Page 70 of Fear and Desire

“The, um, brand. Why did you pick that design?”

He smiled against her cheek. “Uh, well, hubris, on my part.”

“Huh?”

His hand slipped down to her butt until his fingertips traced the faint outline through her dress.

“The figure has no beginning and no end. It’s continuous. An eternal interconnectedness—of us, I had hoped. And the circle around it is an ancient binding symbol of protection, to keep away evil.”

“You bound me to you for protection?” Suddenly, the brand had become a symbol of his love and care for her, and she never wanted it to fade.

He smiled wanly. “Yeah, well, look how well that turned out.”

“We’re here together, and safe. I think it worked just fine. Idowant to be bound to you for an eternity.”

“Are you asking me to marry you?” he chuckled.

“Yes. I am.”

He gazed into her eyes, but didn’t say anything. Maybe he needed more convincing. “Besides, I can’t testify against you if we’re married,” she grinned.

He laughed, a deep, hearty laugh, like she hadn’t heard from him in a long time. “How do I refuse an offer like that?” His blue eyes twinkled.

She was going to do whatever she needed to do to see that more often. “Is that a yes?”

“Yes.” That was the perfect time for another kiss. When he slipped his hand into her hair, she shivered and couldn’t hold back a moan. He pulled away. “Are you okay?”

“I’m perfect.” She smiled and reached up to his face with her hand. She traced a finger across his jaw and he closed his eyes. A yawn that almost split her face in two interrupted her exploration.

“You’re exhausted, aren’t you?”

She quirked up the side of her mouth and reluctantly nodded.

“Been out of bed a little too long?”

“Probably.”

“Let’s head back. I smelled homemade bread as I left, and I bet you’d like some.”

Her stomach growled in response, and he laughed as he helped her stand. He peered at her, considering.

“Maybe there is a little bit of me that can handle disciplining you when you disobey an order.” Without warning, he hoisted her into a fireman’s carry over his left shoulder. “I think you can call me ‘sir.’” With his right hand, he applied a solid“whack!”to her backside.

“Hey! I didn’t disobey you!” she protested, even as the sting caused a delicious bloom of heat between her legs.

“Did you disobey Anders?”

“He’s not my Ma— my Sir.”

“No, but I am, and I told you to obey him. Right?”

She was glad he couldn’t see her face, which was bright red. “Um, well, I kind of forgot about that…”

“And did you notjustask me to be in charge of your health and wellbeing?”

“Um, yeah…”Smack!

“Yessir! I did!” The second sting threatened to ignite embers deep inside.

---