Page 60 of The Orc's Thief
“We can sit there,” he murmurs, bending down so I can hear him over the din. “If you squeeze to the side, I’ll have enough room for my legs, I think.”
He lets go of me so I can slide onto the bench, and I miss the contact immediately. But moments later, he sits right next to me. His strong thigh presses against mine. I freeze, wondering why we’re still pretending when no one can see us touching under the table.
No one is paying us any attention now. The musicians at the bar have just stood and struck up a lively tune, their faces glowing with excitement. Moments later, the first pair of patrons rises, a willowy, dark-haired woman and her tall, strikingly handsome companion. They push their chairs back and begin to sway in time with the music.
Arlon glances down at me, his dark eyes warm. “All right?”
“Yes,” I breathe.
I’m feeling hot all over, so I shrug off my jacket and undo the top button of my shirt. He follows every movement with a hungry gaze until a young man materializes in front of us, placing two mugs of ale on the table.
“What can I get you?” he asks, swiping his forehead with his sleeve.
Arlon orders for us, his voice low and steady, then turns to me. “Do you want some, too?”
I blink, embarrassed because I haven’t been listening,only thinking about the warmth radiating from his body.
“What?”
His grin is devastating. “Dessert, love. Would you like some?”
“Oh.” I fight off a shiver of awareness. “Yes, please.”
The server nods distractedly and hurries away, and Arlon focuses on me again, his attention unwavering.
“Are you all right?” he murmurs, leaning close so we’re not overheard.
“I’m fine,” I whisper, clenching my knees together. “It’s just warm in here—and you’re a furnace.”
His low chuckle sends my blood rushing faster. He’s not being overwhelming on purpose, I know that, but his presence has all my senses tingling, and I can’t seem to stop my mind from wandering into inappropriate places.
“What are you thinking?” Arlon leans his elbow on the table, giving me his full attention.
I scramble for something to say—anything but the truth. “That if the caravan we’re following passed through here, someone must have seen it.”
He lifts an eyebrow, clearly skeptical, but he doesn’t press me.
“Aye, we can inquire about them. In the morning, though.” He glances around the crowded taproom. “Don’t want anyone knowing we’re asking questions. You never know who’s listening.”
“You think we’re being followed?”
My eyes flick to a man in a dusty cloak seated alone at the bar. I don’t recognize him as a Raven, but he’s one of the few here without company, focused on his meal.
“Don’t know. But I’d rather be cautious.”
Arlon leans back, resting his arm along the back of the bench. To anyone watching, it might look like he’s slipped it around my shoulders, but he’s not actually touching me. It should be a relief, but all I feel is a strange hollowness. Only our thighs remain pressed together, a lingering line of warmth I haven’t moved away from, though there’s room to my right if I truly wanted the space.
Our food arrives, good country fare steaming on our plates. The waiter disappears quickly, winding his way through the couples who’ve joined the first pair of dancers on the floor. I tackle my stew and bread quickly. I didn’t realize how hungry I was. Arlon eats more slowly, his manners better than mine. It’s been a while since I shared a meal with anyone like this, sitting down at a proper table instead of scarfing down leftover rolls with Etta over her counter. My cheeks heat, and I force myself to calm down and remember the etiquette lessons from my childhood.
“Your scent has changed,” he remarks between bites. “Want to tell me what you’re thinking about?”
I glare at him from the corner of my eye. “It really is unfair that you can sense this about me.”
He shrugs. “I like to think it gives me an advantage. I’ll always know when you’re upset, so I’ll be able to help.”
Setting down my spoon, I turn slightly so I can face him. Only our knees are touching now, the contact scorching hot.
“Yes, but I can’t tell the same about you. How will I know whenyou’reupset?”
