Page 87 of Lionheart

"Yoursword, Lionheart, remember? You came for your sword."

"Sinceyou are so fond of swords, you may keep it," he returned coolly."Forgive my intrusion. It will not happen again."

Vanora wastorn. Her good sense applauded Lionheart's departure, but her heart wanted himto stay. The thought of him returning to Althea's bed made her sick to herstomach. Besides, she refused to accept that he hated her. He had come to herchamber tonight on a flimsy excuse. Whether he realized it or not, hisintention had been to make love to her. How could she let him go to Althea whenher heart told her she could win Lionheart's love if she really tried?

Thatthought brought another. Did she want a man who had washed his hands of her andheld her in contempt? Was love worth the anguish of letting a man use her bodymerely because he desired her?

The answerstunned her. One could not put a price on love. Mayhap her love was strongenough for both of them. How long could his anger hold out against the awesomepower of love? Was she willing to let him take comfort in Althea's arms?

"Nay!"

Lionheartwas halfway to the door when Vanora's outburst stopped him. He spun around."What did you say?"

Sheswallowed hard and prayed she was not making a mistake. "I am willing tokiss you if you still wish me to."

He senther a mocking smile. "I have changed my mind. Althea would be morewelcoming."

Deliberatelyshe let the covers fall to her waist, baring her breasts. "Then go to her.I but wanted to prove how little your kisses affect me."

She haddefinitely pricked his interest, for his eyebrows rose a fraction of an inchand he returned to the bed. Hisgaze dropped to her breasts. "What’s going on, vixen?"

"Youtell me. You came to my chamber after you swore I meant naught to you."

"Mysword—"

"Itcould have waited until morning. Tell me you hate me. Tell me you want naughtto do with me. Tell me 'tis Althea you want, and I will believe you."

"Aye,all of those," Lionheart said gruffly. He sat down on the edge of the bed."Learning you were the White Knight turned me inside out." He graspedher shoulder. "Damn you! Why are you doing this to me?"

She tiltedher head up. "Because I refuse to believe you hate me."

His lipshovered scant inches from hers. "I despise what you did," hewhispered.

"Butyou do not hate me."

"Icannot abide liars."

"Youwant me."

His breathwas hot upon her cheek. "My body feels but does not think."

She movedcloser, brushing her breasts against his chest. He did not move away."What is that supposed to mean?"

He tookher hand and placed it on the hard ridge of his sex. "It means I cannotstop my body from wanting you, though my mind rejects everything you stand for.You are a woman, not a man. When you donned armor and led men into battle, yourisked your life unnecessarily."

Her browsshot upward. "Why should that bother you?"

He met hergaze with a puzzled look. "If I knew the answer to that, I would not behere. I would be with Althea, giving her what she wants."

His replyleft her breathless and giddy. Mayhap there was hope for them. If there was asmall unguarded place in his heart where she could plant herself and grow, shevowed to find it. Testing the depth of his resolve, she closed the space betweenthem and pressed her lips to his.

Heexploded. There was no other word for it. She looked into his face; the angularplanes were burnished a dark gold by the fire's glow. His eyes, stormy gray andintense, searched hers. Her breath seized. She raised her hands to his chest;the fire within him scalded her. Then his mouth covered hers. Their lips metand fused. Hungrily. His kiss was ravishing, nearly brutal as he tore the bedcoverings away and closed his arms about her.

She felthis hands lock around her waist, then shift her beneath him, his body hot andready. She was stunned but undaunted when he broke off the kiss and said,"Mistake this not for love; 'tis merely rutting."

His wordsdid not please her, but she had set her course and would not be swayed from it.Instead, she offered him her mouth anew. He did not hesitate but claimed itrapaciously, his hands gliding down her back, molding her to him, cupping thefirm curves of her bottom and urging her hips nearer.

Warningbells rang in his head; his demons whispered a litany of reasons why he shouldnot be making love to Vanora. But he banished them, heeding instead thedictates of his body. He could not wait. Removing his chausses took but amoment; his tunic could wait, but he could not. Then he spread her legs,positioned himself between them and shoved inside.