3. Chapter 3 #5
“Mm, that’s a bit more unusual,” she said, giving me a pointed glance. “But there’s something sweet about you that I couldn’t steer away from. You’re an interest mix of princess and practical.”
Rarely was I seen like that, and warmth bloomed in my chest.
“So, if you’re Dun Steorran, I’m betting you can tell me about the constellations,” she said, giving an up nod to the somewhat obscured skies. I didn’t miss the way she detoured out of topics before they could get too real, but I let her, craving the steady flow of conversation between us.
“Not as well as the heavy magic users, but I’ve spent many a night out in the fields drinking by the bonfire and stargazing.” I shrugged.
“Bonfires, drinking? Tell me more,” she said, a flirt in her tone that I perked up at.
“How else do you think farmers unwind?” I teased back.
“Mm, I could think of a few fun ways,” she said, her heated gaze skimming over my body.
I shivered in my place. My fantasies were multiplying by the second.
“Fuck, I wish I had a few tools on hand.”
My brows rose. “What?”
“I’m from Gearwick, sweets. We’ve got devices for days, and after seeing how responsive you were, I could imagine a princess like you would love to ride one of my mechanical cocks.”
Flames roared through me. “Yes, yes, please.”
“I’ve got a nice harness tucked away with it,” she said, continuing to tease. “So I could drive into you over and over again.”
“What do you like?” I asked, my curiosity rising to a peak. My cock had stiffened, but I was more interested in what she wanted to do to me.
“Riding your face was perfection,” she said. “While I’d love to play with your cock and your hole, I’m not much of a penetration fan.”
“Well, I’m happy to take the bullet—or mechanical cock in this instance—any time you like.”
“Noted,” she said, a coy smile on her lips. “I left that in a drop site back in Tunbrae.”
“Not a terrible detour from Brynhurst,” I commented. “Might be able to make a stop before heading back home.”
“I’ll hold you to that,” she responded and settled back on her elbows.
“Did you not bring any blankets or cots?” I’d planned on renting bedding at the campsite, which explained my situation, but hers didn’t make as much sense.
She shook her head. “I’m used to sleeping on the earth.”
I raised a brow. “That seems terrible for the back. What if you get a muscle pull in the middle of trying to hunt a mark?”
She snorted. “I’ve managed so far. I stay limber.”
I hopped up and managed to collect a bundle of fallen leaves, which would make do to soften the ground a bit more. Then I grabbed my pack and put it in place for a makeshift pillow. Once I stretched out, I opened my arm in her direction. “Come on,” I offered. “I’ve got pillows here.”
She eyed my tits and rolled her eyes. “That’s a terrible line. But you’ve got pretty magnificent breasts, so I’m not going to turn down the chance to rest on those.”
I preened again. She was good for my ego. I’d worked hard to grow them, and they made me feel pretty, which I rarely got the chance to bask in. Most folks…well, they didn’t always see me like that.
Kali scooted in beside me and settled her head on my chest. The weight of her settled something needy inside me that was desperate for contact.
Usually, I had Socks by my side, so I didn’t feel as lonely, even if I’d always wanted a partner.
For a prickly mercenary type, Kali was a lot kinder and warmer than I’d anticipated, and I liked her dry sense of humor, opposite of mine.
“You’re not wrong,” she murmured. “You’re damn comfortable to cuddle with, and I’m not the cuddling type.”
“We could be conserving body heat if that makes it better,” I said.
Kali glanced up. “We’re right beside a fire in the middle of Midsummer. Don’t think heat’s an issue right now.”
I shrugged. “I’m a cuddler by nature, so I make no apologies.”
Kali snorted. “You’re ridiculous is what you are.
” The way she said it though, with brazen affection, made my chest take flight with butterflies.
I had camaraderie at home, and my friends loved me, but the singular way Kali looked at me caused hope to ignite like a wildfire inside me.
Which was ridiculous, as she was a mercenary with her own life, and we’d just met earlier today.
Yet, I hadn’t experienced a connection this easy or deep in a long, long while, and I wasn’t ready to give it up yet.
I stared up at the sky, comforted by the warmth of Kali pressed against my side, of the quiet that settled between us like an exhale.
The jarros trilled their nighttime melody, one that was all-encompassing, threading with distant bird calls.
Wisps of all different colors sparkled through the trees, their gentle light softer than starlight yet no less beautiful.
Kali’s breaths evened even if she wasn’t asleep yet.
Someone like her, I imagined she didn’t rest easily.
However, I was exhausted from the day, comfortable right now, and I was happy to lead the way to slumber.
I closed my eyes, and within minutes, the world faded away.