ll take that bet,” Eadric said.

“No you won’t,” I said firmly, trying to ignore the flush creeping into my cheeks and the tingle of awareness in my breast.

He nodded solemnly to me but gave Daemon an exaggerated wink.

“Impossible, annoying men,” I muttered.

CHAPTER SIX

Abandoningwhat was left of my dinner, I claimed Eadric’s swinging bed until he attempted to join me. Then they made a game of rushing to their beds so I would need to choose who to cuddle. Brandle, the most responsible one, ignored them and gathered the dishes, leaving his bed open. I took it and closed my eyes.

The night air had a chill in it that slowly bled the heat from me. I shivered lightly and listened to the brothers’ soft conversation about keeping watch as I waited for sleep to claim me. The clank of dishes and the creak of the well’s handle echoed from around the side of the cottage.

When I felt a blanket cover me a while later, I opened my eyes to look at Brandle.

“It won’t be enough,” I said. “Can you join me without spilling us into the dirt?”

He studied me for a long moment then leaned close.

“Put your arms around my neck.”

I did as he said and gasped when he lifted me out of the bed and nimbly climbed in with both of us. I lay partially on his chest with one leg over his hips and the other wedged beside him.

“Cover us, will you, Eadric?” he asked.

A blanket settled over us. Then Eadric began tucking it around me, kneading my backside briefly in the process.

“What did he do?” Brandle asked, having caught the flicker of surprise in my expression.

“Just making sure she’s adequately covered,” Eadric said as he sauntered to his bed.

“Kitten?” Brandle asked softly when I remained silent.

“Just hold me, Brandle, and let me sleep.”

He nodded, pressed a kiss to my temple, and rubbed my back as I closed my eyes.

I woketo the low murmur of conversation.

“Do you think she would notice if we pulled Brandle from his spot and took his place?” Darian asked.

“Yes,” Brandle said beneath me. “I wouldn’t recommend it.”

“You just don’t want to lose your place,” Daemon said.

“Her arm is wrapped around me. She will notice.”

“What’s she touching?” Eadric asked. “I like when she touches my chest. Are you touching hers? She likes it too.”

Brandle’s fingers lightly brushed over my breast. Without the protection of my dress, I would have shivered.

“He’s not answering,” Liam said. “Either he’s thinking about it or doing it.”

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