Brighit stood, squared her shoulders, and held her head high. Behind her back, she clenched the hilt of the pilfered knife. Elation coursed through her body like a river overrunning its banks. She now had a means to defend herself against anyone who would harm her. She bit her cheek to keep from smiling.
His brown eyes were unusually bright. The hint of a playful smile on his full lips.
“Is this stubbornness now?” Peter moved in close, his steps a little unsure.
“Not intentionally stubborn.” He misread her yet again.
He licked his lower lip. When his gaze dropped to her breasts, the air was knocked out of her. A full smile now. He was appraising her with total appreciation. The way a man looks at a woman he desires. Her breath returned with a solidwhoosh.
“What. Will. It. Be?” He leaned in closer, whispering each word.
“Whatever you think best?” She spoke as calmly as she could but the room was getting very hot.
He glanced up as if trying to read an unclear sign but then that assured smile returned.
A tiny quiver rippled through her. Before she could speak again, he was closing in on her, his body up against hers.
“Whatever I think best?”
She wavered for a moment, unsure why he answered her with that tone. She wanted nothing more than to melt against him, envelope herself in his heat. This was just like in her dream. Hot and heady.
Then his firm lips were on hers. His hard length pressing her into the table, as if trying to meld them together. Her body would gladly have done just that if only it could have turned to pure liquid instead of just a growing warmth where his hips grinded into her.
He pulled his head back enough to search her face. He was breathing hard. He looked bewildered. “Is this what you want then?”
Her body arched towards his where the pressure had eased. “I…I’m not sure.” She should not be feeling this way. “Please.”
The answering sound from deep in his throat surprised her but then she got what she craved. His lips on hers again, then trailing across her cheek and down her jaw. An intense ripple of pleasure shot straight to her core. His hips undulated against hers, the heat, the dampness. She moaned.
He suddenly stopped, his head still dipped into the crook of her neck. She didn’t dare breathe.
“I do not believe yourprotectorwill be happy with the outcome if we continue.” His voice was husky, his breath warm against her skin. He shifted away.
Her body immediately missed his. Her eyes closed, she took a slow, steadying breath.
“I believe you need to think more carefully before you answer a man who asks you where you prefer to sleep.”
She put her hand to her throat.
His eyes narrowed, clearer now, pierced hers. Her disappointment tripled.
The innkeeper’s wife chose that moment to make her presence known.
“Lady Brighit will make use of your bed.” Moving in close to Brighit’s ear, he added. “And if you need a bigger knife, you have only to ask me.”
The forgotten knife was nearly dropped onto the floor before she grabbed it tight in her hand.
“Yes, my lord.” The older woman bent a knee.
Peter took a step away. A respectable distance.
“And what of our young woman, my lord? Where shall I send her?”
“To Lady Brighit.” Peter grabbed the last remaining jug from the shelf and left the same way the others had.
Brighit blew a long breath. She noticed the older woman was still there, a knowing smile on her face.
“This way,” the innkeeper’s wife said.
