He moved it, the slick surface sliding against her.
She let out a breath with a hiss. “Colm.” She pulled away. “I think you’ve had enough of this lesson. Let’s move onto sparring.” She strode across to some large bags against the wall. She rummaged around for a moment, then moved back to him.
She handed him a retracted staff.
He mimicked the way he’d seen her shake the weapon and it extended.
She raised her staff in front of her, holding it with both hands. “You showed me some sword-fighting, it’s only fair I show you some staff fighting.”
“Why do I get the impression you plan to leave bruises?” he said.
She gave him a sharp smile. “Are you afraid, barbarian?”
He lifted his staff. “Never.”
She took him through some basic moves. It wasn’t complicated, but it was different, compared to using a sword.
“Good.” She brushed her damp hair from her face. “Not bad.”
Colm pressed his tongue to his teeth. “How about a challenge? The winner can demand a boon from the other.”
She looked uncertain.
“If you’re afraid—” He shrugged and lowered his staff.
She put her hands on her hips. “I’m not six years old, Colm. That won’t work on me.”
He smiled.
“Damn you.” She shook her head “Fine. If you win, what do you want?”
“A kiss.”
Her eyes narrowed. “That’s it?”
“Yes, but you have to kiss me with no inhibitions, no holding back.”
She looked away, nibbling on her lower lip, which made Colm’s cock twitch.
She looked up. “Fine.” She swung her staff up, tightening her grip on it and widening her stance. “Do you want to know what I want if I win?”
He lifted his staff. “No. Because I’m going to win.”
She bristled like a darken beast. “Because you’re a big, bad barbarian and I’m just a woman?”
“No. Because I really want that kiss.”
He saw a blush of heat in her cheeks.
With a growl, she stepped toward him, and slammed her staff against his. He moved, and they circled around. She came at him again. She was packing her hits with all her strength.
And dammit, she was making him work for it.
They parried a bit longer, staffs smacking together, feet shuffling across the mats. Finally, Colm saw his chance.
He stepped back, leaving himself open. An invitation she couldn’t ignore. As soon as she lunged at him, he brought his staff up and knocked hers from her grip.
He saw her grit her teeth for a second. “You tricked me!”
“Did you think warriors were all just power and brawn?”
“No. But I didn’t think you were quite so cunning.”
“Ah, but with the right incentive…”
She released a long breath, then she strode forward. Without a word, she pressed her hands to his chest and leaned up on her toes.
Then she pressed her mouth against his.
It was like electricity through his body. She moved her lips softly, almost delicately over his.
“More,” he growled. His hands clamped on her hips.
Then the kiss ignited.
Colm groaned and wrapped his arms around her. She made a husky sound in her throat, and then she was practically trying to climb up his body. The kiss deepened, tongues tangling.
He dropped to his knees, pulling her close against him until they were plastered together. He wanted to devour every inch of her, strip her naked, spread her thighs, and plunge inside her. He felt like a rutting beast with the scent of a female in heat. The urges pounded inside him like nothing he’d ever felt before.
Then she tore her mouth from his, panting. She pulled away, falling back on the mat. His own chest was rising and falling very fast.
She cursed under her breath, pressing a hand to her lips.
Colm fought for control. He’d perfected control during his warrior training, made it his life’s work to never, ever let his nanami get out of control.
To not be what his father had been.
And right now, he was riding the edge of it.
“Not the usual response I get from a woman,” he said, managing to keep his tone light.
She stood. “You’re a problem, barbarian. One I don’t need. I have to go.” She hesitated.
Colm fought the urge to grab her and pull her back in for a kiss.
But maybe she was right. With his nanami going crazy the way they were, it might be best to limit his exposure to Honor Brandall.
She tightened the tail of her hair. “Be ready for your first trip into space, warrior. I’ll see you in the morning.”
She left him there, and Colm remained on his knees for a long time, his body buzzing and agitated.
Colm walked toward the large ship sitting out in the field.