-33-
She had forgotten how blistering hot it was out in the Hissing Wastes. As they were en-route to Cove camp, Ellana had entertained the idea of attempting to wander during the day instead of waiting until night fell upon the desert. That thought was quickly abandoned by the time they reached the camp, the sweat dripping down her face and stinging her eyes, with her just wanting to stay under the shelter of a tent until the sun went down. Fortunately there were no objections from her companions.
She lay on her side on the bedroll, in loose fitting shirt and pants, endlessly humming whichever tune came to her mind and cherishing the way Thom was running bare fingers up and down her side, from shoulder to hip, such tenderness in his touch. It almost made her wish they didn't have to go anywhere in a few hours, just so she didn't have to leave this, leave him.
Ellana couldn't help smiling when Thom began brushing soft kisses along her shoulder and the side of her neck, a shiver dancing up her spine from the tickle of his beard and mustache against her skin. Before curiously pausing right below her ear, already twitching from the warm air puffing on it.
Realizing what he might have in mind, she flipped over, eying him suspiciously.
"Don't even think about it."
"Don't think about what, love?"
Her eyes narrowed even further at his innocent tone. "You know very well what, Thom."
"I'm not certain I do, Ana." Quick as lightning, he kissed the tip of her ear before she could make a sound of protest. "I'm afraid you'll have to be more specific."
She shifted away from his teasing lips. "What you're doing right now."
Thom propped himself up by the elbow. "My lady is not happy with my attentions?" he asked quizzically.
"She is, very much so."
"Then I fail to see the problem," he replied, hand that had been resting idly now brushing against the shell of her ear.
She grabbed his wrist, unable to contain the laugh in her voice as she sat up and said, "You know how sensitive my ears are. Stop it."
An amused smirk appeared on his face, as if he knew it was an empty command. "Or you'll do what, my lady Inquisitor?"
Ellana sensed the challenge in his voice, one she was more than willing to meet. She would not let him win so easily.
Before Thom had time to make the next move, she preempted it with a kiss, placing her hands on the sides of his neck to hold him close. He surprisingly offered no resistance, falling into the kiss, his tongue lazily searching for hers. At least that's what she thought, until she felt an arm wrapping around her waist and pulling her towards him, keeping her just as much in place.
She knew she needed to change tactics, fast. Her lips shifted to planting kisses across his face, fingers brushing underneath his beard and neck, her mouth soon following. A surge of victory filled her at the breathless groans and noises Thom made, as his grip on her waist loosened.
But that moment of overconfidence caused her to drop her guard, and she didn't feel the air and pleasurable nip on her ear until it was late. She immediately halted the short-lived siege, retreating to shield her ear, which gave him the opportunity to enact a sneak attack.
"Thom!" she laughed as he flipped her onto her back. She could have made another move, try to turn the battle back in her favor, but that would mean losing his body against hers.
"You win," she said, still slightly breathless as she officially declared her defeat.
A triumphant, teasing smile grew on his lips. "And what will my lady give me for such a hard-earned victory?"
Her hand reached for his face, running a thumb along his cheek, once again marveling how lucky she was to have him. "Anything you wish."
His eyes shone with pure adoration, cupping her face as he leaned down. Their lips just brushed before their heads shot up at the sound of Dorian's voice from the nearby tent.
"If you two are planning on having some fun, be sure to keep the noise to a minimum, please." Ellana's cheeks warmed more than they already were at his words. She hadn't realized how loud she'd been. "Some of us are trying to take an afternoon nap."
"Mind your own damn business, mage," Thom growled, though his eyes didn't lose the warmth directed at her.
"Be nice," Ellana gently chided, poking him in the side.
She gasped as he lowered his head, kissing and nibbling at her earlobe before making his way slowly, teasingly slowly, across the underside of her jaw, her chin, until just in reach of her mouth.
"I'd rather show you how nice I can be," he murmured before claiming her lips for his victory kiss.
