Page 62 of Veiled Flames
“What is that?”
“Courtesan’s tea.”
Hope and anticipation rise again. He was onlythreateningto withhold his rod, hoping to manipulate me into backing down. Since that didn’t work, he wants me protected. “Thank you. I don’t want your seed to take root when?—”
Shaking his head, he stands. “No, Rosomon. I told you. Sex can’t happen between us. It’s forbidden.”
“Forbidden by whom?” Standing slowly, I move toward him.
“By the rules of camp, by my sacred oaths. By the klericks. By Othrix.”
“How would the klericks find out?” I swipe my tongue over my lips, shocked at how they are again buzzing with the memory of his kisses, even though there’s been a new moonrise since I last felt their touch.
“Rosomon.” Saxon swallows hard, his apple of Othrix bobbing. “I mean,Rosshall.”
I step closer, and to my relief he doesn’t move. He’s so close to me now, his heat penetrates my skin, warming me against the cool air of my bed chamber, now the fire has died down to embers. Under my bindings, my nipples ache, mirroring the rising ache between my legs.
His pupils widen as he looks down upon me. He wants this too. I’m sure of it.
“Why bring me the tea, if you don’t plan to drill me?” I slide my hand onto his chest.
He sucks in a ragged breath, like my touch is scalding, but he does nothing to remove it.
“It’s to prevent your courses.” His chest rises under my light touch. “If you drink this tea every night, it should prevent your courses from coming. Depending on your current moon cycle, you may experience one final round of bleeding, but after that?—”
“Oh.” Emotions clash inside me. I’d hoped the tea was a sign that he meant to break his oath, but I’m grateful that he’s thought of this obstacle to my continued disguise.
“Thank you,” I say softly. “That was thoughtful.” And an indication that he means to keep my sex a secret.
Clearing his throat, he steps back, and my hand drops between us.
“I’ll leave you now. You need sleep.”
My heart starts to race and my mind searches for a way to keep him here longer. To talk him into having sex with me, to evenjust hold me or kiss me. All things I know that he wants, even if he won’t admit it.
My gaze falls to the corset. “Before you go.” I look down, as if defeated. “Can you help me remove my chest binding? I can’t reach the knot, and I’d like to see if this corset fits.” I look up toward him, but he keeps his gaze above mine.
“I don’t want to be rushed in the morning.” I continue my plea. “Treacher said we’d be exiled, if we were tardy.”
“I’m sure you can manage?—”
Quickly, I lift off my night shirt, leaving me nude, save for the bindings.
His eyes flare with obvious desire.
“Please,” I say. “It’s difficult to untie this knot on my own.”
“Oh, for Othrix’s sake.” His voice is tight. “Cover yourself.”
I pick up the night dress and hold it across my hips with one hand, shielding my sex and the tops of my thighs. Turning, I lift my other arm, so the knot in my bindings is facing him. As his hands draw near, my heart thumps, trying to leap out of my chest, but I fight to control my breathing, to hide my reactions and demonstrate patience.
Saxon needs to make the next move. I want him to be the one to break his oath.
He grunts but then steps closer and starts working on the knot. These bindings would have been very difficult for me to remove on my own, and I’m glad I asked for his help, even if it fails to yield my desired outcome.
Moving closer, I let my hip slide against him.
He grunts as he backs away. Then he bends to use his teeth on the knot. The heat of his breath warms my body and sends more waves of need tracing through me.
