Page 90 of War

He tastes just as I remember. Like smoke and steel. And unlike the rest of his body, War’s mouth is pliant.

The kiss is supposed to be gentle, but the horseman hijacks it, crushing his lips against mine. He’s devouring me with the same intensity he has in battle.

He rolls us over so that I’m on my back and he’s above me, pinning me to the ground. He keeps his weight off me, but even still, he feels as solid and heavy as those tanks rotting in Jerusalem’s junkyards. Shamelessly, I grind against him, biting back a moan.

In the distance, I hear the slow clop of hooves, but my attention is intensely focused on War as his hand moves down to my chest and cups a breast.

I don’t mean to, but a breathy gasp slips out.

War breaks away from the kiss long enough to say, “Wife, I have not been living until this moment. You must make that sound again.”

Fuck, he noticed that?

Clop, clop, clop, clop.

The horseman’s lips return to mine, and his hand is back on my breast, and I am rubbing my pelvis against his like it’s a professional sport.

Clop, clop, clop, clop.

This is going to happen right here, right now. My dry spell will officially beover. I’ll deal with the fallout of this bad decision later.

A shadow rolls over us, and when I bother looking up, I notice War’s horse leaning over, snuffling the horseman’s hair.

Unlike Lady Godiva, War didn’t bother to tie up his steed out here. And now his horse just cock-blocked the shit out of this situation.

War breaks away from me. “Deimos,” he groans, sounding exasperated as he pushes the horse’s muzzle away.

Giving me an apologetic look, War rolls off of me to deal with his steed.

I sit up, dusting the dirt off my hair and clothes, feeling only a little chagrined at what I just did. I watch War interact with Deimos, petting the beast along his cheek and neck.

I’ve always thought the war horse, with his massive frame and blood red coat, was a frightening creature, but right now he seems more like a needy little kid, eager for his father’s attention.

Alright, horses might have a thing or two over bikes. Even if they poop everywhere.

I’m just about to wander over to where horse and rider stand when I hear some low sound. I squint at the road and see indistinct shapes right at that point where land meets sky.

Deimos wasn’t cock-blocking us after all. He was sounding the alarm.

War’s army is on the horizon.

Chapter 25

I step outof my newly erected tent that evening, armed with purpose.

Outside, the forlorn little spot War and I camped out in is now covered with tents as far as the eye can see. The private moments we had here only hours ago have been replaced with people and industry.

I feel a brief pang of loss, but it quickly fades, replaced by my growing nerves.

I bite the inside of my cheek, my eyes going to the horseman’s tent. I’ve come up with a plan of sorts. A cringe-y, half-baked plan, but a plan nonetheless. One that makes my stomach drop a little every time I think about it.

At least it will stop making you feel so torn—ifit works.

War is going to invade the next big city in another day or two. I need to make this happen before then.

I take a single step towards his tent, then hesitate.

My plancouldwait until tomorrow …