Page 30 of Picking Up the Gauntlet

“I mean, if you don’t make the armor for me, then I will—I will tell them that you cornered me here in the forge and kissed me.”

“That’s ridiculous. I never kissed–” His words were cut off as Raven reached out and pulled him to her by the shoulders, forcing her lips up against his in one hell of a kiss. That took him by surprise, and left him speechless. All he could think about was that her lush lips tasted like honeyed mead, and he wanted a second helping. His arms encircled her waist and he pulled her closer, never breaking their connection. He hungrily kissed her back, letting his tongue slip into her mouth, getting carried away and feeling as if he were enchanted. Bid the devil, he was excited!

She didn’t push him away at all. Instead, her head fell back and she moaned aloud, sounding ever so sexy. When he broke the kiss, he noticed her eyes were closed and she looked like she was in ecstasy. Her long, smooth neck was so enticing, that he needed to touch her. Running his fingers down her neck, his hand stopped at the neckline of her bodice. Not able to stop himself, he brought his mouth to the small hollow at the base of her neck, kissing her gently. She moaned again and pressed up against him. His mind went crazy with want. His groin tightened with an erection. Damn, he wanted this siren of a woman, and it was taking all his control not to throw her down on the table and push up her skirts and thrust into her right now.

The door to the forge opened, bringing Jonathon back to his senses. He released her so fast that she lost her balance and ended up falling and sitting on the floor.

“Brother?” asked Avery, walking in with a plate of food in his hand. “Did I interrupt something?” His eyes shot down to Raven.

“Nay, not at all,” said Jonathon, reaching out and pulling Raven to her feet. She didn’t look at all happy. However, her cheeks looked rosy and her lips swollen. Her chest moved in and out with each deep breath she took. Damn, it wasn’t helping matters any. He quickly looked the other way.

“Your brother just kissed me and started to fondle me too,” said Raven. “Thank goodness you walked in when you did, or who knows what he would have tried next.”

“What?” Jonathon’s head snapped around and his mouth fell open. It was a bold-faced lie since she was the one who kissed him, and he hadn’t fondled her at all. It was a simple grazing of his fingers down her neck and a couple of harmless kisses. What the hell was she doing?

“Y-you did that, Jonathon?” Avery looked over to Jonathon and his mouth hung open in surprise.

“That’s not what happened. I mean, not exactly.” He adjusted his tunic, hoping no one noticed the bulge beneath his trews. When he looked back at Raven, she had a smirk on her face. Then she reached out, handing him the glove.

“I’ll expect that little project finished before the tournament begins,” she said, turning and walking to the door. It was now clear what was going on. She used her wily ways to make sure he couldn’t deny her stupid request. There was no way of getting out of this now.

“Wait. Don’t do this to me,” said Jonathon, causing her to stop in the doorway and look back over her shoulder.

“You will always address me as ‘my lady’ or Lady Raven when speaking to me,” she corrected him. “Don’t make that mistake again. Remember, I am a titled woman. Now, if you don’t do what I want, I’ll tell my brother and father you cornered me and kissed me.” She looked over at Avery next. “I have a witness to strengthen my claim.”

“Don’t try to blackmail me, because it won’t work,” snapped Jonathon, losing his patience with the wench and becoming madder than hell. “My lady,” he added as an afterthought. “Avery didn’t see anything, so dragging him into this isn’t going to help matters any.”

“That’s right. I didn’t see a thing,” said Avery nervously, still holding his plate of food that he’d brought with him from the meal.

“Besides, we both know your father and Rook like me and will think you are lying.” Jonathon kept trying to change her mind.

“Mayhap you’re right,” she said with a shrug. “But even if you and your brother stay quiet, it doesn’t matter. I have a witness that will prove my claim and won’t be able to keep quiet about what just happened here.”

“What does she mean?” asked Avery.

“Nothing,” said Jonathon. “Her threats have nothing to back them up, don’t worry.”

“Oh, I would worry if I were you.” She reached out the open door and yanked Gerold into the room. The little boy looked up with frightened eyes. “What did you see, Gerold?” asked Raven. “Don’t lie to me or I swear you’ll be punished severely.”

“Nay,” shouted Jonathon, not wanting the boy to agree to having seen something, and not wanting Raven to use a child in this manner. It just wasn’t right.

“I-I saw you kissing Jonathon,” said the little boy, causing Raven to smile.

“You mean, you saw Jonathon kissing me, don’t you?” she corrected him. She let go and crossed her arms over her chest as she waited for Gerold’s answer.

“Aye, that’s what I mean, my lady.” The little boys eyes were wide as he looked over to Jonathon and then back to Raven. “He kissed you. I saw it.”

“Well?” said Raven, glaring at Jonathon. “What do you have to say now?”

Jonathon knew he had no choice. He’d been lured into the vixen’s trap and taken the bait. Now he would have no choice but to do her bidding. He couldn’t risk it when the child was involved. Gerold was frightened of Raven, there was no doubt about it. Most of the castle’s occupants were scared of the wench. If Raven forced the boy to confess to her father and brother that he saw them kissing, Jonathon could lose his head over this. Commoners weren’t allowed to kiss nobles and get away with it. He was hired to guard the girl, and with her silly story, it was going to ruin everything for him, since Corbett and Rook trusted him. He didn’t want them to think he betrayed them, because none of this was really his fault.

“I’ll get started on the armor right away, my lady,” said Jonathon, throwing down both gloves on the table. He was always up for a challenge, but didn’t like being blackmailed or having a woman throwing down the gauntlet at his feet.

At least, not when there were conditions added.

Chapter 8

“I can’t believe we’re really staying here in this dirt pit instead of inside the castle in a nice warm chamber with curtains around a bed.” Avery sat up on the pallet the next morning and yawned. His and Gerold’s pallets were right on the floor. Jonathon had the only bed, even though it was small and uncomfortable. Avery proceeded to rub his back. “We’d be better off sleeping in a trench somewhere. At least then we’d have fresh air.”