Chapter Fifteen
Ewan’swordsmadehertremble. Honora hadn’t intended to touch him in this way, but once she’d started, it was hard to stop. His warm muscles were so tight, so well-formed, she’d used this chance to run her hands over him.
In his eyes, she saw his desire, a suffering that only she could alleviate. And tonight, she would endure whatever lay ahead.
Would it be so bad? From the thick ridge resting against her womanhood, she suspected it would be uncomfortable.
She’d endured her husband’s attentions, and though it had hurt, she’d learned to ignore Ranulf and wait for him to finish. Never had he inspired any sort of desire, nothing like the way Ewan drew her in.
She was hardly aware of his hands rubbing her back. “Honora, I spoke in haste,” he murmured. “You know I would never force you. On my life, I swear it.”
But when she gazed at him, his expression was strained, a man who was on the edge.
“It wouldn’t be force,” she found herself whispering. She couldn’t put a name upon the feelings she had for him, but even though her life had fallen apart, she was glad to be with him. It wasn’t right, it wasn’t fair to her sister, but she craved the comfort Ewan could bring. And if she could ease him with her body, it hardly mattered.
The interior of the cave had grown warm, the fire heating up the small space. She stood barefoot before him, her pulse racing with what she was about to do. Ewan’s eyes shadowed with an overpowering need, and in the golden firelight, his skin took on a darker cast. She wanted to kiss him, to mold her hands to those strong shoulders and let the past fall away.
Ewan looked at her as though he wanted to devour her. He rose up, his hands resting upon her waist. “Will you let me join with you, this night?”
She knew tonight would be different from all the other times he’d touched her. And though she’d hated the act of letting a man inside her, she couldn’t deny that Ewan had made her feel like a treasured possession . . .
“I will,” she whispered. And he closed the distance, covering her mouth with his.
She gave herself up, winding her arms around his neck. His kiss was that of a man trying to be gentle, but underneath it, she sensed a raw need. What would it be like to unleash that power?
Honora opened her mouth, and his tongue slid inside. Wet and sleek, her skin tingled at the taste of him, her breasts tight against her gown. Ewan’s hands moved to the laces, and she felt a rush of cool air as he lowered her gown to her waist.
His mouth led a path down to her aching breasts, and when his tongue flicked at the nipple, her breath shattered. He bit at it gently, sucking her, until her body grew wet. Last night, he’d touched her intimately, and his fingers had slid inside easily. Perhaps it wouldn’t hurt as much as she thought.
She loosened the ties of his trews, but Ewan didn’t lay her down on the sand, as she expected. Instead, he freed both of them of their clothing, laying it down to form a soft bed. From their belongings, he brought out the pallet, laying their clothes atop it to make a silken bed.
“Lie down,” he ordered, and she obeyed, feeling the soft fur against her bare skin. He stared at her, as though he couldn’t quite believe she was truly about to give herself to him.
“You’re the most magnificent woman I’ve ever known.”
Honora flushed, for she lacked the rounded curves of most women. She was too thin, and her arms were rigid and tough from sword training.
Self-consciously, she tried to cover herself, but he trapped her wrists at her sides. “No. I want to see you.”
His hot gaze traveled all the way down her body, lingering upon her breasts and the juncture at her thighs. Resting his weight on his arms, Ewan covered her body with his own. At the touch of his erection, she inhaled sharply.
“It’s all right,” he soothed, leaning down to kiss her again. She reached down to guide him into her entrance, planning to finish this, to get it over with.
But he held steady. “You’re not ready for me yet,a ghrá.”
Not ready? Her body was trembling, and she was moist as she’d never been for Ranulf. Surely it was time.
Ewan kissed a path down her collarbone, moving toward her erect nipple. When she moaned at the sensation, he moved his hand between her thighs, entering her with two fingers.
She arched her back, fighting against the shocking sensation of him caressing her, while his tongue stroked her breast. His thumb found the raised nodule, and Honora gasped at the pleasure when he teased it.
“Wait,” she pleaded, her breath coming in quick gasps. “I can’t bear it. I won’t be able to–to stop myself.” She was so close now, so afraid of letting go.
“Don’t stop. Let it happen.” His mouth moved lower while he kept up the steady rhythm of his hands. He kissed a path down her ribs, to her stomach. The invasion of his hands forged a fire that rose up, higher and higher. “It’s going to happen more than once, Honora. Prepare yourself.”
Then abruptly, his mouth moved between her legs, his tongue plunging into the heart of her. Oh, dear God. She bucked at the wild, wanton touch of his tongue. Licking at her, sucking at her flesh, until she bit back a scream, her body riding out the surge of spicy fulfillment.
He raised his head up and smiled wickedly. “Not yet, Honora.”
