Page 22 of Court of Rivals
“It’s just that you’re really pretty. Beautiful. You know, hot. The men here see a whole lot of good-looking women, but you’re on another scale.” He seems to realize he’s rambling, while I stare at him, trying to decide if he’s being serious. “What I’m trying to say is that you might want to wear less… enticing outfits. The guys are going to have trouble controlling themselves as it is.”
“So, I wear, what? A dress.”
He winces his head and shakes it. “No, easy access. That’s all they’ll be thinking about.”
“Loose shirt and pants?”
Again, he winces and shakes his head. “Those will come up while you’re riding and give us a full show.” As he says that, his gaze locks onto my boobs.
I cross my arms over my chest. “So, what are you saying?”
His gaze snaps to my face. “Honestly, I don’t know what I was saying.”
I laugh and shake my head. Roland isn’t my type, but he’s also notnotmy type. If I get lonely enough, I might just have to plow his brains out.
Not that that’s what I should be focusing on.
Keeping an eye on where we’re going, Roland looks like he wants to melt into his shoes when we finally wrap around the circle of rooms that surround the training yard and come to a big inner-door. He stops outside of it, looking nervous.
“When we get in there, you’re on your own.”
Wow, any lady boner I might have had for him is gone.
He gives me a sympathetic look. “I’m not exactly the most popular guy here to begin with, so I can’t be seen being tied to you any more than I have to be.”
“Understood,” I say, even though Iwantto call him a coward.
He pushes the door open, and I follow behind him into an overwhelmingly loud room. Roland hurries off, and I’m left staring at five big tables packed with dragon riders. Delicious-looking food is in the center of each table, and everyone’s grabbing at it, shouting, laughing, and crashing into each other. I scan the room and finally notice an available spot. Except, it’s next to Prince Gareth. I look for another spot, hoping to just go unnoticed in a corner, but that’s the only place left to sit.
Squaring my shoulders, I strut to the open spot, ignoring all the men. Ignoring the fact that I’ve never been in a place this loud. And desperately trying to forget that every man in this room is a noble, and I’m the furthest thing from that.
I reach the spot and move to sit down.
Prince Gareth’s deep blue eyes notice me a moment before I sit down, and he places a hand on the seat. “This spot is taken.”
Knowing that backing down to him now will only make my life harder, I say, “Yeah, by me.” Then, sit on his hand.
He keeps his hand under my ass for far too long before jerking it out. Heat burns between us as I load up my plate and get to eating. The conversation quiets near where I sit, and the silence spreads until it seems to engulf the room. I feel all eyes on me, and pretend not to notice as I devour turkey, eggs, bacon, a huge biscuit, and grits.
“You’re not a dragon rider,” Prince Gareth says beside me, his voice carrying through our side of the room.
I swallow, trying to look casual. “You know, Ebron and I were saying the same thing about you yesterday.” I lock eyes with him. “Is it even dragon riding if you’re that slow?”
His teeth clench together, and I actually the hear the sound they make when they do.
Reaching over, I pat his cheek. “Don’t clench too hard. You won’t be nearly as pretty if you break a tooth.”
Someone turns a laugh into a cough near us, and the hatred in Prince Gareth’s eyes deepens. I try not to notice the sharp lines of his cheekbones, or the muscles in his neck. I don’t find this man attractive, I’m just so horny that every guy looks ripe for the picking right about now.
“When you fail, I’m going to be right there waiting to take your dragon,” he says, and his words are a threatening growl.
I sigh dramatically. “You pillow princesses are all the same, just laying back, legs spread, waiting for something to be given to you.”
His mouth drops open.
“You keep staring like that and people will talk.”
He jerks his head away from me and starts slowly eating his food. I smile and return to my food, feeling like I won this round, which I try to enjoy. Only the gods know how many rounds will happen after this and how I’ll do with them.
