Page 5 of The Warrior’s Forbidden Virgin

His hand moved between her thighs, caressing the unexpected wetness. The touch was nothing she’d ever experienced before, and she forgot what she’d meant to say. While his mouth drifted downward, he explored her with his fingertips. He stroked her gently, sliding over her cleft, into the place where she would take a man. Physical frustration reared up, an aching need to be filled.

He slid a long finger into her depths, and her back arched with a sharp reflex. Katherine’s eyes flew open, and she stared into his intense gaze.

Sir Ademar of Dolwyth was a knight who had never really caught her interest. He was handsome, but awkward in speech, and she’d hardly noticed him. He’d seemed so tentative.

There was nothing tentative about him now. He watched her as though he wanted to devour her. He caressed her until she was writhing beneath him, grasping the coverlet as though it would grant her the release she craved.

Her mind was shrieking for her to stop this madness, to force him to leave her. She had meant only for him to kiss her, not to become her lover.

But when his mouth lowered to the entrance of her body, she couldn’t stop the cries that escaped her. He licked her folds, teasing her mercilessly with bold strokes while she grasped his head. Ecstasy roared through her, so violent that tears escaped her eyes.

Ademar jerked her into his arms, holding her tight as the floodgates unleashed within her body. She hung onto him as though he were her haven in the midst of a storm.

When it was done, Ademar settled back to look at her, one hand resting upon her shoulder. He was still clothed from the waist down, damp from the rain while she was utterly exposed to him. He shrank back from her, as though he’d crossed a line.

What had she been thinking? Her anger had taken her past the brink of reason, and now she had nearly seduced a stranger. What man wanted a woman who threw herself at him?

“We have to stop,” she whispered.

He was still watching her, his hooded eyes giving away none of his thoughts.

Katherine pulled her shift back on, her cheeks flaming at her nudity. This act of rebellion had backfired, making her self-conscious about what she’d done. She had wanted to punish her sister, particularly since Honora had considered Ademar for a potential husband.

But instead, she’d flung herself into an uncertain future. Ademar was a man her father might ask her to wed. And right now, she couldn’t be certain if he was the one she wanted.

Ademar held the door open for Katherine. She was fully dressed, and from the composed expression on her face, it would seem that nothing had happened between them.

“You don’t have to escort me back,” she said, not looking at him.

As if he would allow her to walk alone, when it was long past midnight. Instead, he took her hand and tightened his grip in what he hoped was a reassuring squeeze. There were so many things he wanted to say to her. But just as before, he couldn’t unravel his thoughts.

When they reached the single corridor leading to her chamber, he saw shadows ahead. He stopped her, keeping his hand poised upon his sword. “Wait.”

Katherine obeyed, leaning up against the wall. He recognized the soldiers, and so did she.

“Those are John St. Leger’s men,” she whispered, her voice turning alarmed. “What are they doing outside my chamber at this hour?”

He didn’t like it either. John St. Leger was the new Baron of Ceredys and Honora’s older stepson. Ademar didn’t trust the man, and his dislike had only heightened during the last sennight.

“Honora fled Ceredys to get away from him,” Katherine confessed. “And I know John wants her to return to the estate.”

“That isn’t all he wants,” Ademar said grimly. He’d seen the way the baron had watched Honora during the tournament, and though they were related through marriage, the man’s lust was evident.

Under the circumstances, Ademar didn’t like the thought of John’s men nearby, even if the soldiers had done nothing wrong. He tried to gather the right words. “Do you want me to—that is, I could—if you wish it, I could guard your—”

Katherine covered his mouth with her hand, a faint smile upon her face. His posture went rigid, and he longed to cut out his stumbling tongue.

“I don’t need you to stand guard,” she murmured, so close to his face he could feel her cheek against his. “Send them away with a warning. That will be enough.”

He forced himself to slow down when he spoke. “It’s only . . . a few . . . hours until dawn. I’ll stay.”

Katherine stood upon her toes, her hands resting upon his shoulders. It tempted him to drag her forward and capture her lips once more. After the time they’d spent together this night, he felt himself standing upon unstable ground. In a matter of days, his future had been tossed like a handful of dice.

He wanted Katherine as his bride, now more than ever. But she was in love with another man, a man she couldn’t have. Even so, he wasn’t ready to let her go.

Needing a distraction, he strode forward, glaring at the soldiers. He eyed each one of them, then drew his sword in a palpable threat. He spoke only a single word, but he made sure they heard the warning. “Leave.”

“Our orders are to escort the Lady Honora—”