Chapter 25 #4
A friend. Always just a friend. But it was still a lot for him to offer. I didn’t need to be so bitter. “Thank you, Rowan. I hope I don’t need that.”
Rowan grunted. “Me too, because if you do, I need to look at who I’ve dedicated myself to a second time.”
“Angela is quite the catch, isn’t she?” I poked him in the side. “You don’t regret that at all.”
Rowan frowned. “I was talking about the Architect. But you’re not wrong.” He put his big hand on top of my head and messed my hair. “Careful, squirt. Poking the bear is never a good idea.”
I put a hand on my hip, grinned, and poked him again.
The drizzling rain should have made the ride home miserable. It seemed to have cleared everyone else from the steep, cobbled street leading up to The Mile. But, I’d poked the bear, maybe, or I’d poked myself?
Rowan’s massive pink cloak fell over both of us, keeping me dry, warm, and hiding the grinding of my hips. A moan threatened to roll out of my throat, and I bit my lips together.
Cayden rode in front of us, leading us back up the steep cobbled road we’d come down. If I made too much noise, he’d turn.
Maybe I wanted that?
The massive horse’s rocking gait threw me forward, pressing my warm layers directly into my clit from the front of the saddle. It didn’t matter what I wanted, my body needed, and I was done holding it back.
Although Rowan had picked a saddle intended for two people, it only gave my hips more space to move. Why did riding a horse involve so much pleasurable crushing? Another wave of tingling heat surged through my body. Riding with Cayden had felt good, but I swear Rowan trained his mount just for me.
The massive mage’s weight pressed me forward in the saddle. I tried to push away, but the big mage trapped my arms to my sides. His hips rolled behind me, and pure sex lit every nerve.
“If you want me to stop, I will,” Rowan’s gravelly voice was barely audible over the drizzle. “But I’ve found you in my lap again. And this time, you deserve a reward.”
I jerked in surprise. He knew exactly what was going on. Heat rushed to my face. Despite my embarrassment, I didn’t want him to stop.
Instead of answering, I rolled my hips again. For two weeks, I’d been surrounded by hotness: Cayden’s touches, Ezra’s corded physique, and Rowan’s bulk. I was a mess of need with no outlet. Rowan pressed me forward again. Delicious pressure ignited bits of me I usually left alone.
I wanted more.
As if hearing my thoughts, Rowan’s horse picked up its pace, and so did my motions. My insides melted into a ball of liquid lust. I wanted Rowan to touch me and kiss my neck. But he wouldn’t. I knew he wouldn’t. This wasn’t about him.
This was pure physical sensation.
With each roll, I got braver. Each spike of pleasure pushed me closer to an edge I’d never shared with anyone before.
It wasn’t romantic. Rowan wasn’t gazing into my eyes and promising me the world.
I wasn’t even in bed. I was out in the open, on a horse, but for some reason, that only made each roll of my hips hotter.
I shook and dug my hands into Rowan’s thighs. I was so close. As if knowing exactly what I needed, Rowan pressed me forward and held. His own erection stabbed into my back. The horse's next step made me jerk with pleasure as my orgasm crashed through me. I struggled to keep my breathing steady.
As I came down from my high, Rowan eased back in his saddle.
Two steps later, the sensations between my legs were too much.
My sensitive lady bits couldn’t take more, yet we were only halfway up the hill toward The Mile.
I sucked in another lung full of air and tried to push off Rowan’s thigh to relieve the motions.
“Here.” Rowan put a hand on my hips and helped adjust the angle at which I sat. “Sit farther back on your tailbone and lean into me.”
At the sound of his voice, Cayden’s head whipped around. I didn’t know what he saw on my face, probably flushed pain, but he immediately dropped his horse back, struggling to make it walk peacefully next to Rowan’s.
Still hidden under the cloak, Rowan pulled me close and whispered. “I’ve got you. Enjoy it.”
I squirmed on his lap with embarrassment.
I effectively let him jerk me off. Was this a part of this world?
Was this weird? If I asked, it would definitely make it weird.
I bit my lips shut and did precisely what he said, just a friend, helping out a horny friend, both fully clothed.
Nothing intimate about it. My face burned with heat.
Rowan didn’t like me that way; he was my little gigolo for a bit. Should I tip him?
“Quinn, you’re flushed.” Cayden maneuvered his horse closer to us. “It’s stopped raining. Are you overheated?”
“Ah, yes, very,” I managed to stammer, though not from Rowan’s big rain cloak.
Rowan’s chuckle rumbled against my back. I could live in that sensation. I slipped one of my hands out of the opening of his cloak as a bit of sun peeked out of the clouds. The day sparkled.
I don’t know why, but I laughed. Cayden sidestepped his horse, and his knee collided with Rowan’s. Without asking, he pulled Rowan’s cloak off us. Rowan barely got the clasp undone before Cayden could strangle him with it.
The sun was shining. I had a literal bag of gold. Rowan gave me the first orgasm I’d not given myself, and my moody best friend, who literally dodged my kiss, looked like an angry, drowned cat, which made me grin. Not that I was bitter. Definitely not that.
I was so high on happiness, I honestly thought I might float away.
Our horses crested the steep road, which ended at The Mile, and came to a halt. Six enforcers blocked the path, with Ezra and Brody standing in the center. My high vanished, and my heart thumped in my chest. Ezra told me I couldn’t leave the walls. I’d broken his rules.
“I told you they took her.” Brody’s gaze locked onto me. “I watched them leave. It’s not safe.”
It was suddenly hard to breathe for all the wrong reasons.
Rowan placed a hand on my thigh while Cayden sidestepped his horse close. “I’m here, don’t panic.”
“Quinn asked to go to The Green.” Rowan’s voice rumbled against my back. “In broad daylight, with one of your five and a trained rune master. It was worth the risk.”
Ezra clenched his jaw. “Without informing me? This is becoming a pattern, Rowan.”
Rowan nudged his horse forward a few steps, and Cayden followed his lead.
“Quinn has two work-studies, Commander,” Rowan said too calmly. “She spends every hour following the exact schedule you gave her with the people you assign, without complaint.”
I glanced at Cayden, surprised to hear my friend’s concerns coming out of Rowan’s mouth. For once, Cayden wasn’t scowling. His gaze remained on his horse’s ears, so I couldn’t fully see his expression, but I hoped he heard the same thing I did.
One of Ezra’s five was looking out for me.
Rowan’s horse came to a stop and bumped noses with Ezra’s leggy brown thoroughbred.
Rowan’s voice lowered dangerously. “There’s not a family within a hundred miles who’d run a woman ragged. Mine included.”
Ezra’s impassive face hardened.
My heart raced. Did Rowan threaten his commanding officer because of me?
Brody looked at my hand, still clinging to Rowan’s thigh, and his gaze burned.
I didn’t know if Cayden had trained his horse to bite on command or not, but it snapped at Brody’s shorter mount, which skittered back. Brody was forced to focus on staying in the saddle and stopped looking at me.
Cayden gave his horse a scratch. He’d definitely trained it to bite on command.
“Of course, you're right, Rowan.” Ezra flashed a signal with his hand.
The six enforcers broke into pairs and scattered. “Your wisdom is the reason I asked you to be one of my five.”
Was Ezra threatening Rowan now? Or was I reading into all of this?
“The Architect could wake up any minute,” Ezra added. “He will have the opportunity to meet Quinn.”
My blood chilled. That was definitely a threat. Right? Though, Ezra did make a lot of declarations. He never asked me to spot his bench that first night; he declared I would.
“If that’s what she wants.” Rowan patted his chest with his free hand. “It’s also what I want. But it’s ultimately Quinn’s choice.”
Ezra scowled, but gave a single curt nod. The tension in the air eased.
I rubbed my arms, looking between Rowan and Ezra. Rowan wanted me to meet the Architect, but only if I wanted to. Ezra, on the other hand, was desperate for me to what? Say hi?
I took a deep breath. The Architect saved my life. He used up so much magic that he’d been unconscious for over two weeks now.
“He chose to save me.” I looked flatly at Ezra. “I’m grateful, don’t get me wrong, but I don’t owe him for a choice I didn’t make.”
Ezra’s eyes widened slightly. He rested his palm on the hilt of his sword, as if needing to draw on its strength. “You have no debt with us.” He seemed to struggle to pick his next words. “The Architect means a great deal to me, and so do you.”
My heart skipped a beat. Skeptical Quinn immediately pointed out that I’d only been here for two weeks and I’d seen Ezra a handful of times.
Desperately horny Quinn remembered his abs, and how quick he was to take off his shirt when we, er I, asked.
The safety I felt at the sauna flooded me. Did Ezra like me back?
“I’ll stay, but if he tries to control me or I find out I owe him something, I’m gone.” I looked at Rowan and Cayden. The big elemental squeezed me close in support, while Cayden’s gaze burned into Ezra. Two very different types of support, but I’d take it.
Ezra inclined his head. Although his expression didn’t change, I swore his shoulders slightly dipped in relief. “We’re done here.” Ezra turned to Brody, whose gaze had returned to me.
“But, they took her against your orders,” Brody whined.
“Rowan’s one of my five,” Ezra stated, as if that fixed everything. “Return the shire horse and take the night off for your troubles.”
Brody scowled, but turned. Ezra whistled, and the beast picked up its pace with a surprised yelp from Brody, who clung to the saddle, as the horse raced back to its beloved stables and pile of hay. I made a mental note not to leave my room alone tonight.
Rowan squeezed his thighs, and his horse took a few gentle steps forward. Cayden followed suit. To my surprise, Ezra spun his horse so that the three walked abreast with Rowan and me in the middle.
“Did you enjoy your outing?” Ezra asked.
I bit my lips together and looked at the walls of the castle, growing steadily closer. “Are you going to lock me up?”
“He will not be locking you up, Quinn.” Cayden’s voice was so sharp it could cut. “Not now. Not ever.”
I reached for my best friend and squeezed his shoulder, before Rowan pulled my unsteady ass back into his lap. I flushed.
“I will not,” Ezra agreed evenly. “You’re safe, and Rowan’s point is valid. My anger will pass. A session at the gym will help.”
Ezra’s gaze bored into me. Oh, he was asking me to join him. He wanted to talk. Once again, I had done the opposite of what he wanted, and once more, it seemed there would be no repercussions.
My view of my ‘captivity’ faltered, but didn’t vanish.
Maybe clearing the air with Ezra was exactly what I needed.
He said I meant ‘a great deal’ to him, but he’d also said that about the Architect, his boss and the all-powerful ruler of this family, who I doubted asked him to take off his shirt. So, what exactly did he mean by that?
I rubbed my cheeks, lurched on the moving horse, and quickly grabbed the saddle to regain my balance.
Rowan and Cayden were off the romance list, but maybe I could nurture my little crush with Ezra. I mean, if he wasn’t trying to control me and prepare me to be the Architect’s baby maker. Which he may or may not be doing. I tugged on my hair.
“I’d love to lift with you, Commander,” Rowan said brightly before I could give myself a headache from overthinking. “You always lift alone. I bet your bench isn’t that far off from mine.”
Ezra’s gaze grew stormy as Rowan launched into a small novel about his sets and protein rotation.
The lightness I’d felt earlier returned. I bit my lips together and batted my eyes at Ezra. “Super sets, sounds manly. You two will have fun.”
Rowan hadn’t moved his hand off my thigh, and he squeezed it. “You can come watch. I’m sure Cayden can find something else to do.”
My insides boiled, imagining Rowan and Ezra shirtless with their muscles popping. Bulk versus pure art. I coughed to cover the sudden rush of blood going everywhere but my brain.
Cayden scowled. “I’m sure I can figure out how to lift a weight.”
“You’ve never lifted?” Rowan asked.
Cayden's scowl deepened, and he bit his lips shut.
An awkward silence descended over us. Ezra preferred to lift alone, but Rowan was a social guy. I wanted him to offer to lift with Cayden, but the big mage didn’t. Despite their brief alliance, I guess we were back to mutual dislike.
The horses’ hooves clopped, and a few drops of rain fell in the sunshine.
The uneasy silence made me fidget. “What sport were you playing earlier today?” I asked Rowan, remembering the kilt and jersey.
Rowan squeezed me. “Football. Do you know how to play?”
I started to ask him if it was American football or soccer, but then shook my head. That would only open up a can of worms I wasn’t ready for. I’d accepted, for now, that all of this was real, which meant these were my friends… and Ezra. I didn’t want them to think I was crazy.
Rowan launched into an explanation of soccer with some new rules and a second ball made of pure magic, and our horses picked up the pace. A rainbow filled the sky over the castle.