Page 45 of Rook of Ruin
He grins, making his way to the door. “I have time next week if you would like me to visit.”
“Visit me, pleeeease. I’m all alone making Alec voices.”
“You’re not bad at it either.” Paul laughs. “Corn babies? I can’t wait to tell Alec.”
Ugh. Embarrassing.
I shake my finger at him. “Don’t you dare ever tell him.”
Paul pretends to button his mouth closed and winks at me. I know he will use it to torture me in the future. He gives me a much needed bear hug, then goes back to the life of a Rook. The moment Paul leaves, I miss him. I roll up my sleeves and practice throwing daggers as fast and as hard as I can, each dagger landing in my intended target.
“Tell me you read farming books to go to sleep.” I wait a moment for Alec to respond, but he doesn’t. I set down the book and glance at the fighting dummy. It’s been hours since Paul left, and my stomach is growling.
As if sensing my hunger, Nora wheels in a cart, dinner enough for four. I smile, looking forward to our new nightly routine with Nolan and Christoph and rubbing my hands in anticipation at the game I’ve set up.
After Nora, Nolan, Christoph, and I finish eating dinner and the men bathe Alec, I set up a friendly competition to see who can hit the most objects off the dummy’s head without missing. Nora refuses to participate, saying it is too violent. I was successful in not rolling my eyes, but it was a strain.
My fingers tap against the leather hilt, and the room becomes deadly silent. This will make a baker’s dozen if I manage to hit the same spot. My wrist moves and—
Christoph sneezes.
I. Miss.
“How does a Rook get so easily distracted by a simple sneeze?” Nolan laughs. “Pay up!”
“Distracted? I think Christoph has to forfeit for cheating!” That leads to an uproar of foul language and laughter. I groanand hand Nolan my wager—a loaf of cinnamon sweet bread Nora graciously brought up from the kitchens.
By the time they leave, my mood is lighter. I sweep into my bathroom and tell Alec about my day while changing. “I’m going to get Christoph next time . . . Maybe I’ll have Nora sneak in a bell or a horn.”
Then I switch into my Alec voice. “Probably reckless of you to do that with a man holding a dagger.”
I pull on my blue silk-and-lace night dress, and I drag my dressing gown behind me. Alec is shaking, so I pull up the covers, keeping the sheets tucked around him. I lay my head next to his and gently move his hair back from his forehead.
“Very reckless of you to do that with a man holding a dagger,” he says through his chattering teeth, his deep, silky voice sending goosebumps down my arms.
I gasp, snaking my arms around him, tears of relief dripping down onto his chest. His shaking arm wraps around my hips, and he nuzzles my neck.
He breathes out, “Orlaith.” His fingers gently wipe my tears. “Don’t cry, Princess.”
“I’m not crying.” It’s an obvious lie, and we both know it.
“Tears of joy then,” he says through his clenched mouth, trying not to shake. “How long—how long have I been out?”
“Days,” I murmur into his chest. “Too long.”
All I can do is keep him close, even after he stops shaking, even after he falls back to sleep, curled up against me. I hold him until I follow him into slumber.
My eyes open, and a hard body is curled against my back, an arm lazily draped over my hips.Hisarm . . . and he’s okay. Tears of relief threaten to pour from my eyes. Warm breath gently blows over my neck, and I snuggle closer. I shouldn’t, but I do. Alec chuckles softly as he pulls me tighter, my backside brushing against his very large, very thick member. I sigh as he moves his hand, hiking up my silk nightdress. My body reacts instantly; desire pools between my legs, my nipples peak, and my need for him grows suffocating.
“Orlaith.” He lowers my nightdress. “I don’t know what I was thinking. This would be a mistake right now.”
Damn it if I don’t whimper.
He sucks in a breath and applies pressure to my hip. “Fuck, Princess. I said right now.”
Not forever. Just right now.
I tease, “So, I guess this means you really don’t hate me.”
