A small part of him was amused at both of them, carrying on in such a way. It was a silly game but a fun one. When she drew him in, the amusement drifted away and left behind a small thrill of excitement. He realized that what they had done earlier had merely banked the fire, not quenched it.

As tempting as it was to push into the kiss and see if he could taste any of the apple on her tongue, he held back to let her direct it. It was part of the rules of the barter, after all. He felt a smile trying to form against the soft contours of her mouth and allowed it to come. Lifting a hand, he cupped her cheek lightly, the pads of his fingers curved inward and resting against her smooth skin.