Page 33 of Heart of the Villain

Arlet’s chest rose, her lips parting. Taking Marlena by surprise, Arlet shifted her hands from her lap, and one reached behind her to grab Marlena’s exposed thigh peeking out of her dress. The other slid up Marlena’s arm until it rested against her wrist. Gripping her softly, Arlet guided her hand up higher on her throat, stopping when the new position was underneath her jaw.

Marlena tightened her grip only a little but yanked Arlet’s body back against hers, her ass arching in between Marlena’s thighs.

The gasp Arlet let out ruptured any control Marlena felt she had. Her lips met Arlet’s exposed neck, kissing up the side and then sliding her tongue all the way back down.

“Gods, Marlena.” Arlet let out a sigh, her hand wandering up Marlena’s thigh, higher and higher.

The vehicle shuddered underneath them, and without another warning, the sound of the engine seizing and grinding against itself pierced through the cabin. Both girls’ hands shot up to cover their ears at the same time the vehicle lurched to a violent stop.

Arlet went flying forward at the sudden halt, and Marlena barely caught herself against the cushion on the other side.

Rattled, Marlena reached for the door, noticing a billow of smoke rising from underneath. Her head spun, and the lust clouding her senses evaporated. “Get out,” she stammered. “Arlet, get out.” She pulled Arlet up by her arms. She had already begun to pick herself up—but she wasn’t moving fast enough.

Marlena pushed Arlet through the door’s opening before she crawled out herself. They landed roughly in the mud. It had started to rain, a light but steady drizzle causing the overheated transport to steam.

She would probably be steaming too if that were possible… her body still trying to come down from the high of Arlet’s need.

She wanted me.

They made eye contact as the guard came skidding out of his open door. “Are you girls okay?” He looked them over, scanning their bodies for any visible injuries.

“I think I’m okay, yeah.” Arlet spoke first, nodding her head at the obvious question Marlena was waiting to have answered too.

“What the fuck was that?” Marlena tried to keep her voice relaxed, but it came out strained, a taut rope pulling at every muscle in her body.

“The engine locked up. I’m not sure. It happened so quickly,” he stuttered.

Marlena moved around the front, pointing to the hood. “Well, open it.”

He did, and more steam came up from the open hood. “I’m going to have to call for a replacement vehicle. You two should get back inside and get out of the rain.”

Marlena shook her head violently. “I don’t trust anything with an engine that smokes. What would happen if that thing blew up and you lost not one, not two, but three future Curia seats because of your incompetence?”

The man grew paler. “You’re right, I—I’m sorry, Miss Marlena.”

“You need to⁠—”

“Marlena.” Arlet’s soft voice mirrored the gentle touch of her hand resting on her forearm. “It’s okay. He’ll get it figured out.” Droplets of water slid down Arlet’s exposed arms, and the cool spring air made her shiver. “There was an inn with a little tavern underneath a few miles back. We can go hang out there while he gets it figured out.”

A loud rickety cart led by a couple mules rolled their way. Their guard’s eyes followed Marlena’s, and he visibly let out a sigh of relief, rushing into the road with his arms flailing.

The woman driving the cart pulled up beside him, but he was too far away to be heard.

“Don’t be rude to him. He didn’t do anything.” Arlet’s hand stayed on Marlena’s arm for another few seconds, pulling her attention away from their guard. “He’s doing what he can to help.”

Marlena let her arm fall from Arlet’s touch, unable to get the image of Arlet’s body pressed up against hers out of her mind. “Yeah, well, I need to get home, and now we’re stranded,” she huffed.

Arlet chuckled, moving to reach inside the cab and pull out her sweater. She slipped inside of it, hiding herself from the cold rain coming down. “And for now, there’s nothing we can do.” Arlet pulled Marlena’s bag out and tossed it to her. “So, we might as well make the best of it.”

As if all of the heat she’d felt had vanished, Arlet strode away from Marlena, headed towards the guard and the covered cart. She peeked over her shoulder, a cheeky smile pulling at her lips. “Are you coming or ya gonna just stand in the rain?”

Marlena watched her hips sway and blinked a few times before snapping out of her trance. Like a striking snake, Marlena pulled the book out from between the cushions of the vehicle and stuffed it in her bag before the rain ruined it. She slung the bag over her shoulder and trailed after Arlet.

“I’m on my way to Fortis, so I can give him a ride back and drop you ladies off at the tav to stay warm. It’ll be a few hours before he’s back though. My mules don’t go quite as fast as that fancy thing.” The woman pointed at the still steaming military vehicle, her voice deep and weathered. She gestured to the back. “You ladies ride back there where it’s warm.”

Marlena helped Arlet up and held on to her hand as she hoisted herself into the wagon behind her. The ride was bumpy, and the wheels rattled too loudly to have a real conversation. So they sat in silence… and it didn’t feel awkward.

Before long, they were climbing back out of the wagon and running through the rain that had begun to fall angrier than before. Where was Vega when they needed her?