Page 167 of Rogue Elves of Ardani

“You do make me happy,” she murmured. “I have no earthly idea why—you’re stubborn and rude and you drive me crazy—but you do.”

He smiled as he wiped the wetness off her cheekbone with his thumb. She guessed he was smearing her makeup, but she had missed his touch so much that she hardly cared. “Do you always choose surly bastards to be your romantic partners?”

“No. Do you always choose devious vixens?”

“Only when it’s you.”

She pulled away to hold him at arm’s length. There remained no shortage of practical problems for them to consider. He was still a night elf, and she was still Ardanian. But maybe none of that mattered. Maybe it would be worth tackling all those problems, if it meant they could be together. “What if I did forgive you?” she asked. “What do you want from me, exactly?”

“As much as you will allow.”

“As much…?”

“I want you.That’s what I’m asking for.”

She took a long, careful breath, then said quietly, “Then stay here.”

“Stay here… in this house?” he said slowly, as if he couldn’t quite believe it. “With you?”

She shrugged uncertainly, smiling a little. “If it pleases you.”

“For how long?”

“However long you like. It might be a bit boring compared to what you’re used to, but—”

“I suspect that as long as you’re around, it will not be boring.”

“Then you’ll stay?”

He looked amused. “Yes, Crow, obviously.”

She bit her lip to suppress a smile. Why was she suddenly blushing? Why did she feel like a schoolgirl with a crush?

She pressed a hand to her cheek, looking around the empty room with excitement and dismay. “Gods, I’m not used to having guests. There’s so much I need to prepare if there’s going to be another person in the house. I have to get more food, and plates, furniture—”

“I don’t care about furniture.”

“—and of course I’ll have to go to the alchemist again—” She paused in embarrassment, glancing up at Vaara.

“I’d make love to you on the bare floor,” he said, leaning close. “Or on the dirt out front. Or in the rain.” He kissed her softly.

She held her breath, then let it out slowly. She’d forgotten how good his lips felt. He was warm, damp, soft, strong, chasing her with calm, self-assured ease now that he knew he could take as much time as he liked.

“There’s no need for any of that,” she said finally, pulling away an inch. “There is one furnished room in the house. The bedroom.”

“I see. I don’t suppose you’d like to show me?”

* * *

Some time later,they lay in the bed upstairs, naked and panting and spent.

“Shaaaa,”Vaara muttered. He rolled off her to collapse beside her.

“What does that mean?” Crow asked.

He thought about it before settling on, “Fuck.”

“Ah.”

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