Stop, you fiend! [M] [Aeyt!]

[Rhindeer]

"Really? So that's why you robbed me?" Maya said with a sly smile, her eyes meeting his. "Is that how you normally get a pretty girl's attention? You're very lucky, you know. I called the guard on you, and had they caught you, you'd no doubt be hanged for such a crime. There are much safer--and easier!--ways to grab a lady's attention, I assure you."

She paused, lips pursed, and squeezed his hand. "Though I daresay that this has been the most exciting day I've had in a long time. Nay, ever. Even if you did scare the life out of me. I suppose I'll forgive you that."

Perhaps it was a sign of her sheltered naivete, but the possibility that he could have much more sinister intentions never occurred to her. If he truly was a hardened thug trying to woo her into false sense of security, she was playing right into his hands, romanced by the epic, storybook drama of it all. It was probably a good thing that this was Lex.

Peering up at him, her smile turned softer. "So when you're not trying to catchthe notice of ladies, do you fancy yourself a rebel hero, such as from the stories? Stealing from the wicked to help the poor?"

[Aeytrious]

        "I do what I can," Lex said, "I do spend my money at smaller shops and help those I know really need it, but I'm not some romance character." He said the words as he moved closer to Maya. "You are so beautiful when you smile." There was no transition in his speech, no segue to the compliment, he just put it out there. "I'm going to kiss you now, if you don't object."

[Rhindeer]

He was going to kiss her?!

Maya's face heated, her eyes going wide, and the prim and proper part of her shouted that she should object, that this was hardly proper, and that he was for all intents and purposes still a criminal. This was crossing so many lines! She had already crossed more lines than she could count! This was the man who had robbed her! Who had stolen into her room! Who had tempted her into sneaking about and traipsing through the woods!

But the words didn't seem to want to come, any protests catching in her throat, and all that came out was a breathless, "Oh?" as she dared him to do exactly as he promised.

And dared herself to let him.

[Aeytrious]

        Lex did not reply to Maya's 'oh' or hesitate to do as he'd said. He brushed a stray hair out of Maya's face and and leaned in slowly, keeping his eyes on hers. As he drew in, he slowly closed his eyes, and gently pressed his lips to hers. Lex was kind with his kiss, it was not too long or too short. He pressed his hand into the small of Maya's back to guide her into him. When Lex pulled away he smiled at her with real light in his eyes for the first time all day.
        "Would you like me to continue giving you kisses?"

[Rhindeer]

It wasn't the first time Lex had kissed her. He had already kissed her twice--three times if a kiss on the brow counted. But this time was different; this time, it wasn't stolen from her, and she was a participant.

His lips met hers, warm and soft, and a little shiver shot down her spine as she felt his strong hand on her back, guiding her in. She happily yielded to him, her eyes closed, her palms resting against his chest, and as she tilted her head and gave his lip a gentle nibble, it might become clear to Lex that prim and proper and modest Maya was no stranger to kissing. There were many boundaries she hadn't crossed--her Essyrni mother had always stressed the importance and value of chastity--but that didn't mean she'd never had any fun.

With her clothes on still, thank you!

Especially when she was in Essyrn surrounded by so many muscle-bound half naked men.

When Lex pulled back, she sat back with a shaky breath that she had been holding and stared up at him, her cheeks flushed but eyes bright. Oh, this was so bad--

But that was also what made it fun.

"I won't object, if that's what you're asking," she breathlessly said.

She couldn't just say yes, after all! She didn't want him to think her loose.

[Aeytrious]

        Lex did not respond with words, but drew Maya in closer. His lips were soft against hers again. Growing more firm with each successive kiss. Gentle nibbling and a touch of his tongue against Maya's lips. When their tongues grazed against each other, electricity ran through him and he pulled Maya in more firmly. Lex broke off kissing her mouth to run his lips down Maya's jaw, to her throat. He kissed along to the side of her neck, and then ran the tip of his tongue up the ridge of her ear. Lex pressed one last kiss into Maya's lips before he broke their embrace and stood from the rock.
        "Would you like to return to our blanket, where we can spend our time in a bit more comfort?"
       

[Rhindeer]

Oh my.

He was a fantastic kisser.

A soft whimper escaped her lips and her hands curled against his chest as she pressed in closer. It had been a long time since she had last kissed like this, and that made it all the sweeter, made her crave it more. Even more thrilling, strangely, was who she was kissing. An outlaw. Gods, she could get in so much trouble for this, and they were outdoors where anyone might pass through.

...unlikely as that was, of course. But the mere illusion of risk was enough to get her heart fluttering and blood rushing in her ears.

And then his mouth dipped lower, and though she missed the taste of him, she was soon melting under his touch. She all out clung to him as he kissed her neck, let out a soft moan when he reached her throat, and squirmed and held him tighter when be teased at her ear. Gods, it seemed ridiculous now that she had been so terrified of him before. How things had changed...

"...what?" she breathed when he pulled away, her voice soft and expression slightly dazed. Oh, she hadn't wanted him to stop! She blinked, bringing a hand to her throat where she could still feel the heat and tingle of his lips, and could feel the flutter of her own wild pulse. She let out a slow breath, her dark skin flushed and warm. "Probably a wise idea. The rock was starting to dig in most uncomfortably."

She held a hand out to him as she rose, finding her legs a little unsteady.

[Aeytrious]

        Lex lead Maya by the hand, with some speed. They really hadn't walked very far. Mostly they had meandered slowly and had arrived at the end of their short walk without purpose.  Now they had purpose, to feel each other's lips. Lex was careful not to pull his date off balance, having noticed her unsteady rise. When they arrived at the blanket, Lex sat with his legs crossed and pulled Maya in across his lap. He wasted no time in tucking his mouth in under her chin and kissing Maya tenderly.

[Rhindeer]

"Oh!" A bright, hot blush stained Maya's cheeks when Lex pulled her into his lap, but she did not protest or squirm away. Instead, her arms looped boldly around his neck, fingertips grazing along his skin--and then she did squirm when his lips met her throat.

This was entirely improper. Why, she was practically behaving like a common harlot. But it was just kissing, and what lady wouldn't want to feel a dashing man's lips against her own? She only had so much time to be adventurous before she was married off to someone respectable, after all, and above all else Maya wanted to be wanted.

Tilting her head back to let him work his magic, she let out a breathy sigh. "You, sir, are a magnificent kisser." And she gave a little tug on his hair to pull his head back up so she could recapture that mouth with her own, the flick of her tongue against his lips showing she had some practice herself.

[Aeytrious]

        A bit more kissing was all Lex could handle. His body wanted more from Maya, but his heart lay elsewhere, and he would not try to take from Maya something she wanted to save. With one last deep and passionate kiss he gently lifted her from his lap, and the erection that was digging against her thigh, and stood. He offered his hand to help Maya to her feet, and then went about packing up their evening picnic.
        "I think it's best I get you back before someone notices you're gone. Even my luck only goes so far."

[Rhindeer]

Maya blinked up at Lex in confusion when he suddenly switched pace, just like that. One moment all she knew was his lips, the next and he was lifting her off of him, drawing things to a sudden and disappointing halt.

She stood there awkwardly as he packed up their things, fingers laced together, and licked her lips where she could still taste him. Watching him work, she frowned. That was true, she should get back home before it got too late, but he had ended things so...so...abruptly, enough that it made her head reel.

"Was I not good enough?" she asked bluntly. "Was that boring?"

[Aeytrious]

Lex paused in his packing, turning to Maya with a consoling smile. "Oh sweet Maya. You are wonderful, the kissing is wonderful. It's just that," he hesitated, not wanting to let her in, "It's so good I want more, I don't want to stop. I want to pull off your lovely dress and get to the treasure beneath." Lex went back to his packing as he continued.
        "I know from our earlier conversations that you've never been with a man like that, and I don't want to take from you what you're not ready to give." Lex took a deep breath and pushed forward, "and I think I actually very much would like to get to know you, and woo you, but my life is complicated. I'm a noble bastard with quite a bit of Serenian blood living as an outlaw. Plus there's my realization that I want to know you, want to find out if I'll love you, and with the emotional tornado my life has been, that terrifies me."
        Lex finished his packing and looked over to Maya, his wall of smiles and charm falling away. The insecurity, fear, and turmoil, were written plain on his face for her to see. "I've known you a day and already I want to know if I'll love you? This isn't some trite play put on by a bunch of powdered actors pandering to nobles. This is real life. What real person ever wanted to fall in love in a day? This was just supposed to be a distraction, a bit of adventure!"

[Rhindeer]

...Not the answer she expected.

Maya's cheeks flushed at his words, at his bold assertion that he wished to get beneath her skirts, heat spreading up to her ears and down her neck. It shouldn't have been so shocking to her--what man didn't? She was gorgeous! She just sort of assumed that of course men wanted her. And yet it was, perhaps, because she actually cared about his opinion that she found his words flattering and exciting in a fresh new way.

And then things got deeper. Unexpectedly.

Maya's eyes went wide.

He...wanted to know if he could love her?

Maya froze and just stared at him, the temperature in her veins rising, meeting his tortured look with one of shock as her heart did a flip. For a moment, she couldn't think, couldn't speak. What did one even say to that? What was she supposed to think or feel? Being the object of one's desire was one thing. Being the object of one's affection--even potentially--that was entirely new.

Luckily, Lex filled in the emptiness.

"It...it was both distracting and adventurous, I will say," she said slowly, still trying to register what just happened. And maybe it was just that her body was still burning after their closeness and kisses, but... "But you know, there can be more of them. More adventures and distractions. More days."

She cleared her throat and straightened her dress, tossing her hair. Oh, but she didn't want to seem too needy. Too desperate.  It wasn't becoming of a lady and besides, if he rejected the idea...well, it would be far less crushing and embarrassing if she didn't seem so keen on the idea. Like it was just a casual suggestion, no risk involved.

"At your discretion, of course. You did a fine job of blending with my servants."

But despite her outward coolness, her heart was beating fast, her mind focused on the word "love". And would she want him to love her? Did she want to find out?

[Aeytrious]

        "Let's get you home."
        Lex smiled faintly as he took Maya's hand, lacing his fingers into her. He lead her back to the city, at not too brisk a pace. He enjoyed her company, and the feel of her hand in his. He recounted some of his more well known criminal escapades as they walked toward the Tent City that surrounded the Common Districts of Ketra. The truths were much less amazing than the exaggerated tales of angered nobles, or excited commoners. This area of the Tent City was active tonight, so their presence wasn't strange as they made their way through the temporary structures toward a common district. Caravans, Adelan nomad tribes, and various other travelers, came and went frequently from Ketra, changing the layout and inhabitants of the Tent City frequently. None of the people they passed were known to them, and it was unlikely that they'd see any of them again.
        Not long after entering the Tent City, Lex and Maya reached the first permanent structures of Ketra. The homes and small shops they passed were mostly dark, with the occasional tavern or inn lit and lively. Lex didn't lead Maya back to the gate they went through to leave the Blue Lily District earlier, instead he lead her to a long stretch of unguarded wall. There was a long forgotten false panel there that quietly slid aside when Lex pressed in the proper brick. Once inside, Lex stepped on a switch and the panel slid shut again, with barely a sound. Magic lanterns flickered to life almost at once, illuminating the short tunnel. On the other side, Lex once again stepped on a switch, and the lanterns snuffed out as another door slid open. Once through, Lex closed it behind them, and Maya found herself standing just three estates away from home.
        "I hope you don't mind the shortcut," Lex said to Maya, looking her in the eyes for the first time since they had begun the walk back. "I didn't want to risk the guarded entrance at night."

[Rhindeer]

Maya did not recognize the route they took, and for a moment she wondered if Lex even knew where he was going. Only a moment, though; he knew this city far better than she did and as they wove through the tent city, she felt woefully lost. But she only ever went anywhere with an escort, and the farthest she ventured was the market.

She stuck close to Lex, practically glued to his side so she didn't get lost, and felt rather like some adventurer by the time they got through the secret tunnel.

"No, not at all. I didn't even know that existed," she said with a smile up at him. "Though I'm surprised! You weren't worried about the guards before, even when I screamed. Why now? Not that it's a complaint. I liked that route best, even if it was, sadly, quicker."

She let out a sigh. "Must I go back already?"

[Aeytrious]

        Lex returned Maya's smile, leaned in and gave her a soft kiss. Then he took the lead, hand on the hilt of his sword, like he was her bodyguard and she was out for an evening stroll.
        "It's nearly tomorrow," Lex said. His head swiveled, searching for any threat. They were extremely unlikely to come across anything dangerous in the Blue Lily District. He really just wanted to keep up appearances. "It's not good to push my luck too far. If any of your servants noticed you were gone, or noticed that your gates locking mechanism has been melted, your estate will have told the city guard and they'll be looking for you."

[Rhindeer]

"I suppose that's true," Maya said with a sad sigh. "They would come looking for me when I don't want to be found, but ignore me when I'm screaming my head off for help, wouldn't they?"

Her mouth twisted in disdain. "It's really not fair. We really ought to hire new guards. Speaking of which, I really was being serious. About you blending with the servants. If you're looking for any work..."

She trailed off, shooting him a coy look from the corner of her eye, one hand twisting a thick lock of her hair.

[Aeytrious]

        "You know I don't need the money of course,"Lex said to Maya. He didn't see her coy looks, or any expression or body language she used. He was ahead of her, playing the bodyguard. He could hear it in her voice though, and knew she wanted an answer in the affirmative. "I will keep the uniform, and use it when I need to blend in. Would you like me to return tomorrow?"

[Rhindeer]

"If you're not doing anything else, I suppose," Maya said, not wanting to sound too eager. "Do you have the time to spare?"

[Aeytrious]

        "After today's winnings," Lex said, "I won't have to work for a good amount of time. I could live off of my take for several weeks. When will your parents return home?" He quickly glanced back over his shoulder to make sure Maya was keeping pace with him as he walked.