Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 84237 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84237 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Luka still had an evil glint in his eye that suggested he wasn’t done with the teasing. He didn’t say that, though. “What favor?”
“I’m correct that you three were speaking in Old East Slavic just now?”
Luka blinked at him, now off track. “Eh, yes. You’ve got a good ear.”
“More like I knew it wasn’t Russian and deduced that you were likely speaking the language you grew up with. Five hundred years ago, in Russia, that would have been Old East Slavic.”
Vasily held up a finger, head canted in question. “This isn’t your field of study, right? So why do you know this?”
“We archeologists have all sorts of random bits of information stored in our heads.” Samuel shrugged. He could explain that it was part and parcel of tracking down information about the mage clan he was hunting for, but that was too longwinded an explanation to go into. Also, not the point. “I have a colleague who would love to hear live recordings of someone fluent in that language. It’s considered extinct—or was, until your clan popped up on the radar. Can I record you guys talking in it while we hike? It doesn’t have to be anything serious. You can laugh and joke as you have been.”
Dimitri turned his head to regard him, those pale blue eyes filled with curiosity. “Is it really that lost? That they don’t know how to pronounce it now?”
“Well, yeah, kinda. It’s more they’re guessing on how to pronounce things based on the modern languages that came from it. As I said, hearing a native speak it is different than someone who learned it from a book. She’ll promise me her firstborn child if I tell her I have live recordings of it.”
Vasily, at least, didn’t seem to think this was anything big. “Sure. It’s not like we can do anything but walk and talk anyway. Alright, let’s clean up.”
Good, successfully distracted. Samuel might be able to keep them from defaulting to teasing if he could keep this up.
Dimitri got a grumbling Gregori moving and fed breakfast while the rest of them cleaned the plates in a nearby stream, put out the fire, and broke down the tents. Samuel got the essentials into his backpack, but somehow things had shifted enough that the top drawstring didn’t want to close anymore. Which meant the top didn’t want to close. He growled in nonverbal frustration and debated unpacking and trying again. Pulling really hard didn’t seem to work. What was plan C?
Dimitri wrapped himself around Samuel’s back and leaned in closer, pulling the sides together. “Now try.”
Actually, that did give some slack. Samuel pulled the string and it closed enough this time that he could get the flap down. Banzai! “Thanks.”
Dimitri turned his head to brush a kiss against his cheek. “I like doing things for you.”
Okay, that tore it. Samuel pulled free and stood, turning to face him. “Look. I didn’t think I had to spell this out, but apparently I do. This morning was a hookup. You’re surely familiar with those.”
Dimitri stood as well, staring down at Samuel like he was the cutest thing ever.
Which rankled, dammit. Samuel was many things, but cute was not one of them.
He also wasn’t getting an agreement. “We’re two adults having fun. I’m not trying to start anything. This isn’t a relationship in progress, okay? Are you hearing me?”
Dimitri stepped in closer to put a kiss on the top of Samuel’s forehead. “I hear you, darling.”
For the first time in his life, Samuel got so frustrated that words escaped him. He smacked Dimitri in the chest, hissing with frustration. Why was this man so damn stubborn?!
Dimitri dodged, chuckling, not at all bothered.
“We are not a couple,” Samuel maintained firmly.
“Not yet,” Dimitri agreed with a sage nod. “That’s a work in progress.”
Okay, maybe he should regret sexing this man up. It was like that story about the camel in the desert that asked to put his nose inside during the sandstorm. He’d let Dimitri have that inch and he was about to take the whole mile.
Fine. If this tactic didn’t work, try another one. Samuel was all about logic, so he set on that course. “Why? Why are you so focused on me?”
“Hmm, yes, good question.” Dimitri once again stepped close, this time getting his hands on Samuel’s waist and pulling him in. He ducked enough to put his mouth next to Samuel’s ear, his voice a low, sensual rumble that did funny things to Samuel’s insides. “It will take time to explain. Like how much I like that smart mouth of yours and the delicious way you smell. The sweet, sweet way you gave yourself to me this morning in passion. Definitely love how your mind works. That you’ve managed to find all these pieces for this lost mage clan that could have been right under our noses this entire time. And then there’s your relentless drive. Nothing stops you. There’s nothing that can possibly stand in your way. It’s breathtaking to watch. Those are just some of the things I like about you.”