Page 100 of War

I flash him a surprised look. Isn’t it obvious? “Back to my tent.”

“No,” he says simply.

I lay there, my back against his chest, for a second. “This is not what we agreed on,” I say.

“Your touches,” War replies. “That’s what we agreed on. And I’m claiming them all, even the ones that happen when I’mnottaking you in my mouth.”

My face heats. I don’t know what to say to that. I don’t really have an argument. I just hadn’t planned on continuing to cuddle with this monster.

He leans over me and begins trailing kisses down my torso.

Not that he plans on cuddling …

His lips pass my belly button.

“Things will be different now,” he murmurs against my skin.

I feel hot and cold, wrong and right, all at the same time.

His lips move lower, lower …

“Again?” I say breathlessly. “But I’m not ready—”

He kisses my clit and I buck against him.

Oh God, what have I agreed to?

“Yes, Miriam, we’re doing this again. And again. And again.” He pulls away long enough to look up the line of my body. “My wife,” he says, “I look forward to this trade.”

The sun hasonly just risen when I wake. I’m caught in a tangle of War’s limbs, and my body feels raw and tired from everything we did throughout the night.

Next to me, the horseman sleeps soundly. My eyes drift to his mouth, and my cheeks flame all over again. My core is extra sensitive and my thigh muscles hurt as I sneak out of War’s bed and slip the scattered bits of my clothes back on. Once I’m dressed, I head for the exit.

I pause, glancing back to take the horseman in one last time.

The sharp angles of his face have softened in sleep; he looks almost happy. I feel my stomach flutter in response, the sensation quickly followed by horror.

This is just a physical relationship. Anything else only promises heartbreak.

Chapter 28

I sit inmy tent, my forearms resting on my gathered knees, my thumb pressed to my lips as I think. Today I can’t even concentrate on making bows and arrows.

Every time I close my eyes, I swear I can feel the glide of War’s hands and the press of his lips. And every time a set of footfalls near my tent, I tense, sure they’re his. But so far today, he’s given me my space.

“Miriam! Are you in your tent?” Zara’s voice rings out.

Fuck. She’s thelastperson I want to see right now. And the one time that I need the phobos riders to keep her out, they let her through.

“Yeah,” I say weakly, “I’m in here.”

Several seconds later, the flaps pull back and she peers inside at me. “What are you doing in there? It’s hot.”

I’m hiding.

Instead of answering her, I step out of the tent.

As soon as I do so, Zara looks me over, a frown growing on her face. “Are you okay? You look like shit.”