"Shh. You must promise to be quiet, else you'll wake people in the rooms nearby."
"Aye, I promise," she breathed. Anything… if he would keep touching her like that.
When he stroked her again, igniting a heated reaction such as she had never felt, she clenched her fingers into his shirt, holding on for dear life. Hesitantly, she inched her legs apart. He trailed a finger along her most intimate spot, magnifying the fiery sensations. Heavens! She had never imagined she would like to have a man touching her in such a shocking place. The feeling overwhelmed her, and her back arched. She wanted to beg him but somehow refrained.
As her legs moved farther apart, he stroked her in a circle, and she could not stop her hips from rising toward him, seeking more. She grasped his hair and his shoulders, pulling him closer. She wanted him on top of her, but he stubbornly remained at her side, tormenting her with his fingers and his kisses. Her thoughts bounced in every direction, for she could not understand the startling, pleasurable sensations engulfing her, nor could she control them. Colin commanded her body like a puppet.
A moment later, she bowed backward, feeling as if she were shooting across the night sky like a blazing star. Colin closed his mouth over hers, muffling her cries. Was she dying and ascending into heaven? Such stunning ecstasy. She could scarce breathe or move.
When the euphoria diminished, she came back to herself, breathing hard, shocked at the intensity of what she'd felt.
"What happened?" she asked. "What did you do to me?"
He gave a low chuckle. "The peak of sensual pleasures."
"Good heavens. I thought I was dying." 'Twas as if she'd been flying and had just gently floated down to earth. Her body felt weak and spent.
When he kissed her forehead, she felt his smile. "Did you enjoy it?"
"Aye, but… I'm certain you must think me worse than a tavern wench."
"Nonsense. You are a passionate, beautiful woman."
"What about you? You must teach me how to bring you pleasure." She stroked her fingers down his stomach.
He grabbed her hand firmly. "Nay. I must go to my own room." Releasing her, he arose from the bed, taking away his delicious warmth. The featherbed felt higher without the muscular weight of him, and too large and empty without his tall frame taking up so much room.
"How can you leave now?" she whispered.
"I refuse to take advantage of you, my sweet." He leaned over her and kissed her forehead.
"But I want you to."
"Regardless, I would not be an honorable man if I did," he said, slipping on his boots.
"Honor is overrated."
He snorted. "At the moment, I agree with you. But I would hate myself on the morrow if I did what I yearn to do."
***
The next evening after supper, Colin and Neacal sat at the high table, while Anna led Kristina between the crowded tables to the other end of the great hall, toward the musicians.
Colin could not stop thinking about the scorching-hot encounter with Kristina last night in her room. It had certainly not been his plan to seduce her or make any sort of sensual foray when he'd gone in there. He'd simply wanted to talk to her and spend time with her. Her eager interest in him took away his good sense. He didn't know how he'd survived leaving her there alone, without taking advantage of what she'd offered, but he'd known he had to leave before he let desire snatch his control. He had to take her well-being into consideration before anything else.
Once Anna and Kristina reached the minstrels, silence enveloped the hall. 'Twas as if everyone held their breath in anticipation.
The violin and lute music began. A moment later, the ladies' voices arose toward the rafters in heavenly melody. Colin closed his eyes, absorbing the beautiful, soul-stirring sounds. Their voices were different and distinct, but together they created a flawless harmony. Anna's voice was higher pitched, while Kristina's was a bit lower and sensual. 'Twas obvious they had practiced for many years together. And though they'd been mostly apart for the past two years, to his ears, they were not out of practice at all.
When the song ended, the crowd boisterously clapped and cheered. Colin opened his eyes and glanced aside at Neacal. "'Twas perfection."
His friend blinked as if coming out of a trance, then nodded. "Wee pieces of heaven. 'Tis how Anna first captured my attention. I knew she was someone special and amazing when I heard her voice." Neacal turned to smile at Anna, such love and devotion in that look. A look that Colin had not seen Neacal give another woman.
When Colin shifted his gaze to Kristina, he realized if he smiled at her, she wouldn't know it. She couldn't see him. They could never exchange an intimate glance. A smile or a playful wink would mean nothing. She had lost so much along with her sight. 'Haps 'twas selfish of him, but he wanted her to look into his eyes. That was not possible and never would be.
"It infuriates me that Blackburn stole Kristina's vision from her."
Frowning, Neacal nodded. "Aye, me too. He got what he deserved, but even that cannot bring her vision back."
