Chapter 14 #2
Once in the forest, he tracked her steps and followed her fox-like noises.
He stayed silent, stayed low. His muscles burned.
He breathed through his nose, wanting her scent.
He wondered if she was trying to run away, but surely, she wouldn’t go without supplies.
Was she looking for clues? For danger? He didn’t want to think of her running into a group of bandits on her own.
Then another terrible thought entered his head.
Perhaps she was meeting someone. Maybe she had a lover who lived out here.
He felt his chest catch fire with jealousy, thinking about what made this man so special.
He racked his brain for any backwoods gossip of men living alone deep in the forest in these parts.
But there was nothing he could remember.
They toiled over an incline and were now coming down a slope.
His muscles twitched with agitation. He knew his energy could give him away, ruining his chance to see what she was up to.
Just then, he stepped on a foul branch. She turned and he thought for sure she had seen him.
But after a moment of strained silence, she continued forward. He let his breath escape his lungs.
Off in the distance he heard the sounds of running water.
It wasn’t rushing, not a river or a stream.
It was a gurgle, a bubble, like a kettle being poured.
His brain worked on this as he continued to navigate the terrain.
Then, all at once, it hit him. The hot springs.
Alex was headed to the secluded hot springs of Aliette.
Up ahead, she finally stopped. Philippe could see the pools, silver and steamy against the light of the moon.
Alex turned and peered into the woods, but he was too well hidden in the brush.
Then, without hesitation, she dropped her shawl and her sword belt and began unlacing the corset that held her shirt against her body.
He froze, realizing he could stay there and drink her image, and no one would ever know.
His body reacted immediately; his heart jumped into his throat.
He watched, mesmerized as she loosened the laces, imagining what lay just beneath the fabric.
Then, he tore his eyes away with tremendous effort and a will he didn’t know he had.
He couldn’t do it; he couldn’t watch her unaware.
But turning around and leaving her alone wasn’t the answer either.
It was dangerous to be out this far, all by herself.
What if she encountered a camp, or a rebel, or fell and twisted her ankle?
He couldn’t leave her. No, he really only had one choice.
He’d have to join her.
Without any more consideration, he flung himself through the brush. “What are you doing here?” he demanded with faux shock and outrage.
Alex jumped and grabbed her sword, but looking at him, realization flooded her face. “What are you doing here?”
“I asked you first,” he said. He walked to the bank and stood across from her. He was elated to have succeeded in tracking her all the way out here. Now, having come this far, having caught her all alone, he felt his sinful side begging to be let out.
Alex had her sword out towards him. “Stay back,” she warned.
“I’m not going to throw you in,” he said, grinning. “You can release your blade.”
She watched him as if she did not trust his image. “You followed me,” she said, glaring. Then she dropped her sword to her side.
The large trees had receded near the edge of the water.
Rock took the place of dirt. Smooth stones that had bathed in the springs for centuries housed the steaming pools, while larger rocks created divisions and cascades within them.
Philippe folded his arms. “These are the Springs of Aliette. You can’t think you are the only one who knows of their existence,” he teased.
He sat down on a boulder behind him and put his hands on his knees, waiting for her reply.
“No, of course not,” she admitted, clearly flustered. “But I am one of the few people who knows how to find them.”
“I am the son of the Duke,” he said, enjoying the chance to taunt her. “Don’t imply you know my territory so much better than me.”
“Okay then,” she said, pushing her hair back out of her face. “You found these springs all on your own. And arrived at the same moment as me.”
“Strange,” he said, still grinning.
“So what do you suppose we do?” She folded her arms in front of her, signaling that she wasn’t quite ready to play like he was.
“What do you mean?” he asked innocently.
“We can’t go in together,” she balked, disbelief in her expression.
“Why not?” he countered. Then he reached down and began unlacing his boot.
“No. No. Nope.” She put her hand out to halt his actions. “Do not take that off.”
“Do you now claim to own the springs, Mademoiselle?” He pulled his boot off and tossed it to the side.
“You’re right,” she said, sarcasm clinging to her tone. “You are the lord, and you know everything and own everything. I shall leave.” She dropped her sword into its sheath and began fastening it around her waist.
“Wait a second,” he said. “There is no reason two friends can’t go in the springs at the same time.” He paused, looking at her with a raised eyebrow. “We are friends, right?”
“Yeah,” she said dismissively, not looking up. She secured her belt and relaced the undone part of her corset.
“Then what is the problem?” he pressed, hoping to push her over the edge.
She rolled her eyes at him and cinched her waist.
“Stop,” he said. He couldn’t help laughing at her rush.
“Hear me out. It is a beautiful evening. We both—independently—had this idea to go to the springs. We are friends, as you stated the other day, so why should one of us miss out on this lovely adventure for the pleasure of the other?” He stopped to gauge her reaction.
She had stalled, holding the edges of the laces.
She didn’t look convinced. If he could just push it a little further…
“Unless, of course,” he began, “you fear you won’t be able to control yourself when I strip down to my underclothes. ” He let that sizzle in the air.
She started in without hesitation. “I won’t be able to control myself? Really? That’s what you think?” She squared her shoulders and put her hands on her hips.
“I can’t see any other reason,” he said with a shrug. “If we are friends and nothing more, then there shouldn’t be any problem.”
She scoffed. “Alright then, friend,” she said. She tipped her chin up to him. “You first.”
He hadn’t really expected that to work, but he wasn’t going to wait for her to change her mind.
He made quick work of his other boot, stockings, and the rest of the trappings he wore around him.
Her arms were folded in front of her now, and she wore a half-amused, half-scornful look.
She watched him with the pride of a king, daring him to become shy at this game.
But he had nothing to be shy about. He knew the effect his body had on women, and better yet, he knew how to exploit it.
She was the one who had never played this game before, and he felt a shiver go across his skin at the idea of having her as a willing student once again.
He reached back and yanked his shirt over his head, careful to expose each muscle as he let it drop from his arms. Her expression remained constant, and she stared at him without flinching, but her lips parted, and her breath quickened.
He didn’t want to push her too far. But he did want to push her.
He moved his hands to his pants and undid the clasp.
He stared smugly at her, enjoying the slow breakdown of her facade.
He was in control now. He looked at his hands deliberately, attempting to draw her eyes further down.
It worked. And he saw she was now appraising the most intimate part of him.
He moved his breeches down until he wore just the fitted fabric of his undergarment.
He tossed his pants across the rocks. When he looked at her again, she was staring back with stormy eyes.
Then, with nerve that belied her sex, she ran her eyes down his bare body and up again.
He stood before her, feeling his power over her, not wanting to stop teasing her.
He put both thumbs behind the tie of the last material that covered him and began to push it down…
“Wait,” she croaked, her voice broken and weak. She cleared her throat and held up her hand. “That’s plenty.”
He laughed and removed his thumbs, holding his hands up in surrender.
She was right. He’d already crossed the line he had promised he wouldn’t, but he felt drugged watching her in the steamy clearing.
Why had he been trying so hard to mask his attraction?
He could hardly remember. He could only think that the second part of this game was still to come.
He folded his solid arms across his chest, proud and tall.
“Well then,” he said. “It’s your turn, amie. ” His voice rumbled with the challenge.