Page 7 of Griffin Food

I swallow and reach to rub my stinging bottom. As if I would tell my sister any of this? She would have Rafe flogged and ridicule me forever and a day about it.

I glance over at Rafe. He is tall and commanding, wider in the shoulders than Lark, and more mature. He bears a rugged masculinity, his sandy blond hair cropped close to his skull. My gaze drops to his hands, now clenched into fists as he continues to pace and mutter.

Goddess, he has big hands. Little wonder my bottom is so sore.

I take in the moment. The two men who saved me. My horse and their horses, cropping weeds absently nearby. An idea comes to mind.

I need help learning to ride. I need companions for my upcoming adventure.

He just spanked me.

Me, a lady and a princess.

He is going to be in a lot of trouble should I tell anyone about it. They both would.

I swallow, then straighten my shoulders.

“Perhaps we could come to an arrangement,” I say, lifting my chin and trying to channel my inner princess and future adventurer.

Rafe brings his pacing to a stop and narrows his eyes on me. “An arrangement?”

“I need some help improving my riding skills… and in preparation for a journey I intend to make.”

Lark chuckles. “I like her. Mayhap we should humor her request.”

Rafe glares at the younger man before pinning me with a dark look. “You are not riding that fucking stallion again.”

The man is blunt and coarse. But we are negotiating, it would seem.

“Ah, no. Raven was a little too spirited for me, with hindsight.”

“You’re keeping secrets,” Rafe says, folding his arms and nodding at me. “What exactly are you asking us for, princess? What are we about to get into?”

“My sister might laugh if I tell her that you put your hands on me,” I say. “She might also have you hanged.”

His lips curl up on one side in a humorless smile, and he steps right up to me. I step back, coming to an abrupt stop when I find Lark at my back.

“The lass is definitely growing on me,” Lark says behind me. “Got a bit of fire.”

I don’t look at him, already sensing Rafe is the leader of the two, the one I need to convince.

Heat and clean masculine scent come off them and tickle my nose. I’m a little scared and a lot aroused. The spanking incident has knocked something loose for sure.

Rafe curls his fingers under my chin. “I could snap your pretty neck and say I found you like that. Flung from the horse you so foolishly chose.”

“You won’t.”

He shakes his head and snags one of my wayward curls, giving it a little tug. “You’re right, I won’t.” He steps back. “Go ahead, my lady. Lay out your plans.”

So I do. Convincing them is easier than expected.

Only I haven’t told them my biggest secret yet.

One day I will.

When this home and all it represents are far behind us.

When and only if my heats finally come and I have no other choice.