“It’s dawn and we have a ways to go. If the river has burst its banks, we canna use the bridge. It means we’ll have to take the long way around.”
Anna groaned and burrowed deeper into his chest, her protest muffled against his skin. Emeric closed his eyes, reveling in the feel of her against him, the sweet scent of her hair filling his nostrils.
Anna’s gaze fluttered upward, meeting his with a surprising amount of clarity despite the early hour. “Spoil sport.”
She pressed herself closer for a moment before stepping back. Reluctantly, Emeric released her, his hands trailing along her arms as she moved out of his embrace. He watched as she made her way to the bed, reaching for the shift discarded there last night.
Emeric pulled on his clothes then collected their belongings from both rooms. He watched ruefully as Anna dressed, hiding that beautiful body of hers beneath the thick material of the gown.
“Something caught your fancy?” she asked, noticing his gaze.
He stared at her. At the sweep of her dark eyelashes that framed those vivid eyes, at the faintest hint of freckles that covered her nose and cheeks, at the tousled wildness of her midnight hair. What was happening to him? Why did he need this woman so much?
“Aye. Lots.”
With a laugh, she turned away but before she could move, he grabbed her wrist, pulled her against him, and kissed her.
It was a hard, possessive kiss, filled with every emotion he couldn’t put into words. Anna responded with equal fervor, gasping against his mouth and moaning a little. Emeric slid his hand into her hair, holding her still as he deepened the kiss. The world outside their room ceased to exist. There was only Anna, the intoxicating taste of her lips, and the swiftly building desire between them.
When he finally broke away from her, they were both breathless. Their foreheads touched; their eyes locked in a silent communication. He felt her hands against his chest, her fingers clutching at his plaid as if grounding herself.
And then he released her, stepping away with a groan before he lost whatever sanity he had left.
“I’ve gotten to quite like this little room,” Anna observed, her lips swollen from their fervent kiss. “Are you sure you wouldn’t like to stay a little longer?”
That gleam was back in her eye, the mischievousness that had drawn him to her in the first place.
He blew out a long breath. “What are ye trying to do to me, lass? Do ye know how hard I’m fighting to keep control, right now?”
She quirked an eyebrow and gave a sultry little smile. “Then maybe you ought to lose control a little.”
Emeric groaned.
Anna held up her hands. “All right, all right!” She picked up one of the saddle bags. “Look, here’s me being sensible. I’m ready when you are.” She nodded at the door. “Shall we?”
Aye, they should. Before he lost control completely and started tearing at her clothes. He nodded stiffly and strode to the door, holding it open for her and then following as she walked down the corridor ahead of him. He couldn’t help watching the delicious sway of her hips and backside as she led the way.
Downstairs, they found the innkeeper sweeping the floor and wiping down the upturned barrels that served as tables. He straightened when they stepped into the common room.
“Ah!” he said with a jovial smile. “Ye are up early! Would ye care for some breakfast?”
“Can ye pack us something we could eat on the road?” Emeric replied. “We need to be on our way.”
“Aye, of course. I’ll have one of my lads bring it to the stable.”
Plover was pleased to see them as they entered the stable, lifting his head with a delighted whinny and then lipping at Emeric’s clothes, looking for treats. Emeric led him out of the stall and began saddling the big gelding while Annachatted amiably with the young lad who brought them out a packed breakfast of oatcakes.
By the time the horse was saddled and their belongings secured, Emeric had managed to regain his composure, his body finally responding to the stern talking-to his mind had given it. Anna approached him, her cheeks flushed from the morning chill, eyes sparkling with an energy that seemed contagious. He had to remind himself to breathe.
“Ready?” she asked, her voice soft.
He nodded and helped Anna onto the horse, his hands lingering on her waist just a moment longer than necessary. She offered him a teasing grin as if sensing his turmoil, before she turned her attention ahead.
Emeric swung himself up onto the horse behind her, the saddle creaking as he settled his weight. He could feel the heat of her even through their clothes. It was a delicious torture and he had to close his eyes and take a deep breath.
He nudged Plover into motion with a gentle pressure of his heels. As they rode out of the village, the first streaks of dawn colored the sky with shades of pink and orange. The air was sharp with the scent of rain-soaked earth and fresh foliage.
As they moved, Emeric saw that last night’s rain and wind had left behind considerable damage. The trail was littered with broken branches and leaves that had been ripped from trees. It was muddy beneath Plover’s hooves and Emeric had to navigate around the larger puddles that covered the saturated ground.
