“Ev?” His mouth was so close to mine that I felt the tickle of his breath. “We… we should head back.”
“Or we could wait until the snow stops.” I was warm enough right where we were. In fact, my body was on fire.
“The captain told me to watch over you. Letting you freeze in this stable is unacceptable.” Callum lifted my fingers to his lips and blew, then rubbed them. The gesture brought a lump to my throat. “Besides, coffee awaits us in the cottage. And muffins.”
I laughed, but it came out rough.
He flashed me that knee-weakening dimple and led me out into the winter storm. But with his hand in mine, it wasn’t nearly as cold.
***
Hours later, I curled up on the couch in the front parlor with a mug of coffee and a smutty romance novel. Logs crackled in the hearth, and a low howl of wind caused the branches outside to creak.
Rowan lounged in the armchair near the fire, legs kicked up on the footrest and eyes closed. He liked the warmth on his skin. And I liked admiring him as he enjoyed said warmth.
After finishing a steamy chapter where a cabin boy fucked the main character aboard a pirate ship, I closed the book and looked out the window. The sun had long since set, and darkness had descended on the kingdom.
Maddox had sent word via squire that he and Briar would be home late. No explanation for why, the jerk. The note had prettier handwriting toward the bottom, telling me to eat dinner without them. Then aP.S.reminding me that cookies werenotdinner.
Sneaky physician. He knew me too well.
“That was a big sigh.” Rowan stood from the chair and walked over. The flickering fire passed over his face, bringing out the deep yellow tones of his eyes.
“Just thinking.” I shifted over to make room for him on the couch.
“That’s dangerous.” He sat on the cushion beside mine, keeping a slight distance between us.
“Be nice.”
He smirked. “Being mean is much more fun. Besides, you like it.”
“Maybe a little.” I closed that distance, snuggling up to him. He’d made a lot of progress in terms of showing and giving affection, but he still struggled. He was trying, though, and that’s what mattered. “You tease people you care about. Me. Lake. Even Maddox.”
“You must have me mistaken for another non-bandit.” He flashed his fang-like tooth. “Wanna know what Idolike?”
“I’m afraid to ask.”
Rowan smoothed his hand up and down my side. “The noise you make when I do this.”
He gave my side a quick tickle
I jolted with a squeak. Big mistake. Humor flooded his eyes before he tickled me again. I screeched and tried to flee, but he kept a hold on me, his raspy laughs joining the chorus of my pleas for mercy.
“Um,” came a different voice. Rowan stopped his assault, and the two of us looked toward the archway. Lake stood beneath it, fiddling with his hands. “May I join you?”
“No,” Rowan said, then released anoofwhen I introduced his ribs to the power of my bony elbow. “You’re a mean little muffin prince.”
“Muffinlord,” I corrected. “And I hail from the kingdom of Shut Your Face. It borders the city of Be Nice to My Lake.”
“If I must.” Rowan rolled his eyes. “Get over here, pup.”
Lake came over and sat on the floor in front of me, resting his back against the couch. Knowing what he wanted, I brushed my fingers over his fluffy ears. Once upon a time, he’d shied away from my touches. But now? He hummed happily and angled his head further back, seeking more of them.
“I wonder why they’re not home yet,” I said, looking out the window again.
“Don’t worry your pretty head over it.” Rowan tucked the blanket more around my lap. “Your big grump and the ThirdOrder captain arranged more patrols of the kingdom following the brawl earlier. Just to help keep the peace among the people.”
“Wait.” I frowned. “How doyouknow what Maddox and Captain Braun discussed?”
