Page 30 of Sea and Sky
Gavin nodded, but he didn’t want to fake anything with him.
Kyler pressed a hand to Gavin’s chest and pushed away. “We’re playing parts. We can’t get attached. You have important tasks to do for your brother. For the people of Lane. I can’t get in the way of that. I’ll do what I can. Play my part in public, but… what happened last night can’t happen again.”
Gavin bit his tongue so hard, a burst of coppery blood filled his mouth. He wanted to beg Kyler to take the words back. But he couldn’t. Wouldn’t. Kyler was right, and Gavin knew it. They should have just play acted the night before, but Kyler was temptation in a perfect package. “We should get dressed for breakfast. Please use the utensils. And eat with your mouth closed.”
Kyler let out a sigh. “I’ve upset you.”
Gavin turned to the side and dropped his feet to the floor. He shook his head, but that’s all he could do. He was more angry at himself than anything.
“If you were anything like I’d expected, it’d be different. If you were this pompous ass thatexpectedme to do everything you asked, it’d be different. But I can’t toy with your emotions, Gavin.” The bed creaked as Kyler stood. “You’re too good to be strung along. I’ve charmed a fair amount of men with no qualms about getting what I wanted from them. You don’t deserve that.”
But it sounded exactly like what Gavin wanted. He wanted to get lost in someone. “It’s fine. You did excellent yesterday. Ambrose believes us and probably Damon now. Leander will play along with whatever we do.”
Kyler stood in front of him. “I don’t want you thinking what I do means anything, okay? I take jobs seriously. I have to, otherwise…” He stopped, closing his eyes, obviously not wanting to continue.
“Otherwise?” Gavin needed to know.
“I get punished.” The words were so soft Gavin wondered if he had heard correctly.
“The captain?” He couldn’t stop his hands from taking Kyler’s and pulling him closer so he could circle his thin waist with his arms.
“Don’t worry about it.” Kyler sank his hands into Gavin’s hair. Rubbing his scalp with his fingertips.
“Your words don’t match your actions, Kyler.”
“I know,” he whispered. “I’m not used to people being gentle with me. I’d like to enjoy it while I can.”
Gavin nodded. He pressed his head to Kyler’s stomach and pulled him closer. “I’ll always be gentle with you.”
“You can’t promise that.” Kyler cupped Gavin’s face and dropped a kiss to his forehead. He was right.
Gavin was eggborn. He could get stuck in his dragon with Kyler around. Then who knows what would happen?
“You’re more reasonable than I am, Kyler. We’ll just be friends then.”
Kyler smiled. “I’d like that. I could use more friends.”
“And friends get to know each other.”
“They do.” Kyler’s smile turned to a laugh when Gavin started tickling him.
“I want all your adventure stories. And don’t embellish. I want the truth. Even if it’s boring. I always fly everywhere, so ship adventures will be fascinating.”
“You’ll have your own soon enough. But I have quite a few that should sate your need for stories. However, I believe we have breakfast to attend, my love.” Kyler held out his hand. “And we need to make the court blush… to which I have a few ideas.”
Chapter 13
GavinadmittedKylerwasclever in the ideas department. The attendants had found Kyler suitable clothing after what Gavin had done the night before. The man went without footwear. Apparently, he hated it anyway, so why torture him? Instead of walking to the dining hall, Gavin carried him.
Upon entering the dining hall, Kyler’s legs were wrapped around Gavin’s waist, arms around his neck. Leaned in, he pressed kisses to Gavin’s throat. He was a writhing, lustful creature.
Everyone seated turned to watch them. Kyler had added moans and rubbing against him to the show, and Gavin had to stifle back a laugh at some of the occupants’ reactions.
Most of the nobility ate in their chambers. But a couple of years back, Leander had asked Gavin and Ambrose to start dining in the hall for the morning meal. As a show that they weren’t above anyone else and to lessen the burden on the servants. Three fewer rooms to fill with food meant more time for other tasks or even a break. Gavin was happy to oblige. He’d rather eat among others than alone any day.
They’d gotten lucky. Princess Ailey was there with several of her ladies-in-waiting. Why the princess would be in the dining hall and not her chambers for breakfast, Gavin didn’t know, but was happy for. She’d get a front-row seat of what Kyler had in mind.
Ailey sat with Leander and Ambrose at the banquet table on a platform that rose them higher than the rest of the diners. It was where Gavin headed.
