Claire Delacroix (22 page)

Other than the heat he awakened with his touch. Viviane smiled and finished shelving the books, more than looking forward to finding him upstairs.

Of course he would be there. She knew she could rely on Niall.

And he would have a wondrous surprise for her, one intended to win her heart and make her his own.

It would be perfect.

* * *

It is the way of a flagon of ale to tempt a man to have another. Niall wasn’t helped by the fact that each time the coinage of this realm passed under his nose, he saw the date stamped or printed upon it, yet more evidence that he was not where he belonged.

And perhaps beyond the possibility of return. His word might be broken irrevocably, his solemn pledge as ashes in the wind. That knowledge, too, drove him to have another, if only to bolster him against the assault of the truth.

Derek proved to be a man well versed in how matters worked and had no qualms about explaining all and sundry to Niall. They talked and talked as they drank and drank. Niall tallied vast lists of numbers in his head, laughing when Derek was clearly impressed.

He divided, multiplied and subtracted with equal alacrity, although those talents were somewhat adversely affected by the ale as the night went on. Derek’s explanations also began to suffer, but neither man particularly heeded the change.

Indeed, they toasted each other’s cleverness and called for another round.

’Twas well past midnight when they were cast from the tavern for their poor singing. They waved good night to each other, two men who did the math and were now far better friends than they had been just hours past, then stumbled in the directions of their own pallets.

Niall made his uneven way towards Viviane’s abode, hauling the bag filled with his mail with no small effort. He sincerely hoped she would let him in. The rain was cold, his knee was aching. He wanted only to sleep on the floor, sheltered from the downpour, although a smile from the lady would not be unwelcome.

Niall’s steps fell a little faster at the prospect. He found the door unlatched and leaned his brow against the frame in relief, his heart thudding that this lady should show him such compassion. Niall’s loins tightened in recollection of Viviane’s smile. She did prompt a feeling within him, a sense of power that recalled the days when he had not been a lowly sentry. He felt bold and brave in her presence, he lived again as a knight who was honored.

Niall barely crossed the threshold before the lady herself gasped aloud.

“Niall! You’re here!”

As he looked up, Viviane came flying down the stairs, her hair unbound, her feet bare and her eyes wide. Niall saw the traces of her tears just before she cast herself into his arms and he caught her, instinctively holding her close. Her heartbeat fluttered beneath his palm like a wild bird, she clutched at his neck as though she had to reassure herself that he was real.

She had been worried for him. Affection flooded through Niall and he cradled her against his chest, wanting only to ease her concern.

It had been a long time since a woman who was not his kin had worried for Niall of Malloy.

“I was so afraid something had happened to you! I was worried when you were out so late and you didn’t come back even for a meal and I was afraid something might have happened to you.” Viviane pulled back, her eyes luminous yet lit with fear, her fingertips grazing his cheek. “Are you all right? Were you lost? Did anyone take advantage of you or trick you? Don’t tell me that you were robbed!”

And in that moment, staring into her wondrous eyes, ’twas all so perfectly clear. Niall held the most beautiful woman he had ever known in his arms, she was concerned for his sorry hide, she made him feel like a hero returned victorious.

Viviane was a woman who desired him, and Niall was a man who desired her.

It could be no more simple than that.

Niall enveloped Viviane’s delicate jaw in his hand, he tipped her face up to his. “You have no need to fret,” he murmured. “I am here and all is aright.”

The lady parted her lips but Niall granted her no chance to speak before he indulged his completely natural desire for her kiss. He bent his head and slanted his lips across the sweetness of hers, claiming her and silencing her in one move.

If she had turned him away, Niall would have stepped back, but Viviane did not. Indeed, she sighed with such contentment and leaned against him with such abandon, that Niall thought his heart would burst with its thundering.

Niall dropped his bag, swept the lady into his arms and kicked the door closed behind them. He carried her up the stairs without breaking his kiss or heeding the complaints of his knee.

Aye, he could find that fine pallet in the dark this night, he knew it well, and neither of them would regret it.

* * *

Viviane twined her arms around Niall’s neck and returned his kiss with abandon. This was the best surprise of all.

Maybe he wouldn’t even need to read her book.

His tongue slid between her teeth in that instant and drove coherent thought from Viviane’s mind. She sighed and opened her mouth, surprised to find herself on her own bed, Niall’s shadow looming over her. They knelt there for a moment, wavering against the tide of their desire, then Niall broke their kiss.

“Viviane,” he said simply, his voice low with desire. The way he said her name stole Viviane’s breath away, the tenderness in the hand that rose to caress her jaw made her mouth go dry.

She melted when he rubbed the rough edge of his thumb across her cheek and understood when this perfect knight shook his head, as though incredulous that she was not only before him but welcoming of his touch.

“Tell me,” he urged. “Tell me what ’tis you desire.”

Viviane framed his face in her hands and smiled. “Niall,” she whispered, leaning closer to barely touch her lips to his. She opened her eyes in the act of that kiss and found his bright gaze fixed upon her. Her nipples grazed his chest, she could feel the heat of his erection near her thigh even though her nightgown.

But he waited, granting her the chance to decide.

Viviane’s smile widened. “I want you,” she whispered. “In every way I can imagine.”

Niall’s eyes gleamed like emeralds in the shadows for a heartbeat before he caught her against him once again. The purpose in his touch made Viviane tingle in anticipation. This time there would be no halting short of the finish.

She could hardly wait.

Niall’s strong hand slid into her hair to cradle her nape, his mouth settled on hers once again as his other arm locked around her waist. Her curves molded to the hard lines of his body as though they were made to be together. She could smell the distinctive scent of his flesh, the hint of ale, the wind and sun that clung to his hair.

Viviane was captive within his embrace and could think of no where else she would rather be. He held her with that tempered strength that was so characteristic of him, of a strong man striving to be gentle with an infinitely precious gift. She could feel the thrum of desire running through him - and was well aware of the answering cry within herself.

Niall’s lips grazed her jaw, her temple, her earlobe. Viviane closed her eyes and surrendered to his sure touch, savoring the sweet brush of each butterfly-light kiss. His hands roved over her, ceaselessly gentle, as though he would memorize every mole she had, as though he would seek them out and taste them each in turn. His hot kisses trailed down her throat and Viviane arched her back, sighing then shivering, when he pressed a languorous kiss into the hollow of her throat.

Then Niall was kissing her moles, each one in succession, running a line between them with the heat of his tongue, his breath fanning her desire ever higher. He caught her waist in his hands, the span of his fingers nearly surrounding her and lifted her to his questing lips, his mouth locking around her nipple. His tongue and his teeth teased the peak until Viviane squirmed, but there was no escape.

And Niall only teased her more. Viviane buried her fingers in the thick silk of his hair and urged him closer, leaning back in unbridled delight. This was her knight, after all, the man by whose side she was destined to be. There was no need for secrets between them, no need to hold anything back.

Niall flicked his tongue against her, making her shudder from head to toe, and Viviane forgot everything except his touch.

He treated the other breast to the same thorough attention and Viviane heard herself moan aloud. She thought she heard Niall chuckle, but couldn’t be sure. His questing kisses slipped lower and when his tongue flicked into her navel, Viviane felt her knees buckle. Niall eased her back onto the mattress, his hands cupping her buttocks and lifting her hips to his kiss.

Viviane wasn’t sure exactly what he was doing, until the heat of his mouth landed upon her in a most distracting fashion. She gasped aloud and grabbed fistfuls of his hair, but this time Niall did chuckle. And he did not move away. His broad shoulders braced her thighs, opening her to his persuasive touch, his tongue teasing her much as his fingers had the day before. Viviane felt the heat rise beneath her skin more quickly than it had before, though it was hotter this time as well.

Though this time, Niall teased her. He halted when she was just shy of reaching the summit, paused for a telling moment, then began his sensuous assault once more. Viviane felt herself climbing higher each time, release tantalizingly close but still out of reach.

On the third time, she wriggled demandingly against him, uncertain she could stand it if he denied her this time. Niall gripped her buttocks and lifted her hips off the bed, his tongue dancing with gusto, flicking and suckling in turn.

Viviane writhed, her nipples tightened like beads, her hips bucked of their own accord. The heat rose beneath her skin like a tide and she understood just as the crest hovered over her that this time, Niall would see her through. Her heart pounded at the gift of pleasure he was intent to give her,

And then, suddenly, the release flooded through and over her. She shook to her core, she cried out, she shuddered like a leaf in the wind.

In that moment, Niall dove the length of the bed, capturing her in his arms, holding her fast against the storm. Viviane felt his shoulder against her cheek when the last ripple left her and she leaned against him with a smile.

Her knight was back.

* * *

She was beautiful, even in slumber.

Niall held Viviane close, watching her doze against him. She had been pleased, he knew it well. And Niall felt like a victorious king for his role in that.

This ’twas that Viviane gave him. This ’twas that astonished him and made him feel more the man than he knew himself to be. She believed in him, she trusted him, she expected valor and honor from him.

She made him feel whole again.

The lady sighed and stretched contentedly, her lashes fluttering against her cheeks before her eyes opened. Niall’s heart clenched - his desire for her was unsated, indeed it raged, but never would he force himself upon a woman.

But Viviane smiled. She curled against him and slipped her arms around his neck, her lips brushing his in that way that fired everything within Niall. Her hand fell upon his erection with a certainty unexpected, the weight of her hand there making Niall gasp.

“We’re not done,” she whispered, her gaze warm and welcoming.

Niall needed no second invitation. He slipped her fingers into her heat, ensuring that she was well prepared for him. He kissed her, nursing her desire once more, surprised by how quickly she arched against him, every move she made a silent demand.

The musky scent of her was inescapable and infinitely arousing. The floral scent clinging to her flesh from the shower this morn teased Niall with the memory of how she had tormented him. She echoed his slow thorough kisses, her tongue nudging between his teeth and making Niall’s blood boil.

He lifted his head, knowing he could not last unless he halted for a moment, but Viviane was not inclined to let him cease. She followed him with her intoxicating kisses, locking her hands around his neck and tumbling across him when he rolled to his back.

Her hunger for his touch enflamed him as naught else could have done. The ripe perfection of a buttock fell beneath one hand, Niall found a turgid nipple with the other and he was powerless to escape the lady’s touch.

She eased across him as they kissed, her hands running over his flesh, her breasts crushed against his chest, the sweep of her smooth thigh across his erection nigh making him explode. He whispered her name and her laughter fanned across his neck.

“Show me, Niall,” she said softly. He looked up to find her eyes sparkling with humor. “I don’t know what to do.”

Niall gripped her buttocks and lifted her so that she straddled him. He savored how pliant and pleased she was, his heart pounding at the welcome in her smile. The meager light coming through the window must be of the moon, for it painted her in ethereal silver, making her look like a fairy lover come to make Niall her own. She looked gossamer-wrought, as delicate as a cobweb, as silky smooth as a white flower opened beneath the moon.

He hesitated anew, afraid he would hurt her. But Viviane framed his face in her hands and kissed him soundly, wriggling her hips until his erection encountered her softness. ’Twas so easy to shift his hips, to find his destination, to ease against her welcoming warmth.

Niall had a fleeting impression that something was amiss, that she was too tight for him, too tiny, too finely wrought, but Viviane put an end to any hesitation. She drove her tongue into his mouth and settled herself onto him, a move that could not have been better designed to override his hesitation.

And then, Niall was buried within her, dizzy with sensation and oblivious to all else. There was only Viviane, her sweetness, her silken thighs, her ardent kisses. The wet heat of her seemed to draw him deeper and deeper, her grip upon him and her beguiling tongue forcing all coherent thought from his mind.