Page 75 of Knight's End
He blushed, adorably, but leaned forward and teased, “Well, you have to practice strumming quite a bit to get the hang of it.”
“O really?”
“The lute requires strong, steady fingers. You have to stroke the strings just right to get them to sing.”
My breath caught at that. “Show me.”
Blue winked and grabbed my hand, leading me toward his instrument. I could read the nervous excitement in his thoughts. The quick flashes as he thought of my breasts, my lips, remembered what I looked like naked in the cave.
I giggled, his own nervous thoughts affecting my own.
He sat back on his chair and crossed his legs, pulling the lute onto his lap. “Do you have a favorite tune?”
“The Maid’s Foolish Wish,” I replied.
Blue nodded once and tapped his lute before beginning the ballad. The melody washed over me and I smiled. But when he opened his mouth and he began to sing, my heart puddled at my feet. I melted. His voice was angelic.
“It’s beautiful,” I breathed, whispering so that I didn’t interrupt his gorgeous song.
He smiled wider and pushed his voice just a bit more.
“She wished for riches, for a castle near the sea,
But the maid oh, the maiden, didn’t wish for me.
I had a ring for her finger, a flower for her hair,
But simple happiness hadn’t a prayer.”
He stared at me, and he looked so heartbroken and swoon-worthy in the same moment. My cheeks heated and my heart tripped over itself, like I’d done at my very first court dance, when my dress had been hemmed too long. My breathing grew more shallow.
When he finished, I felt my claps were too paltry a reward, so I leaned down and kissed his cheek.
Then I whispered, “I haven’t felt like a blushing maid since I ran from home, but you make me feel that way.”
Blue grinned up at me. “Any time you’d rather feel like a blushing woman of the night instead of a blushing maid, I’m happy to help.”
I giggled at his words, then even more at his thoughts as he told himself to set the lute down carefully, not to let his hands shake, not to let me see how nervous he was.
I sat down on his lap once he’d put the instrument aside. “Are you very experienced with ladies of the night?” I asked. “Because, I’m certain Quinn told you, but I once worked at a brothel.”
Blue laughed. “I’ve been told more than you probably want me to know. And I know that you happened to work with the coins not the men,” he winked.
His thoughts clearly shouted,I wouldn’t have minded if you’d worked with something else, though.The image of me and Declan, naked on the cave floor, swam into his mind again and his cock hardened under my thighs.
I leaned forward slowly, my eyes flickering back and forth to each of his. I could see the pulse leaping in his throat as I tilted my head.
And then I pressed my lips to his.
I was gentle, softly brushing my lips over his. I pulled my head back slightly, intending to lean my neck the other way, but Blue pushed forward, and his forehead smacked mine.
I reeled back and fell off his lap. “Ow,” my hand went to my forehead.
“Shite! I’m sorry!” He knelt and helped me up.
His hand went to examine my forehead.
“I’m fine.” I couldn't help but chuckle. "I think we’re both just nervous."
