His body shuddered and he lifted his head, his breathing coming in sharp rasps. “You are beautiful.”
The lines of strain on his face assured her he was holding back, his focus on her. And if he thought to steady himself when she was but a blur of need, he was wrong. Alesone stroked his hardness.
On a sharp hiss, he caught her hand.
“I—”
“Dinna move.” Eyes raw with desire held hers as his mouth worked with his hands as he touched her, tasted her skin until her body ached for him.
“Thom—”
His tongue swept across her most private place, and his name dissolved in to a whispered moan. He stroked her again, explored until sensation swelled inside until it felt as if she would explode. “Thomas,” Alesone gasped, “I canna—”
He plunged deep.
A wave swept over her, then another. She cried out.
He stood and cradled her against him as her release rolled through her with destructive force, but it wasna enough. She wanted him, needed him more than she’d ever needed anything in her life. If their intimacy damned her, she didna care. “Thomas,” she whispered, “make love with me.”
Her taste burning in his mind, Thomas fought to steady himself, the softness of her body threatening to smother his every rational thought.
Bedamned, he had intended on leaving her untouched. In but weeks he would stand alongside their king to lay siege against her father. ’Twas reckless to entertain such thoughts, except with her naked against him and the desperation of her throaty plea, his last defense shattered.
Aye, they would make love, but with her wrapped in firelight, and her eyes illuminated within the soft glow as their bodies merged.
“I want you,” he forced out, “but I willna take you in a stable. The first time,ourfirst time, I want you embraced in candlelight and without risk of our being disturbed.”
At the reminder of where they were, her face paled. “I forgot where we were.”
“High praise indeed. A state I hope to achieve this night. For what I wish to do to you, we will need each hour of the night.” A blush reddened her cheeks, one he liked putting there. On an unsteady breath, he started to draw away, but she caught his hand.
“Thomas, your wanting me is enough.”
At the rough hope in her voice he yearned to admit that he more than wanted her, but needed her with his every breath. “You deserve a man who cares for you without question,” he forced out, “one you can depend on.”
Her eyes softened. “I can depend on you.”
“As a warrior, a protector, aye,” he said, refusing to linger on her belief in him. ’Twas a time for truth, nae emotions that in the end would leave her devastated. “I have many demons yet to overcome, including the reason I had intended to keep my distance from you.”
“I know.” Somber eyes held his as she covered his mouth with her own, slow with need, soft with understanding, and against his every intent, he hauled her against him, running his fingers over her flesh, his body aching as he skimmed across her slick folds quivering from her release.
Through sheer will he scooped the wisp of emerald silk from the hay and slid the gown over her shoulders, his fingers lingering on her every curve.
After securing her last tie, she lifted her eyes to his, the shyness there leaving him surprised.
He wrapped the errant blond lock that’d tumbled free around his finger, tugged her close. “How can you,” he said pressing a soft kiss upon her mouth, “be shy after what we have done.”
Red slashed her cheeks. “’Tis unseemly to speak so bluntly.”
Enjoying that he’d thrown her off balance, he smiled. “I will do more than speak of it this evening, that I promise.”
Her blush deepened. “I would be liking that.”
His groin tightened, and he pressed his length intimately against her softness. “Once everyone has retired, I will come to your chamber.”
“’Tis indecent,” she said, excitement filling her voice.
“Aye,” he said with a wink. With one last hard kiss, and after he’d assured her that she didna look properly ravished, they departed, his mind anxious for the night.
