He was aching for her. The torment was rising higher, and he deserved all of the discomfort and more. But he was determined to pleasure her, to teach her how he could make her come apart. With his tongue, he worked the nodule of her flesh, suckling her and making her tremble.
But it wasn’t enough. Carice was fighting against the feelings, refusing to let go. And so, he slowed down, pulling back. She was glistening wet, and this time, he kissed her nipple again, while he slid a finger inside her. She groaned at the sensation, and he caressed her from within while he used his thumb against her hooded flesh.
“Raine, I don’t—oh, please,” she begged. She was nearly frantic for the release he could give her, and right now, all he wanted to do was fill her with his finger, thrusting as he coaxed her toward the edge.
Her body was trembling, and she met his gaze with her eyes. In them, he saw the yearning, and she whispered, “Don’t go back to the Normans. Promise me.”
He couldn’t speak the words, for he was bound by duty. There was no answer he could give, so instead, he suckled hard against her nipple and she let out a shuddering breath, shattering as her body gave in to the overwhelming wave of release.
He reveled in her pleasure, holding her as she gripped his shoulders. Her expression, of a well-pleasured woman, only drove his arousal toward the point of pain.
Carice gathered her senses and touched his face. “Kiss me.” He did, and was dimly aware of her hands moving over his clothing, loosening the laces. “Take off your armor and tunic.”
He paused a moment, but she said, “I want to feel my bare skin against yours. Don’t deny me that.”
He was so lost, he couldn’t have refused her if he’d wanted to. When the barriers between them were gone, he groaned as she pressed her breasts against him.Mon Dieu, she felt so good. He could spend all night loving her and never regret a moment of it.
Carice took his hand and led him toward the bed. He didn’t protest, but she helped him remove his boots. Then her hands paused at his waist in a silent question.
“Will you let me touch you?” she asked. “Please?”
He knew that she wanted more than he could give. But if he merely allowed her to touch him and caress him, there was no harm in it. So long as she held the power and he surrendered to her will, he could let go of the voices in his head.
She will hate you when she learns the truth.
If he dared to claim what he wanted most,oui, she would. But if he left her untouched, he could live with his decision.
And so he nodded, letting her do as she would.
Carice’s heart was pounding as she touched her hands to Raine’s chest. He stole her breath with a magnificent body she wanted to admire. His muscles were tight, like a figure carved of marble. And though she hadn’t missed the troubled expression in his eyes, she wanted this night with him.
Her body was aching and wet, needing to complete the act of lovemaking. She was beyond all thoughts of shame or hesitation. All she knew was that she wanted this man, and she believed with all her heart that she could change his mind.
He didn't have to betray her or bring her to the High King. If he cared for her at all, there was still time for him to take her away. And she would not hesitate to use every last moment to convince him.
She ran her hands over his pectoral muscles, over his chest, and down his ribs. His manhood was erect and jutted out from his hips, and she imagined what it would be like to take him inside her. The very thought made her remember the intense pleasure Raine had given her earlier. She wanted to give the same back to him.
“Lie down,” she ordered, pressing him toward the bed. When he did, his erection rested against his stomach. It was so thick and hard, she couldn’t resist touching it with her palm. The look of fire in his eyes made it clear that he liked what she was doing. She stroked him, marveling at the velvety heat of his shaft.
As she continued to move her hand upon him, his face contorted as if she were tormenting him. “Am I hurting you? Shall I stop?” She worried that she might be squeezing too hard.
“It will only hurt if you do stop,” he managed. As she stroked him, he began arching his hips in a rhythm. And she began to imagine how it would feel if he were thrusting within her.
I want this. So badly.
She paused a moment to straddle his body, then resumed what she was doing. He closed his eyes, and at that moment, she pressed his blunt head to her entrance. She was so aroused, the shallow invasion made her moan. The feeling of his rigid shaft sliding inside was more than she could bear.
Raine seized her waist and his green eyes had turned to stone. “Stop, Carice. You don’t want this. Not from a man like me.”
In answer, she pushed herself lower, ignoring the slight pain as he breached her innocence. “Yes. I do.” She surrendered her virginity to the man she wanted, binding him irrevocably to her.
When he was buried deep inside her, there was no going back. Slowly, he sat up, remaining embedded inside her. “I never meant to claim you like this.”
It was a strange sensation to be joined so intimately, but as she relaxed around him, it began to feel good. “I want this,” she reminded him. “I want you.”
He grasped her hips and lifted her up, as if to withdraw from her. She began to protest, but then he lowered her. She let out a gasp at the sensation.
“Ride me,” he commanded. “If this is what you want from me, then take it.” It was clear that he didn’t want to force herinto the lovemaking. But from the warmth in his voice, she understood that he wanted her, too.
