Chapter 340 - Teasing him

Chapter 340: Chapter 340 - Teasing him

Eric lay beneath the blanket for several moments, glaring at the man on the other side of the bed.

Ryan had already returned to drying his hair, looking entirely too pleased with himself. His nightclothes were still loosely tied, the collar hanging open across his chest, and he seemed completely unaware of how irritating his calm expression was.

Or perhaps he was perfectly aware.

That was what annoyed Eric the most.

He had spent the entire evening being teased by this man. First during the riding lesson, then while helping him dry his hair, and finally with that shameless remark about watching him bathe.

You may simply ask.

Eric’s cheeks warmed again.

The audacity!

He turned onto his side and watched Ryan run the towel through his damp hair. The general’s movements were unhurried, and every so often, the loose fabric of his robe shifted, exposing another glimpse of his chest.

Eric narrowed his eyes.

Is that all you can do? Sit there looking handsome and expect me to lose my mind?

He refused to accept defeat so easily.

Ryan might be a celebrated general, but when it came to matters of romance, Eric had far more experience. He had been the one doing most of the teasing since their marriage. There was no reason he should suddenly become flustered simply because Ryan had learned to answer him.

A slow smile spread across Eric’s face.

Very well, General. Let’s see how long you can keep that composure.

He pushed the blanket aside and adjusted his sleeping robe, allowing the collar to slip down one shoulder. The thin fabric gathered loosely around his waist as he stretched out across the mattress, resting his head against one hand.

He took a moment to arrange himself comfortably before looking toward Ryan.

"Husband."

Ryan’s hand stopped.

Eric noticed immediately.

His smile deepened.

He softened his voice, letting the word linger with an affection he rarely used so openly.

"Husband, are you still busy?"

Ryan turned his head.

Whatever he had intended to say disappeared when he saw Eric.

His wife was lying on his side, one shoulder exposed beneath the loose sleeping robe. His dark hair spilled across the pillow, and the warm lantern light softened the delicate features Ryan had already spent far too much time admiring.

Eric looked up at him through his lashes.

Ryan’s fingers tightened around the towel.

"Is something wrong?"

Eric sighed softly.

"Nothing. I was merely thinking."

"About what?"

Eric lowered his gaze and idly traced a finger along the edge of the blanket.

"How lonely it is to sleep by oneself."

Ryan went still.

Eric nearly laughed.

There it is.

He shifted onto his back, stretching lazily before turning toward Ryan again. The movement loosened his collar a little further, but he made no attempt to fix it.

"Especially on such a cold night," he continued. "The bed is so large, yet I have no one to hold."

Ryan looked toward the pillows dividing the mattress.

"You were the one who placed those there."

Eric almost clicked his tongue.

Of course the man had to remember that.

He recovered quickly.

"That was before I realized how terribly lonely I would feel."

Ryan’s gaze returned to him.

Eric pressed his lips together to conceal his amusement. The general’s expression remained composed, but his eyes had widened ever so slightly.

Good.

He was finally getting somewhere.

Eric reached for one of the pillows separating them and hugged it loosely against his chest.

"Perhaps I was too strict earlier."

Ryan said nothing.

Eric tilted his head. "What do you think, husband?"

Ryan slowly set the towel aside.

"I think you should sleep. You have a long day tomorrow."

Eric stared at him.

Sleep?

Was this man deliberately pretending not to understand?

He had practically arranged himself like a beautiful courtesan waiting to be admired, and the bastard was telling him to sleep!

Eric’s pride suffered a small injury.

He refused to surrender.

"You’re always so concerned about my health," he murmured, letting his voice soften again. "But what if I cannot sleep?"

Ryan’s gaze dropped briefly to his exposed shoulder before returning to his face.

"Why wouldn’t you?"

Eric gave him a look.

"Must I explain everything?"

Ryan’s throat moved.

Eric saw it.

His confidence returned immediately.

He slowly pushed the pillow aside and stretched one arm toward Ryan, letting his fingers rest against the last remaining cushion between them.

"Perhaps my husband could keep me company for a little while."

Ryan stared at his outstretched hand.

Eric watched him with growing satisfaction.

The general had faced armies without flinching, yet a few affectionate words from his wife were apparently enough to leave him speechless.

See? I knew it.

He had almost forgotten how entertaining it was to tease someone who wasn’t accustomed to such attention.

Ryan finally spoke.

"You’re already beside me."

Eric sighed.

"Physically, yes."

Ryan’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Eric continued before he could answer.

"But there’s such a dreadful distance between us."

He glanced pointedly at the pillows.

"An entire wall."

"You built it."

"Must you keep bringing that up?"

A faint smile appeared on Ryan’s face.

Eric frowned.

No. He wasn’t supposed to be smiling. He was supposed to be flustered.

Eric decided to be more direct.

He moved closer to the pillows, allowing his hair to fall forward over one shoulder. Then he looked up at Ryan and gently bit his lower lip.

"Husband."

The word came out almost as a whisper.

Ryan’s smile disappeared.

Eric noticed his gaze settle briefly on his mouth.

Oh?

Encouraged, he reached out and lightly touched the sleeve of Ryan’s robe.

"Come closer."

Ryan didn’t move.

For a moment, he simply looked at Eric.

Then his gaze traveled over his wife’s face, the loosened collar of his robe and the hand resting against his sleeve.

"Do you know what you’re asking?"

Eric almost laughed.

Of course he knew.

He was merely teasing him.

But admitting that would ruin everything.

Instead, he tilted his head and gave Ryan his most innocent expression.

"I only asked my husband to come closer. Is that so unreasonable?"

Ryan inhaled slowly.

Eric watched the movement of his chest beneath the open robe.

The man was definitely affected now.

His usually steady breathing had changed, and the hand resting against his knee had tightened slightly.

Eric felt immensely pleased with himself.

That’s right. Who told you to tease me earlier?

He shifted closer once more, until his fingertips could brush Ryan’s hand.

"Or perhaps my husband doesn’t wish to accompany me?"

Ryan looked down at their hands.

"That’s not it."

"Then what is it?"

Ryan raised his eyes.

For some reason, the look in them made Eric’s smile falter.

There was something different about his expression now. The earlier amusement had faded, replaced by an intensity Eric wasn’t entirely prepared for.

Still, he had already come this far.

He wasn’t about to retreat.

Eric leaned forward slightly and whispered, "Are you afraid of me, General?"

Ryan’s gaze darkened.

"Afraid?"

Eric smiled.

"Perhaps you’re worried you won’t be able to resist your beautiful wife."

For a moment, Ryan said nothing.

Then he slowly placed his hand over Eric’s.

Eric’s heart gave an unexpected thump.

Ryan’s palm was warm, his fingers closing gently around Eric’s hand.

"You’re right about one thing."

Eric blinked.

"What?"

Ryan looked directly into his eyes.

"I have been trying very hard to resist you."

Eric’s smile froze.

That wasn’t the answer he’d expected.

He had been prepared for embarrassment, perhaps a stammered denial or another attempt to change the subject. He hadn’t expected Ryan to admit something like that so calmly.

Eric swallowed.

Ryan’s gaze flickered toward his mouth again.

"And you," he continued quietly, "seem determined to make that difficult."

Eric’s face grew warm.

Wait.

This was not how the conversation was supposed to go.

He tried to recover his confidence.

"Well, if the great General Ryan cannot withstand a little teasing, perhaps he isn’t as formidable as everyone claims."

Ryan’s lips curved faintly.

"Is that so?"

"Naturally."

Eric lifted his chin, determined not to look away.

Ryan released his hand.

For one foolish moment, Eric thought he’d won.

Then the general moved.

He leaned forward, one hand pressing into the mattress beside Eric’s waist while the other reached past him to steady himself.

The sudden movement caught Eric completely unprepared.

He instinctively leaned backward, his shoulders meeting the pillows as Ryan followed him down.

In the space of a heartbeat, the distance between them disappeared.

Ryan was hovering above him, his long hair falling loosely around his shoulders. The collar of his nightclothes had slipped even farther open, and Eric could feel the warmth of his body despite the small space still separating them.

Eric stared up at him.

His mind went completely blank.

The general looked down at his beloved wife, whose earlier confidence had vanished so thoroughly that he almost smiled.

Almost.

Instead, Ryan lowered his head slightly.

"Now," he murmured, "what was my wife saying about resistance?"

Eric forgot how to breathe.