“Oh!”Melissande’s eyes widened as he eased within her.There was no twinge this time, just a curious sense of satisfaction.She trembled deep inside and she felt her pulse quicken.
Quinn chuckled.“Oh!”he mimicked good-naturedly.His eyes glinted with a warmth that fed Melissande’s confidence.“It is all up to you this time,” he informed her.“I am your willing victim.”
Melissande recalled Quinn’s rhythmic movement from their wedding night, so she lifted herself tentatively above him, then down again.Quinn’s little gasp of pleasure told her that she had guessed aright.She sat up and unbound her hair, recalling his admiration of it, and watched him swallow as she spread it over her shoulders.It fell to her hips, touching his thighs and resting upon his belly.It was curious and marvelous to feel that she had the power in this encounter, that she could seduce this powerful man and hold him, even briefly, in her thrall.She moved again, rolling her hips sometimes, rubbing herself against him others, and it seemed she could do naught wrong.Quinn responded favorably to her every move, which only made her bolder yet.
The heat rose between them, desire galloping to new heights.Melissande could not catch her breath and she did not care.A fire burned in her belly, spreading throughout her body, demanding a satisfaction that she suspected only Quinn could give.His gaze was locked upon her, his eyes glittering, and he clutched a handful of her hair at her waist.She moved more quickly, sensing the urgency in him and unable to deny her own.
Quinn caught her close and moved with greater urgency.Their hearts pounded as one, and her breasts were crushed against his chest.Melissande felt the fire beneath her flesh.Quinn’s breath was in her ear and she sensed that culmination of pleasure drawing near.
When the wave broke over her, she reared back and threw her arms toward the ceiling in ecstatic release.She heard Quinn gasp her name and felt his strength surge beneath her.She fell atop him as he panted and held her close, then watched him smile anew.
“Enchantress,” he charged and Melissande laughed.
“Not me.”
Quinn’s glance slanted to meet hers, his eyes glowing gold.“Aye, you, my lady wife.”He kissed her hand in that increasingly familiar gesture, closing her fingers over the burning imprint of his lips upon her palm.“And I am your most willing vassal.”
Melissande laughed at his whimsy and savored this moment of accord.At his encouragement, she nestled against him, liking how he tucked them both beneath the linens.It was still not dawn and Melissande found herself dozing anew.She knew that she smiled, for she was cradled against the solid heat of Quinn as he pressed a kiss into her hair.
Perhaps they would make a good match, after all.
Quinn carefully easedout of Melissande’s embrace.
He had erred.
He had no devious intent, but neither had he intended to seduce Melissande again so soon.He knew that she loved another and that she had a high code of ethics.He had planned to talk to her more about this Arnaud, and endeavor to prove his own merit before they coupled again.
But her exploration of his body had set him aflame.He should have stopped with one kiss, but her delight in her power over his body had given her such satisfaction.He had wanted to see her gain confidence in her own allure, and also to see her pleased.He had been unable to resist her.He stood by the bed, watching her sleep, and wondered in all honesty whether he could have stopped.
He frowned, considering that she had not called him by name in that moment.
Had she imagined herself in the embrace of her beloved, Arnaud?
The notion troubled Quinn deeply.
Doubtless she would regret their lovemaking.That prospect troubled him even more.He washed hastily in cold water and dressed, knowing he had much to accomplish this day.Perhaps a successful routing of the brigands would win her true favor.
He could only hope.
He left Melissande sleeping and descended to the hall.Louis met him at the foot of the stairs, and they conferred about the villeins who had tales of the brigands to share.True to his word, Louis had summoned them all and they awaited him in the bailey.
“There is bread and honey and ale and cheese, my lord,” Louis said.“Unless you have other tastes for breaking your fast.”
“That will be most welcome, Louis.I thank you.My lady wife sleeps yet, but perhaps Berthe should take hot water to her.”
“Of course, my lord.Berthe is already awake.”Louis hurried away and Quinn went to the board.Michel brought him a tankard of ale and he wished the boy a good morning.“I will ride out after speaking with the villeins,” he told the boy.“If they are awake and willing, I would have Bayard, Niall, Lothair and Amaury accompany me.”
“Aye, my lord.”The boy bowed and hurried away with purpose.
“Aha!”Bayard’s voice made Quinn jump.
“What possesses you to startle an old friend so early in the morning?”Quinn asked with a smile.
Bayard joined him at the board.“What kind of newly wedded man are you to avoid the pleasure of awakening with your lawful wife?”He nudged Quinn companionably.“I should not be so quick to abandon such pleasures.”Michel hastily brought more ale and Bayard sipped of it with satisfaction.Then he dropped his voice low.“Does the lady resist your charms?”
“Nay.”Quinn dropped to a seat and sipped his ale.It might clear his head, if naught else.“It is not so simple as that.”
“Nay?”
