Page 35 of The Iron Dagger
“I cannot perform the magic to bluff my way through that disguise. And besides, it would look odd if a Planter was snooping through old capture records,” she said with a sigh. “Distasteful as it is, a witch hunter suits our mission better.”
“Well, youwillbe hunting down a witch, just not for malicious reasons. Think of it that way,” said Gideon. She gavehim a smile that was more like a cringe, and they both studied the fire.
When she turned back to him, Gideon’s gaze flicked away, but not before she caught the hunger in his eyes.
“I know exactly what you’re thinking,” she said, rising and going to the saddled bags to unpack her sleeping roll. “We aren’t doing anything that involves your lips tonight. I was being thoughtless.”
Much as she would like to say she regretted her kiss, she felt quite the opposite. The hard warmth of his back muscles under her gripping fingers made her weak. He was stronger than he looked, for such a spare frame. His mouth had devoured her as though it were his idea, and a part of her desperately wanted to feel it again. She focused on keeping her movements unhurried while she shook out her bedroll.
With untidy haste, she pulled her stays loose and slipped from her dress, not pausing to see if Gideon was watching her or not. She knew he was watching, and it sent unruly hot shivers coursing over her skin.
Hara slipped into her bedding. Gideon said nothing, and she deflated slightly in disappointment. No sharp reply? No witty rejoinder? Was he ill?
Eventually she heard Gideon rise and the thump of boots as he undressed. She swallowed dryly, then her heart leapt into a frenzy as she felt his bulk settle in behind her under the coverlet.
“What are you doing?” she said.
“It’s freezing,” he said as he shifted the bed clothes to cover them both. After he settled, they were quiet, their breaths barely perceptible. Then his low voice emerged out of the darkness. “You’re very warm.”
So was he. The small fire did little to dispel the cold, and Hara would be lying if she said he wasn’t a welcome comfort in the chill night. They lay in silence for several moments, andthough they barely touched, she was aware of every inch of his long body behind her.
“Thank you for doing that,” she said softly. “For fighting them, I mean.”
Silence, save for the wash of wind through the trees. Then his voice came as softly as hers.
“It wasn’t a decision, really,” said Gideon. “He almost put his hands on you.”
“All the same. I’m thankful you did,” she said.
“Yes, I gathered that from your reaction in the room,” he said silkily. After a pause, he continued, “You weren’t put off by my brawling? I would have thought you wouldn’t appreciate me making a scene.”
“I told you I like a bit of vengeance.”
His whole body tensed behind her. They remained silent for several moments, the soft crackle of the fire and the sleepy hoot of an owl the only sounds. Drowsiness began to steal over Hara, but as she felt her body relaxing, she became distantly aware of Gideon’s hand moving to rest over her hip.
She held her breath as his thumb began to stroke over her shift, caressing her lower belly. Hara wondered if he could feel the burning heat causing sweat to bead at her temples.
The movement was so subtle, so gentle, that Hara could not believe it was the same hand that had hurt those soldiers. She closed her eyes and concentrated on the drag of his thumb, the heat and pressure of it through the thin fabric. Her breaths were becoming long and shuddering, every sense sharpened. The memory of his mouth and his hands in that dark room filled her mind, and a rush of aching desire made her grow wet between her legs.
Slow strokes, up and down, but Hara would not say a word. She would not give voice to this desire and make it real.
With her heart pounding, she closed her eyes and emptied her thoughts of everything except for the sensation of his slow caresses. Finally, sleep claimed her.
In the pitch black of night Hara woke, drenched in sweat. For the first time in many years it was not a nightmare that caused her pulse to thud and her hands to shake.
She had dreamed of him. It felt so real and visceral that without even touching, Hara knew there was wetness between her legs. She closed her eyes and relived the desperate, fervid images as her breaths slowed. He’d been above her, in her, whispering words laced with sweet poison as he promised to make victims of any who would dare touch her. He repeatedly brought her to the edge of climax, never quite managing to bring her to the peak.
Hara had woken out of sheer agitation, and for a moment she forgot that he was there beside her. Then she heard his deep breathing, and the ache between her legs grew unbearable.
Hara rolled to her side, facing away from him, frustrated.
Her fingers slowly drifted down her stomach, and she fisted her shift, bringing the hem up past her thighs. Barely breathing, she began to softly tease the needy ache between her legs. The sweetness was sharp and gratifying, and Hara’s lips parted slightly as she closed her eyes and made gentle circles. She imagined Gideon inside her, kissing her neck and groaning in pleasure.
Her finger moved with more pressure, and she tried to breathe silently as her heart hammered in her chest. Soon her fingers were slippery, sliding with ease. Carefully, silently, she applied more pressure and bit her lip to keep herself frompanting. She imagined his dark, sleek hair and his silver earrings glinting from beneath it. In her dream, his eyes had burned with terrible greed as he watched the pleasure play over her face.
She was closer now, her fingers dipping deeper into her folds.
And then there was warmth all along her back, and her eyes flew open. Gideon’s arm wrapped around her middle, and his hand reached down to push hers aside.
