The Maids Adventures chapter 7

The Maids Adventures chapter 7

A creature of habit, Bridget woke in the morning at her usual time, feeling very sore after her exertions from the day before. Outside she could hear the movements that told her Garrett was up and moving. She didn't hear anyone else though, which must mean that he had left the Princess in the other tent. Suddenly she felt a bit more cheerful, even though she shouldn't be feeling any such thing in these kinds of circumstances.

Sliding out of Patrick's bedroll, she quietly put on her clothes and went outside to help Garrett with the morning's preparations. He looked at her but didn't say anything as she joined him, moving about the campsite. They had done this enough times now that it was almost like a dance, both of them knowing exactly what the other person was going to be doing next and making sure that they stayed out of each other's way. It was going to be a beautiful morning, she could tell, and she didn't even mind that her body ached a bit. Moving around helped work out some of her muscles.

Suddenly Garrett grabbed her arm and she jumped, yelping a bit with the surprise of it. Looking up at him with big eyes she was surprised to see him glaring at her neck. Despite his firm grip on her arm, his fingers were gentle as the brushed over her neck, and she winced, surprised as the small touch caused a bit of pain.

What is it? she asked.

"You don't know?" The look he was giving her was so strange and unsettling. Bridget bit down on her lower lip and shook her head. She wasn't afraid of him exactly, but there was something dark and intense about his eyes, as if he was holding back a great deal of anger and she didn't know why. "He bit you."

He what? Shocked, she reached up and felt the spot... it was quite tender and the memory of Patrick's mouth biting down on her in just this spot as she'd climaxed came rushing back to her. Heat filled her cheeks and she looked away from Garrett, feeling suddenly exposed and ashamed did he break skin.

No, he said, quietly, moving her hand away so that he could lean in and inspect it closer. It's just bruised and you'll be fine.

Thank you for the information, Bridget snapped, suddenly angry at him as she jerked her arm away. Easy for him to say she'd be fine, there was nothing about this situation that made her feel fine nothing at all. It was times like this that she had to reminded, herself that he truly didn't care it would be a shame if your toy was damaged.

Glaring up at him she found him glaring back at her, his face looking like a thundercloud.

Lover's quarrel Patrick's sardonic tones slid across them, cutting her to the quick. Lovers! Her and Garrett, Perhaps in the physical sense, but she didn't have a choice. And even if she did... well... okay, well she didn't know what she would do, but seeing as he was a lawbreaker and a rogue she would refuse him. Maybe if he wasn't a bandit but no, stupid to think on what if’s Bridget looked away as Garrett scoffed.

Hardly, he growled, but there was something in his voice that she couldn't quite determine the meaning of. As if he was shaken by Patrick's sudden appearance as well. I was just wondering how her night fared and how accommodating she might be this morning.

Accommodating? For him she’d stab him with the vegetable knife, right now, given half a chance. But... her thoughts twisted. That's not what they had been talking about. He'd been inspecting the bite mark that Patrick had given her. Which was the act his care for her wound or his indifference to her now.

There's always the Princess if you'd like to be serviced, Patrick said with a smirk, coming over to the fire and getting his breakfast.

She's more than used up after last night, Garrett replied angrily. Then he too sat down to breakfast, directly across from Patrick, almost as if they were facing off. A strange kind of tension seemed to be filling the little clearing. Uncomfortable, Bridget quietly got her own food and sat down to eat. If Garrett did want pleasuring she knew she would be expected to provide it, but she was starving and confused by his conflicting words and actions. I think she'll appreciate you more now though.

"Gave her quite a ride did you?"

"You have no idea."

The word "ride" seemed to stab Bridget directly in the gut, even though it wasn't Garrett who had said it. Because that's what she had done for him, ridden him when he'd requested. That's what she was to him, what the Princess had been to him last night. It was obvious that she was going to have to remind herself of this quite constantly; apparently she craved a friend, which wasn't at all surprising, but she couldn't let her weakness lull her into making Garrett into something that he wasn't. That was only going to lead to disappointment and heartbreak.

Heartbreak! Where had that thought come from?

It was actually a relief when Samuel came out of the other tent, as brash as always although looking a bit more disheveled than usual, to distract from the strange tension and Bridget's stranger thoughts. Even better, he seemed to require no early morning relief from her. Neither did Blaine when he appeared, dragging the Princess along with him.

All in all, despite the churning emotions that assaulted her whenever she looked at or thought of Garrett, it was one of her better mornings.

Something was happening. The men were standing together, but they'd never seemed more apart. Tension radiated from the group like heat from a lamp, warning the women not to get too close. For the first time Bridget would have been able to have a word with the Princess if she'd desired, but she no longer did. Instead she snuck glances at the men, ignoring the other woman who was sitting at the fire and eating, moving somewhat gingerly. Bridget refused to wonder how Garrett might have used her. It wasn't any of her business and she didn't care, she told herself furiously. Concentrating on trying to hear what the men were saying was distracting enough.

For some reason Samuel seemed almost jolly while Garrett was looking murderous. The expression on Patrick's handsome face could almost be called a smirk. Blaine was looking on with his usual indifference, but the tension in his shoulders said that he wasn't completely immune to the dynamics of the group. The more they talked, the darker the look on Garrett's face became and the louder his and Patrick's voices were raised until the words became more distinct.

"I should go!"

You aren't needed and you will do as I say.

Samuel slapped Garrett on the back, laughing as the other man growled and pushing off his hand off. At least you'll be with the women. The tone in his voice was almost derogatory, as if he was saying that guarding women was all Garrett was good for. Bridget held her breath, trying not to show that she was listening to them as Garrett made a movement towards Samuel before Blaine caught his arm and pulled him back.

You are the one who found the nobleman and got the information for the timetable, Blaine said, speaking loudly and quickly as if to override either of the other men from speaking and taunting Garrett further. You'll still get your share of the booty.

The very air around Garrett seemed to thrum with contained violence, none of which dissipated at Blaine's words, and Bridget had the sudden impression that Garrett didn't care about the treasure. He cared about something else, cared about it deeply. For a moment she thought that there would be a fight, right then and there, but then Garrett looked up at the sky and took in a deep breath. Even from twenty feet away she could see his broad chest rise and then fall, the anger leaking out of him as if Blaine's words had had an effect on him.

FINE, he said harshly. And then their voices dropped again as they moved closer to each other to continue their discussion.

It was only when he walked away from them afterwards and she caught a glimpse of his face that she realized he had not at all been appeased by Blaine's words. The violent rage was gone from his movements, but she could see it in his face and eyes. When he turned his head to answer a question from Samuel, she saw it literally melt away from his features. Fear quivered through her. Garrett was a much better actor than she'd ever realized. If she hadn't seen his face before he turned to talk to Samuel, she would never have known how good he was.

And he was hiding something. But just what?

Unfortunately she wasn't given much time to think before Samuel and Blaine were on their hoses and off into the woods, and Patrick was sauntering back towards the camp fire, a smirk on his face.

Hmmm... so many varied delights to choose from, as he leered, his eyes sliding over her and the Princess. What am I in the mood for today? Then his eyes darted to Garrett and Bridget realized that Patrick was waiting for his reaction wanting to see if Garrett would show any preference.

But the other man wasn't looking at them at all, he was still staring off in the direction Samuel and Blaine had gone, one fist clenched by his side as if he was holding himself in place by sheer force of will. Part of her relaxed, relieved that he wasn't showing any preference to the Princess after his time with her, and another part of her felt a little hurt that he wasn't paying her any attention at all. Of course, that was just because she didn't want Patrick's attentions again. She'd choose Garrett over Patrick without any hesitation. The bandit leader frightened her, and wondering what he would do to her if Garrett wasn't providing her with some protection frightened her even more.

It was infuriating to be beholden to him at all, but vastly preferable to the alternative.

She watched as Patrick shrugged and walked over to the Princess, cupping his hand under her chin and forcing her to look up at him. Rather than her usual glare, the Princess looked wary, almost cowardly. Apparently she was no longer as sure of her position as she had been before yesterday. That and the unrelenting passions of three men must have made her very sore.

Did you miss me Princess? Patrick said his smile cruel. Bridget looked away, not wanting to watch the interaction between them, although she couldn't stop herself from hearing.

I'm too sore for your games, the Princess replied, a little bit of her old haughtiness back in her voice. Feigning interest in a hole that was wearing into the top layer of her skirt, Bridget barely managed to keep herself from shaking her head. Apparently she hadn't learned enough, that or she truly had no idea how she sounded.

Then we'll both enjoy them more, won't we?

There was a shriek and then a low moan and Bridget couldn't stop herself from looking over to see Patrick carrying the Princess off over his shoulder. Relief flooded her, even though she wasn't truly surprised. The allure of bedding a Princess had to be much higher than that of a maid. She had a feeling that part of her appeal was Patrick's impression that she meant something to Garrett, but he didn't seem to want to go beyond the strictures that Garrett had laid down when it came to her treatment. And right now it was obvious that Garrett was far more interested in robbing the nobleman's house than in having anything to do with her.

To be continued