Tess snapped her book closed and glared at the cover. After reading the same sentence six times, it was time to admit it just couldn't hold her focus. She's borrowed a Tyrion's copy of Fire and Blood, because it was the history she'd been most anxious to read, and she wanted to save it for a time when she'd be less busy and could really focus on it. What a joke, she doubted a real dragon landing on the roof of the inn would have been enough to hold her attention that night. What a fucking day it had been.
Tyrion gave a loud long snore from the bed in the back left corner of the room. He had been the first of the group to go to sleep. They'd reached the inn by sunset just as promised but it had been packed already. Tyrion had tried to get Tess her own room when they stopped, but it wasn't always possible. At least in this case the room the inn keeper had available was large and had enough beds for everyone. It was a big open space that probably was once just an attic. Someone had added a wall creating a small narrow hallway off the stairs. The room had four beds, three smaller ones around the edges and a large one centered under a round window. It also had a few chairs centered around a fireplace, which was where Tess was sitting currently. All three men had tried to get her to take the largest bed, but she refused. She fit perfectly fine in the smaller bed next to the fire and it made no sense to take the biggest bed, and leave Sandor, the biggest member of their group cramped and uncomfortable.
Thinking about Sandor made a warmth start to spread throughout her whole body. In truth, she hadn't stopped thinking about him since the moment she sat down. Not even dragons and dragon riders could keep her from replaying the kiss over and over in her mind. She knew it was the passion of that moment, and everything he'd been through that day that brought it on. That if he'd had a slightly clearer head he might have been more cautious, but gods she didn't care. She closed her eyes reliving it. His hands holding her face gently but firmly, the softness of his lips that she hadn't been expecting, the delicious way his mouth moved against hers. It was over far too quickly, and when he let her go she'd been aching for more, but she held back. It wasn't as if she was going to make love to him on a hillside while his family home burned behind them, even for Tess, that seemed a bit dramatic.
She jumped as the door to the room opened. Bronn stumbled in clearly drunk. She pulled her robe tighter around her dressing gown. She wasn't sure why but she always felt slightly immodest in his presence now, especially at night. Maybe it was because of the way he still undressed her with his eyes at times. It had never bothered her before, plenty of men, and some women did it to her all the time. But now it felt as if they were intruding. That her body wasn't meant for them.
"Clegane not back yet?" Said Bronn, looking around the room.
"No, I thought he was still down at the bar with you." Said Tess.
They had all stayed at the bar for a few hours talking through the next days plans and asking Tyrion about Casterly Rock. Sandor had been quiet, he wasn't the most talkative on regular occasions but he seemed even more stoic than usual. It was to be expected, Tess thought, with everything he'd been through, but he didn't seem upset. If anything he was peaceful, more peaceful than she'd ever seen him. When he caught her eye, it was always with the knowing smile she loved. So where was he now?
"He went out for a walk. Left awhile ago. I figured he made his way back here." Bronn said.
"He's missing? Out there?" Said Tess, anxiety twisting in her stomach.
"Oh calm down he's not missing, he's out. A person has to be gone more than an hour before you start having a fit." Bronn pulled off his boots and fell face first onto his bed fully clothed.
Tess sat there for a minute clutching her book to her chest trying to decide what to do. Should she go out and look for him? No, she was being stupid. Like Bronn said he'd been gone less than an hour, he probably just wanted to go for a walk and clear his head. If she went out there looking for him she'd most likely just make things worse for everyone and get herself in trouble. She sighed and stood up. She placed the book on the table next to her, slipped out of her robe and climbed in to bed. She stared at the dying fire and let her thoughts begin to wander back to the events of the day, and the kiss.
Tess's eyes snapped open. She wasn't sure how long she'd been asleep but the fire was burning low now, casting a dull red light around the room. She heard the duet of snores coming from Tyrion and Bronn but it took her a moment to realize what had woken her. A large hulking shadow that she knew could only be Sandor was moving around over by the window. She hear him sigh as he walked across the room to sit in the chair by the fire. He'd removed his doublet and was wearing just his tunic hanging loose and untied. Tess let her eyes linger on the lines of his collar bones, the way the shirt dipped in a deep v showing the flat muscles of his chest covered in dark hair. He had a flask of what was probably wine that he was drinking as he stared into the fire like he wasn't really seeing it. He looked so good. She found her mind wandering to how much she wanted to be running her hands across his chest. He was so close, but so achingly far away. Suddenly he looked up, and their eyes met. Her heart seemed as if it stopped beating. She supposed she should feel embarrassed that he caught her staring at him, but she didn't. He didn't take his eyes away from her as he carefully sat down the flask and stood. He walked over to her and she quickly scooted back in her bed so he could lay down beside her. Her heart was pounding so hard it felt like it might explode. He turned on his side to face her, and they lay together simply looking at each other.
"Are you alright?" She whispered.
"I think I might be the most alright I've ever been." He said.
"Any regrets about today?" She asked.
"Absolutely not." He said, he ran his fingertips across the edge of her jaw, "well maybe one."
She gave him a questioning look.
"I regret that I stopped kissing you so soon." He said, "I could have kept doing that forever." He brushed his thumb across her bottom lip.
Her heart beat quickened. It was as if a wild fever had taken over her and the only thing she knew is that she wanted him, wanted more than she'd ever wanted anything, and she was done waiting. She sat up and scooted around him and out of the bed. She reached out a hand to him and without saying a word he took it and followed her. They were only halfway to the door of the room when she saw the understanding dawn in his eyes and suddenly they were smoldering. She opened the door and stepped out into the small dark hallway. As soon as she heard the click of the door behind them she pulled his mouth to hers hungrily. She was happy to feel that he was just as desperate for her. There was no gentleness in this kiss, she buried her fingers in hair pulling his head down deepening it. His tongue was was greedily exploring her mouth, she pulled back biting his lower lip as she did, which elicited a growl of pleasure from him. He pick her up as if she weighed nothing and she wrapped her legs around his waist. He pressed her against the wall and began kissing from her jaw line, down her neck, nibbling gently on her collar bone. It was like her skin was humming, sending off sparks every time his lips touched it. She pulled his mouth back to hers kissing him hard. It wasn't enough, it felt like it could never be enough. She wanted more of him. He couldn't hold her tight enough or kiss her deep enough. She'd never felt this kind of raw passion, it was consuming her every thought her every instinct. His hands were on her legs ,he slid them up under her night gown towards her hips. She rocked her hips forward pushing against him and felt that he was ready and more than willing. His lips were back on her neck, she slipped her hands around raking her fingernails down the back his neck, and felt a shiver go through him. Realizing that he seemed to enjoy it when she was less then gentle, she entwined her fingers in his hair at the base of his neck and pulled his head back hard so she could look at his face. He gasped against her lips as she kissed him again slowly, savoring the sensation. With her free hand she slowly ran her finger nails down his chest and kept going until she reached the laces of his britches. Suddenly his hand was there holding her wrist. He didn't put her down but he leaned back so he could look at her. She knew she must be giving him a thoroughly unhappy and pouty expression because he laughed softly. He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and kissed her lightly.
"I'm not going to fuck you for the first time against a wall with those two bastards on the other side of the door." He said quietly though his eyes were still burning, and Tess could easily tell that his body was just as unwilling to end this as she was.
"When I take you to bed." He said in a low voice, as he pressed his lips against her ear, "it's going to be when I can take my time. And enjoy every inch of you, without any threat of interruption." He bit her ear lope sending a shiver down her spine.
"Then you'd better put me down." She responded, pulling his face back and biting his lip again. She planned on making a habit of that.
He obliged and let her slide down the wall until she was standing, but he put his hands on either side of her head keeping her there with him. She placed her hands on his hips and looked up into his face.
"Well...no matter what happens going forward. At least we know this part," she let her hands slide under the edge of his shirt tracing the line where his stomach met the top of his pants, "this part we're good at." She whispered.
He took a long deep breath, and pulled her hands from under his shirt. He pinned them against the wall with his.
"It's time to go to bed." He said, but his tone was telling her something entirely different.
"I thought you'd never ask." She teased.
He groaned and put his forehead against hers.
"Go on now you wicked woman." He said, and he let her go and gave her a gentle push back towards the door of the room.
She obliged, and opened the door as quietly as she could. It was strange, their entire exchange couldn't have been more than a few minutes but she felt like it had been hours, even days since they'd walked out into the hall. Sandor followed behind her into the room. It was dark now, the fire had almost completely gone out. She walked to her bed and slipped under the blanket but she knew their was no way she'd be able to sleep when her body felt this tightly wound. She stole a glance at the big bed were she could just see the outline of Sandor lying. It would be so easy to sneak across the room and slip in there next to him.
"Go to sleep Tess. " He mumbled quietly. Maybe it wasn't always a good thing when he seemed to read her mind. She rolled over and closed her eyes, sure it would be hours before she fell asleep.
It turned out she was wrong. When she opened her eyes, not only was it morning but she was the only one left in the room. She must have slept later than she usually did. She sat up and stretched. Had the events of the night before actually happened? In the light of morning, here alone in this room it almost seemed like it had just been an exquisite dream. But as she got dressed she noticed a few small red marks on her upper chest and the light bruises on her thighs made by fingertips. Her lips were sore and slightly swollen as well. She ran her fingers across them and a giggle escaped her mouth. She'd never felt anything close to those feeling before. She'd had passionate relationships of course. She'd go as far as to say that was the basis for most of her relationships, but the way her body reacted to him was something different. It was deeper than passion, or lust, it was the most intense thing she'd ever experienced. She shook her head and smiled again. She was sure the others were waiting for her downstairs so she walked to the door and opened it. She glanced sideways to the spot they'd been just hours earlier. Everything felt so normal, there was nothing to indicate how monumental the night had been. She walked down the staircase into the inns main room. Tyrion and Bronn were sitting at the table.
'She wakes!" Tyrion said cheerful, putting a last piece of bacon in his mouth.
"I'm sorry I over slept." She said.
"Nonsense. You're on holiday." Tyrion replied, "Sleeping in and relaxing is the name of the game. But if you want some breakfast I'd suggest you get it fast. Clegane went to the stables to make sure the horses are saddled and we're hoping to be on the road within the hour. That should put us at the Rock by mid afternoon. Plenty of time to get settled before dinner."
"Let me just get a cup of tea and then I'll go upstairs and finish packing my things." She said.
She sipped the piping hot liquid and enjoyed the sensation as it's warmth spread through her.
"You know I'm actually excited to get there." Said Tyrion, "I didn't think I would be. I suppose it's the host in me. I can never resist showing my friends a good time, and there's no finer place to host than Casterly Rock. You my sweet friend," he said indicating to Tess, "will have the finest room in the place. My sisters old quarters. You've come all this way to see Casterly Rock, might as well give you the best part of it."
"I'm sleeping in a former queen's bed?" Said Tess in disbelief. "I feel honored."
"Well considering the former queen in question used to fuck her brother in it, I don't think it's quite as regal as all that." Pointed on Bronn.
"Charming as always." Tyrion said flatly, "but I assure you Tess it is the finest room in the castle. In my opinion it's finer than anything they have even in the Red Keep. It was my full intention that you feel like a Queen while you are staying under my roof."
"Well thank you Tyrion." She said sitting down her cup, "now I best go pack my bag so we can be on our way."
Tess had just tucked her robe neatly into her bag when she remembered the book she'd left by the fireplace. She turned to grab it and suddenly he was in the doorway.
"Tyrion asked me to tell you we're ready to head out when you are." Sandor said.
"Ok thank you." She answered, feeling oddly formal. They stood there on opposite sides of the room neither being able to take their eyes off the other. He gave her a almost shy little smirk as if to say, well...where are we now? She blushed slightly and turned to put the book into her bag. She slung the bag over her shoulder and walked across the room to where he stood. He kept his place resolutely in the doorway, blocking her from leaving.
"You're in my way." She said, giving him a playful glare.
"Am I?" He said, as he slipped his hands around her waist pulling her closer,
"You know Tyrion told me something interesting." She said as she slid her hands up his chest and around his neck, and looked up into his face. "He told me that by this time tonight, I'm going to be staying staying in Cersei Lannisters former bed chamber. And I was thinking...it's been such a very long journey...I might end up turning in early. The thought of a nice long uninterrupted night in that big luxurious bed...it sounds heavenly."
She could tell by the way his grip on her waist tightened, and the delicious little chuckle of anticipation he gave her, that he completely understood her meaning.
"How many fucking hours is it until we get there?" He murmured.
"Too fucking many." Tess said as she pulled him down to kiss him.
His lips were almost to hers when a loud angry voice exploded from the stairwell. Making them jump apart.
"CLEGANE! Might there be something you forgot to mention about what the fuck the two of you were doing yesterday?" Said Tyrion stomping up the stairs behind them.