“Oh, right,” he flushed.
He stepped over and set the bucket down, dipping the rag in as he sat beside me. He tilted my face towards him with his hand on my chin and began to clean my wound gently.
I stared into his amber eyes as they studied my cut. His full lips were just barely parted, his muscular forearms…
I squeezed my thighs together, attempting to ignore the friction I so desperately desired.
“Where were you?” I asked quietly.
His beautiful eyes flickered to mine.
“I got caught up in some…family drama. I couldn’t get out of the house when I wanted,” he mumbled, placing the rag down and getting another ready. He lifted the healing elixir and raised an eyebrow at me. I nodded, and he poured some on the dry rag in his hand. He hesitated as he brought it to my face.
“It’s okay,” I said softly, and he placed it on the cut, causing me to wince.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered, dabbing the area. His mouth was so close to mine.
“How is your injury?” I asked.
“Good. I took the stitches out myself. I have a scar, but that is to be expected, being a member of the army. I will have many more scars in the future, I’m sure.”
I frowned. If I could have healed him, he wouldn’t have scarred.
He wouldneverscar if I could use my magic freely.
“Do your parents know about me?” He stilled as my words came out. “Surely they ask where you’re off to at such early hours every week.”
He clenched his jaw. “My mother does. Not my father.” He placed the rag down and ran his thumb along my cheek. “Good thing you don’t need stitches. That man better not have scarred your beautiful face,” he mumbled, then dragged his hands down my sides, causing me to wince once more. “Let me see,” he murmured.
I hesitated but lifted my shirt enough for him to see my side. Horror overcame his features, and he cursed under his breath. A small gasp left my lips when I glanced down.
My ribs were covered in dark red bruises that I knew would be purple in a few hours. Not surprising as that man kicked the shit out of me. It was still surreal to look at, though. I imagined my neck was bruised, too.
He tensed. “I am so sorry I wasn’t here,” he whispered as he studied the bruises.
“I’m sorry I panicked…” I whispered back. “… and I’m sorry you had to take another life to save me.”
He looked back up, held my face in his hands, then pulled my mouth to his, kissing me deeply. My heart began to race as I scooted closer, wrapping my hand around his neck, one of them gripping the hair at his neckline.
He pulled away gently and rested his forehead on mine. “I would gladly do it again if it came to it, Lena. Do not be sorry.” He kissed my forehead. “But please, don’t put yourself in danger. Especially for me.”
I pulled away and laced my hands behind his neck. “There are few things I would put myself in danger for, and you are one of them.” I smiled. “But I will try to think things through next time, should there be a next time.”
He gave me his lazy smile, and I wanted to rip his clothes off at the sight of it. I wondered if he saw that in my eyes as he pulled me closer and began devouring me. A small moan escaped my lips, and I felt his smile as he continued to trace his tongue over mine.
His hand trailed down to my hips, and he pulled me on his lap, my legs now resting on either side of him.
“Quill, my mother—”
“Shh,” he hushed as he kissed me again, his hands now gripping my ass.
I moaned again and couldn’t stop as I began to grind myself against him. He growled against my lips, then receded, a playful smile on his face.
“Do you know how badly I wish to remove these off you, Lena?” he asked as he tugged on the loops of the pants I wore today.
“Then fucking do it,” I responded with my own lazy grin.
His eyes flashed, and his mouth captured mine once more, our tongues exploring each other as my hands ran through his hair. The smell of pine and citrus overwhelmed my senses. Why did he smell so damn good? Everything about him was addicting.
