Kethaias didn’t argue, because what was the point in doing so with someone like Ryland?  Unless he intended to punch the prince, which would have been disastrous to all his intentions there, he’d have to endure the ride back to the castle with him.  Strange, how he’d wanted more time with Ryland, and now didn’t desire to be near him.  It must have been a mixture of frustration and alcohol.  Whatever it was, he found himself debating all of his options.  Why<i>was</i>he so fixated on this prince?  He could have another, couldn’t he?  Was his foothold in Banque so important that he’d waste his time on this pretty little snake?<br/><br/>He settled into the carriage, but then Ryland was settling onto his lap.  It wasn’t entirely unexpected, because the man seemed to get endless pleasure out of baiting him.  But the offered kiss<i>was</i>a nice surprise.  There was a moment of hesitation, but then desire and drink won out over rational thinking right then, and Keth accepted.<br/><br/>It was gentler than he’d expected in the beginning, but it let him enjoy the mouth he’d been eyeing all night more than the more desperate would have, which it started turning into as their ride progressed.<br/><br/><i>You can touch me--but only until the carriage stops.</i><br/><br/>As if the hands that had settled onto Ryland’s hips had been waiting for such an invitation, they immediately slid down to rub and squeeze along the prince’s thighs, thumbs pressing in higher, closer to the heat between Ryland’s legs.  He tugged, too, as if trying to pull the man closer than he already was.  It was a shame that there was a time limit put on the pleasant interaction, a shame that it was taking place in a carriage, of all places.  But that was how Ryland seemed to want to play it, which was just as frustrating as anything else he’d done.<br/><br/>Kethaias made no attempt to further the exploitation of that lovely mouth, touching nothing beyond the temptation of legs parted around him, and it was only a matter of time before that in itself had to come to an end.<br/><br/>The carriage stopped.<br/><br/>Keth stopped.<br/><br/>He carefully helped Ryland out of his lap and onto the cushioned seat.<br/><br/>It was clear that he was left a little breathless, but he straightened his clothing as if nothing extraordinary had just taken place, because it hadn’t.  As rewarding as it should’ve been to kiss the man he’d been fantasizing about nearly his entire visit to the tiny, quaint kingdom, there was still something missing.  It was true that Ryland was beautiful, but what else?  Keth had been quick to label him with other valuable traits, but that was only his own way of reasoning himself into position to marry and take Ryland home with him.  What, other than a handsome face and alluring form, did this prince have to offer?<br/><br/>Conversation?  Loyalty?  Hardly those.  Even friendship seemed as distant as a dream.  Status and wealth had little impact on someone of Kethaias’ own position, either.<br/><br/><i>Was</i>he wasting his time…?<br/><br/>He caught his breath, and perhaps his senses by that time.<br/><br/>“Thank you for an eventful and entertaining evening.  It was a pleasure.”