There I was, innocently writing the knife play scene for "The Rat and the Dragon" when along comes a song. I have heard it plenty before, but since this particular character made himself abruptly known a few days ago, this song immediately resonated and a whole scene and tidy little subplot blossomed in 2 minutes and 30 seconds. Jake Daniels- "A Little Bit." The song shows up when there is a spicy little dance scene with Cylthan but, to stoke some intrigue, it's not with Roan. And Roan finds out. Uh oh. Cylthan apparently can't stay away from the dangerous men. So, I switched gears and have been working on that whole subplot. You guys are gonna love it. I really want to spill all the beans because it's exciting me so much, but I'll let the votes speak for when we get there. However, I just... really wanna give you guys something fun to keep you as excited as I am! Seriously, it's making me jitter. Enjoy!
*****
Slipping into the warm, soapy water to sit in the space he left her, he drew her close until she was leaning against him and buried his fingers in her hair to pull her head around. Her brow was pinched in irritation, but he drew her into a kiss regardless. It wasn’t like in the woods. He held her there for a slow, firm, passionate kiss that left her gasping for air when he relented.
Her eyes were so hazy, and she could feel his shaft hard against her back. Hypnotized by his sensual gaze, she sighed softly to the touch of his thumb over her lip. After kissing her breathless again, he looked at her with a serious expression.
“Don’t talk to that guy.”
Blinking to clear the haze, her brow pinched together. “W-What? Who?”
“Xanathys. Don’t talk to him. Especially not without me.”
She drew away from him, giving him a sneer. “Why?”
“He’s dangerous. And he’s a jerk.”
“Takes one to know one,” she retorted sharply.
He gripped her hair hard and wrenched her head around and back to look up at him. Her breath caught, clenching her teeth as her body tensed against him, her eyes full of fear looking into his hard gaze. Maybe he liked that– maybe he didn’t.
“You don’t understand. Don’t trust anyone who does not bear my mark.” His hand cupped her shoulder.
“Oh, so you have a whole harem, do you?”
Again she grit her teeth when his grip twisted her hair tighter, glowering back at him despite the fear that thumped in her chest watching the wrinkles of anger disfigure his face.
“You have no idea the kinds of magic going on in this castle. This mark, as long as it is present on your skin, protects our words to each other from being heard by any scrying magic. I have not simply marked you to possess you. I marked you to protect you. I am one of only a few that you can trust here.”
“Trust you? After all that you’ve done to me?”
His face drew so close, eyes narrowed dangerously. “After all I’ve done? Like getting you out of that dungeon?”
Now she trembled with rage. “Like bringing me here at all,” she hissed.
“I’ve already told you no one is going to kill you.” Sucking in his breath, he let himself relax again with his exhale, his face softening. His grip in her hair relented while his other hand caressed her tense jaw. “I won’t allow it. You are mine, and I protect what’s mine.”
She desperately didn’t want to admit how needy that statement made her. Fighting that hazy feeling, her eyes narrowed. “I never agreed to that.”
A wicked little smirk accompanied his dominating gaze, making her gulp. Arousal made her warmer than the water but fear made her so cold she shuddered. “Fine. Go and rub up against other legs, kitten. Your bed is here, and you’ll be back to satisfy this ache like a good girl.”