Page 68 of A Queen's Game
Before she responded, Brynden slipped one hand behind her head, the other at her waist, pulling Elyse into a kiss. His grasp was firm, his kisses soft as he started with her lips and moved to her cheek, causing heat to flood her face.
Her father cleared his throat as he stood right next to them.
Brynden pulled back with a mischievous grin. “Hello, my goddess,” he murmured, lacing their hands together.
“Brynden, it’s good to catch you outside our meetings.” Her father stepped up, offering his hand. In his plain clothes, her father looked subdued next to Brynden.
“Gyrsh, always a pleasure.” Brynden took her father’s hand. “I’ve looked forward to spoiling your daughter all week.”
“Don’t spoil her too much. I wouldn’t want Elyse to forget her place.”
Elyse didn’t miss the warning in her father’s words. She was lucky she even had this opportunity with him.
Brynden pulled her close, the juniper and citrus scent becoming stronger. “Well, it’s a good thing her place is at my side,” he said with a wink. “But we should be off.”
Before her father could answer, Brynden led her to the carriage. A slight limp in her gait caught Brynden’s eye, though he didn’t comment. Instead, he offered a hand as she entered the carriage. With a last glance back, her father gave her a look that said she should be grateful. Grateful didn’t cover it.
Inside the carriage, Brynden lounged across from Elyse on an upholstered seat as the carriage rolled forward. The neckline of his shirt hung loose, revealing his olive skin and the sculpted shape of his body beneath. She had seen glimpses of his chest before but now she could confirm how toned they were. Though he was no longer in the army, he remained fit.
“See something you like?”
“Just admiring the interesting choice in shirt.” A smirk came to her lips.
“I believe you’re admiring more than just the shirt, my goddess. After our last encounter, I figured you’d appreciate a deep neckline. As you see,” he gestured to his chest with a hand, “I won’t be outshined by your remarkable fashion choices.”
A laugh escaped from Elyse as she rolled her eyes. “Minutes into spending time with me and you’re already teasing.” The banter was easy, lighthearted—just like the night they met.
“Sassy today, are we? My friends will enjoy that.”
Elyse tilted her head. “Friends? It won’t be just us?”
“I wish it were just us, but I’ve assured your father chaperons would be around so no one will find me on top of you in a field again.” His russet eyes gleamed with amusement. “You met them at the ball.”
Gods, her father introduced her to the Chorys Dasians, but alcohol made her forget. “Perhaps you can remind me of their names. That was some time ago.”
“It would be my absolute pleasure to tell them my beautiful date forgot their names because my alluring nature distracted her,” Brynden said, pulling open his shirt more.
“Oh, my gods….”
A genuine smile came to his lips. “It’s cute that you say that.”
“Say what?”
“Oh, my gods this, gods that. If I didn’t know any better, I would say you’re one of their followers.” A dark eyebrow lifted as he spoke.
“Just because I don’t follow them doesn’t make them not real.”
“You’re absolutely right,” he said, sitting up and placing his forearms on his knees. “But being real doesn’t make the gods as all-powerful as they would like us to believe.”
Brynden dropped to his knees before Elyse, placing himself between her legs. Heat crept across her cheeks again as his facebecame inches from her own. “I digress—we won’t spend the entire time with my friends.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Just because your father thinks there will be constant chaperoning doesn’t mean there will be.” He smirked and added, “I’ll be on my best behavior, I promise. If kissing you at the ball sent you over the edge, then I can’t imagine what straddling you in a field of flowers did for you.”
Elyse’s heart heaved in her chest, but the liquor emboldened her words. “If I told you I already forgot about it, how would you feel?”
“Hurt, because you would be lying. There is no way you forgot.” Both of his hands crossed over his heart with dramatic flare. “It brings me much joy knowing you feel better today.” Brynden leaned in. “Perhaps you’re well enough for another kiss?”
