The scents of mead, wine, oddly perfumed smoke, and roasted boar accompanied by raucous laughter washed over Jess as she entered the spacious drinking hall of the Whitehorse inn. Fitting even for a lord's patronage, the finely polished chairs, tables, and bar counter were all made of finest hardwood despite the mixed clientele, not surprising considering that this was a town full of master carpenters, no doubt home to any number of journeymen needing work and coin. Jess was surprised to see more than a few men up, despite the hour, ribald laughter falling to softest murmurs upon their entrance. Gazes hot and raw locked upon her. She was drowning in a sea of naked hunger.

Jess swallowed and bowed her head, feeling her cheeks flush so deeply they tingled.

On the one hand, it was frightening. She almost stumbled, Rowan's powerful hand clenching her own.

On the other, it was exhilarating.

With a shiver Jess snapped her gaze up, smiling boldly at the men gazing at her so ravenously, licking her lips as she did so.

A sultry laugh cut through the air. “My, my, how Whitetown hungers for sophisticated company. Sadly we are detained on business, sirs. But another time? I think my... sister and I would love to entertain you all with dazzling tales of the capital, and awe you gentlemen with our stimulating wit and intellect.”

Rough chuckles and good humored laughter at that.

“I'll bet you could, lass,” one man dressed in fine woolens declared, features hard but savvy, looking for all the world like a trader who had scrabbled himself together from the humblest of roots. “Name's Gelen. Perhaps I can help you pair out. Looking for special company, I take it?”

Rowan licked her lips and smiled approvingly. "A noble gentleman even here. How utterly adorable. Yes, noble Gelen. We are looking for our friend Cornelius. A mutual acquaintance has the most delicious trade opportunities for him to consider."

Gelen smiled at that. “Now you are singing a tune I can dance to quite well, my lady. If you need companionship for a trade venture, you will find few more willing to appreciate the odd chance or... unorthodox approach than I.”

Jess blinked, taking in the aura of confidence and sensual potency Rowan exuded. As tempting a fruit as any man could wish for, yet with a mixture of fire and softness in her gaze that would mute even darker urges into an odd sort admiration. She was a prize even the most roguish of men would want to be worthy of, her smile of approval as exhilarating as the touch of her flesh.

Jess couldn't help grinning, impressed by what came to her friend so naturally, whereas Jess found herself absolutely tongue-tied when gazing into the eyes of a boy or girl she actually cared for. How many months had she hungered for the girl by her side even now?

"Gelen, you are a rare find. It is good to find a man who knows what he wants, who has a knack for seeing what others miss." Rowan's smile turned to a playful pout. "Now if you could only help us find our dear friend Cornelius..."

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"I am here, my lady." A sultry voice that sent shivers racing down Jess's spine. Hungry dark eyes locked upon her own.

Cornelius. It must be. His skin was a rich shade of golden brown, accented by a carefully trimmed beard that served only to emphasize his masculinity, his shimmering locks of hair as deep a midnight hue as Rowan's own.

He radiated a potency and charm that absolutely captivated Jess. As if she were but a doe, frozen by the tiger's stare, entranced as he slowly approached. Jess swallowed and forced herself to focus. An outsider Cornelius might be, but no glaring-eyed madman. Rather, he appeared smooth and exotic, as one could only dream of foreign traders being, and the look in his eyes promised a nubile young lady any number of dreams, as hot and sensual as once could possibly imagine.

His smile was brilliant. Jess felt a fluttering in her chest.

She almost pouted when it was Rowan's soft hands that caressed their mark's chin, dark eyes gazing so intently into his own, and Jess blinked, suddenly noting similarities to their extraordinary beauty. The shape of their cheekbones, the exotic tilt to their eyes, the way they both stood tall and proud, their glossy manes of ebony hair shimmering in the candle light. All of it made Jess wonder at a shared southern heritage, perhaps generations back. For all that Rowan had inherited the palest of olive complexions, Jess couldn't help but note the similarities between Rowan and the man before them now.

Certainly, there was something there. The connection between Rowan and Cornelius was immediate. Magnetic.

"But tell me how I may serve, my lady, and I am your man." His lips slowly curved into a smile. "In all things." He favored Jess with his smile as well. "Perhaps you would both like a drink? There are several quiet game rooms to the rear. Or, if you prefer... my quarters are as private as one could ask for.”

The wildest of impulses. Jess grinned and swallowed, heart racing to see Rowan felt the same fierce desire to take him up on his offer, and spend the night in his arms. Both of them flushed and smiled.

Jess could sense that Cornelius had picked up on this as well. “Perhaps my quarters would be best.” His voice had roughened, a single flashed sign and the innkeeper brought what Jess thought a fine cask of brandy indeed, even as Jess sent a furious hand signal to a surprised looking Neal, who grimaced and dashed off.

The would go upstairs, and there would be no interference.

Jess gently stroked Cornelius's cheek with her hand, capturing his gaze. She smiled, Cornelius blinking, as if suddenly realizing that he did indeed have two beauties paying very close attention to him. “I think my sister and I would love to share your company and discuss a great many things. I have but one question... you don't want to hurt either one of us, do you?” She smiled into surprised eyes, whispering softly. “Any more than we want you to.”

Cornelius's grin was hot, hungry, and utterly without malice.

Within moments the three seemed to float up the stairs in a cloud of warmth and laughter.

Jess knew what was expected of them, how dire their circumstances were, and for those hot moments, she did not care, feeling a fierce hunger for the beautiful woman and man beside her, sharing jests and witticisms as if they had known each other for years, for all that they had met Cornelius but moments ago.

Rowan's gaze was as hungry as her own. They flushed with mutual shame and exhilaration.

What they were going to do was so very, very wrong.

Yet it felt so right, and Jess lost herself to the most exotic of appetites in the hot, dizzy moments that followed as they found themselves in luxurious quarters, drinks and laughter naturally flowing into sweetest bliss.