Page 40 of Lionheart

She gavehim a frosty look. "Sharing a bed with you does not appeal to me."

Lionheart'sbrows lifted. "It has its advantages. I want your things moved into thesolar tomorrow. Since your priest badgered me into wedding you, we shall livetogether as husband and wife for as long as I remain at Cragdon."

He pulledher into the curve of his body, one hand resting possessively on her breast.Panic seized her when she felt his erection prodding her. Nay, not again! Whenhe rolled her onto her back, she doubled her fists and pounded his chest.

"Whydo you fight me, vixen? You know you cannot win."

"Youare an animal," she charged. "No human is capable of mating so soonwithout a proper resther thating period."

Lionheartlaughed. "Obviously, you know naught of these matters, else you would notquestion my prowess. I am more than capable of making love to you again."

"Iwould prefer you did not," Vanora persisted.

When hishand moved down her body, she tried not to flinch. She held herself rigid, evenwhen he began to caress her. His hand rose to her breast, his fingers splayingover the sensitive mound, deliberately brushing her tingling nipples until theythrust against his palm.

Vanoradrew in a sharp breath, finding it difficult to remain impassive. Glancing upat his face, she saw that his teeth were clenched, his expression hard andutterly determined. Sadness overwhelmed her, for she discerned no warmth, noreal tenderness in his caresses this time. But he was arousing her all thesame.

"Donot attempt to resist me, sweeting, for 'twill do you no good. I can make youwant me, and well you know it. I can be tender if you allow it, or I can takewhat I want. 'Tis up to you how our relationship proceeds."

"I amyour wife and must submit, but I do not have to like it."

"Ah,sweeting, you are wrong. When we mate, you will most definitely like it."

As if toprove his mastery over her, his hand swept lower. Vanora bit her lip hard ashis palm skimmed over her buttocks and slid slowly over her hip to her belly,seeking the warmth of her woman's mound. Despite her clamped lips, she couldnot stop the moan that slipped past them when his fingers found her wet cleft.She tried to remove his hand, but he merely laughed at her. Urging her thighsapart, he slid his fingers deep into her.

Her breathquickened audibly.

"Youdrive me to distraction, woman," he growled as he shifted his position andmounted her, then lowered his loins until they met hers.

Squeezingher eyes shut, Vanora averted her face, refusing to let him see how aroused shewas. She felt helpless lying beneath him, her body, her very soul exposed tohim. She hated it that he could make her want him with so little effort.

He enteredher then, thrusting slowly into her with detached control, relentlesslybringing her to the point of no return. Vanora gasped, tremors shooting throughher body at the feel of his uncompromising strength inside her. She feltdefenseless like this, impaled by his flesh. Yet, when he began to move, atraitorous heat began to blur the edges of her resistance and she flung herarms around his neck and thrust her loins against his in unconscious surrender.

It endedviolently, her climax sending her soaring to the highest stars. Lionheartfollowed close behind, shouting her name as he poured himself into her. When itwas over, Vanora lay spent and exhausted, deploring her wanton nature andvowing to be more cautious in her dealings with her husband in the future.

Lionheart'sthoughts followed similar lines. Were he not careful, this woman could becomemore important to him than he wished. It was amazing how lust could lead a maninto trouble. He had gotten what he wanted, but at what cost? He was not thekind of man to settle in one place. He was Edward's vassal, sworn to follow himto hell and back if Edward demanded it of him.

Lionhearthad no need of an heir, for he had naught to leave to one; marriage was notimportant to him. Had Edward wanted Lionheart to wed, he would have chosen anheiress for him. Dimly Lionheart wondered how Edward would react to his hastywedding. Would he find it unacceptable? Would he be angry and invalidate themarriage?

He turnedand studied Vanora's sleeping face in the flickering candlelight, surprised tofind that he wanted her again. He knew she was not as cold as she pretended,for he had unleashed hidden fires in her that had nearly incinerated him. Shecould deny it all she wished, but he was experienced enough to know that shewanted him with the same intensity that he wanted her.

Therewould be no separate chambers, no separate beds. He would accept naught buttotal surrender from his reluctant bride.

GatheringVanora in his arms, Lionheart drifted off to sleep, smiling in anticipation ofawakening and making love to Vanora in the pale light of dawn.

Vanora wasgone when Lionheart awoke fully aroused the following morning. Cursing, hetossed back the covers and regarded his erection with a sour expression. Vanorahad thwarted him again . . . damn her stubborn hide. He had not even heard herleave their bed. After he performed his morning ablutions, he left the chamberin a foul mood.

Sir Gilesgreeted him with a knowing smile as he strode into the hall. "Yourmarriage was rather sudden, was it not? You are late in rising. Doubtless youare exhausted, as I would be had I a bride like Vanora in my bed."

"Enough,"Lionheart warned. "I admit I thought with the head betwixt my legs and notwith the one on my shoulders. The marriage was unplanned, as you well know.'Twas the priest's doing."

"Seriously,Lionheart," Giles said, "what will Edward say when he learns of yourprecipitous marriage to a Welshwoman?"

Lionheartshrugged. "My marriage changes naught but my sleeping arrangements atCragdon."

Giles senthim a skeptical look. "Tell that to Edward."

"Speakingof my bride, have you seen Vanora this morning?"