Page 21 of The King's Man
We sat a few feet away from each other, both our bedrolls still tied up and on the dirt next to our saddles. I’d caught her eyeing them more than once. And I knew why.
“We don’t need to be touching, but if we meet any Neph, they won’t believe I’d let you out of arm’s reach. They need to think you’re leashed.”
Her upper lip curled back in disgust. “Let me guess,” she muttered. “You’ll be kicking my feet out from under me and pulling my hair again. In case there’s an unknown watcher nearby.”
I turned to face her, found her glaring at me, her body tense and poised for flight.
And I grieved it. I fucking grieved it.
What the fuck was wrong with me?
Her eyes widened when I got to my feet, then took the two paces to stand over her where she sat, locking eyes with her, then leaned down.
I licked my lips to wet them and a thrill shot through me when her eyes dropped, but she yanked her gaze back up to mine and I fought off the smile.
“Diadre, the next time I pull your hair when we’realone,it will be because you want me to. I give you my word.”
Her jaw went slack and she blinked. I smiled wider because I could tell she was responding. “Sleep where you want to sleep, as long as I’m safe in this fucking hellhole,” I muttered. “But if any Neph somehow make it this deep, we’ll have to maintain the ruse. That’s all I’m saying.”
Then I straightened and walked over to the base of the tree where my saddle and bedroll waited, shook out the furs next to the fire, rolled myself into them and left my back to her as I closed my eyes and told all that hair standing up on my arms and neck that this wasnotthe time.
*****
~ DIADRE ~
The sheer, carnal nature of the man was stunning. The grin he gave me before he walked away simultaneously sent a thrillthrough my belly, and a trickle of ice down my spine.
These creatures weredevastating.
I was left sitting there, my back to a fallen tree trunk, watching as he bedded down. When he’d gotten himself comfortable, his back rose and fell in a deep sigh… and he started snoring half a minute later.
It was something that hadalwayspissed me off about men. A trick of their bodies—or perhaps their minds—that allowed them to slip into sleep anywhere, anytime. I’d observed it in the field countless times, and among the men I’d invited to my bed.
It was part of being a man that made me truly jealous.
I wished I could lay down and the events of the day would leave my mind and allow me to rest, but I had to be utterly physically spent for that to occur. And nights like this? No chance.
While he snored, I pushed to my feet and grabbed my bedroll, frowning as I argued with myself about how close to sleep to him. Ultimately, I laid down a couple feet from his back. It seemed strange though, to be that close when we were alone and there was no one for which to perform.
The truth was, even when I did invite a man to my bed, I rarely asked him to stay the night.
This was more akin to bedding down on a mission, which I’d done dozens of times before. But with just two of us…
I sighed and stopped torturing myself.
As I rolled myself into my furs, Yilan came to mind. Then Melek.
No doubt if they were here, she’d have no trouble being exhausted enough to sleep. By the few accounts she’d given, Melek was a thorough and—shockingly—considerate lover. If a touch aggressive. But Yilan liked it.
First my mind conjured what that would look like, here in the black forest. Then, as desire arrowed through me, I pushed the images away. But in their wake my chest tightened with jealousy.
Which was stupid.
These men weredangerous.
I was glad Yilan was happy, but I couldn’t share her easiness with being so close to these brutes and walking in their shadows.
I rolled over to look at Jann with objective eyes.
