Page 66 of A Baron of Bonds
“Just looking for a clock.”
“Why?”
“Honestly, I don’t think I’m going to make it to ten.”
Heat flushed my cheeks, and I shifted as well, suddenly uncomfortable in all my clothing. My dress was too tight, my breasts too confined, and I sighed, crossing one leg over the other in a tight squeeze.
I wasn’t going to make it either.
I let out a long breath through my lips, my eyes wide, my mouth in a grimace. “Fork. Pie. We can do this.”
Before he could answer, I looked away, focusing on eating—something we both badly needed to do. I scooped up a heaping bite, gathering soft potato, creamy sauce and white fish onto my fork, blowing gently before shoving it into my mouth.
Salty, savory, enriched with herbs—I closed my eyes and chewed slowly.
The flavors of my childhood slid over my tongue, summoning unbidden memories and reminding me that some small part of me would always live here in the place I was raised.
“Rev.You have to try?—”
He was leaning away from me, his elbow holding the weight of his head as he covered his mouth with one hand, his eyes slowly fading from black to a deep blue.
Well, fuck.
“This is pathetic.” I tossed my fork onto the table and crossed my arms, squeezing my legs again to relieve the ache between them. “We can’t even eat pie together now?”
Silently, he removed his hand from his mouth, gripped his fork, and without taking his eyes off me, scooped some of the dish, blowing lightly before carefully opening his mouth to take a bite. I watched, transfixed, as he slowly pulled the fork from his lips.
He took his time chewing as I gaped at him, our bond forcing me to watch with rapt attention. I was no more than a puppet. I could do no simple thing unless he pulled my strings in those moments where my body knew only his touch—wanted only his mouth on mine and other parts of me.
He swept his tongue across his upper lip and I thought I’d melt to the floor.
Is this who we were now? Would it ever subside? We’d never get anything done. We’d never be able to function as a Baron and conduit once I passed the trials, let alone as two humans who had responsibilities.
Get a grip, Karus.I found some hope in the stubborn trait buried deep inside my soul, and I blew air out of my lips harshly, turning back to the pie steaming on the table.
I took my cup and drained it, the cold water cooling my desire the slightest fraction. I decided not to look at him again until my belly was full.
He chuckled beside me, shifting slightly away so that we did not touch.
Good.
No,bad.
My body screamed that a great insult had just been made against it and demanded I scoot closer to him.
Again, my iron will rose resolute in my chest, and I stabbed at the pie—this time with more force than I’d meant. I scooped more of the peas and potatoes, shoving another bite into my mouth. I’d forgotten to blow, and my tongue burned as I rolled the bite around, quickly opening my mouth and breathing in short puffs to cool it.
“Don’t burn your tongue, you’ll need it later.”
“Dammit, Revich, I was doing really well just now. Why would you say that?” I still didn’t look at him.
“I apologize. Please go back to diligently ignoring me.”
I stared at the pie and watched as he reached for more.
Don’t look, don’t look, don’t look.
I cleared my throat and took another bite, this one filled with pearl onion and more flaky fish.
