Page 37 of Lionheart

"There,there, lambie, I will have you dressed in no time."

It wasapparent to Vanora that Mair had been lurking outside the door or she could nothave arrived so close on Father Caddoc's heels.

"Nay!"Lionheart shouted, clearly astounded by the unexpected turn of events."Say the words, Father, then take Mair and leave. You have meddled enoughin my affairs."

"Lionheart,this is madness!" Vanora cried, finally finding her voice. "Neitherof us wants this."

"Maybenot, but I want you." His steely gaze returned to the priest."The words, Father. Say them before I change my mind and simply take whatI want."

"Nay!There will be no marriage," Vanora cried.

"Youhave no choice, child," Father Caddoc said. "Think of your immortalsoul if naught else. Lionheart is a knight; his code of honor demands that hehonor his wife. Become his leman and you earn naught but his disrespect. Eitherway, he will have you."

"Thewords, priest," Lionheart bit out.

FatherCaddoc opened his prayer book, prompting Mair to fetch Lionheart's chamber robefrom a bench and drape it around Vanora's shoulders. Then Father Caddoc beganthe brief ceremony that would make her Lionheart's wife from now to eternity.When the moment arrived for her to pledge herself to Lionheart, the words stuckin her throat.

"Ayeor nay, Vanora," Lionheart warned. "I shall have you whatever youranswer."

"Vanora,"Father Caddoc repeated, "will you take Lionheart for your husband?"

"Aye,but I like it not."

Lionheart'slaughter broke the tension, and moments later Father Caddoc pronounced themhusband and wife. Vanora was still reeling from shock when Lionheart pushed thepriest and Mair from the room and locked the door behind them. When he turnedback to her, she was stunned by the look of horror etched upon his face.

"Bloodof Christ! What have I done?"

"Theunthinkable," Vanora charged. "What madness seized you?"

"Lust,"Lionheart said, unable to find a better answer. "I thought with my cockand not my head." He stalked toward her. "But you are mine now,Vanora. You cannot say me nay, and your priest cannot appeal to myconscience."

He yankedaway the chamber robe, baring her thinly clad body to his raking gaze. She sawhis eyes glitter with dark hunger as he grasped the hem of her shift andwhipped it over her head. Then his hands were moving on her body, stroking herthroat, her breasts, her belly, her thighs. His touch made her flesh burn andher knees tremble. She was shivering all over, shuddering with a volatilecombination of anticipation and fear.

It seemed strangethat a man who did not love her should touch her with such gentleness. He hadmarried her because he had been badgered into it, and because lust had stolenhis mind, not because he had any true feelings for her.

Her ownfeelings at this moment were tumultuous. Naught had prepared her for a man likeLionheart. How could an English warrior she had vowed to hate awaken suchintense emotions in her?

Lionheart'sheart raced as he explored Vanora's body. He marveled at the soft texture ofher satiny skin, and was more than a little startled at the strength he feltbeneath the softness.

His palmscupped her breasts, tightened possessively around the full, ripe mounds. Hebrushed the pad of his thumb over her nipples until he felt her respond. Hisfingers flicked lightly over the rosy crests; he heard her soft cry of protestbut ignored it. Seconds before he took one hardened nub into his mouth, helooked into her eyes and saw confusion. His teeth closed about the pink tip.His tongue teased it unmercifully, licking, nipping, tasting and swirlingaround it in delicate circles. Then his mouth closed over the erect bud andsuckled her. He could feel her trembling and increased the pressure.

"Whatare you doing to me?" she whispered in a voice fraught with panic.

Atormenting ache had started deep inside her and spread through her blood likewildfire. She burned, wanting more of the unthinkable things Lionheart wasdoing to her while at the same time deploring her wanton nature. Instinctivelyshe arched against him, whimpering a little as she mourned her lost innocence.

"Makinglove to my wife," Lionheart growled.

His wordsdrove home the knowledge that she now belonged to a man who did not want her.Her dreams of love and fidelity lay shattered at her feet, for surely Lionheartwould abandon her once he grew tired of her. However much she regretted herresponse, nothing could halt the feelings he created inside her. Lust was apowerful force, and lust for her husband rose like a devouring beast withinher.

In spiteof her reluctance, she found herself waiting breathlessly for Lionheart toquench the heat of urgency within her, to touch her intimately in that placewhere she ached the most.

As ifaware of her need, his hand sought the downy curls and slick folds of thevalley betwixt her legs. She trembled uncontrollably at the unfamiliarsensations he was arousing in her. Opening the petals of silky flesh, hecaressed her until she was wet and warm and swollen.

"Doyou want me inside you, Vanora?" Lionheart asked in a voice made hoarse bydesire.

"Nay."It took all the will she possessed to summon that negative answer.

"Liar."