His gaze bounced from me to Skye, narrowing suspiciously. He studied my expression, as if searching for signs of discomfort or something. I gave him a reassuring smile, but it didn’t appear to relax him. He held out his hand to me.
I felt my nose wrinkle. “You don’t want to dance, do you? I’m not good at that. It won’t end well for either of us,” I warned, placing my palm in his.
He effortlessly hauled me to my feet and, keeping possession of my hand, led me away from the courtyard. His eyes briefly darted back to Skye before he shot me a raised brow.
“She didn’t say anything to hurt or piss me off, if that’s what you’re wondering. I’d tell you if she did.” I pulled a face. “Okay, probably not.” I was no snitch. “But she really didn’t.” I gave him a teasing grin. “It’s so sweet that you’d check.”
His eyes went slitted in annoyance as he glared at me.
I bit back a chuckle. “You’re making me think of Bitsy again.” I sighed. “Gods, I miss that cat.” I snorted at the impatience rippling across his face. “So, you’re not asking me to dance?”
His crankyAbsolutely notlook made clear what he thought of that idea. Apparently dancing wasn’t his thing.
I hummed. “Then whatdoyou want?”
Talon gave me a slow onceover, taking in the sight of me in my uniform; intently stroking over my hair. His gaze returned to mine, heat bleeding into its depths.
My stomach flipped. “Well, once the celebration is over, we can have our fun.”
He gestured at the three barracks and then shot me a questioning look.
“I’m staying in that one,” I told him, pointing at the building in the center.
He carefully spun me to fully face that particular barracks and started ushering me toward it, his front pressed to my back.
I frowned. “Why are we going here?”
He plucked at both my tunic and pants.
I squinted, struggling to follow. “You want me to grab more clothes?”
He let out a grunt of assent.
Realization hit. He wanted me to have fresh gear for tomorrow. “I take it this means you want me to spend the entire night in your bedchamber again.”
He nodded against my shoulder.
“Okay. But we don’t need to do this right now. The party is still …” I trailed off as sharp teeth seductively grazed a sensitive spot on my neck, making my core clench. “Oh, all right.”
He released me when we entered the barracks, and our footsteps echoed up the stairwell as we climbed to the sixth floor. There, I pulled open the door and led him inside. It was empty of people, which I’d expected, given a party was in full swing outside.
I passed the common area, communal garderobe, and several rows of bunkbeds before reaching my own. “Mine’s the lower bunk,” I told Talon as I swiped my knapsack out from under it. I dug clothing out of my designated trunk and dumped it into the sack, along with my hygiene pack. “Okay, I’m ready.” I met his gaze … and my belly did a slow tumble at the carnal intent in his expression.
Talon stepped into my personal space, swallowing it up. Hunger steadily darkened his eyes, firmed his jaw, and shaped his mouth into a thin slash.
I licked my lips. “Someone could come in here.”
Power blasted out of his palm. I heard the door slam shut and the locksnick.
Well.I gasped as he snagged a fistful of my hair. The small pain tightened my nipples, and tiny sparks of excitement skipped along my skin. “If someone comes up here and starts banging on the door, it’s gonna ruin the—”
He took my mouth in a kiss that burned. Possessed. Chipped away at my hesitancy with every lash of his tongue.
I sank into the kiss, dropping my knapsack and grabbing at his shoulders. He pulled hard on my hair and swallowed my answering moan.
He drew back and slammed aGet rid of itlook on my tunic. I shed it fast while he tackled the laces of my breeches withsharp, impatient movements. He shoved down both my braies and pants as I removed my breast band.
Talon roughly spun me to face the bunkbed. I shot out my hands to steady myself and gripped the top iron rail tight. Plastering his front to my back, he took my hand and dipped it down low. He used both my finger and his own to play with my clit—rubbing it, rolling it, flicking it.
