Page 94 of Lionheart

She tossedher head, sending her burnished curls swirling around her shoulders. "Awarm body. You are very good at giving pleasure, husband. Though I have had noone to compare you with, I am certain you are the best."

Vanora'swords gave Lionheart an uncomfortable feeling in the pit of his stomach. Did hewant to be remembered as a warm body and naught else? Did he really want Vanorato stop loving him? Suddenly the idea of being loved piqued his curiosity. Hehad never felt loved before.

Nay, he thought, shaking his head to clear itof stupid notions. He refused to fall into the trap Vanora had set for him. Ifhe let his guard down and allowed himself to love Vanora, 'twas inevitable thatshe would disappoint him as his mother had. Vanora had already proven herselfuntrustworthy.

"Perhaps'tis best that we enjoy what we have together and forget maudlin sentiments. Iam comfortable with the physical relationship that exists between us."

She senthim an exasperated look. "What of children, Lionheart? Will you love themshould God in His mercy grant us offspring?"

Lionheart'sexpression grew pensive. "My children will not lack a father's ..."His sentence ended abruptly.

"Afather's love? Is that what you were going to say?"

"God'sblood! You confuse me with your words. I will not neglect our children as myparents did me."

"Willyou love them?" Vanora persisted.

Hisexpression gave ample insight into his confused mind, but his answer did notdisappoint her.

"Aye,damn you, I will love them!"

Vanorasent him a blinding smile. "You do know how to love. Mayhap thereis hope for us after all, husband."

ChapterSeventeen

Vanora'swords rendered Lionheart speechless. She was still hoping for love after he hadtold her it did not exist for him. Since she seemed to be waiting for a reply,he sought a glib answer.

"Iwill love you, wife, with my body, whenever you wish, be it night or day. Mycock is always willing."

His armscircled her and dragged her close, the rigid proof of his desire proddingruthlessly against her softness. It had been so long since he'd made love toVanora, his body throbbed with need. He wanted her, desperately. Watching herfrom afar had been torturous. He belonged in her bed, in her arms, inside her.Deep inside her.

He kissedher neck. Desire thickened as she melted into him, her body molding itself tohis. His caressing hands unerringly removed her tunic. He slid the fabric offher shoulders and peeled away her shift. He dipped to kiss her nipples, hishands skimming down her back and cupping her bottom. Still holding her againsthim, he walked with her to the bed and lowered her down upon the furs. Hissmoldering gaze did not leave her as he shucked off his clothing.

"Ithas been a lonely fortnight," he growled. "My cold bed offered nocomfort. I want to make love to you."

Her greatpurple eyes glittered as her gaze dropped to his loins. Reaching out a hand,she enclosed the pulsing staff, feeling it throb against her palm. She smiledimpishly, seductively, as her fingers circled and squeezed him. Anticipationpounded through him when she pulled him to her and touched the tip of hertongue to the glistening head of his cock. The sensation of her flicking tongueundid his control. Roaring, he pushed her down and lowered himself on top ofher.

His mouthcovered hers, forestalling any protest Vanora might have made. The desperateneed for total consummation instantly pounded though him. She clutched hisshoulders and kissed him back more aggressively than she ever had before.

Her hungryresponse sent desire rampaging through him. He returned his mouth to her neck,and then to her swelling, beckoning breasts. He teased her with his tongue, hersounds of pleasure spurring his ardor. Removing her hands from his shoulders,he slid down her body. Spreading her legs, he looked at her with smolderingeyes. Kneeling between her thighs, he kissed her stomach, around her navel.Lower still. Reaching down for her ankles, he lifted first one leg and then theother onto his shoulders.

Cradlingher hips in his hands, he kissed up her thigh to his goal and planted his mouththere. Her frantic cries and pulsing flesh sent waves of desire spiralingthrough him. This was what he had missed. This was what heneeded. She rocked slowly, rhythmically as he explored deeper, his hungerturning primal as his tongue lashed into her. He kept her on the edge,frenzied, mad with a need that aroused him even more than her taste, before hesent her screaming into a dazzling climax.

He rose upand moved over her; the sound of her gasping breaths sent his own tautlyleashed passion out of control. Her feminine softness yielded to him. Desirescorched him, making him aware that he was still hard and throbbing, stillunfulfilled. Flexing his hips, he plunged inside her so hard, the bed ropesrocked beneath them.

He tiltedher bottom and sank deeper. Setting the rhythm, he moved her to afford them thegreatest pleasure, going as deep as he could, building her passion to match hisown. She lifted her hips higher, moaning and twisting her head from side toside as he pumped in and out, harder, faster. He felt her quiver, felt violentlittle tremors pulsing against him. One more thrust and she came hard, cryingout his name.

Waitingfor her climax was the hardest thing he had ever done. But wait he did, hisbody taut with raw need until she stilled. Only then did he give his passionfull rein, gripping her hips in his hands and pounding inside her, drivinghimself closer and closer to completion. A shudder ran through him and hespilled violently, coming hard and fast, filling her with his essence.

They laythere for what seemed like an eternity, until his breathing slowed. Then helifted his head and looked down at her. When he saw her smiling at him, herealized he was lost, that he never had a chance.

"Whatare you thinking?" she asked.

Thatlove is a fearsome thing. Buthe held his tongue. He was not ready to commit himself. Giving a woman thatkind of power over him was daunting.

"I amthinking that you will never leave my bed again."

"Youleft mine, remember?"