Simus watched as her eyes and face reflected all of her passion and pleasure, there for him to see. “You are so beautiful,” he whispered, shifting to cradle her head in his hands, kissing her face and neck.
Snowfall’s nails dug into his back. “Move, move,” she said, bucking under him. “I want—”
“Whatever you want,” Simus said. He moved his mouth along her skin, trailing kisses further down. He took one breast in his hand, pinching her nipple and then sucking it into his mouth.
“Ah, Simus.” She pulled his head up and kissed him again. “Please,” she mouthed against his lips. “Please.”
He moved then, watching her face, feathering kisses all over. Her face, so quiet, so calm and still, now showed every emotion, every feeling as he began his strokes, waiting and watching, wanting to wring out every bit of pleasure he could for her.
—Until the moment she cried out, arching her back, clutching at his shoulders. Then and only then did he allow himself to lose his focus. He followed her in a burst of pleasure, easing off to one side a moment later, limp and languid with delight.
Snowfall murmured something and reached out, flailing a hand about until it met his tunic. She used it to clean them of the worst of it, and then tossed it aside, her eyes only half-open. She cuddled back down against his chest, and Simus pulled her into his arms.
“Sleep,” she said and he nodded into her curls and allowed himself to drift off.
The cooler airfrom the open tent flap woke Simus, his skin prickling as a breeze swept in. He reached out for their bedding and pulled it up and over both of them. Starlight spilled through the opening, giving just enough light to see.
Snowfall had spooned up against him, cradled in his arms. The blankets warmed around them as he breathed in her scent. Unable to resist, he nuzzled the soft skin behind her ear, her curls tickling his nose.
Snowfall tilted her head to give him better access. Simus pressed kisses along the line of her neck and shoulders.
He held her breasts, tweaking her nipples, and felt her hum of appreciation. His hands drifted down, stroking her stomach. She shivered in his arms, and, with one hand, encouraged him to drift lower, seeking...
Her stomach let out a loud growl.
Simus couldn’t help but let out a belly laugh.
Snowfall twisted in his arms, and gave him a sparkling smile that took his breath away. She rose to sit cross-legged, facing him, letting the blanket fall away. The flowers in her tattoo had hidden themselves, but he could see traces of color under the green leaves.
“I love your smile,” Simus whispered. He watched in delight as a blush rose on her brown skin.
“Our training,” she explained. “A warrior-priest must be enigmatic and mysterious. Your eyes and face shouldn’t reflect your thoughts.” She reached for the dried meat and gurtle.
“Yet your stomach growls,” Simus said, poking at her belly.
Snowfall blocked his hand and looked offended, but he saw through that in a heartbeat.
“Best fill your stomach.” Simus danced his eyebrows. “Before I fill your—”
She popped a piece of gurt in his mouth to shut him up.
Simus grinned around the food, but the taste of the cheese reminded his own belly of its emptiness. He sat up and took a strip of the meat.
Snowfall reached for kavage.
“It will be cold,” Simus warned. “We could get fresh.”
“No,” Snowfall said, filling their mugs even as she shook her head. “Let us stay private. Morning, with its demands, will come soon enough.”
“Truth,” Simus said, taking his mug.
Both their moods changed. Simus contemplated his kavage as he tore into the meat.
“There are matters to consider,” Snowfall said. “I would not offend, but I would speak some truths.”
“There is no need for tokens between us,” Simus said. “I welcome your truths.”
“It’s still complicated, Simus. Not between us, but with—”