Page 34 of The Knight

“Thank you,” Freya murmured as she brushed past him, leaving behind a delicate trail of mint.

“Ah, a gentleman.” Asta tipped her head at him. “Hang on to him, Freya. Gentlemen are in short supply these days.”

Freya blushed. “Oh no we’re not, I mean we’re here, but we’re not—” Her cheeks flared even pinker.

“Not what?” Asta’s tone was sweet innocence, but Abe read the glint in her eyes.

“Together.” Freya’s face flushed crimson as she settled into his vacated chair, looking as if she might spontaneously combust. Her flustered attempt to untangle her words stirred something unexpected in him—a warmth that spread through his chest, both endearing and alarming.

The rational part of his brain screamed warnings. The rational part of his brain screamed that he was compromised and acting unprofessionally.But the warnings were easy to ignore.

Freya was more than just an asset to protect. Without him even realizing, this strong, brilliant woman had chipped away at the walls guarding his long-dormant heart.

And he liked it.

18

Freya satin Abe’s chair. The seat still carried the warmth of his hard body. She tried to push the sensation to the back of her mind, but it was more difficult than it should be.

Maybe because in the soft light of Asta’s oil lamp, he looked even more handsome than usual. His boots were off and she saw more man than military. The flex of his muscles in his arms as he collected a spare chair from the far side of the room made her want to press her legs together.

Asta pressed a small glass of schnapps into her hand. “Here, drink.”

“Asta, thank you, but no. Sorry. I don’t drink.” She tried to hand the glass back but Asta pressed the glass back toward her.

“Drink. You will feel better, heh?” Asta stroked Moose behind her head.

“Um.” Freya stared at the liquid. Back at Abe. Heaven help her. Those eyes.Don’t look at him. She raised the glass to her lips. Maybe alcohol would help take her mind off her bodyguard and his ripped muscles that were inexplicably at the forefront of her mind right now. Wasn’t that why so many people drank? To blot out memories and reality?

She tipped the glass. Swallowed. Liquid flames scalded her throat.

God.

She spluttered, but it was too late. The drink was in her stomach, a blazing circle of heat spreading outwards.

Jeez.

“Breathe.” Abe slapped her back.

Freya stared at him through watering eyes.

Breathe.

Her lungs flexed, and she sucked in a breath. And another.Okay.The heat hit her brain, bringing a pleasant fuzziness. Now, she could look at Abe without feeling like she was going to melt.

“You look better.” He rested his hands on his knees.

“I feel better.”

“The wonders of a hot bath.” His gaze shifted from her to the lick of firelight behind the stove glass. Was he avoiding looking at her?

“Yes.”

“We’ll move on tomorrow.” He laced his fingers together.

“Where will we go?”

“Somewhere Raptor won’t be able to touch you.”