She closed her eyes and let out a breath. “Oh, Gods, yes,” she breathed.
His cock hardened fully at her utterance. Still holding himself up, he eased his hips forward. His shaft sank into her, her tight walls gripping it as she took him.
The whole world seemed to melt away. The questions that had plagued him, his worry about the future, all seemed distant as the moment swallowed him.
Royla wrapped her hands around his neck, then let them drift lower. Down the muscles in his shoulders, down the small of his back until they came to rest on his haunches. A slight snarl curled her lip as she pulled him deeper inside herself.
Thanred gasped as he drove the rest of his shaft into her tightness. She was so hot and deliciously wet. Cocking his hips back, he readied himself to plunge inside her again, his hunger to claim her taking over his entire mind.
Her hands drifted to his hips. Before he could thrust, she held him there, hovering above her body, only the head of his cock inside her. “Slowly?” she whispered. “Please?”
The words made him shudder. Fighting the urge to take her as hard as he normally did, he eased back into her, savoring the tight, wet heat that surrounded him.
Royla closed her eyes and let out a breath.
Thanred lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her. As softly as he’d ever touched anything.
Her hands lingered on his hips as he began to make love to her. Holding him in place at the cusp of each thrust before gently allowing him in again.
The sun was hot on his back.
Letting go of their kiss, he tilted his head and buried his mouth against her neck. Her scent overpowered him, urging him to thrust harder and still he fought against the feeling. Over and over he slipped into her. Each time her tunnel felt hotter and more welcoming.
He let himself slip into the delicious bliss of her acceptance. His essence pooled in his sack, his body screaming for release.
Each time the urge to fuck her ground against his mind, he would savor the ecstasy he felt at their quiet, gentle lovemaking.
When her body began quivering beneath him, he opened his eyes to look into hers.
“Thanred,” she said, her voice a strained whisper. “I’m... I’m coming.” Her pussy clenched at his shaft as an orgasm took her.
The words sent him careening over the edge of release. Seed shot through his hard muscle, erupting inside her warmth and coating her womb. Thanred groaned. His eyes darted from her lips, curled in agony, to her eyes wide open, lids fluttering.
A smile formed on her lips. “Yes,” she said as his cock flexed inside her again. “Fill me, Thanred. Fill me with your seed.”
He roared as another wave of pleasure coursed through him. In that brief moment, everything seemed right with the world. This is where he was meant to be.
They lay next to each other in silence for a long time after it was over; Royla with her eyes closed against the bright noon sun and Thanred on his side, running his fingers through her hair. Every so often he would let his hand drift down her neck, cup one of her breasts, then let it fall farther and settle against her belly.
Each time he did, a powerful protective instinct gripped him. Though their outlook still seemed grim, one thing was certain. He would not send her back to her people. He couldnever do that now. She was carrying his child. He would do anything and everything to protect her and to protect their love.
“What troubles you?”
Her whispered question tore him from his thoughts. He looked at her to find her smiling back at him. He took a deep breath... then smiled. “Nothing, my sweet Royla,” he said quietly. “I will make everything right. I promise.”
Chapter Eleven
“Let me carry you.”
Royla rolled her eyes, shook her head, then laughed. She’d lost count of how many times he’d asked. “I’m with child, Thanred. Not an invalid. I can walk. I amfine,” she assured him.
He frowned, his worry showing, but didn’t press any further.
They had been walking away from the mountain for three days now. Her feet were sore. Even though he’d fashioned a dress for her out of long grass, it itched against her skin.
The nights were warm, lying next to him. But each morning as they set out it would take hours before she could warm up. And not a single word from Thanred about where they were headed.
She decided to try again. “Master?” she asked from a few steps behind him.
