The sort of meaningless flirtation he’d engaged in many times over. She would slap him afterwards, as he deserved, but it would be worth it. He hadn’t counted on his hunger at the first taste of her. Or her willing response.Too sweet for words.Ailey forged ahead, bundling up her thick braid to shove it under her cap. She could chop off all her hair and dress in rags—she would still heat his blood to a boil. Her hands trembled faintly and the scoundrel in him couldn’t help gloat at the sign that she was just as affected.He hooked his thumbs into his sword belt as a reminder to keep his hands where they belonged. Conversation came slowly in fits and starts as they walked along the stretch of open road. They stopped after an hour on foot, resting beneath the shade at the side of the road.He nodded towards the bruise forming at her wrist. ‘Sorry for that.’‘You hit hard,’ she said, not really complaining. She rubbed at the spot before pulling her sleeve over it.‘You were coming at me like you meant it.’He let his gaze wander over her face as she took a drink from the waterskin.
