Chapter 12

Jakob

Embarrassing her was not my intention. But intentions don't change the effect.

"I'm sorry."

"You should be." Her eyes are wide with outrage, but I see the faintest hint of a smile that she can't seem to control.

"I shouldn't have listened."

"No," she agrees. "You shouldn't have."

A moment of silence passes, both of us waiting for the other to speak.

"But to be fair," she adds, "I should have been quieter."

I shake my head, desperate to dismiss any guilt she may think she shares in the matter.

"And I should have tried harder not to listen."

She nods.

"And," I guiltily add, "I definitely shouldn't have touched myself afterward."

"Excuse me?"

I'm just going to let that simmer.

Backing away from Jo, I turn away and stride toward the sofa, looking for anything to hide the tent I'm pitching.

"Never mind."

"No. Just a minute." I hear her moving through the kitchen. "You said ‘afterward.' After what?"

My jeans securely fastened, I turn and face her. "After you…finished, I might have…"

Her cheeks heat. "Oh my gods."

"I didn't…leave any evidence."

Jo reels in horror. "Well, I would hope not!"

She immediately regrets saying anything, and so do I.

I suppose the two of us are not quite as comfortable around each other as we'd assumed yesterday. I have to defuse the situation.

"Does my admission make you feel less embarrassed, or would you prefer to banish me to the woods?"

Her face turns to a mixture of shock and disgust. "Your emission? Jakob!"

I bark a laugh so loud it wipes the disgust right off her face. "Admission! I said admission!"

Jo's mouth forms an O, but no sound comes out.

"Take all the time you need," I say, backing away and stripping the sheets, pillowcases, and blankets from the world's tiniest sofa.

I feel her eyes follow me for some time.

Suddenly, she blurts, "I don't think you're a pervert!"

"I wasn't wondering, but good to know."

Another pause follows as I wordlessly gather up the linens and drop them in her washing machine, her eyes on me the whole time.

Finally, I turn, leaning in the doorway of the laundry closet. "So what's next?"

"Next?" Jo asks.

"Where do we go from here?"

"Go?"

"After I leave." Yes, I'm toying with her. Testing her, to force her to tell me what she wants.

"Oh. That."

Not going to lie, it feeds my ego to hear her sound somewhat chagrined at the idea of me going home today.

"Where will you go? If you're still laying low because of what happened with the princess and the princess's missing ring?"

Oh, the ring. I might have stretched the truth on that one; I've no idea if anyone is looking for that. The ring is inscribed with a letter "B" which doesn't fit with anything relating to the crown. The fact that the palace hasn't issued any statements that they are looking for that ring tells me that the princess doesn't necessarily want it publicly discussed.

"I might do some traveling," I say. "The apple orchards all over the country are hiring, and I might?—"

"Stay."

That one simple word pins me in place.

"You want me to stay?"

Slowly, Jo moves closer. "I could use some extra help around the house. With the garden and the chickens. I need help getting things ready for winter."

I nod, watching the wheels turn in her head until she's right up close to me, so close I could tip up her chin for a much desired kiss.

"Well, this is the perfect spot to hide out. For a little while," I say with a smirk.

"Just one condition," she says.

"What's that, Josephine?"

Her cheeks turn a deeper pink.

Tilting up her chin, she says, "Don't make me reach for my toy tonight."

I close in on her, dipping my head down to drag my lips lightly over the cords of her throat.

The sound of her hitching breath in response is all the oxygen I need.

I hitch up her nightgown, palming the warm skin of her stomach.

"This good?"

Josie's pinked cheeks turn crimson, and she says on a trembling breath, "A little lower."

"Like this?" I smooth my palm over her navel—and lower—until I discover she wears no knickers under her pajamas.

She bites down on her bottom lip, and I know I've got her right where I want her. Fuck, this is going to be a glorious day.

My hand dips lower as our lips meet. The soft, trimmed fur at the vee of her pussy tickles my hand. My cock twitches as I dip lower until I find the top of her cleft.

In the swirl of the building heat between us, Jo gasps sharply and pulls away.

"But later. I, I have to go to work."

Her tiny smile as she flees the room leaves me pulsing with need.

"I'll be here when you get back, Jo."

And with that, I stalk outside without a shirt, letting the cold morning air bite into my skin.