by Isabo Kelly
He smiled. “Okay. I didn’t want you running off into the city. Not today. To make sure you stayed, I hid your clothes. But don’t worry.” He leaned in to kiss her. “You can wear one of my shirts to stay warm.”
She returned his kiss with feigned reluctance. Actually, she couldn’t imagine a more pleasant way to spend her day now that she thought about it. At least, not a more pleasant way to spend the day alone. “You shaved,” she said, rubbing the smooth line of his jaw.
“I tend to do that in the morning. Would you like me to grow a beard?”
“No. The stubble was rough enough on my poor mouth. Besides I want to see your face.”
“Good, because I don’t look very good with a beard.”
“I find it hard to imagine you ever not looking good.”
“Why, Victoria, you’re going to make me blush.”
She snorted and kissed him roughly. “I doubt you’ve done that since you were three.” Her playful kiss turned more serious, and soon Jacob was wrapping her in his arms.
He pulled away slowly, his arms still cradling her. “I have to go.”
She nodded, disappointed, and bit her bottom lip. To her surprise, he growled and pulled her tight, capturing her mouth in a hungry kiss. Feeling a bit vengeful after his morning of teasing, she pushed back and said, “You’ll be late.”
He didn’t let her get away so easily. As his mouth moved down over her neck and across her shoulders, she tried again. “Won’t the king mind?”
“Yes, he will.” But Jacob didn’t stop kissing her. When his mouth moved to her ear, he whispered, “And if you continue to bite your bottom lip like that, the king will probably end up quite angry with me.”
“I’m sorry,” she said, honestly concerned that she’d done something wrong.
“Don’t be sorry,” he breathed against her neck then looked into her eyes. “Remember it. I’ve just given you a hint as to how to manipulate me.”
“Really? But if you know that I know, will it still have any effect?” Without realizing it, she bit her bottom lip again and looked up with raised brows as she thought about this comment.
He groaned low in his throat. “Yes, you little minx, the trick will still have the same effect.”
To prove his point, he crushed her against him, his kiss hard and overwhelming. She forgot about teasing him or reminding him that he had to leave. She didn’t want him to leave. She melted into his embrace, meeting his kisses with hungry longing.
Before she realized what he was doing, Jacob had thrown aside the covers and was pushing her back onto the bed. He continued to ravage her mouth and neck with unrelenting lips while he pushed aside just enough of his own clothing to free his erection. Vic, overwhelmed by the yearning he touched in her so quickly, arched her back to meet his hot mouth as he plundered the sensitized skin of her breasts.
When he slipped inside her, the feeling was so intense, she moaned loudly. His contained power, only hinted at the night before, cracked through his self-imposed restraints, and she marveled at the raw energy beneath her groping hands, filling her deepest void, knowing she saw only a glimpse of his strength. To be touched by that energy was to be singed by lightning.
Her climax came furious and fast. She could do no more than hold tight to Jacob, the only solid object in her realm of senses. A cry ripped from her throat as he gave her body release. His own ragged groan followed close behind, and she felt him shudder with the intensity of his own orgasm.
In the aftermath, still panting to get her breath back, all she could think or say was, “Wow.”
The feel of his cheek rising in a smile forced her to grin. After a few minutes, he rolled off of her and rearranged his uniform. He sat on the edge of the bed, staring at her for a long moment.
“Will you get in trouble?” she asked. Out of habit, she almost bit her lip again, but stopped herself.
Jacob smiled, touching her bottom lip with the tip of one finger. “Worried?”
“No.” With a crooked frown she said, “I’m hungry actually.”
He leaned in close and kissed her cheek. “Enjoy your breakfast, Victoria.” He stood, still holding her hand.
His reluctance to leave touched her heart.
“I’ll have one of the servants draw you a bath in a little while. The washroom is through the door.” He pointed to the door near the wardrobe.
“You have a private washroom? I thought they saved that for dignitaries and high-ranking nobility.”
“One of the benefits of being a general. Feel free to rummage through my wardrobe for a shirt. But don’t you dare try to sneak away. I want you waiting when I return this afternoon.”
“Well…okay.” She didn’t turn to the waiting breakfast tray until she’d heard the suite’s door close.
***
“General Marin,” King John greeted as Jacob walked into the king’s study that afternoon. When the door closed behind, King John broke into a huge grin. “You have a good night, Jacob?”
“Sire?” He sat in a chair across the desk from his king.
John leaned forward in his own seat, resting his elbows on the documents and correspondence strewn across his desk. “Yesterday, you spent the entire day looking forlorn beneath your business mask. Today, you look…pleased.”
Jacob could only stare. He had no idea how to respond to His Highness’s shockingly accurate insight.
“Don’t look so surprised, Jacob. I’m not so busy being king that I don’t take the time to notice what goes on around me.” With a slight smile, he asked, “Is she pretty?”
“Yes, Majesty,” Jacob admitted with a crooked grin. “She’s…special.”
“Good. It’s about time.”
Once again, he was shocked speechless by his king’s remark. He raised his brows in question, but the king waved away the topic.
“Now for business.” he said more seriously. “The city guards had no sign of goblins either last night or today.”
“My source is a reliable one, Majesty.”
“I’ve no doubt of that, Jacob. I also have no doubt there’s magic involved. Queen Sara sent word to the Magic Guild, requesting any information they might have. She’s also studying her own texts. Right now, I can’t imagine a reason for goblins to enter a human city in human clothing and without attacking anyone! What are the reports from the guard along the Karasnian Forest road?”
“They’ve reported seeing individual goblins or groups of twos and threes, very like the ones Baron Fordin described around Fordin Forest, but they haven’t attempted to come near any of the travelers. We’ve also had no complaints from the citizens living in the forest.”
“Very strange, indeed. Goblins. No aggression toward human populations. Yet they wander in my city. And disappear without a trace. We need to get to the bottom of this, Jacob. There’s something very serious going on under my nose. I don’t like it.”
“Yes, Majesty.”
“Have we any word on that smuggled sorcerer? I believe you’re right to assume the appearance of this magician and the goblins are connected.”
“A situation has arisen, Majesty, that prevents my spy from getting close to the building.”
“If it’s a matter of a magic block, you’ve my permission to use royal funds to purchase one yourself. My Lady Queen mentioned they’re quite costly and hard to find.”
“Her Majesty is correct, Sire. However, I have a source. It’s just that…” Jacob hesitated. How could he tell his king that he was placing the safety of Victoria above the safety of the realm?
“I see,” John said, settling back in his chair. “You’re worried about your spy. She must be very special, indeed.”
Jacob shook his head ruefully. “Majesty, your insight never ceases to amaze me. I do believe your queen has given you her secret for reading minds.”
“We can arrange for another spy, Jacob. There are others of that profession in Dareelia. But I need to know more about this sorcerer. The Magic Guild can give me lit
tle more than hesitant maybes. I need facts. If we have a blood magician in Dareelia and that magician is somehow working with or using goblin strength, it’s imperative that I know of it.”
“Yes, Majesty.” Jacob rose to his feet, standing at attention. “May I have the rest of the day before deciding? I’d like to discuss the situation with my spy. Whether I like it or not, I do believe she’s best qualified for this particular job. I’ll also need time to procure the magic block.”
“Of course.”
King John fell silent and studied Jacob for several minutes.
Jacob remained at attention, keeping his inner struggle out of his expression.
“I’ll expect an answer by tomorrow morning,” the king said finally. “If your spy is unable to perform this task, we’ll select a new one and I’ll require you to inform that person of the entire situation.”
“Yes, Majesty.”
The king dismissed Jacob with a nod and a slight smile.
All the way back to his rooms, Jacob argued with himself. He had no doubt that Victoria was good enough to get into Tracker’s building. But he’d seen the things a blood magician could do. And he wasn’t entirely sure Victoria was safe on the streets, period. Yet, with a situation this crucial, could he trust someone less familiar with the streets and Tracker?
As he neared his door, he decided that if he could arrange the world to his bidding, Victoria would stay safe and sound in his room while another took the risks. He also realized that, in the end, the choice was entirely hers.
When he entered the sitting room, he found her at the desk set against the wall near his bedroom door, shuffling a deck of cards. His cream silk shirt, the only clothing she wore, covered her body to mid-thigh but left the rest of her lean legs exposed. Her hair was carelessly tossed across her shoulders and, before she noticed him, her face was set in a slight frown as she studied the cards.
The image sent an immediate shock of lust through him, tightening his groin and drying his mouth. Never in his life had a woman set off such an intense physical reaction. Always before, he’d experienced a slow building of his desire. But with Victoria, his passion flared with the speed of an angry forest fire.
He was still staring, breathless, when she turned her head and noticed him. Her welcoming grin was almost more than he could stand.
“You’re early,” she said.
“I… if you dare bite your lip right now, I’ll not be held responsible.”
With a heavy sigh, she rose from the chair. “Close the door,” she said, as she sauntered toward him.
He couldn’t take his gaze away as he shut the door.
“How was your day?”
She stopped before him, so close the scent of the soap she’d used for her bath lapped around him, teasing his senses. “All right. What scent is that?”
“Honeysuckle. You like?”
“Yeah, I like.”
Her fingers traced the front of his tunic and stopped at his scabbard belt. With a speed that startled him, she unfastened it and set the sword gently aside. “Thank you for sending lunch,” she murmured.
“You’re welcome.” His breath quickened as her fingertips drew patterns along his chest. “You look remarkable in my shirt.”
“Thank you. It’s very comfortable. However…” She dropped her head back to meet his gaze. “It’s suddenly become just a little too hot in here.”
His self-control shattered. He scooped her into his arms, kissing her hard as he carried her to the waiting bed. Setting her on the edge of the bed, he stripped off his tunic in one fluid movement while she worked on the lacings of his breeches. “They’re knotted,” she said with a frustrated moan.
He growled, ripped the laces open and stepped out of the breeches.
Vic looked up, wide-eyed, as he lowered them both onto the mattress. “Jacob,” she breathed.
He tore aside the borrowed shirt she wore, too intent on baring flesh to bother with delicacy.
“You just ripped leather ties with your bare hands.”
“I have more,” he said against her neck. When he felt her trembling, he stopped nuzzling her throat and pushed back to look into her face, suddenly worried that he’d frightened her. Looking into her eyes, though, he didn’t see fear. Her passions burned as hot as his own. She captured his mouth roughly, and he set aside further worry.
Despite his urgency, Jacob found himself delaying their joining to explore her body in the daylight that flooded the room. He kissed and petted, nipped and sucked every sensitive area of her body until she writhed beneath him. And he marveled at her uninhibited eagerness. She gave herself to him completely and took with abandon the pleasures he gave, returning the delights as willingly.
When she began to moan for release and his own need could no longer be delayed, he plunged into her, gasping at the tight feel of her smooth skin wrapped intimately around him. With an almost inhuman self-control, he held his own release at bay until he felt her body convulse, heard her ardent cries. Only then did he abandon himself to his climax, clutching her tight and panting her name.
For long moments after, he held her close, not wanting to separate their bodies. He continued to kiss her honeysuckle-scented skin until her breathing slowed.
“I think I could get use to this, Jacob Marin,” she whispered against his mouth.
“You just may have to, Victoria Flash.”
“Good.” She took hold of one of his hands and studied his palm. “Not even a mark. How is that possible? You shouldn’t just be able to rip leather without so much as a mark to show for it.”
“You bring out the beast in me.”
“Well…I guess I could get use to that, too.” She grinned and bit at his chin. “So, did you return early just to make me exceedingly happy or was there a particular reason?”
“‘Exceedingly happy’? I like the way that sounds. Unfortunately, this is only one of the reasons I’m back early, but I don’t want to discuss the second reason yet. How was your day?”
“Fine. I rummaged through everything you own. Which is surprisingly little considering you’re not a poor man.”
“I’m used to traveling light.”
“And I sat through sly grins from the servants.”
He frowned. “I’m sorry—”
“Don’t be,” she cut off his apology. “I’ve never been waited on before, at least not without first laying down a stack of kern, so I suppose it was a fair exchange. Although, I’d like something more than a shirt to wear next time.”
“Oh, but Victoria, you look so good in my shirt.”
“Yes, and you see where that got us.”
Her impudent grin made him laugh.
“Besides, I think you’ve turned that shirt into a rag. If we keep this up, you won’t have any shirts left.”
When he raised his eyebrows at the possibility, she shook her head.
“I’m not walking around this place naked, Jacob Marin.”
He sighed dramatically. “Very well. If you insist.” With a grin, he rolled onto his back.
Vic shifted up onto one elbow and draped one leg across his thigh. She ran her fingers in a caress along his jaw and over his neck.
As her fingers passed his lips, he captured them and kissed each tip gently. “Where did you find the cards?” he asked, remembering how he’d found her.
“They were buried behind some stuff in your wardrobe. Do you want to play a game?”
“With you, little thief? I’m not sure that would be healthy for my money purse.”
“We don’t have to play for money.”
“What did you have in mind?”
“Hmm. Well, if I win, I get my daggers back.”
“And if I win?”
“Your choice.”
“Anything?”
“Anything. Equivalent to the worth of my knives.”
He tapped her fingers against his lips as he thought. “The possibilities… Okay, if I win, we go get that velvet dress tonight—”
“Deal.”
“And… I buy you another dress.”
Her eyes widened and her mouth gaped. “Another? But why?”
“I already told you, I like the way you look in dresses. And if you do have to move around during the day, Big Charlie’s men will be less likely to spot you if you’re dressed in finery.” He grinned at the shock in her expression.
“Jacob, I can’t let you do that.”
“You’re not ‘letting’ me do anything. You’re going to play me for it. I could lose.”
“That hardly seems like a fair bet. If you win, you buy me something.”
“Since when have you been concerned with fair, little thief?”
“All right, General. If you want to risk throwing away your money, that’s your choice. But you’re gonna have to win first.” She leaned on his chest and shot him a cocky grin. “And I really want my knives back.”
Jacob rose and went to the sitting room for the deck of cards. When he walked back into the bedroom, Vic had propped herself up on a pile of pillows against the headboard, her chin resting on raised knees, her gaze wandering over his naked body with undisguised pleasure. Under her brazen look, Jacob’s lust flared anew. He sat facing her and kissed her roughly before saying, “You’re not allowed to distract me, little thief. No lip biting, no accidental brushing against me.”
“If you insist,” she sighed.
But the look in her eyes was enough to distract Jacob.
“Would you like to deal?”
He groaned, but shuffled the cards. She kept her gaze locked with his as he dealt, one side of her mouth turned up in an expression he found almost as enticing as when she bit her lip. This time, however, he kept his lust under control. Jacob wanted to win this game. His answering grin held all the seduction at his disposal. He wasn’t without talent in that arena.
Vic didn’t break eye contact until after she’d raised her cards in front of her face. Jacob glanced at his hand then looked back into her eyes.
“Two,” she said huskily, laying two discards facedown on the bed between them.
He dealt her two new cards from the top of the deck then laid down a single card from his own hand. She watched his hands closely as he took a new card.
