Jasper frowned. ‘What do you want of me, Rowenna?’
‘Nothing. I don’t want anything.’
His smile broadened. ‘Are you sure?’
Jasper’s lips were but an inch from hers. ‘I must be going.’ Rowenna held out her arms for the bairn.
‘No,’ he said. ‘I will take her for a while.’
Rowenna retreated to her chamber, locked the door and flung herself onto the bed. She had all afternoon to while away the hours until supper. It was cold, so she snuggled under the blankets, fully clothed, but it was not long before Jasper enteredher thoughts, and when he did, she could not help but slide her hand between her legs. It was sinful, but she carried on thinking about him as she moved her hand against her soft parts ever more frantically as the craving in her belly grew. When Rowenna found her release, she had to bite down on her other hand to stifle her shame.
But it was not enough and was no substitute for the real thing. Rowenna drifted off to sleep and woke to an awful truth that beggared her pride. She wanted Jasper Glendenning. He was a clawing in her loins, an ache in her breast, a whirlwind in her mind. And it was time to do something about it.
***
Jasper was woken from a fitful sleep by the squeal of the door opening and the soft padding of feet. The full moon picked out a shadow moving across the chamber. An assassin!
Jasper reached for his dirk, leapt out of bed and took hold of the shadow in an iron grip, only to find soft curves beneath his hands and a squeal of outrage ringing in his ears.
‘Hell’s teeth, Rowenna. What are you doing creeping in here at night? I could have slit your throat.’
‘I didn’t know you would attack me. And forgive me for disturbing you. I will go.’
‘Not so fast.’ In vain, she struggled to free herself.
‘Please, Jasper. Let me go.’
‘Not when I have you at a disadvantage,’ he said, as her wriggling brought his manhood to attention.
‘Aye, you do,’ she said. Rowenna stood on tip-toe to kiss him. His grip softened in surprise, and he held her back.
‘Why have you come? What are you doing?’
She kissed him again. ‘Trying to seduce you,’ she said.
‘Why?’
She blinked up at him. ‘Because I’m tired of all the lies and pretending between us. And I want you, Jasper.'
‘What,’ he gasped.
‘I want you, with no favours asked. I just want you inside me, now. I will even beg if I have to.’
Rowenna wanted him. Finally. Could she be in earnest?
She kissed him again, cradling his face in her hands, and then she flicked her little tongue inside his mouth. Even if this was all she could offer, this carnal need, then he would take it. With a growl, Jasper lay her over the side of the bed and thrust up her shift. Her bottom was a pale, ripe thing in the moonlight. He spread her legs and entered her with a groan.
It felt so right, so perfect. His hands sought her breasts - pert, smooth and warm. Rowenna arched her back as he slid into her. He reached around his hand to bring her pleasure.
‘I’ve wanted this so badly,’ she gasped. ‘Make me yours, Jasper. Do what you want with me, anything.’
Jasper tried to slow his ardour as he lay over her, his belly pressed to her back. Her fingers slid into his hair, and she called his name in a little cry, and Jasper believed that he was desired and cared for.
He gripped her tightly, and she cried out. ‘I love you, Jasper. I don’t want to, but I do.’
He was lost. The pulse of his seed entering Rowenna’s soft, willing body faded away, leaving him breathless and weak with pleasure. He pressed Rowenna down on the bed because he didnot want to see her face when he asked, ‘How can you want me, Rowenna? How can you love someone like me?’
‘I just do,’ she panted. ‘I love you, and I cannot help it, and I don’t think I will ever be able to stop.’
