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desert chill under the blanket with him. Instinctively, Cele pulled away, closer to Sorn’s warmth, but Dahleven had the same idea, snugging close to the heat of her body until they lay like three spoons in a drawer. She didn’t want to stay sandwiched like this between the two men, but she couldn’t escape without causing a ruckus. Cele waited, tense and listening. The nearby desert was quiet but for the sounds of the sleeping men. Gradually, Dahleven’s body quickly warmed. He kept his hands to himself. Her heart slowed as her surge of adrenaline faded, and pressed between two heat pumps, her muscles eased of their own accord.
    Dahleven’s breathing changed, deepened. He must be asleep . Gradually, with no threat to keep her alert, Cele’s eyes closed. She was so exhausted that she barely surfaced when he flung a muscular arm across both her and Sorn. Half dozing, Cele felt only the soothing warmth of his broad chest behind her and his thighs, hard with muscle, tucked under her own. Without further worry or thought, her fatigue overcame her.
     
    *
     
    The eastern sky had begun to hint at the coming day when Dahleven awoke. It was time to be up and away, but he didn’t move.
    In their sleep, the three of them had shifted position. Dahleven lay on his back with his arm around Lady Celia and with her head pillowed on his shoulder. Her arm rested on his chest and her body was softly molded against his side. She’d flung one leg across his thighs. The Lady had been in the desert for two days, and smelled like it. But underneath the sharp tang of her sweat, the fragrance of flowers lingered in her hair. Dahleven drew in a deep breath, savoring the hint of delicate perfume.
    Lady Celia shifted slightly, and Dahleven became acutely aware of her curves pressed against his chest, hip, and thigh. His morning wood twitched. He liked the way she felt, nestled along his side. A bird trilled, announcing the coming day, but Lady Celia’s even breath told him she still slept. He imagined rolling her beneath him and kissing her awake. Filling his hands with her nicely rounded breasts. Pleasuring them both until they fell sated onto the pillows of his bed.
    Dahleven pushed the heated images away. They weren’t in his bed, nor in private. Neither had the lady consented.
    They ought to be on their way. The pale gray light was growing, and his men made the best time during the cool of the morning. But a few minutes more wouldn’t hurt.
    Sorn raised his head to look at Dahleven with a grin and a glance at the woman between them. Dahleven’s sworn brother knew him too well. He’s happy now. He’s caught me indulging myself . It didn’t happen often enough by Sorn’s standards. He wouldn’t rib him in front of the others, but by Odin’s Eye, when they got home, Sorn would ride him hard.
    Dahleven answered with a shrug of his eyebrows. Sorn’s grin widened before he began moving carefully away, silently as usual. Then, with exaggerated care, he tucked the top blanket around Lady Celia before pulling on his boots.
     
    *
     
    Cele awakened to a quick draft of chill air. She hadn’t heard Sorn leave, but his departure left a void of warmth at her back. Muzzy with sleep, she smiled at his trying not to wake her, then snuggled closer to the remaining source of warmth.
    Dahleven .
    She froze and came fully awake. Oh, hell . How could she have gotten into such an awkward position? It was one thing to sleep close for warmth, another to wind up entwined like lovers. It amazed her she’d slept at all, let alone slept pillowed on Dahleven’s shoulder. Maybe she could ease away before anyone, especially Dahleven, noticed. After her accusations last night, the last thing she needed was to send mixed signals.
    Unfortunately, the camp was already beginning to stir. Cele heard the men around her grunt and mutter as they pulled on their boots, got to their feet, and went beyond the perimeter of the camp. Sorn hadn’t let her drink much at