He continued to the next row, where he found his target moving easily down a row of myrtle, with its feathery white flowers and glossy green leaves, to a collection of bright purple vervain.
Tori was humming a tune that Baldewin didn’t recognize. In front of him was a small cart that held a variety of tools and instruments for his trade. Here and there, he stopped and pruned a bit of dead growth away from a vervain plant with a set of shears or trimmed off some of another plant and placed those bits into a jar to be used in potions and spells.
Baldewin was completely enamored. There was a soft smile on Tori’s face, and his shoulders were finally loose and relaxed. He absolutely radiated happiness. Nestori Taavi was finally home. He was where he truly belonged in the world.
“Are you lurking, Baldewin?” Tori’s voice rose in the quiet greenhouse.
Baldewin started, blinking at the mage for a moment. “How did you know I was here? I haven’t made a noise.”
Tori place the pair of pruning shears back on the cart and turned in his direction. He gave a little shrug, the smile on his lips growing even wider. “I don’t know. Just sort of felt you.”
Oh, he definitely liked the sound of that. He loved the idea of Tori being able to sense him, to feel him in some way.
Dressed in a pair of jeans that hung wonderfully low on his narrow hips and an olive-green T-shirt made of the softest cotton, Tori had a casual sexiness to him. It left Baldewin wanting to slip his hands under that shirt and explore all the lean muscles he knew were hidden. He wanted to push those jeans down and lick his way over every inch of the sexy man before him.
And maybe he should. Tori hadn’t enjoyed enough stolen moments of physical pleasure in his life. Not that Baldewin was too upset over that fact. He rather liked being Tori’s first in everything. He liked to think that all those cries of pleasure, blissed-out sighs, gasps, and moans belonged to him. Yes, he and his dragon were becoming incredibly possessive when it came to Tori, and he couldn’t find it in himself to care.
“What are you working on?” Baldewin asked as he strolled closer. He’d shoved his hands into his pockets to keep from reaching for Tori.
“Just a little pruning. I am also collecting some vervain and marigold for a healing potion we’re planning to work later this afternoon,” Tori replied as he continued down the row. He snipped away another section of dead growth and tossed the branch into a waste receptacle on his cart. “What are you doing here? I know we said that we’d meet at 13:00 for lunch in the dining hall. It can’t be that late already.”
Baldewin shook his head. “My meetings finished early, and Alric is deep in conversation with Rodrigo, Cameron, and Dieter. I wasn’t needed at the moment. Ravi and Warin are giving some of the other delegates a tour of the castle.”
A low snort escaped Tori, and he smiled. “I can’t believe you allowed Ravi to give the tour.”
“Not alone. Never. Warin is leading the tour, but I’m sure Ravi is throwing in some interesting anecdotes as they go. Alric has also arranged for Gunter to pop in and speak with them as they meet with Lisette.”
“And that’s why Alric is the king. Smart man.”
“A very smart man,” Baldewin agreed absently. Carefully, he reached out and pulled the shears from Tori’s hand, wrapping his free arm around his waist. His hand slipped under Tori’s cotton shirt, fingers skimming lightly across his warm stomach as Tori sucked in a breath. Lowering his head, Baldewin nuzzled Tori’s hair, breathing in the sweet scent of berries from the shampoo he’d used.
“What are you doing?” Tori’s voice came out rough and low. He stood frozen. Baldewin moved slowly, giving Tori ample opportunity to step away from him, to pull away from his touch, but he didn’t move. Baldewin paused, leaving the decision in Tori’s hands. The mage shifted slightly, pushing into his hand, and Baldewin nearly growled with pleasure. His mate wanted him, wanted his touch.
Dipping his lips to the shell of Tori’s ear, Baldewin lightly kissed him and then whispered, “I thought it would be obvious that I’m seducing you.”
“No, that’s pretty damn clear,” Tori replied with a shaky laugh. “But we’re in the greenhouse.”
Baldewin hummed. “Yes, we’re alone in the greenhouse.” Sliding his hand down from Tori’s stomach, he cupped the erection starting to strain against the front of Tori’s jeans. A strangled noise escaped Tori’s throat as he punched his hips forward, seeking Baldewin’s firm touch.
“But…but…anyone could walk in.”
“That’s part of the fun. Were you expecting anyone to come help you?”
“No,” Tori whimpered as Baldewin’s thumb circled the head of his dick. Need pumped through Baldewin’s veins. His own cock was throbbing and demanding more attention with every breathless pant and shiver from Tori, but he wanted his lover’s pleasure more than his own.