Later when I'm standing outside the Hanged Man I start to question my plan. Maybe this will only push her further away. Maybe she'll think this means I don't care about her, or that I've changed my mind about us not seeing other people.
I look down at my clothes, a black tunic that barely hits midthigh and hugs every curve. Its low cut with a bit of white lace holding it together. Black boots coming to my knee. The merchant tried to sell me thigh high boots, but I think that would have been a bit overboard… Well more so than this already is.
I've never felt so…exposed in my entire life. Not even when Anders saw me naked, but that was different. He had to remove my clothes so he could see my injuries and heal me after the battle with the Arishok. This…now this is intentional. I'm purposely putting myself on display. Why does she choose to walk around like this? How does she keep from falling out of her tunic with those little laces that she doesn't even tie? I grimace as I pull the tunic back up.
I hear a strangled gasp behind me and look to see Fenris. His mouth opening and closing as he gapes at me.
"Yeah it's too much. Brilliant." I mutter.
It's too late to turn back now though. I take a deep breath. Oh well here goes nothing.
I push open the door and walk in. I try to ignore the stares and catcalls I get as I walk across the room to our table.
Anders is the first to notice and when he chokes on his ale the rest of them notice too. I resist the urge to dash across the room and grab his feathered pauldron to cover myself.
It's easier when I see her. My eyes fix on her and I smile at her reaction. Amber eyes going wide and hazy with desire. A sudden increase of breath. She licks her lips and winks at me.
Well at least this part of my stupid plan worked. I look back at Anders. He gives an almost imperceptible nod, confirming he's still willing. I walk towards him rather than Isabela. I bite back a cry of glee at the sudden narrowing of her eyes and tightening grip on her mug.
He smiles at me and I sit in his lap. His arm wraps around my back and rests one hand on my thigh. I carefully keep my smile in check. I feel their eyes on us as I lean forward to plant a chaste kiss on his lips. My chaste kiss however is ruined by him running a hand into my hair and pulling me to him, turning the kiss into a rather lengthy one.
Varric laughs, "Well then. Looks like you missed out Rivani."
She growls.
I force out a giggle and lean forward to whisper in his ear. An act of intimacy for everyone's eyes, that serves to hide my heated whispers.
"What was that?"
He leans into me and plants a kiss in front of my ear as he whispers back.
"I am still a man. Besides look at Isabela."
I angle my face so I can peek through the curtain of my hair.
Her hands are gripping the arms of her chair in a white knuckled grip. Her eyes are sharp and boring into him, filled with anger. Hurt is mixed with the anger. I want to fling myself at her and apologize. I want to apologize for putting her through this, but I know it's going to take a slap in the face like this for her to admit that she cares…dare I think it loves me.
I shift my eyes over to Sebastian. While his reaction isn't as strong he's intently watching us. The sharp blue of his eyes crystallized into a glare, that's directed at me.
I stroke my fingers through Ander's hair and lean into him. I cross my legs and his thumb softly rubs the newly exposed skin of my thigh.
I whisper, "Did you see Sebatian's face? He hates me right now."
I feel him shift slightly to peek around me. When he leans back he's smiling. "Well looks like one of your crazy schemes might just pay off," he murmurs against my cheek. "That is if Isabela doesn't kill me first. If she had her daggers, I'm pretty sure one of them would be imbedded in my heart by now."
"And that's why we're here and not on a mission. Witnesses and weapons safely stored away."
He grins wryly. "Well thank you for not endangering my life too much. It's not like I'm using it or anything. Some friend." His hand plucks at the lace across my chest.
"I'm a fantastic friend. After this you'll have a boyfriend."
"Hmm now that is a pleasant thought. Let's turn it up a notch shall we?" His hand gently cups my breast.
I resist the urge to slap his hand away and instead lean forward and kiss his neck. Then slip one hand into the front of his robe.
I hear a chair fall and then Isabela's beside us. Looking like she wants to strangle him. She grabs my arm none too gently.
"We. Need. To. Talk. Now."
I shrug and plant another kiss on him for good measure. I start to stand and she pulls me up the rest of the way. Then she proceeds to drag me along towards her room. I wink at Anders over my shoulder. He doesn't notice however, as Sebastian is already at his side saying something to him.
