“Oh really?” Crow grinned at Penelope mischievously. “I might have a few ideas about how you can make it up to me.” He slid his hand around her waist, sensuously tracing the curves of her body. He still couldn’t believe he was really holding her in his arms—that he had just kissed her. The woman who had stolen the thief’s heart loved him too. He leaned forward, wanting to kiss her again, but this time she pulled away from him, saying that they shouldn’t have been so physical in public. He looked up, finally noticing the people around them. A few onlookers were staring and whispering amongst themselves.

He placed a hand on her hip and drew her close to himself once more. “Let them watch,” he smirked. “Or is that just your way of saying you want me to take you somewhere more… private?” Casting her a teasing wink, he dropped his arm from around her waist. He found her hand and laced his fingers through hers, giving her a light tug to lead her along the road. “It’s getting late, so we should head back to the inn though.”

On the walk back, Crow found that his eyes continued to wander back to Penelope. She really was beautiful. Her slight hand fit comfortably in his, and he enjoyed the feeling of her body pressed against him when they had embraced. And that [i]kiss[/i]. His heart raced at just the thought of it. Before he had met Penelope, he had been with a number of peasant girls in the outer villages, but none of them had ever made him feel the way she did. There was something so different about kissing a woman he loved, and who loved him back. He felt like the luckiest man alive.

Struck by a particularly strong wave of joy, Crow gathered Penelope to himself and kissed her one more time. “I still can’t believe this is happening,” he breathed, tracing the length of her jawline with his lips. “You’re so gorgeous…” He pressed a kiss to her neck, snaking his arm around her back. Suddenly, his stomach decided to intervene, letting out a growl. He flushed, stepping back from her and averting his gaze. “Err, do you think the inn serves dinner at this hour?”