Crow shivered at the feeling of Penelope’s lips moving against his skin, and he closed his eyes, enjoying the time they had alone. He trailed his hands absently down her sides, slowly making his way towards the hem of her shirt, but then paused when he felt her stop kissing him to rest her head against his shoulder. Looking down at her, he frowned disappointedly as she said that she shouldn’t stay out too long that night. Considering everything that had happened at her camp, he supposed he shouldn’t have been so surprised. It was lucky that she had even been able to come out to meet with him for as long as she already had.

As she went on to say that they probably couldn’t see each other again for a while, he nodded faintly and closed his eyes again as he rested his head against hers. The thought of going nearly a week before they could meet next was disappointing to him, but he could understand why she would need so much time. So, as much as he wished they could see each other sooner, he decided it would be better not to pester her over the timing of it.

He was just about to agree to five days, when another thought suddenly entered his mind that made him falter. He had almost forgotten that he was supposed to be meeting with Jaxon again in exactly five more nights. If he scheduled another rendezvous with Penelope then, the other thief would probably assume he was running and go after her. He shuddered as he realized just how close he had come to making such a terrible mistake.

Turning his head slightly, Crow pressed a few gentle kisses along the side of Penelope’s neck. “I understand,” he sighed. “But… do you think you could manage to get away in four days?” He kissed her once more, lingering for a little longer this time before he pulled away to give her a pleading smile. “I know you’ve got a lot going on in your camp, but I don’t want to wait so long before I see you again.” He leaned in to meet her lips in a deep kiss, nipping playfully at her bottom lip before he pulled back just enough to murmur flirtatiously: “Next time we can make the meeting no business and all pleasure. What do you say, love?”