Reaching up Perri smacked him lightly on the forehead. “There’s no reason to continue to smother me with honeyed words, Brandth. Consider me lured and secured.”
Leaning down he kissed her quickly but with a lingering promise of heat. “I only speak truths. Can I help it if, when I see a work of art, I must stop, savour it, admire it… worship it?”
Damnation, he talked a good game. In self-defence Perri smacked him lightly on the forehead again. “Less glib words, more action.”
Can’t we do both?” His hand trailing down her bare arm, reaching her hand he clasped it in his, bringing it up to gift a heated kiss across the back of her knuckles. “Besides, how do you know I’m not casting out my hook, breathlessly waiting for you to return the favour.”
“The favour?” How could a kiss on the back of her hand relight the fires that burned deep inside her?
“Where are your honeyed words? Do you not think my chest broad? My arms muscular? My cock…” He didn’t finish that sentence, both of them looking down at the clear evidence that his cock was clearly ready for more mayhem.
Perri had to bite her lip to keep from laughing. He really was a strangely unique man. Certainly Regal had never sought to make her laugh in such an intimate setting. And honestly, the blind tinker had been a little on the grim side. But here she was, naked except for her mask, and Brandth De’Luca was making her laugh… and feel exceedingly comfortable in her own skin. Inviting Perri to play, no less. Okay then. “You appear to be seeking a compliment. Alright. I must admit that I find the veneer of your boots to be impressively shiny.”
“What…? Damn.” Brandth laughed, yanking off first one boot then the other before shucking his breeches that had been pushed down around his lower thighs. “See the effect you have on me?” Stepping forward, sweeping an arm around Perri’s waist, swinging her around and backing her up until her knees met the resistance of the red velvet chaise. Lowering her down gently, covering her with his warm naked body.
“Again? So soon?”
“We agreed upon one night. Until the sun breaks the horizon you are all mine, sweet Perri.”
Reaching up, sinking her fingers into his silken hair, Perri pulled Brandth’s lips down to her own. Breaking the kiss, she smiled up at him. “Whatever will we find to do to pass the time?”
“Given you’re the medical expert, perhaps you could provide me with a lesson on anatomy.” His hand trailing down her arm, and then to her stomach. “I promise to be very attentive and studious. Applying myself vigorously to the subject matter.”
“I must warn you, I make a lot of demands upon the students who are assigned to me.” The heat within was escalating towards bonfire levels again. Everywhere Brandth touched her felt hyper aware and awakened.
“Demands? Enlighten me. I’m unafraid of fresh challenges.” Leaning down to trail kisses across Perri’s throat and shoulders.
“I…” Oh, Gods, he hadn’t stopped trailing kisses down her body, now passing her navel and didn’t show any signs of stopping. Easing Perri’s legs apart and leaning forward to kiss her there… yes, there, and it felt so very, very good. Especially when he followed the kiss up with his tongue. Doing things she had only ever heard about. The reality was so much better than she’d imagined.
“You taste even better than in my dreams. Sweet honeyed nectar.” Laving her clit with his tongue.
Perri fought not to moan in pure unadulterated bliss as she didn’t want Brandth to think her provincial. Though no doubt the little whimpers escaping from the back of her throat were a dead giveaway that she was enjoying this experience. Yes. Right there. Damn, she couldn’t let him think he’d gotten one over her. He’d be way too smug. “I’m… liking your attention… to detail.”
“What can I say…” Brandth glanced up, smiling, and yes, that was definitely a smug tilt lifting the edges of his lips. Ooh, just you wait, M’Lord, she promised silently, let’s see if you can keep your eyes from crossing when I return the favour. “… I always like to be at the top of the class.” His head thankfully dipping back down.
Perri was only just getting back into the mood, sensations slamming through her, building, building, only for everything to cease abruptly as once more Brandth paused. Probably so could he tease or taunt her again. But she wasn’t having it. Perri wanted the fireworks again. Reaching down, she slapped Brandth up the side of his gorgeous head and snapped at him in her best waspish tone. “Less chatter, more dedication to the task at hand.”
For her efforts Brandth did nothing but laugh, eyes gleaming brightly in the lantern light as he glanced up at her. “Whatever you command, my sweet harridan.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Men! Alia stormed into her suite, throwing her mask aside before striding to the mantle to light two lanterns. Her stomach churning. Her entire body shaking with agitation. She badly wanted to go on a hunt, but it was too dark, their attacker long gone. Besides, her main priority was ensuring Talac was okay. He’d been stabbed. Bleeding.
Outside he’d resisted her efforts to tear his shirt off to get a better look. Instead, he’d practically strong-armed her back inside the Palace, reminding her in an annoyingly casual tone to act natural. Don’t draw any attention their way. He could be bleeding to death and he was still determined to protect her reputation, he was maddening. Alia didn’t care about such inconsequential things. She cared about how badly Talac was hurt.
Back in the Palace he’d insisted they go their separate ways. Promising he’d get someone capable and discreet to care for his injury. Going on further to state that considering yet another attempt had just been made on Alia’s life, he thought the best place for her would be her suite. Instructing her to go there immediately.
The way he’d issued that arrogant command had almost been enough to make Alia baulk. But then reasoning assailed. If she did defy him, Talac would feel impelled to follow her, protect her, rather than seek out a medical professional.
Damn him. Alone now in her suite, Alia was fired up, with no one available to vent her spleen upon. No sign of Perri. No messages left by Deacon. All the while her mind whirling as she paced the length of the larger of the two rooms. How badly had Talac been injured? It had been impossible to tell outside. And once they’d returned to the Palace, with him wearing all black and acting stoic, it had been futile to try and gauge the severity of his… Alia’s musings fled, her attention diverted to one of the floor to ceiling windows. Thud. It sounded like a bird had just flown against the glass. Which was ridiculous, it was too late for birds to be flying. At least in this region. The soft thud sounding again.
Taking off the latch she flung the wide window upwards, to let in the warm night air and muted sounds of the crowd off in the distance to the left. What could have…? A dark shadow blocked the moon momentarily. Gryfalcons! Here? She was already moving backwards, heading for her sword, when the dark shape burst into the room, a man… one dressed all in black. “Talac?”
“You were expecting someone else?” He tied off the rope he’d used to scale down the building. Reaching up to drag off the black head covering and its attached face mask.
“What are you doing here?” Alia prayed for her heart to stop racing. The man was lucky he wasn’t sporting a knife in his chest right at this moment. She was not fond of surprises.
“I told you I’d get someone capable and discreet to take a look at my injury.”
