Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 19262 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 96(@200wpm)___ 77(@250wpm)___ 64(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 19262 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 96(@200wpm)___ 77(@250wpm)___ 64(@300wpm)
“If that is your wish,” he replied quietly.
“Is it your wish?” I cared about his comfort as well.
Ansel’s hand cupped my cheek and turned my head until I looked at him again. His eyes pierced into mine when he said, “I have many, many wishes when it comes to you.” My cheeks heated beneath his touch. “But for tonight, I would love to lay with you, and hold you if you will allow.”
“I’ll allow,” I answered too quickly, and Ansel’s face crinkled with another smile.
Without another word, he stood up and unfastened his cloak from his chest. He peeled off the garment and tossed it onto the chair. When he turned to face me again, my eyes quickly scanned his body, taking it all in.
Ansel’s torso was thick beneath the fabric of his tunic, and chest hair peeked out of the ‘V’ cut in the cotton. His forearms were bulky and covered in veins and scars. His thighs were concealed in his trousers, but they were obviously strong and stocky.
He stepped out of his shoes and climbed into bed beside me, tucking beneath the blanket. My heart pounded in my chest; the thought of sharing the space with Ansel hadn’t prepared me for actually doing it. I could feel the heat from his body, and it warmed me to my core.
I’m not sure what he saw on my face, because he went still and asked, “Is this okay?” I couldn’t find words to answer, so I nodded quickly, and rested my head on the pillow as he did the same.
Though I felt secure with him next to me, fear was still alive in my mind. I rolled onto my side to face Ansel and asked, “What if Maldor finds us here?”
He slowly lifted his hand toward me, and then stroked his fingers through my short hair as he explained, “We are hidden by Thayla’s grace. Maldor cannot see us with his own eyes. But the soldiers can. They, along with Maldor’s spies, will be looking for us. This cottage is far beyond the town, but we must remain vigilant.” I started to sit up, but he guided me back down onto the pillow. “We must also rest to make sure our bodies are prepared for any journey we may take.” He caressed my hair again and promised, “I will protect you.” I knew his words to be true.
As he stroked my locks, the need to touch him grew within me. I lifted my hand and ran the pad of my thumb along a scar on his cheek. The skin was puckered and rough, but I enjoyed the feel. “All I know about you is that you are strong, kind, and brave,” I thought out loud. Though it was enough to win my heart, I craved to learn about the man I was destined to be with. “I want to know everything.”
“I will tell you everything in the morning. For now, you need to rest.” He leaned forward and my breath caught when he placed a gentle kiss on my forehead. No one had ever kissed me; not even my parents. The feel of his lips on my skin was the most incredible thing I’d ever experienced. I hoped he would give me many more. “Goodnight, my prince. Sleep well.”
“Goodnight, Ansel.” I wished to stay awake and feel the rhythmic strokes of his hand through my hair, but his warm touch soothed me into slumber.
Chapter Four
Leo
I awoke from the deepest, most restful sleep of my life, filled with dreams of Ansel’s scars and forehead kisses. I stretched and noticed for the first time just how comfortable his bed was; I was too frightened the night before to pay attention. But his soft mattress was much better than my straw pallet at the castle; it had to be filled with feathers, or perhaps even wool.
I shivered when my cock, hard from sleep, brushed against the thick blanket. It felt nice. I’d rubbed it a few times in the past and it felt incredible. Maybe Ansel will rub it one day. The thought made even more blood rush to my groin, and brought a grin to my lips.
“What’s got you smiling?” Ansel’s voice asked from beside me, and I jerked with a yelp.
“Oh…I…nothing. I just slept very well,” I fibbed, and hoped my flushed cheeks didn’t give me away.
“I’m glad to hear it,” Ansel smiled back. “Are you hungry?”
“I’m starved.”
“Well, we can’t have that. Come with me into the kitchen and we will get your belly full.” He climbed out of bed and my eyes widened when I saw evidence of a thick bulge in his trousers. I averted them when he looked at me, and I hoped he didn’t catch me gawking.
I watched Ansel out of the corner of my eye as he tied his hair back and wrapped his cloak around his shoulders. When it was left open, it appeared to be nothing more than brown cloth; its powers were shown when he wrapped it around himself, and when he was in need of hiding.