170 Too much of a good thing (2/2)

”Hum... Is that so?” He asked, smiling down at her. He ran his fingers through her hair, brushing its long silver strands as he held her gaze.

She nodded as she smiled weakly up at him. ”You, Sir, are exhausting...” She teased lifting her own fingers to his hair and playing with the dangling tendrils.

”Hum... am I?” He asked dipping down to kiss her swollen lips as he cradled her in his arms and moved them both fully onto the bed.

Once her head was comfortably released back onto the pillow, she nodded, a happy smile curving her lips. ”But I like it. I wish it would never end.”

He smiled warmly back at her. ”As do I, Kitten.” His smile faded as he searched her eyes. ”How about you go back to your home and pack some things you'll need, and I'll go grab us food, then we'll meet back here.”

She tilted her head, ”What kind of things?” She asked her brows furrowing in disappointment.

He smiled and rubbed her brow. ”Things you would need if you were living here, in this house with me...”

Her eyes widened as understanding dawned. She nodded her head and pushed up onto her hands, ready to go. ”Alright!”

Arei chuckled, ”You don't have to this very minute, Kitten. Rest first.” He gave her a tender kiss before turning and retrieving a small towel from the nightstand. ”Would you like me to help you clean up?” He asked as he turned back to her and kissed her lips again.

Jos's cheeks turned red. ”No... that's alright. I can manage.” She rubbed her stomach. ”Food does sound nice though.”

He nodded and captured her lips again. ”I'll be back as quickly as I can. If there's anything big you need moved, wait on me to return and I'll help you.”

Jos nodded as she watched him raise from the bed and pull on his trousers. She hadn't expected it, but as soon as he'd slid his blouse over his head, he turned back to her and bent to place another kiss on her lips.

”Be back soon.” He whispered against her lips as if waiting for her to tell him not to leave. When she didn't say anything after a long while, he kissed her again and stood. ”Alright, I'll be off then.” He turned and made his way to the door glancing back at her and nodding as he pulled it shut behind him. She'd never looked as beautiful as she did in that very instant. Her hair messy and tangled, her lips red and swollen, and her eyes still foggy in a well satisfied haze, and her naked body spread seductively atop the covers. He shook his head and forced himself down the steps. There was still one very important thing he needed to do; one last hurtles they needed to make it over. With any luck introducing her to Ry would go this time as well as it had when he'd told her about everything at his father's palace.

Doubt filled his mind as his brain continued to play over the likely conversations while he made his way toward the town. He wouldn't have any of the support he had at the palace. No one to back his side of the story, no one to emphasize the importance of the secret he'd kept. Everything would now rely on her trust in him and Ry's ability not to be a complete drunken idiot or asshole long enough for her to accept the truth of the situation. He let out a long sigh. ”I'm screwed...” Thoughts of running back to the cottage, scooping her up and hauling her off to some deserted island far away from here kept assaulting his mind as he neared the inn. Shaking away the crazy thoughts once again, he pressed the doors open and made his way up to Ry's room.

He ran his hand roughly through his hair. ”Where the hell is he?” He growled to himself as he looked over the messy empty room.

A maid popped her head around the frame of the opened door. ”Oh, yer back. Ye want a cleaning?” She asked.

Arei sighed and turned to the girl. ”No, the man in this room is my brother. You wouldn't, by chance, know where he's gone do you?”

She shook her head. ”Left earlier, I guess.” She studied Arei as if unwilling to believe he was in fact not Ry.

Arei rolled his eyes, ”If he comes back, tell him Arei is looking for him.” He pushed past the girl and headed back down the stairs. He made his way over to a now familiar barmaid. ”Have you seen my useless brother?”

The maid smiled at him seductively, ”I've not seen yer brother, but if you be interested-”

He raised a hand, stopping her words. ”I'm not, thank you.” He stepped past her then turned. ”Actually, if you see him tell him Arei is looking for him.” The woman nodded and went back to her work. Arei let out an irritated sigh as he moved through the doors and back out onto the street of the town. His eyes searched the streets. ”Where could the fool be this time...”