Chapter Eleven
Later that night, something caused Ravento open her eyes. She sat up, always trusting her instincts. Her gaze immediately shifted to the spot where Landyn had been resting. Beneath the soft moonlight, she saw the flattened grass where he had slept, but it was empty. His blanket was crumpled where his feet had rested.
Raven looked around. The moon cast long shadows through the clearing and about the trees.
She heard soft grunts echoing through the air and tilted her head to listen. The noises stopped and were silent for a moment before starting again. Slowly, she stood and followed the sound through the small space where they rested to a clearing just beyond a line of trees. Fenced by tall trees, the moonlight created a pale glow over a circular grassy area.
Landyn stood in the middle, like a god of old. He clutched his sword; his arm muscles bunched tight. The moonlight gently caressed his shirtless torso like liquid gold, and his skin gleamed beneath its touch.
Raven pressed herself against the trunk of a tree to watch him in secret.
His chest heaved with his breathing as he faced his imaginary foe. Then he exploded in a barrage of swings and lunges, hacking at his invisible nemesis.
Raven found it difficult to believe he had ever been a farmer. He was made to be a warrior. His strikes were perfect, his form exact. His body, amazing. She could tell exactly where he imagined his foe standing. Each thrust struck the invisible torso. His arm muscles rippled with each swipe, and the planes of his chest and stomach tightened and released with force. His strength took her breath away. She heavily swallowed as she gazed in admiration. Suddenly, the thought of being kissed by him didn’t seem so silly. Warmth spread through her as she imagined being wrapped in his power, being caressed by his fingers.
She softly sighed.
He whirled, the tip of his sword pointing at her.
They locked eyes for a long moment.
Raven had never been afraid of anything in her life. But the feelings that coursed through her now were terrifying. She wanted to step forward and push her lips to his. She wanted to touch his smooth stomach. She wanted to feel his hands on her. Instead, she stood, rooted to the ground.
He lowered his sword. They stared at each other for a long moment.
His black hair hung forward over his face, concealing his features in the darkness. Shadow and moonlight accented every curve of his body, highlighting every spectacular muscle he had.
Raven couldn’t catch her breath. She couldn’t speak. She couldn’t think.
Landyn dropped his sword and stalked across the space between them. With a firm grip, he gathered her against him and lowered his head, claiming her lips, pressing his to hers hungrily.
Sensation exploded inside her as if every one of her senses were suddenly awakened. His hands tightened around her back, pulling her close. Heat radiated from him. He smelled of maleness and a musty, earthy scent. His breathing was quick and urgent. His lips moved demandingly over hers in an intense massage, coaxing her lips to part.
She was shocked at her own eager response and returned his kiss with reckless abandon. She opened her lips to his exploration, and he swept his tongue into her mouth. His kiss was as the soldering heat blacksmiths forged metal with.
A groan sprang from the very depths of her soul. Blood pounded through her veins, leapt from her heart, and made her knees weak.
He cupped the back of her head, anchoring her.
Her hands brushed up his muscled torso. His body was hot and slick and so hard. Everywhere she touched was rigged and planed with strength. Burning desire and an aching need for more scorched through in her.
Suddenly, he stepped back, releasing her.
Raven almost stumbled but righted herself and gazed at him with large eyes. Her heart pounded. She gaped at him, so handsome…
He took a step away from her.
The distance allowed fresh air to sweep in between them and cool her body. What was wrong with her?
He cleared his throat before finally asking in a hoarse voice, “You couldn’t sleep?”
Lord, what was happening? She wasn’t the kind of woman to be swept off her feet. She was rational and… She licked her lips. “I heard…” She couldn’t tear her gaze away from his lips. Those lips had kissed her. “Something.”
His gaze shifted to the forest behind her. “I’ll look around to make sure no one is here.” When he turned back to her, his smoldering eyes locked with hers. “Go back to camp,” he commanded and returned to the clearing. He picked up his sword and tunic and continued by her.
Raven watched him for a moment and noticed his rounded bottom for the first time. She leaned back against the tree with a silent groan. Her insides melted and swirled, and her mind fogged.
What was wrong with her? She traced her kiss-swollen lips with her fingers. He had told her to go back to camp. Why hadn’t she argued? She wasn’t a defenseless damsel to be ordered around.Go back to camp.
