No one had ever accepted or welcomed him the way she did. And nothing had ever felt better than her luscious curves that molded against him, pressing against his chest, his hips. His body burned for her.
She encircled his shoulders with her arms.
Valteri looked into her eyes and his breath faltered at the gentle need that hovered in the rich blue hue.
She smiled up at him. “For this night, I would have you as husband.”
Ariel watched the emotions play across his face—disbelief, longing, and finally happiness. He returned to her lips, his breath sweeter than any wine. She pulled at his tunic, wanting to feel the strength of his chest against her palms.
The fire played across his face, displaying the raw hunger in his mismatched eyes. She trembled, unable to believe that he desired her so much.
Reaching up, she took his braid and slowly undid it until his hair cascaded over her. Its ends tickled her neck and face. As she had longed to do so many times, she ran her hands through the silken strands.
Valteri closed his eyes and turned his face to gently nip at her arm. Ariel sucked her breath in between her teeth, her breasts tingling. No man could compare to her warrior. He alone stood most honorable, most noble, and she vowed to let no harm befall him.
Somehow, some way, she was going to find a way to save him.
Even if she had to fight Noir herself.
Whatever it took. They would not take him because of her. She wouldn’t allow it.
He reached for the hem of her kirtle and she shivered as the cold air contacted with her naked skin. Her breasts tightened in response. Heat stole up her cheeks and she tried to cover herself from his gaze.
“Nay, Ariel,” he whispered, running his finger down the center of her bare chest. “You have naught to be embarrassed about.”
Ariel swallowed, still uncomfortable. But as he dipped his head to herbreast and took it into his mouth, she forgot her nudity. All she could think of was the passion coiling in her stomach, the all-consuming pleasure running the length of her body. His hair spilled across her breasts, her stomach, tickling her, inflaming her senses.
She cradled his head as he suckled, his tongue sending a thousand quivers to her belly. His hands roamed over her flesh, but when he touched her left thigh, she gasped as pain slashed through her pleasure.
Valteri pulled back with a frown. How could he have forgotten her injuries? He ran his hand over her thigh and grimaced at her wound. The whole length of her thigh and hip was red and bruised.
As gently as he could, he probed that injury. Finally he deduced no bones had been broken. “You should have reminded me,” he whispered, his voice hoarse with guilt that he’d been so neglectful.
She touched his chin, turning his face until he met her gaze. “It didn’t hurt until a second ago.”
He found her humor terribly misplaced. “And now?”
“The only ache I feel is the emptiness in my arms. Come, Lord Norman, I need you to banish that emptiness.”
Valteri stared in disbelief of her words. Before he could stop himself, he pulled her against him. Her hands danced over his naked chest, exploring him. He closed his eyes, savoring each delectable touch.
Lying on his back, he pulled her atop him.
Ariel gasped at her position. His leather breeches felt strange beneath her bare buttocks and a demanding throb pounded. He ran his hands up, over her chest, cupping her breasts. Her head swimming with pleasure, she arched against him.
Did all humans feel this way when they coupled? For some reason, she doubted it. Nay, what existed between them was something more than lust, something more than special.
Valteri reached up and buried his hand in her hair, pulling her forward until her lips touched his. She gasped as her breasts brushed against his hard chest.
His warm strength surrounded her, chasing away all the chills brought by the drafts in the old hut.
Ariel closed her eyes, wishing she could stay with him like this for all eternity. Oh, if only she could remain human and they could break the curse. She would never ask for more than Valteri’s love, his touch.
Pain flickered in her breast at the thought of how temporary this moment was.
How fragile life could be.
Ariel trembled at the truth, but pushed it out of her mind. She mightnot have been born to it, yet she felt as if this was her home and Valteri was her destined mate.
