Warrior's Heart

Chapter Twenty-Five

By the time they met up with the others outside the inn, the two men were nowhere to be found. Still, Arielle tried to take in as much of their surroundings as possible. She also had the feeling of being watched, which unsettled her to no end.

Still, she kept that to herself as she managed to climb up into the saddle and settle between Thorin's legs once more. She was so tired of being horseback, and silently vowed that once they reached Thorin's Halls, she would never sit astride a horse again.

Everyone was fairly reserved as they began moving again. Thorin held the reins in one hand, his other arm about her waist until she said, "I don't think I'll be falling asleep, love."

"I like the way you feel against me," he replied, tugging her back even tighter against him. "Do you remember the first time we rode together this way?"

"I do." She peered over her shoulder at him and smiled at the hint of blush along his cheekbones, disappearing into his beard. "Why?"

"Because you wrought havoc on my body that day, I'll have you know. I am surprised you felt nothing."

It was on the tip of her tongue to correct him, to tell him that she knew exactly how he'd responded, how she'd felt him pressing into her lower back. But she didn't want to embarrass him over what had been a purely physical reaction to being touched.

"What should I have felt?"

"Me." He grinned, his blush deepening. "You caught my attention, you know."

She just gazed up at him. "Caught your attention?"

"Yes. Caught my attention."

She couldn't resist teasing him. "You're blushing."

"I am not."

"You are, Mr.Oakenshield." She leaned back against him. "Why would you blush that way? How did I catch your attention then that you are turning so red now?"

A slow smile lifted his lips. "Why do I have the feeling you know exactly how you had my attention?"

"I haven't a clue what you mean."

He held her gaze, then slowly arched one brow. "Does this help?"

She felt it then. A quick pressure against the small of her back. Then it was gone. "I'm not sure, Mr. Oakenshield. Perhaps you should give me another clue."

His smile widened. The pressure returned. She couldn't help but laugh. "Your control is astounding, know you this?"

"I'm great fun at parties." The arm about her waist tightened and he pressed a kiss into the back of her head. "You should see what I can do with it when we're alone."

"I'm fairly certain I have seen what you can do with it. Isn't that how I ended up pregnant?"

"And you loved every moment of what I did with it, didn't you?"

"Well, I'm not mad, so..."

His laugh came softly against her ear. "I also loved every moment of it, princess."

"You are incorrigible."

"You wanted me to be more playful, remember?"

She sighed softly, covering his hand with hers. "I did. And I love that you've been able to do just that."

His lips brushed her ear, his "Anything for you, princess," a growly whisper that sent a chill along her spine.

A loud rustle seemed to explode all around them and Dwalin let out a holler as the thunder of hoofbeats sounded behind them.