“Oh!” Shian could not believe his luck. “You truly are prepared.”

“I told you I would be.” She kissed him with feeling. “I couldn’t wait for the day to start,” she confessed between more kissing and nipping. “The night was awfully long.”

“And you’re wearing too much.”

“Oh, that’s nothing.” She slipped the gown over her head and dropped it.

She wore nothing under it, and Shian decided his imagination had been trustworthy.

“Better?”

He pulled her close to kiss and lick her nipples. “Can’t say. Let me have more than just a taste of you.” They rolled over the couches, laughing, touching, and enjoying each other’s bodies with all their senses. Then, like an unspoken wish, Keila’s hand was around his shaft and she asked with her eyes for permission. “If you want me…” Shian read her anticipation and that she had longed for this moment. Arousal had already taken over. Keila dictated the rhythm, and in the farthest corner of his mind Shian knew they would never get dressed in time if her girlfriends announced Delion approached. But emotion got the best of him and put reason out of order. He devoured Keila with his kisses and finally with his cock. The need to stay quiet heightened their mutual pleasure in an unexpected way, and when Keila reached her climax, she pressed her teeth in his shoulder. The pain was sweet and Shian smiled at her pleasure.

“Do me, stranger from Cilda V,” she cooed, nibbling his earlobe. “Show me your strength.”

Shian marveled at her easy compliance. Gently, but when she urged him, harder he moved in her, seeking pleasure without being ruthless. A part of him knew it was wrong. The other part relished the explosive release of sexual desire. He panted hard and his muscles all tried to relax at the same time. He felt wonderful and silly.

She rested on his chest, listening to his heartbeat. “Wish we could have this every day.”

Shian made a sound in his throat, not knowing if he needed to explain their crazy situation. Instead he caressed the small of her back and kissed her hair. He wanted this encounter to last. He wanted to repeat it as often as possible. But a glance at the cuffs made it abundantly clear that his position would never be that of a wooer.

“We have to…” He did not want to say it.

Keila caressed his chest, unwilling to look up or let him go. “I don’t want any of those idiots he proposed,” she stated quietly.

Shian needed a moment to make the connection. Gently he moved away, dreading the parting. “Your father won’t give you that many chances, Keila. You have to make peace with one of them.”

“No.” She put her hands on his shoulders, kneeling behind him. “There is another way. There must be another way.”

* * * *

“The village lies beyond that path,” Draneiki explained reluctantly. “If the men of the great trader were fast, they will wait for you there.”

“Very well.” The Hunter dismounted and pulled Draneiki down, who sat on the ground, holding his aching belly. “And what do you propose to get through undetected?”

“How would I know? I’m an assistant. I’m there for appointments, calculations and such. I’ve never had need to play hide and seek with armed patrols! You are the clever bushman, aren’t you? Find a way yourself!”

The Hunter handed him a water bottle and smiled. “You’ve gone tough, young man. When I first saw you, I thought you’d fall unconscious just from my size.”

Draneiki drank, frowning. “I hope we both mean the same thing.”

The Hunter chortled and took the bottle Draneiki gave back. “You knew that I would come for you in the river. That was clever. I could use someone like you.”

“You already use me. Oh, no, I did not say that.” Draneiki blushed when the Hunter arched his brows, close to exploding with laughter. “All right, I did say it, but we both know…” He took a deep breath. This conversation leads nowhere but to more embarrassment. “To sum it up, I won’t be of any use for you when it comes to fighting or running around hiding in the dark. Leave me behind and go with your own luck. I cannot hinder you that way.”

“You underestimate your value. I will not leave you behind.” He glimpsed at the setting sun. “We’ll go in the dark. Put your brain to work on how to pass Bengarion’s men. I’ll try and catch something to eat.”

Draneiki almost asked if he truly wanted to leave him behind, but saved his breath. I couldn’t get anywhere fast enough.