Page 20 of Lionheart

"I amsaving myself for Daffid, my betrothed," Vanora said, breaking free and backingaway.

"Hewill never have you!" The vehemence of his words startled him. One daysoon he would leave Cragdon and never return. What Vanora did after he leftshould not concern him. It was up to Edward to decide Cragdon's fate, andultimately Vanora's, so why was he so adamantly opposed to Vanora's marriage?

"Cometo me, and I shall put in a good word for you with Edward."

"Edwardis in England," Vanora replied. "Much could happen before your princearrives. Mayhap Llewellyn will wrest Cragdon from you."

Lionheartlaughed. " 'Tis highly unlikely, vixen." He stalked toward her,crowding her against the bed. "I can make you want me with little effort.Shall I show you how easy it would be to coax you into my bed?"

Vanoraretreated until the bed was at her back and she could go no farther. She fearedthis man, not his strength or his temper, but his ability to make her forget hewas her enemy. His kisses were a potent drug that rendered her helpless, andhis penetrating silver gaze delved too deeply into her soul.

Her chinnotched upward. She did not want Lionheart. 'Twas Daffid she wanted. AllEnglishmen were beasts who raped her homeland as Lionheart would rape her. Herthoughts skidded to a halt when Lionheart pressed her backward onto the bed.She fell in a heap of twisted skirts and bared limbs. Then Lionheart was atopher, his body crushing hers into the furs and his mouth seeking the lushsoftness of her lips.

His handslid up the outside of her leg, hot, hard, seeking. She shivered when his handturned inward, skimming along the inside of her thigh, climbing higher, everhigher, until he reached & place where no man had dared to venture.

"Nay!"

"Whydo you tremble?" Lionheart asked. "Has your betrothed never touchedyou like this?"

"Nay!He would not dare."

"ThenI shall be the first," he whispered in a voice taut with desire.

He touchedher then, his fingers sifting through the soft curls at the apex of her thighsto reach her moist inner folds. She gasped and tried to slap his hand away, buthe merely laughed and slipped a finger inside her cleft, sliding deep on thedewy moisture he found there. She was so sensitive to his touch that she buckedbeneath him and bit her bottom lip to keep from crying out.

"Stop!"

"Am Ihurting you?"

Vanorafelt no pain, just a longing that could easily become pleasure should she givein to it, Lying about her feelings seemed the best course at the moment.

"Aye,you are hurting me."

"Liar."

His fingerretreated, then slid deeper, exploring the warm honey of her sheath. Withouther volition, a moan slipped past her lips. She felt tender and swollen. Thesensation, while foreign, was not unpleasant. The only thing offensive aboutthe caress was the man himself. Willing or nay, if she did not stop his assaultnow, she would become another victim of Lionheart's lust.

Marshalingher strength, she doubled her fist and rammed it into his stomach. The breathleft him in a whoosh and he reared back, his eyes wide with disbelief.

"Youstruck me!"

Shescooted out from beneath him. "You assaulted me."

"Youenticed me."

"Nowwho is the liar?"

Lionheartsat back on his heels, a thoughtful expression on his face. God's wounds, washe mad? When he'd come into this chamber all he had wanted from Vanora was thetruth. But from the moment he'd seen her, he'd been driven by lust. The need tomake Vanora his had gnawed at him like a mad dog. He felt shaken to the verycore. Never had his emotions gotten so out of control.

Hestraightened his clothing and tried to concentrate, but it was impossible withher scent still upon him. He wanted her so badly he could taste her, but with ashake of his head he cast her from his mind and revisited his reason for thisconfrontation with Vanora.

"Doyou still deny aiding the prisoners in the tower?"

She senthim a wary glance. "Aye."

He gaveher a sly smile. "Mayhap I am asking the wrong person. 'Twas the priestand your tiring woman who were in the tower before the escape was discovered. Ishall interrogate them immediately."

Vanorablanched. "They are innocent. Do what you will with me but leave themalone. I accept full blame."