Page 54 of Lionheart

"Areyou ready to sup? My stomach is voicing its hunger."

"Notyet. I will join you after I wash and change."

Lionheartdeparted, leaving Vanora much to think about. His admission that he would misscertain things had surprised her. Was he referring to her? Though he had not actuallyadmitted he cared for her, she would savor his words long after he was gone,when loneliness plagued her.

She wouldmiss Lionheart more than she cared to admit. He had managed to touch her hearteven though her mind utterly rejected him. He was a man like no other. He washard when it counted, yet his tenderness when he made love to her belied thathardness. He was strong of mind and body, yet fair when it came to dispensingjustice. Daffid was proof of Lionheart's fairness, for he had been neither torturednor starved. He was, in fact, quite comfortable in the tower.

Vanoratook her time washing and dressing, her thoughts dwelling on Lionheart'simminent departure. 'Twas good that he was leaving, for she was becoming tooinvolved in his life. Liar. She realized she was not being honest withherself. Though his departure was what she had prayed for, she did not wantLionheart to leave.

Sighingwith regret for what could have been and what would never be, Vanora completedher toilette and left her chamber.

Throughoutthe long meal, Lionheart's intent gaze rested on Vanora so often she found hisscrutiny unnerving. His eyes were the color of smoke, and the harsh planes ofhis face were stark with barely suppressed desire. His heavy hand rested on herthigh, teasing her flesh as she tried to concentrate on her food.

"Finishyour meal," he whispered into her ear. "Tonight you will find me aneager lover."

Whenhad she ever found him less than eager? "Do not embarrass me, Lionheart. Your men are watchingus."

"Letthem. They know what I want." He sent her a wolfish grin. "What weboth want."

"Youare far too sure of yourself, sir knight. I do not want you."

He roseand held out his hand. "Come, wife, I intend to prove you wrong. We havebut a fortnight to indulge ourselves."

Her heartpounding with excitement, Vanora placed her hand in his, mesmerized by thehusky tone of his voice and his smoky gaze. She neither heard the buzz ofvoices as they left the hall nor saw the exchange of knowing looks.

The momentLionheart closed the door behind them, he whispered her name."Vanora."

She lookedup at him. There was something intensely, dangerously sexual in his gaze, andit aroused a matching response in her.

"Doyou want me, Vanora?"

Want him?She wanted him like a wild animal yearned for her mate. But doubtless he knewthat. She opened her mouth to deny her body's needs, but words failed her.

He gave anironic smile, then captured her mouth, kissing her endlessly, his passionstunning. She made a small choked sound deep in her throat and responded withswift intensity, painfully aware that when he left her she would never see himagain. Their tongues met and clung, their breath mingled, their arms unerringlyfinding each other. There was a vivid immediacy in his kisses, as if he toorealized their time together was limited and wanted to use it to the bestadvantage.

Lionhearttore off her clothing with indecent haste, then removed his own, tossingeverything aside with careless disregard. Chances were he would never knowVanora's passion again after he left. Never feel the warm pressure of her skin.Or feel the pebbled texture of her nipples with his tongue. Or hear her moansof pleasure when he caressed her wet, intimate flesh.

Sweepingher into his arms, he carried her to their bed and lay down beside her. Thoughhe ached with the need to thrust inside her, he deliberately paced himself,wanting to prolong her pleasure as well as his. He kissed her, her mouth, herchin, the throbbing pulse at the base of her throat. His left hand driftedbeneath her buttock, steadying her as the fingers of his right hand teasedthrough her dark curls, between her silky folds to fondle the sensitive petalsof her sex.

Waves ofheat surged through her. She was on the verge of splintering when his handsuddenly left her. A choked sound of protest escaped her lips and she caughthis hand, trying to return it.

"Notyet, sweetheart, 'tis too soon," Lionheart murmured.

Herlabored breathing slowed as he regarded her through slumberous eyes. Tentativelyshe lifted herself against him; words were superfluous as she silently beggedfor more. He kissed her shoulder; she arched her neck. Dropping his head, hecaught her breast in his mouth, drawing strongly upon her nipple. She gasped,suspended on the pinnacle of burgeoning passion. Her nipples tightened, herbreath grew harsh, and she writhed beneath him.

Dazed bypassion, she could scarcely breathe, much less think as his fingers returned toher weeping center. Then those talented fingers entered her, sliding in and outat the same time his thumb brushed her sensitive nub. A scream rose in herthroat. He caught it in his mouth, smothering it with a kiss.

"Please,"Vanora murmured brokenly.

"Pleasewhat?"

"M-makelove to me."

"Soon,very soon."

Thensuddenly his fingers were gone, replaced by his mouth, his breath hot againsther as he teased and taunted the swollen folds with his tongue and mouth.

Lionheartfelt her limbs tremble, heard her catch her breath as she splintered. When shehad quieted, he rose up and reversed their positions, bringing her atop him.Then he thrust hard and deep inside her. Her blissful look set him aflame. Herbreasts, ripe and firm, swayed before him in wanton abandon. Lifting his head,he caught a nipple and suckled, savoring the heat of her silken sheath as shebegan to move on him.