The Huntsmen (11 page)

"I should warn you though," Baldric slid his fingers down lower undoing the buttons on the shirt she wore to spread it open. "Dieter and Niklaus are both crazy. They may have suffered brain damage at least once, likely more, in their lives. They’ll both be jumping dead center into the enemy’s lines and yelling at the top of their lungs like lunatics as they kill everything in their paths."

“No,” Snow said suddenly and shook her head. “No, I don’t want them in danger. I don’t want any of you in danger, that’s why I asked you to do what I did. Please promise me you’ll try to talk them out of it?”

"I’ll try but they tend to be stubborn," he told her. "You could even try but don't bet on any success," he added. Sliding his finger along the tops of her breasts, he watched her face. "You can't expect them to just sit back while you’re in the thick of things, Snow. While I’d much prefer to find a comfortable place to sit and watch such massacres, if need be I'll throw my lot in with them to keep your pretty little ass safe."

Snow sighed and shook her head. “Just not fair,” she grumbled. “I only want you men safe,” she whispered honestly. “It would destroy me if one of you were hurt.” She had a feeling they‘d put themselves between her and danger at every single turn.

"Now you know how we feel about you," Baldric smiled. Leaning in, he pressed a kiss to her breast and nuzzled at the skin. Resting his cheek to her naked breast, he let out a breath, "We don't want to lose you either, Snow, not for any reason."

Her hands moved to his hair and held him close. “You won’t.” She prayed she was telling the truth. “I love you, Baldric. I truly do. It’s only been days but that doesn’t matter. I love all three of you. You’re all a part of me.”

"As you are a part of us, Snow," he murmured. Turning his head, he pressed a kiss to the valley of her breasts. Smiling as he lifted his head, he shrugged, "We'll figure it all out, Princess. I know it can't be easy dealing with all of us, we're all as opposite as can be from one another but we’ll always love and adore you."

“I happen to love dealing with all three of you. You’re all so different, but in the end you’re all the same. All you want is happiness and a chance for life and a family. I want to be in that picture with you. I want to be a part of this all with you.”

"Good," he nodded and laid his head back down, his breath fanning over her nipple. Stroking his fingers up and down her belly, he closed his eyes. "We aren't going anywhere, Princess. That is until you get that castle back, then we’re moving in. Just so you know, I want a big ass bed so I don't get shoved off and I mean big."

“Don’t worry, even if we have to have it custom made to fit an entire room we’ll have a bed that’s big enough for all four of us.” She lifted her body up slightly and watched Baldric, “I thought you only wanted kisses, you needed slow?” She wasn’t complaining, she just didn’t want him to pull back later because it would pull her heart out.

"I am going slow," he frowned, turning his head to look up at her. "Am I making you uncomfortable?" he asked, laying his palm flat on her belly. "I can move if I am, I never want you uncomfortable with me, Snow."

“No, heavens no, Baldric, you aren’t making me uncomfortable at all. I actually happen to love you touching me like you are. I love feeling your mouth on me, your hands on me. I want this more than you can possibly know.”

"You sure?" he asked and only relaxed when she smiled and nodded. "Let me know if you change your mind," he murmured. Covering her breasts with her shirt, he rested his cheek back down and just held her close to him, his fingers eventually running over her belly once more in a slow pattern.

Snow let out a sigh and pulled him closer. Closing her eyes, she licked her lips. “I love being held by you, Baldric, I love being able to be here with you. I adore your touch,” she murmured, “and your mouth.”

Chuckling softly, he tipped his head to look at her, "Was that a hint to move the cloth off your breasts again so you can feel my heavy breathing on your nipples?" he asked. "Because if it was you should just say so, Snow, I like a woman who knows what she wants and is direct with me."

“Yes, honey, I’d very much love it if you were to uncover my breasts, put your mouth back on me, and nibble on my nipples. I really liked that, a lot. Would you mind doing it again?”

"I think I could manage that," he told her, pressing up on an arm. Sliding her shirt open to bare her upper torso, Baldric slid his hand slowly over her breasts. Running a finger over her nipple, he leaned down to blow a breath over the tight bud. Flicking his tongue to her skin, he cupped her flesh and squeezed as he began to suck on her.

“Yes, I very much like that, Baldric.” A needful whimper escaped her lips and her leg lifted to rub against his. “More,” she demanded. She loved the feel of his mouth on her body, the slow teasing was killing her, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Moving his hand to her thigh, he stroked the length while suckling at her breast. Catching the tight nipple between his teeth, he tugged and let it scrape free. Shifting over her more, Baldric settled between her legs and slid his hand over her bared flesh, "Beautiful."

Snow was lifting and writhing under him. Every single fiber of her being was exploding. A whimper of a sound, a desperate purr, escaped her. “You’re exquisite,” she breathed softly as she held him close to her body.

Snorting, he shook his head, “Not hardly, Snow.” Sliding his tongue to her nipple, he bit down lightly and tugged, swirling his tongue around before moving to do the same to the other nipple. Squeezing her breasts closer together, he flicked both nipples with his tongue at the same time.

She didn’t say anything to him, she simply smiled and closed her eyes, just feeling. “That feels so good, please, do it again?”

Blowing a breath over her damp nipples, he returned to flicking them with his tongue. Pressing her breasts closer, he sucked both into his mouth hard. Watching her face, he lifted up and moved in closer to kiss her gently.

Snow’s hand buried into Baldric’s hair and she held onto him while he kissed her. She smiled under his lips and opened her eyes to gaze up at him, “You’re incredible, you know that right?”

Staring down at her, he shrugged, “I’m just me, Snow,” he said with a smile. “Don’t know how to be anyone else and I’m too old to bother trying.” Sliding his arms around her, he rested his chin on her chest as he watched her.

“Well I’m rather happy that you are just you. I really rather adore you, Baldric.” Licking her kiss swollen lips, she grinned, “I love the touching, the petting, you playing with my breasts. Would you like it if I slept in your bed tonight?” She’d only been sleeping in Dierk’s bed because he was the only one who seemed to pull her to his bed at night. It was starting to give Snow a bit of a complex.

“If you’d like I’d be more than happy to have you there,” he said softly. “If you can keep Dierk from jumping your bones right after we finish dinner.” Smiling slightly, he pressed a kiss to her chest, “If you can’t don’t worry about it, Snow, I’ll still be here whenever you need me.”

“Don’t worry, I think I can manage,” she said with a smile. “Tonight is our night, Baldric. Some nights it’ll be all of us together in one big naked pile, other nights it’ll be just me with one of you. If that suits you okay?”

“It suits me fine,” he said quietly, brushing a kiss to her chin. Nuzzling between her breasts, he rubbed his nose to her skin and inhaled. “You smell so sweet,” he murmured against her skin.

“It’s the same soap you and the others use. I should smell no differently than any of the three of you,” Snow replied as she stroked her hands through his hair, loving the feeling of the silky strands.

“You may use the same soap we do but your natural scent makes it smell so much sweeter. Trust me on this, Snow,” Baldric lifted his head to look at her. “Even if I was brave enough to go and sniff Nik or Dierk, they definitely don’t smell anything like you.”

Snow grinned, “Well then please don’t go sniffing them because it might give them and me a complex, love.” She watched him watching her and winked, “I rather adore you, Baldric. If you won’t kick me out of your bed I’ll stay with you. Dierk and Niklaus will understand.”

“I’d never kick you out of my bed,” he said softly. “Though I’ve been told I am a bed hog so I may push you out,” Baldric smiled and winked. “I promise to drag you back in if I ever push you out and I’ll kiss anything hurt all better.”

“Oh that makes me hope you do push me out of bed,” she teased. “But don’t worry, I’ll fight back, or something like that,” she teased him happily. “Either that or I’ll just sleep on top of you. We’ll work it out.”

“That’d work,” he said with a grin. Brushing a kiss to her chin, he lifted his head to look at her. “I think you look amazing like this, shirt undone, breasts with tight nipples, and a sensual look on your face. It’s definitely my favorite look for you so far.”

Snow smiled, “Only because you put it there.” She teased him and reached up to cup his cheek. “You’ve seen me in all states of dress with my hair in natters having slept with Dierk, you’re just happy it’s you that’s put this smile on my face, admit it, my Huntsman.”

“I honestly have no preference who puts a smile on your face, Snow, as long as there’s one there,” he said softly. “I remember the look on your face when we first met too well and I never wish to see it on any face again.”

“Let us hope that look never crosses another person’s face again, unless it is the Queen’s and it’s the last look she gives us,” Snow admitted. “I want her dead, Baldric, if that makes me a terrible person then so be it but simply imprisoning her will not suffice. For all that she has done, she deserves to die.”

“Snow, you more than any other person has the right to see that woman eviscerated,” he said quietly. “After all she took from you, your father, your life, your crown and throne, I’m surprised you’re not frothing at the mouth to tear after her now. The fact that you want her dead,” he shrugged, “it is what it is.”

Snow nodded and let out a breath. “I just didn’t want you to think any less of me for wanting her dead. I know the road ahead of us will be fraught with danger but I believe we’ll be able to overcome it all because we are a unit now, right? The four of us will be able to take on the world if that were our choice, right?”

Sitting up, Baldric drew her into his lap. She straddled his thighs close. “We’re with you, Snow, through all that may come our way. No matter what, I need you to know right here and now that we’ll never abandon you, never let harm come to you and, should we be separated, we’ll walk through the very fires of Hell to get back to you again.” Staring into her eyes, he lifted a hand to her cheek, “No one will ever be permitted to separate us for long, Princess.”

“Good, as long as you promise me we’ll have a life after we face that bitch.” All she wanted and needed were these three men. “Now, can we please go back to the perfect spot we were just in? The kissing, the hugging, the nakedness?”

Chewing his lip, he pulled her up to her feet and, turning her toward the hall, hands on her hips, he gave her a push. “We’ll go somewhere more comfortable than that sofa,” he said in explanation. Pushing through his door, he eased it closed and dropped the bar to keep the others out, for a while. “Now if you feel the need, you can get fully naked and not worry about getting a chill,” Baldric smiled at her slightly.

“Yeah?” Snow smiled at Baldric and began to peel out of the clothes she was wearing. “Well I happen to think if I were to get a chill you’d ensure I was warmed quickly, wouldn’t you?” She didn’t know how to be coy, how to tease or flirt, instead she was just honest. “I want to be with you, Baldric. Will you make love to me?”

Watching her, he let out a slow breath and nodded, “If you’d like,” he murmured. Loosening the ties on his shirt, he pulled it over his head and tossed it aside. Working his boots off took some effort but soon they hit the floor. Padding toward her on bare feet, his pants loose but still on, he stopped before her, “Snow,” he let out a breath. “Don’t break my heart, it can’t take anymore.”

Snow stood before him and laid her hand over his heart, “I’ll protect it always, Baldric. I love you, far too much but I can’t help what I feel. Something clicked inside of me when I met Dierk and then you and Niklaus. I will not break your heart as long as you don’t break mine.”

“I shall endeavor to keep it from harm,” he told her softly. Resting his hand over hers, he leaned in and kissed her gently. “I never want to hurt you, Snow,” he whispered against her lips. “You mean too much to me, much too soon, but I can’t help how I feel either.”

“That’s very good,” she said with a smile. “Now, Baldric, make love to me? I want to feel you inside of me. I need to feel you holding me close in the most intimate of ways. I want that. Need it and so do you.”

Smiling, he kissed her deeply, backing her slowly toward his bed, his hands on her hips guiding her to where he wanted her.

Chapter Seven

Stopping at the border to the Elven lands, Dierk looked around and gave a three-toned whistle. Moments later it was answered and he relaxed, his hand dropping from the hilt of his sword and he smiled at the Elven Guard who stepped from the trees. “Farhan, good to see you,” he said, clasping arms with the warrior.

“And you, old friend,” the warrior looked around. “You have safe passage through our lands, Dierk, so you can have the others join us now.”

“Just wanted to be cautious, I’m sure you’d do the same if it was your Queen,” he pointed out, getting an acknowledging tip of a regal head. Turning around, he whistled sharply and jerked his head when Niklaus popped out to look. “We need to get moving, we have a lot of ground to cover before night falls.”

Snow approached the Elven Guard and bowed her head, “I thank you for allowing us to cross your lands in safety. Please relay my thanks to your Queen.” She placed her hand back on Dierk’s arm and stepped in closer to him, enjoying the feel of the heat of her men surrounding her.

“You may tell her yourself, Princess,” he bowed to her. “She has offered you a spot at her table for the evening meal as well as a hut for you all to sleep before finishing your journey in the morning. She also said she knows the Huntsmen will likely decline the meal,” Farhan smirked, “for reasons all their own but that you should not feel obligated to follow their lead.”