With an exasperated snort, I turned in his arms and kissed him, winding my arm around hisneck, pulling him down so that I could claim his mouth. I pulled back, to see that the hint ofhumor was still there, a sparkle in the depths of the blue, but it faded to be replaced by anemotion that I recognized in a heartbeat.
Wonder, that we lived.
Guilt, that we had survived.
He raised his hand to brush my hair back, and then curled his fingers around the back of myneck. I shivered at his touch, as he pulled me close and kissed me again. It was long, slow, andsweet. I wrapped my arms around him, and leaned into his warmth.
He broke the kiss, and buried his face in my hair, letting his lips brush my ear. "Or maybeRafe would—"
I stiffened, even as he chuckled. With a slight turn of my head, I gently licked his earlobe, thenbit down.
He jerked, breathing hard. "Ah. Perhaps not."
I laughed.
Keir smiled, and swung me up into his arms.
"Keir," I protested, knowing that he wasn't yet fully re-covered. But he ignored me, carryingme into our sleeping area to place me on my feet at the end of our bed. Even that had been aneffort. I could feel the barest tremble in the muscles of his arms. I stilled his hands at his side.
"Let me."
He sighed in contentment as I started to unlace his leathers. Keir had insisted that he bearmored for the senel, but had left it to just his black leathers. I took my time, nuzzling his faceand neck as my fingers slowly exposed his skin. He was such a contrast, the hard muscles ofhis arms, the calluses on his hands, the soft skin of his stomach. There were scars, but theywere as much a part of him as anything else, and I explored it all, with fingers and lips.
With a groan, he stopped me, and with a few quick movements he had me naked and on thebed.
"Keir," I hadn't finished, he was still half dressed, but he silenced me with his mouth and didhis own exploration, using his hands to touch every inch of my skin. There was an urgencythere, a desperation that I answered, moving under him, hungry for more.
I cried out when he moved away, but he only stood to strip away his trous, then he was back inmy arms. I'd thought our loving would be long and slow, but the fire between us flared brightand wild. He entered me hard and hot and we never paused, urging each other on and on,striving until we both cried out, shattering into a thousand bright pieces of pleasure.
Keir rolled to his side, pulling me with him, keeping our bodies pressed tight together. We layquiet, until our breathing eased. My whole body tingled, heated where his skin touched mine,cooled were the air caressed my exposed skin.
Keir stroked my back and it was my turn to sigh in contentment as he nuzzled my ear. His handtraveled down my back to rest lightly on my ribs. "You lost flesh."
"You as well," I whispered. I moved my hand over his ribs. "It will return, as we heal." Ilooked at him through my lashes. "Although some heal faster than others."
Keir gave me a sly smile. "I save my strength for the important things."
I laughed, breathless with delight at his teasing.
"You light from within when you laugh, Lara." He stroked my face as I blushed. "I've missedthat."
"There's been little to laugh at lately."
He nodded, and drew me closer. "Truth, Lara."
"We've lost so much." My voice broke as I thought of all that had happened.
"We've won as well," Keir offered. "We've learned more of each other, and our peoples. It'sstrengthened us."
"At a cost."
Keir moved us so that his body covered mine. "There is always a cost."
"I just," I swallowed hard. "So many died, and we—"
"We lived." Keir brushed the tears from my cheeks, and followed with soft kisses over myface. I clung to him, rejoicing at his touch.
Gently, softly, we explored each other, murmuring words of love and reassurance as we gaveeach other pleasure. The ache in my heart eased and I forgot my fear and guilt. Beyond ourtent walls lay pain, problems, and death. But within these walls, within Keir's arms, laystrength, love and support. The wonder of that was evident in every touch of his lips to mine.
