The Highlander's Forbidden Bride(50)
He didn’t hesitate as he climbed in bed beside her and wrapped her in the safety of his arms.
She settled almost instantly against him, snuggling until she found a comfortable spot. Nosing her slim leg between his two warm ones, she fell into a peaceful sleep.
Chapter 21
Ronan grew thick and hard in the hand that stroked him. Damn, but it felt good, and it felt even better when her hand drifted down to cup him gently and squeeze lightly until he shivered.
“One night, just one night love me.”
When he realized it wasn’t a dream, he surrendered to his passion and captured her whispering plea with his lips. His hands tugged her nightshift up to explore her warm flesh, and it wasn’t long before his lips followed where his hands had touched.
She tasted sweet, soft and silky and he couldn’t get enough of her. He grew drunk with the taste of her, and he wanted more, so much more from her. He slipped her nightshift up and over her head, tossing it aside as his lips claimed hers once again.
She feasted on him as hungrily as he did on her. It was as if they were starved, and only the other could appease the gnawing hunger.
Her hands explored him with as much enthusiasm as his hands did her. There was no hesitation or shyness in her touch, she explored like a woman who knew what she wanted and would give as much as she got.
They rolled around on the bed like old lovers recently united, teasing and tasting until both could stand it no more, though it was Ronan who took control.
He slipped his arm around her waist and swung her beneath him, planting himself on top of her. He grabbed hold of her hands and stretched them past her head as he kissed her.
“Damn, but I love you, Hope.”
“Now, right now, love me,” she said against his mouth, and stole another fiery kiss.
He obliged. Not being able to wait any longer himself, he drove into her with a hungry need and she squeezed his hands hard as she gave a shout. He stopped abruptly.
“No, no, don’t stop,” she urged, lifting her hips.
She drove him deeper inside her and enflamed him even more.
He released her hands, and he braced himself over her and set a rhythm that had her moaning with pleasure and him near to exploding. But he waited, and it didn’t take long before she screamed out his name; and then and only then did he join her.
They slept soon after, though they woke and made love again, Carissa once again initiating it and he obliging, until finally they fell into a sound sleep.
Carissa woke thinking she heard her name being called, but assumed it a dream when she listened and heard nothing. She smiled, turning in Ronan’s arms to look at him.
“Thank you,” she whispered, and kissed his lips gently.
He didn’t stir, and she laughed softly. She had tired him out, but she would let him rest and not disturb him, for a couple of hours at least.
“Carissa.”
She stilled, her body turning completely rigid. Someone had called her. It wasn’t a dream. She carefully slipped out of bed, not wanting to disturb Ronan, dressed quickly, hurried into the next room, and came to an abrupt halt.
“Septimus,” she said, and hurried over to him. “What are you doing here? Ronan is in the other room. You took—”
“It’s Dykar.”
She grabbed hold of his arm and kept her tone low. “What happened?”
“A ragtag group of mercenaries captured him and demands to meet with the leader of our group.”
“Did you send for Hagen?” she asked.
Septimus shook his head, his expression troubled.
Carissa knew before he said a word. She was expecting this, though hoping otherwise. Her secret had lasted longer than she expected. How did she think she could simply walk away from it?
“They know our leader is a woman.”
She nodded. “And they demand to speak to me.”
“Or they threaten to kill Dykar,” Septimus finished.
“Do you have any idea what they want of me?”
“No, but time is short. We must leave now if we are to reach the appointed rendezvous.”
She nodded, knowing she had no choice. “Are the men ready?”
“They wait impatiently for your command.”
“Then let’s go.”
“Are you sure?”
“How can you ask me that?” she said as she yanked her cloak off the peg.
“You have a chance at freedom.”
“Not at the cost of Dykar’s life,” she said, and shoved him out the door before her. “And you knew that.”
“It’s just good to hear it.”
“Now that you have, it’s time to go,” she said. “But first I need to speak with Bethane.” Before she shut the door, she whispered softly, hoping somehow it would reach Ronan, and he would know. “I will return.”