Page 56 of The Serpent and the Silver Wolf

“We both know those fanatics will return,” he continued, voice buzzing against her skin.

How the man could make tactical paranoia sound like foreplay…

She was already wet—slick and aching—from nothing but his words and the monster's tongue he hadn’t even bothered to hide.

Her mouth parted, but no sound came.

There’s nothing we can do, she sent instead as she eased them back a step, steadying herself more than dodging the child barreling past.

His anxiety had been worrying at the edges for months, made worse by Mira’s stubborn refusal. No outside help. The Hearth would stand alone.

She tilted her head, catching the edge of his ear between her teeth.We may be family, but we’re still outsiders.

She felt the thick line of him through both their clothes, and the needy clench it triggered had her thighs pressing together, desperate for friction.

“Naughty girl.” His tongue moved again, lower this time, sweeping lower, circling her nipple until it peaked against the light silk shirt she’d worn. “It’s like you want me to bend you over one of these wine barrels.” He murmured against her ear. “And fuck you right here in front of everyone.”

“Would they even notice?” Her voice was half a growl as she spun to face him, one thigh lifting to curl around his waist, drawing them flush.

Kazuma’s eyes widened a fraction before his hands dropped to her ass, gripping hard as he hoisted her up in one smooth, hungry motion.

Wrapping both legs around his waist now, she locked them in place as he caught her there—arms flexing, rolling her hips, grinding the firm ridge of his cock up between her thighs.

“Home.” He turned without breaking hold and strode toward the nearest rope ladder. “I’m taking you home.”

Laughing into his neck, she teased his pulse with her tongue, drawing more interesting noises from the man as he paused at the base of the rope ladder, gaze flicking up.

His arms stayed clamped beneath her thighs, and her heels dug in tighter. Neither moved.

“Please tell me you're not about to try that with her attached,” came Mira’s voice, deadpan and much too close.

Aimee flinched. Kazuma didn’t.

“Sorry to interrupt whatever…feral mating ritual this is,” Mira added, stepping into view with a single brow arched, “but you’re two feet from the wine barrels, and the kids are starting to point.”

“We were just leaving,” Kazuma said, already turning again—this time with purpose. “And they’ve seen worse.”

“Perhaps.” Mira snorted, but the sound lacked conviction. Her arms folded across her chest, and for a moment, she stared into the crowd beyond them. “But…” Her mouth worked around the words before she shook her head. “You know what, never mind. You two look busy.”

Something in Aimee cooled.

“What is it, Mira?” Her hands slid down to Kazuma’s shoulders, and with a reluctant shift, she unhooked her legs and let her feet touch the ground.

Aimee,Kazuma panted in her mind, his frustration hot across the link.

“No, it’s fine,” Mira said, waving them off without quite meeting Aimee’s eyes. “You both deserve to celebrate this night as much as anyone.”

She turned to go, but Aimee caught the edge of her sleeve. Beside her, Kazuma exhaled hard and adjusted himself with barely concealed irritation.

“How can we help?” Aimee asked.

The other woman hesitated. “I can’t find Shinka.”

“Again?” Kazuma rumbled.

It was the third time that month the kid had vanished, and ever since the attack, every disappearance made Mira spiral.

“We’ll find him.” Aimee smoothed down her shirt, already falling into motion. “He’s probably back at that cave he found last week.”