“Convincing you.” He kept one arm around her waist and leaned in to kiss her neck. “Do you remember what it was like the night we shared together?”
“Yes,” she whispered. Her backside pressed against him and the movement made him wish he could lift her skirts right now.
“All our nights could be like that one,” he murmured, holding her close.
Her breathless moan made him laugh softly against her hair. But she tilted her face back to look at him. “Raine, I love you.”
“Then you’ll wed me?”
“Yes,” she whispered. “But you had better put me back on my own horse, or my father will have you flayed alive.”
He didn’t care that her father was watching but took her mouth in a long kiss. She touched his face with her hand, leaningback as he claimed her. The heat of her lips kindled a fire that could only be quenched by her. He gave in to the desire, invading her mouth with his tongue, promising her everything.
“I love you,chérie. And I promise that I’ll take care of you always. For as long as that might be.”
She stared up at him, and in her eyes, he caught a glimpse of heaven. “It will be forever.”
It was silent within the camp, and Carice stirred from her bed furs. Her maids awakened instantly, but she raised her finger to her lips, insisting that they stay behind and not follow her. She slipped outside the tent, pulling the heavy woolen cloak tightly around her.
Although she was weak and tired, she wanted to spend her first night of freedom with Raine. Quietly, she tiptoed past the rows of tents, keeping to the shadows, until she reached his.
When she peered inside the flap, an oil lamp was lit, illuminating the space. Raine was not asleep, but he had set aside his armor and wore only his braies and chausses. The moment he saw her, his eyes grew heated.
“Did you need something, Carice?” he murmured, rising to his feet.
“Yes.” She untied her cloak and let it fall to the ground. Tracing her palm over his cheek, she said, “I needed to see you.”
The dim light from the lamp illuminated his blond hair, and he looked as if he wanted to run his mouth over her skin. The thought was shockingly sensual.
“I needed to know that this is real,” she continued. “That I won’t suddenly awaken and find myself trapped in a life I don’t want.”
Raine stared at her for a moment, a faint smile upon his face. “This is real, Carice. As am I.”
She brought his hands to her shoulders, wanting so badly to have this moment with him. The anticipation was so strong, she needed his arms around her. Even if she did nothing but sleep beside him, she wanted to feel his touch.
“How are you feeling?” he asked gently, his hands grazing her spine. Her skin grew sensitive, tightening with desire.
“Better with each moment,” she admitted. Though she’d had to fight to survive, she could think of nowhere else she wanted to be.
“I don’t think you should be standing,” he said. “Lie down.”
It did feel easier when she lay back against the furs. “I didn’t want to be alone tonight. Not without you.”
He lay beside her and pulled her into his arms. She twined her legs with his, resting her cheek against his heart. “Did you ever imagine, when I wandered into the abbey, that it would end up like this between us?”
“No.” He stroked her hair back, holding her close. “I never thought I deserved happiness.”
She leaned over to kiss him. “I want that for you. For us.” But she knew that the fate of his sisters was still weighing upon him. She hadn’t pressed him, but if they were still alive somewhere, she intended to reunite him with them.
“Kiss me,” she murmured. “Be with me tonight.”
His mouth moved upon hers, as if he were trying to be gentle. She licked the seam of his lips and felt the answering heat of his arousal against the juncture of her thighs.
She touched his bare chest, feeling his heartbeat beneath her palm. The rapid pulse was like her own, and she moved her fingers over his bare nipples. He sucked in a breath of air, his eyes smoldering.
“Do you know what it did to me when I thought you were dying?” he asked, catching her fingers.
She shook her head, stilling her hands upon him. He sat up, pulling her onto his lap. “When I saw you fighting to breathe, I couldn’t breathe myself. I didn’t even care that they took me prisoner—all I cared about was your life.”
