She opened her legs wider, and he fit against her hot core maddeningly well. Desire swirled through her, and their legs entwined. She felt him against the spot she needed him, the spot her body craved him. “Landyn,” she gasped.
“Easy,” he whispered. He held himself up on two hands on either side of her head.
She groaned in protest as their bodies separated, and she reached for him, resting her hands on his hips, gazing down at his magnificent torso.
He slid forward, his manhood filling her.
She inhaled a gasp as passion radiated into her body.
He held still for a moment before starting to move. Slowly, at first, pulling out and pushing forward.
Fiery heat radiated from her soft core, and she began to lift her hips, meeting his thrusts.
The tempo of their lovemaking increased, and their bodies met, one in rhythm.
Raven couldn’t think rationally. They were in harmony together, and she soared higher and higher to a dimension where only she and Landyn existed. The world spun, elevating her higher and higher until finally, a glittering sensation of light and ecstasy exploded within her, sweeping her into its brilliance.
Landyn’s body tightened at the same moment, and he pulled out, stroking his manhood. He splashed his seed across her stomach.
Raven blinked, much too sated and exhausted to acknowledge what he had done.
He took the blanket and wiped his seed from her stomach before settling beside her and gathering her into his arms. He kissed her forehead, and she grinned against his neck. She sighed and slipped into a satisfied slumber.
Landyn rose early, being careful not to wake Raven. She needed the sleep. As he separated himself from beside her, the scent of roses wafted to him from her hair, and he grinned, recalling the jar he’d caught her with at the stream. As he dressed and then sat on the floor to pull on his boots, he cast a glance back at her. She lay on the straw mattress, sleeping peacefully. Her long lashes rested against her cheeks, and her full lips were slightly parted. His heart swelled.
He loved her. There was nothing he was more certain of. He would do anything for her. But right now, he had to free the mercenary. He stood and departed the room quietly, pausing to tell Rolf where he was going in case Raven woke.
When he returned, he stood outside, staring over the grassy field toward the rising sun.
It was the most difficult decision of his life and yet the easiest. He knew what he was going to do. The Templars had saved him. John had saved him. And now, Landyn knew he would return the favor by saving Raven. He stood that way until the cock crowed, and he heard the inn door open behind him.
“Are you going to leave again?”
He turned to look at Raven as she exited the inn. She had donned her armor and braided her hair. She wore a fierce scowl of disapproval on her brow. And still, she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. For a moment, he was captivated by the slight sway of her hips.
She stopped before him, her hands on her waist. “I think I have a right to a goodbye.”
He stared down at her thinned lips, and he knew he had made the right decision. But it had been difficult. “You do,” Landyn admitted, turning to watch the bright rays of the sun peek over the horizon. “I have two vows, and I cannot possibly keep them both.”
Her intense gaze was focused on his face.
He could feel her stare, as hot as the sun, and felt compelled to explain. “My oath to the Templars.”
She stood, listening, not moving.
“And my oath to John.”
Her hands dropped. “Landyn,” she whispered, her voice softening in understanding.
“It is not a decision I take lightly.”
“You don’t have to do this,” Raven said. “I’m sure my father would understand.”
He faced her, his gaze moving tenderly over her and coming to rest on her irresistible lips. “It’s more than just my oath to John. Or the Templars.”
“You can’t forsake your oath to the Templars,” Raven argued. “They won’t allow you to leave the order.”
Landyn sighed gently. “I have not accepted the Holy Orders. I am as John was. A lay brother. We live and fight as Templars but have not taken the oath. I had always planned to.” His voice turned wistful. “I had always planned to. And now…” He brushed a strand of her dark hair from her cheek. “I can’t.”
