Maya didn’t seem bothered by the proximity, leaning back into me with a nonchalance that belied the intimacy of our position. Her every move seemed deliberate, almost playful, as if she relished the tension crackling between us. For my part, I wrestled with the awkwardness, attempting to maintain a respectful distance, though the steady rhythm of the horse made it nearly impossible. Each jolt and sway pressed us closer, her body warm and soft against mine, stirring an awareness I couldn’t ignore.
“This is cozy,” she said, her voice a soft murmur that brushed my ear, accompanied by a glance over her shoulder. Her eyes sparkled with amusement, and the corner of her mouth lifted in a grin that was both innocent and mischievous.
“Yeah,” I muttered, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks. My voice came out more strained than I intended. “Real cozy.”
She laughed, a light, teasing sound that seemed to dance on the air. Her body shifted subtly, her back pressing more firmly against my chest, sending small, electric shocks through me. The sensation was maddeningly intimate, each bump in the road accentuating the contact, her movements fluid and unselfconscious.
“Relax, Ev,” she said, her tone playful. “I don’t bite... unless you’re into that.” She added the last part with a wink, her voice dropping to a sultry whisper.
My heart skipped a beat, my thoughts scrambling to find footing. I tried to focus on the path ahead, but the way her body leaned into mine, her shoulder brushing against my chin, and the occasional sideways glance she threw my way, all conspired to draw my attention back to her.
The caravan moved steadily forward, the clatter of wheels and hooves creating a rhythmic backdrop to the mounting tension. Maya’s demeanor remained relaxed, almost languid, as she nestled against me, her head occasionally resting lightly against my shoulder. Every slight movement, every shift of her weight, seemed designed to remind me of her presence, the heat of her body a constant, tantalizing distraction.
She tilted her head back slightly, her cheek brushing against mine. “You know, I think you’re blushing,” she teased, her voice a soft purr that sent a shiver down my spine.
“Am not,” I protested, although I did feel a subtle heat in my cheeks.
Her laughter was mocking. “If you say so,” she replied, her breath warm against my ear. Her fingers brushed against my hand as she adjusted her grip on the reins, a touch so fleeting yet so charged it left me breathless.
“This is better than walking,” she said, her tone too casual, as if she were savoring my discomfort.
“Yeah,” I managed, my voice tight. “Way better.”
The landscape blurred into a tapestry of rolling hills and dense forests, but my focus was on the woman in front of me, her every movement a study in deliberate grace. Each moment was a delicate balance between holding on just enough to avoid falling and maintaining a semblance of personal space, though the latter seemed increasingly futile.
I decided to try and use my new Telekinesis ability to subtly move her, hoping to add a little distance between us. Concentrating on the task, I felt a tingle of energy flowing through me, almost like it began in the center of my mind and worked its way outward to my focus. I tried to start small, I had never done this before after all, don’t want to accidentally explode the poor girls head. Unfortunately my first attempt was too weak, and I barely shifted her at all. Maya didn’t seem to notice, but I was frustrated by my lack of success. The blue mana bar in the corner of my HUD ticked down just a bit, a reminder that I was using precious resources for this. I tried again, this time with more force. The sensation of power coursing through my mind intensified, sending a slight tremor through my body. She lurched forward slightly, her head snapping back in surprise, eyes wide with confusion. My mana bar went down again, more this time.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
“What the…?” she muttered, casting a suspicious glance over her shoulder.
“Sorry,” I said quickly, forcing a casual tone. “Bumpy ride?”
Her frown and raised eyebrows betrayed her skepticism but she didn’t press further. I adjusted my effort, attempting to find a balance that pushed her just enough to give myself some breathing room. My heart raced with the exertion, the effort of fine-tuning the telekinesis making my palms sweat. I noticed with worry that my mana was rapidly dwindling from using the ability so much, but it was working. I had some room.
Unfortunately, my relief was short-lived. My mana dropped below 25% pretty quickly so I had to release my telekinesis, and she settled back in like nothing had happened, the warmth of her body pressing against mine once more. I considered the mana usage that I had just witnessed, the more I pushed and the harder I concentrated, the more mana I used. I guess that made sense, the mana was reflecting my usage, but still, it was worrying. I needed to get more efficient or get more mana. I wonder if I could get the tutorial to teach me how to do that?
Eventually the caravan finally came to a halt for a rest, I dismounted with a mix of relief and reluctance. The sensation of Maya’s warmth against me lingered, an almost physical presence even after I had stepped away. She slid off the horse with effortless grace, casting me a knowing smile that sent a flutter through my stomach.
What was I thinking? How could I even let myself be affected by this woman in such a way? I had a girlfriend... The memory of her felt like a knife in my gut, sharp and painful. She was gone—dead, as far as I knew—lost to the chaos that had torn my life apart. The grief I had buried, trying to survive, threatened to resurface, tangled with the unexpected stirrings of attraction I felt toward Maya.
Maya’s eyes sparkled with mischief as she approached, her movements as fluid and confident as ever. “Enjoy the ride?” she asked, her voice a soft purr that held a trace of amusement.
“Yeah,” I said, my voice catching slightly. “Definitely... memorable.”
Her smile widened, and she brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear, her gaze holding mine for a moment longer than necessary. “Good. Let’s hope the rest of the trip is just as interesting.” I forced a smile, trying to keep my thoughts from spiraling into guilt and confusion.
Eventually, as we continued riding, one of the guards looked to us and gestured northeast. I could see a few miles ahead what looked like a town, its silhouette outlined against the setting sun. I nodded to the guard, and he yelled that it was Templeton. He then trotted over, and I noticed it was the guard captain who had hired us. He had a weathered face, kind yet cautious. He seemed like a good dude.
“We’ll be camping about a half-mile from the city,” he said. “The gates will be closed by the time we arrive. It’s safer to stay outside overnight and enter in the morning. You’d think it’d be safe so close to the city, but sometimes this is the most dangerous part of the journey. We’d love for you to stay with the caravan tonight to help protect it. You’ll be paid extra for your trouble.”
Without a thought, I agreed. Maya nodded her assent as well, her eyes gleaming with what I assumed was excitement.
After he left, I turned to Maya. “I didn’t even know we were getting paid…” I said, a hint of surprise in my voice.
She laughed, a soft, melodic sound that held no malice. “Of course, we’re acting as guards, aren’t we?”
I shrugged, realizing how naive I must have sounded. “Well, nothing happened.”
“Nothing yet…” she said, her tone carrying an ominous edge.