Page 18 of Between Two Barbarians

Pressing a gentle kiss to his shoulder, I tried to pull my arm free, biting back a smile when Jamal tugged me back with a disgruntled growl. He rolled a little, pressing himself tighter against Torgrind with my arm trapped between the two of them, keeping me right where he wanted me.

A grin slowly overtook Torgrind’s face, his voice a little husky when he asked, “Is there something you need, tavi?”

Jamal hummed, stretching against him again, then pushed his ass back against my hardening cock, making his needs very obvious to the both of us.

Nipping lightly at his shoulder, I nuzzled against his neck. “Unless you want to swelter, varakai, midday is not the best time for sex.”

Traveling at night meant we usually woke after the worst of the midday heat had passed, but it was still stifling in the tent, and at some point someone must’ve kicked the top of the bedrolls away because none of us had coverings. I felt a fine layer of sweat on my skin, and I knew the rest of my clan brothers often complained about waking the same way. As much as I enjoyed the idea of sex upon waking, it was too hot inside the tent to achieve it without the heat getting to each of us.

Finally blinking his eyes open, Jamal looked over his shoulder at me grumpily. “You northerners are too sensitive. It’s not that hot.”

“No?” Torgrind asked with a smirk, running his finger along the sweat on Jamal’s skin. “What’s this then?”

“That’s from the two of you,” Jamal replied primly. “I don’t sweat like that.”

His blatant lie made me chuckle. “And you’re willing to lie with two men who do, then? Because while I cannot speak for my clan brother, I know I bathe each waking because of the heat. It is even worse when sleeping in the tents during the height of the sun.”

Finally releasing me, he rolled to his back between us, a sweet pout on his lips. “What else is there to do? We will only sit around until it is time to leave, then travel by horse until we settle again, only to repeat the same thing again the next day.”

“It won’t be much longer until we arrive at the settlement,” Torgrind said placatingly. “Then we will rest for a time without moving and return to sleeping at normal hours.”

That got him a dirty look, so he added, “It will also mean we will have much easier access to privacy so that we can care for your needs.”

His tone was seductive, as was the hand that ran up Jamal’s chest to grip his chin and lift his face for a sultry kiss. Not one to be one upped by my clan brother, I waited only long enough for the kiss to break before drawing Jamal’s attention to me, giving him the same affection.

Jamal groaned when I pulled away, shifting restlessly between us. “You say it’s better to wait, then kiss me like that. Why rile me up if you’re only going to turn me away?”

Chuckling, I nipped at his chin before pulling him to sit up. We were both hard from sharing such attentions with each other, and Torgrind was no better off, but my stance hadn’t changed. It was still better to wait until later.

“Think of it as a promise for later,” I told him, running a hand up his thigh and just barely allowing my knuckles to brush along the length of his hard cock.

“If you behave,” Torgrind added.

I glanced at him, considering his words. While there was the potential the restriction would piss Jamal off, it was possible he would at least avoid getting drunk and picking fights if it meant he had sex to look forward to.

Of course, I knew better than to think he would accept it without argument. Jamal narrowed his eyes, demanding, “Behave how? I haven’t done anything wrong.”

I couldn’t help but snort, pursing my lips to hide my smile when he whipped his head around to glare at me.

“No overindulging and no picking fights,” I offered when he crossed his arms petulantly. “Simple enough, yes?”

“And no trying to get us to fight others,” Torgrind added. “I’ve seen you flirting with other clan brothers. You want us both, then you will behave around the clan.”

I grunted in agreement. That bothered me as well. It was bad enough I had to share Jamal with Torgrind. If I had to see him flirting with other members of my clan, I was going to end up hurting someone.

Jamal threw his hands into the air, exasperated. “What else is there to do around here?”

“We will show you,” I reassured him. “There is more to our clan than drinking and fucking. You need only to look past Yngvar’s offers to ply you with alcohol.”

My annoyance for that particular situation was mirrored on Torgrind’s face. Neither of us were willing to make advances when Jamal was too drunk to remain on his feet. It felt a little like Yngvar was screwing with us both by constantly getting Jamal drunk.

Jamal had a stubborn look on his face that said he wasn’t pleased with either of us, but he weighed that against not getting what he wanted later and gave in with a growl. “Fine. But you two have to entertain me. I’m from the capital. There is always something to do there. Sitting around isn’t in my nature. If you want me to ‘behave’—” he made air quotes with his fingers— “then you need to find me something to do. Something fun. Not setting up or taking down tents. That’s not fun.”

My brows furrowed, I didn’t remember ever asking him to do such a thing, but the expression of resignation on Torgrind’s face said he did and it hadn’t ended well. I could’ve told him that. Chores would not keep Jamal happy. He needed to see the fun parts of being part of the clan.

CHAPTER TWELVE

TORGRIND