He found the innkeeper standing there.
“What’s going on?” the alarmed innkeeper asked. “I heard stomping around as if there was some sort of fight!”
“Oh, please forgive the noise,” Angelet said quickly. “He was just teaching me a lesson.”
The innkeeper’s eyes flicked over to Rafe, and he gave a single, curt nod. “I see. Well, it’s wise to keep a woman in line. Just don’t be all night about it. It might keep the other guests awake.”
“Apologies,” Rafe said, offering a small coin, which undoubtedly helped soothe the innkeeper’s nerves.
After the innkeeper left, Angelet wrinkled her nose. “Wise to keep a woman in line? Ugh. Just as well I didn’t try to explain what was really going on.”
“He wouldn’t have believed you if you did,” said Rafe.
“Nor cared if youwerehurting me.” She sighed and put the dagger she’d been gripping onto the little table. “I suppose that concludes the lesson.”
“For now. I’ll teach you more when there’s opportunity.”
“You don’t mind?”
He shrugged. “It’s a dangerous world. Why shouldn’t you have a chance to even the field? After all, I won’t be around to protect you much longer.”
“What can you really teach me in a few weeks?” she asked, not looking at him.
She gasped when she was suddenly swept off her feet and pushed against the wall, exactly where her lesson had begun.
Rafe stood directly in front of her, keeping her in place. “I could teach you not to turn your back on an armed man.”
“That’s not fair, Rafe! We weren’t fighting anymore!”
“You should always be ready, Angelet. And alert.”
She looked up into his eyes. “If I’m ever in this position again, with a stranger, I will be alert. I promise. But this time didn’t count!”
“Why the hell not?”
“Because I trust you!”
“You shouldn’t.” Rafe looked her over, in a way that made her breath catch. “I could do whatever I wanted with you right now.”
“What would that look like?” she asked, heat building in her core.
He held her to the wall with just one hand laid against her shoulder, emphasizing exactly how much stronger he was than Angelet. “I’ll show you,” he said, his voice low and deliciously promising—and a little frightening.
“What if I don’t care to be shown?” she whispered.
Rafe laid a kiss on her neck, one that left her wanting another and another. “Angelet, the choice is yours. If you want to give the orders, I’ll obey. Always.”
“But you want something else.”
“I think you need something else tonight. And I can show you what.”
She inhaled. Looked him in the eye.
“Show me.”
He bent down to kiss her full on the mouth, seeking her tongue. It was a rough, demanding, possessive kiss, and she didn’t want it to end.
But he did end it, with a ragged breath. Then he grabbed her skirts and gathered them up around her waist, revealing her bare legs.
