Alesone’s eyes widened with surprise as he flipped her beneath him, pressed his tip against her moistness. “I thought ’twas my turn.”
“You will have many opportunities in the future,” he said between clenched teeth. “Now, I canna wait any longer.” He claimed her mouth, the spicy taste of their lovemaking warm on her tongue, and he savored, teasing her until her body grew restless against his. Damning the inevitable, Thomas lifted his head. “’Twill hurt, for that I am sorry.”
Her expression grew tender. “I am a healer. I well understand.”
“I know but…”
“Love me, Thomas. You are all that I want, all that I will ever need.” Before he could move, she arched against him, until his length pressed against her thin barrier.
Need stormed him, threatened to unravel his hard won control. She began to rock against him, and his last fragile hold shattered. He plunged deep.
Alesone cried out.
He drew her against him. “Never did I wish to hurt you.”
“’Tis nature, and the pain has all but faded,” she whispered, a smile in her voice. “You feel wonderful.”
Aching at the rightness of this moment, he caught her mouth in a tender kiss, teased her until she moved restlessly against his, and then he began move in slow, steady strokes. When Alesone’s body tightened around him, he drove deep and took her over the edge, and followed.
Happier than he’d ever believed possible, Thomas drew Alesone against him. “I love you.”
Lavender eyes held his, the warmth within leaving him humbled. “I love you as well.”
Hours later, in the flickering firelight, Thomas slid a damp tendril of hair from Alesone’s cheek as she watched him, her face glowing after making love. Never had she looked more beautiful. He pressed a kiss upon her brow. “Wait here.”
She frowned as he sat. “What are you doing?”
Thomas set another log onto the fire before moving to his chest. Anticipation filled him as he withdrew a pouch and walked over.
Naked, she sat.
Lauding his ability to nae take her again, he walked over and handed her the velvet sack embroidered with the king’s seal.
She arched a brow, opened the luxurious bag, and withdrew the item bound in silk. With care, she loosened the ties.
Cradled within the luxurious bed lay a ruby ring embraced by a gold filigree carving of a lion.
Surprise widened her eyes, and then she frowned. “’Tis the ring King Robert gave Grisel.”
“Aye. The Bruce wanted you to have this. He said if ever you needed his aid, you are to bring this to him.”
Tears filled her eyes. “I-I canna believe he would remember me or offer such.”
“You are an incredible woman, one a man doesna forget.” Thomas lifted the crafted circle, secured it on the chain around her neck, and then laid her back. “One who I am proud will be my wife.”
Heat swept Alesone’s eyes as she sat on the dais next to Thomas while they broke their fast. The hours they’d made love throughout the night left her yearning for when she could touch him again.
“You arena hungry?” the duke asked.
Embarrassed to be caught lost in thought about her night’s forbidden sensual excursion, heat swept her cheeks. “Excuse me?”
The duke frowned. “You havena touched your porridge.”
She forced herself eat, but caught Thomas’s sated smile as he devoured his last few bites. Smug with himself he was, but memories of how he’d trembled as she’d loved him assured her that once they were alone, his satisfaction would crumble to ecstasy beneath her touch, a time she looked forward to.
The keep door opened, and Sir Nicholai entered, looking harried.
Alesone’s stomach dropped. God help us, what had happened?
