He nodded. “Go ahead.”
With Finn translating, I turned back to Yamileth. “While I’m sitting, I can chop and prepare vegetables and meats, knead dough. I had my own bakery, so I’m good at that. You’re rightthat I can’t do everything, but I can at least ease some of the burden. And with Finn there taking down recipes, I’ll still be learning the language too.”
They both seemed happy with the offer, and Yamileth patted my cheek again with obvious affection. “You are a sweet boy. If your protector can figure out a way for you to be comfortable while helping me, I will allow it. But if you hurt, you will stop. Understand?”
I nodded. “I understand. Thank you.”
She chuckled, pinching my cheek a little. “You are helping me. I will thank you. Maybe. If you do not cause more work for me. I start before dawn. Your protector should be up by then for the hunt, anyway. Have him bring you to me.”
Waking up early wasn’t anything new for me. And I looked forward to having something to do to give back to the clan that took such good care of me. After I was hurt, I thought I was doomed. But they were trying so hard to help me and get me back on my feet. I wanted to do everything I could to pay them back.
I waited until we were back in his tent before telling Verus that I volunteered to help Yamileth. He looked curious as he helped me get more comfortable in his bed.
“You can cook?”
I nodded. “I, um… I had…” The word for bakery escaped me. I heard Finn use it while translating, but it didn’t stick. “A place where I sold bread in town.”
“Bakery,” he corrected with a soft smile. “You are getting better.”
I flushed at his praise and shrugged. “I want to learn.”
My reply seemed to make him happy, and he rewarded me with a sweet kiss that thrilled me to my toes. He offered his affection so easily, without asking for anything in return. Whenhe pulled away, I fisted his tunic with a frown. I didn't want to let go.
“Verus…”
I wished I didn't have to go. I wished I was a tribute like Finn. But all anyone ever reminded me of was the fact that this was all temporary. I hated that. Who knew if I’d be able to find anything close to this anywhere else?
“Whatever you need, ravsol. It is yours.”
The words were there. I just couldn’t get them out of my mouth. I didn’t want to burden him. I doubted there was anything he could do about it. I just had to soak up as much of him as I could get before they sent me away.
“I want… you.”
Ten
Iwas nervous. The last time I fooled around with someone, everything went wrong in the worst ways. But I also didn’t want to risk losing what little time with Verus that I had. I trusted him not to be cruel like Richard was. And if I did have to go, at least I’d have the memory of being with Verus to bring with me.
Verus studied my face, like he didn’t quite understand my meaning. I held my breath, preparing myself for rejection, but he didn’t automatically say no. He did frown, though, cupping my cheeks and resting his forehead against mine.
“I don’t want to hurt you,” he murmured.
It meant a lot that he cared so much. Richard hadn’t been kind. But I wasn’t willing to wait until I was fully healed. Once I was, they’d send me away. I had to take the opportunity I could.
“You won’t. I trust you.”
He looked surprised, and his expression melted into a huge smile. When he leaned down to capture my lips, I got to taste it. It was like sunshine wrapped in a kiss, and I couldn’t get enough. I cradled his face in my hands to keep him close, relaxing back into the bedding as he laid me down. My heart thundered in mychest, and I wasn’t sure what would happen next, but I trusted Verus. It would be okay.
When his tongue trailed over my bottom lip, I parted my lips on a gasp, arching a little when his tongue dipped in to touch mine. He wasn’t in any hurry, slowly tasting me with one hand cupping my cheek. I grew breathless, and I hardened in my trousers, but Verus didn’t move until I was squirming and pulling at his tunic impatiently.
Breaking the kiss, he grinned at me. “You must stay still, ravsol. I do not want you hurting.”
“I’m okay,” I promised. And I was. It still hurt if I moved my leg around or tried to put weight on it, but just lying here, I wasn’t in any pain. The splint was strong enough to keep my leg immobile.
Verus hummed, but he didn’t look like he fully believed me. He didn’t stop, though. He pressed a quick kiss to my lips before trailing a few more along my jaw. I shivered when he kissed just beneath my ear and tipped my head as he trailed farther down my neck. When he sucked lightly on the skin where my neck met my shoulder, tingles spread through my body, and I let out an embarrassing breathy moan.
He lifted his head again to look at me, and I felt my cheeks burn, but he didn’t look teasing or judgmental. His gaze was heated, and he looked like he wanted to devour me.
“You make the most beautiful sounds,” he murmured, capturing my lips in a fierce kiss before breaking it again. “You make me want to—” He said some things then that I couldn’t understand, but I understood the tone. He wasn’t whispering sweet nothings to me. He was talking dirty, and I desperately wished I could understand him. The tone alone made me whimper.
