It wasn’t until he began to move that she was quite overcome. Every other thought that came before this moment vanished as her entire world centered on this moment—on this man. His every thrust was seductive, like a viper snaking his way around her body, into her very soul. Her heart was the only thing that was free from his clutches, but she feared that it would soon fall prey to his charms as well.
Marlene ground her hips down on his cock, as it pounded into her, each thrust more demanding than the one before. She met each of them eagerly, her mouth coming back to join with his as he toyed with her breasts. Her hair fell from its confines and tumbled down around her shoulders, but the gentle sway along the top of her bottom only added to the passion.
He reversed their positions, until she was kneeling in front of him while supporting her weight with her hands. He slid into her, and she moaned at the depth of his cock. It stroked something deep inside of her, something dark and primitive. He reached up a hand and grasped a handful of her hair, pulling gently, until her head was forced back. She relished the combination of pleasure and pain, and found her body was starting to quiver with her second release. As he reached around her body and grasped her breasts, it sent her spiraling over the edge.
Reality blurred with fantasy as she cried out his name. His movements became even more frenzied, until finally he slammed into her one last time and gave a guttural moan that intertwined with hers.
As he slid out of her, she fell to the bed, replete and unable to hold herself up any longer. Her eyes were heavy, sated and sleepy at the same time. He left her for a moment to discard the sheath, and then he returned to her side. He lay beside her on the bed, that glorious hair still unbound and making him look more handsome than before, because his eyes were shining with the aftermath of their lovemaking.
Marlene couldn’t resist reaching out and touching that glorious chest. “What are you thinking about?” she asked softly.
His focus enveloped her face, and he offered a slight grin. “About how amazing you are and how glad I am that you answered the advertisement to be my aunt’s companion.”
“And yet,” she pointed out with a fingertip trailing along the crisp hairs of his chest. “I am your companion now.”
“I certainly don’t have a problem with that,” he countered, as he learned forward and kissed her soundly.
By the time he’d pulled away, she was eager for him to remain and continue their mutual enjoyment long into the night. But with a regretful sigh, he moved away from her. “I should return to my chambers.”
“Must you?” she groaned.
He chuckled and reached out a hand to run his thumb along her lower lip. “If I don’t, we wouldn’t get any rest this night.”
She lifted a challenging brow. “And that’s a bad thing?”
“It is if I have any hope of going into the village tomorrow.”
With that, she sat up expectantly. “You said it was too dangerous to leave the manor.”
“It is. For you,” he returned firmly. “What better way to face my enemy where he can do nothing about it but provoke me? At least I would know where he is.” He reached out and touched a section of the ruined material hanging off of her shoulders. “And perhaps to procure you a new nightdress since I seem to have ruined this one.”
She brought the two sides together to cover her nakedness. “I’m more concerned about what might happen should Hector find you first.”
He cupped the side of her face. “I won’t allow anything happen to you.”
She set her jaw firmly. “You should know by now it’s not my welfare that concerns me.”
Alaric withheld a sigh. He wanted to waylay her fears on his behalf, but until he could understand, not only this immediate attraction between them, but also the power that she might wield, he had to be cautious. The risks he was taking with his heart now might become dangerous, but he was prepared to fight this personal battle and see where things might lead with Marlene. He’d never met anyone like her before, and he wasn’t willing to lose her so easily. As far as Hector went, he’d been preparing for his return for years. It wasn’t as though he wasn’t fully prepared.
But it wasn’t as though Hector hadn’t been doing a bit of planning on his own. If the vision Marlene had witnessed earlier that day was true, it had proved that his enemy wasn’t without resources.
She reached out and grasped his hand. “Let me go with you to the village. I might be of some use.”
He set his jaw stubbornly. “Out of the question.” He rose abruptly, putting his back to her as he donned his trousers and faced the flames in the grate.
“I could stay with Lady Erica for the afternoon—”
“No.” Clipped. Final.
There was a brief pause, and then she said, “What if I told you that something had… happened the day I joined Lady Erica?”
Alaric slowly turned back to face her. “I thought you said—”
She had put on her robe, although she was still sitting on the bed in lovely disarray. Her expression harbored one of guilt. “I know I should have told you—”
“Yes. You should have,” he snapped. “What happened?”
She took a deep breath and revealed her horrifying experience in the bookstore, as well as the man she had recalled from the coach ride.
