out into a cocky grin.
I started walking in that direction when I heard him shout, “Good fight, Thurst. End of lesson.” The sounds of pounding feet against the hard dirt followed soon after.
Once out of sight, I leaned against the trunk of a tree as Tallis descended upon me. “Like what you saw?” he asked while crushing his hips to mine and biting my ear.
“It was alright,” I replied coyly, but my breath hitched in response to him.
“Have you decided to take me up on my offer?” He pressed tighter. His smoky smell mixed with sweat made me dizzy with desire as I wrapped my arms around him and gripped the slick muscles on his back.
“I think I need more convincing,” I whispered.
His lips tenderly touched mine as his hands roamed over the curves of my hips. I moaned into his mouth as his tongue snaked out and licked my bottom lip.
We licked and sucked and moved our bodies against one another. Building the friction between us until our skin ignited with the heat between us. Tallis’ hand drifted lower.
“Do you want more?” he asked as I sucked on his sweaty neck.
“Yes,” I moaned out. I cursed my long, restrictive dress.
“I could give you what you want, Jules. It would almost be too easy,” he murmured. I arched my back to get closer.
“Please,” I begged.
“You know what you have to do,” Tallis whispered before pulling away. My body ached to keep close and felt empty by his departure.
“You can’t be serious,” I panted as he bit his lip.
“I won’t be your secret, Agapimenos.”
“Why does this have to be all or nothing? I didn’t peg you as a traditionalist, Scavenger,” I growled out in frustration while narrowing my eyes.
“With most women, I’m not,” he replied with a shrug while stepping closer. “But you’re someone I see a future with.”
I laughed boisterously while trying to ignore the jealousy that fluttered through me at the mention of other women. “Well, if you’re looking to lay a Dormas heiress, don’t hold your breath. My brothers cut me off,” I said in a bitter tone. For a brief moment, pity flashed through his steady eyes.
“It’s not your gold I want, Miss Black.” Tallis pulled me towards him and placed his hands on my waist. “It’s you.”
I pulled away and stormed off towards camp, muttering profanities.
"Jules, wait," Tallis called after me. I didn't stop and reply, even after he fell into step with me.
"How was your morning, you're here early," Tallis said. I heard a crunch and looked over to see him eating a bright red apple. I was reminded of the night before and the crimson stain on his lips.
"My morning was fine. Actually, I saw the new schoolhouse. Looks like Cyler might let your people use it. I won't have to come here anymore."
Tallis grabbed my wrist and laced his fingers through mine. I wanted to pull away but was too tired to deal with his persistence.
"What if I want you to still come here?" He asked.
"We don't always get what we want, Tallis."
"I do."
I exhaled loudly as Tallis pulled me closer and navigated me through the crowded camp.
I looked over at Nikketa's tent and was surprised to see Gordon laughing with the girl we rescued. She still seemed cautious but happier as Gordon handed her flowers and made silly faces. Even from here, I could see that he was doing everything he could to put a smile on her face.
Tallis followed my gaze and chuckled.
"Ah, young love!" He exclaimed while holding me tighter. "I see a wedding in the future." He grinned.
"God, let them be young," I complained.
"The world is dying, Jules. People grow up faster. Weren't you engaged not too long ago?" There was a curious playfulness in the tone of his voice. It was light, but there also was the hint of disapproving jealousy beneath.
I pulled my hand away and sat down on a log. Tallis joined me, and we both stared at the fire for a moment.
"How'd you hear about my engagement?"
"Cyler mentioned it."
I rolled my eyes. This Scavenger was relentless.
"All the girls in my class are either married or engaged now. It's like the moment you turn sixteen, we're supposed to find a suitable family to leech on to. Like a lifetime in a loveless marriage is preferable to being poor," I said with a sigh. "I thought Josiah Stonewell’s status was what I wanted. And yet...".
I thought back to my time in the Stonewell Manor and the part