Conquering the Dark Axe (25 page)

Rourke lowered his head and spreading the scroll out
on the table that separated him and the man, he read the document without a
change in his expression. Alexa inched her way near hoping to glimpse a view of
the contents, but he closed it and lifted his head without looking in her
direction.  She twisted her lip in consternation. He faced the man, but
she knew just by the set of his jaw, he’d been aware of what she was about. She
hung back. He didn't seem the least bit concerned by the herald's twitching.

“Is there something amiss, man? I must say you do
not look well.”  The deathly calm of Rourke’s voice hung in the room.

The herald started nervously, “Forgive me, Lord.
Your name strikes fear in the toughest of men and your presence is, well- a bit
overwhelming, if I must say. Only a fool with scrambled brains would dare think
to stand against you.”

“And are your brains scrambled?” Rourke challenged
threateningly.

“Nay, Lord.”  The bump on the man’s throat
bobbed, his eyes widened in fear as he licked his lips in fear. “I am quite
well and bring only the king’s word to you.”

The man blinked rapidly and more sweat beaded on his
brow. The tick in the herald’s left eye told Rourke he’d hit truth and deceit.
Damn it to hell!

"King William handed you this directly?"
Rourke’s deep timbre rumbled in the room and the man seemed to lose a shade of
color.

Then, with a thrust of his jaw, the herald replied,
"The king's advisor handed it to me himself. Do you doubt the seal you've
just broken, Lord?"

The man had responded quickly enough, but Alexa
still caught the nervousness in his tone. The look Rourke sent him had Alexa’s
own knees knocking. The moment seemed endless and just as she thought Rourke
would kill the messenger where he stood, he rolled his shoulders in a
threatening way, legs spread and crossed his arms over his chest and spoke once
more. 

 "If it proves you have lied, I will hunt
you down and you will feel my namesake tear your flesh, old man. You may
go."

Alexa heard the man swallow as he bowed and made his
hasty exit.  Rourke called two of his own men over for a word. He spoke
too low for her to hear and Alexa wanted to take a step near. But she dared not.
His dark look never left her during the discussion. Soon the two men left and
she eyed the scroll in his fist.  She approached the table. He watched her
every movement and she burned under his gaze.

"I do not like this. Something about this is
not right."

"Think you I am a fool?"  His hiss of
restrained anger swept over her. She didn't care. A feeling stirred in her gut
and she cast all aside.

"Nay. You are lord of Barnett and no one's
fool."  She met his arched brow with her own and continued, "I
do not mock you, Rourke. The little man's behavior just put me ill at
ease."

"He was a funny little man, was he not?
Nonetheless, your worry is for naught. ‘Tis the king’s seal. Oftentimes I’ve
seen men behave thus in my presence."

Alexa wanted to smack the smug look off his
face.  She was all too aware firsthand the fear the man could bring upon
someone. But this time she felt it was more than that. He acted flippant about
it, but the tightness in her stomach told her it was something else. He excused
the man too easily, but Alexa could not. But trying to explain it to him would
be wasted. Already he seemed to have forgotten the man’s strange behavior.

 Her eyes dropped back to the parchment,
"Do you not wish to share with me the contents of the king’s letter?"
Curiosity burned in her with the need to know and she was not even aware that
she had walked around the table and now stood before him. 

"No worries.” He tucked the rolled parchment
into the breast of his tunic. “I will see William’s deed done and the matter
will be over."

Alexa shot him a harried look and added with disgust
under her breath, “What further sort of punishment does William wish to mete
out now?”

His dark frown remained and he eyed her with a stoic
gaze.

He looked dangerous, but his shoulders soon relaxed
and he said coolly, “I owe my allegiance to William and my services sworn for
his use. I am expected to fight. Even when the time comes and he relives me of
that duty, ‘tis my job to supply him with well trained and equipped soldiers.”

"How long do you plan to be away?"

“Until the matter is completed. You will take your
place as lady of the manor, of course.”

Running the manor in his absence was of no
consequence to Alexa. She had done it before he had come. It was the skittish
nature of the herald that still had her on edge. Why was he not bothered? This
caused her to reply crossly, "I can well manage what I was doing before
your arrival whilst you are away doing William’s bidding."

He took a step toward her. Alexa held her spot and
his gaze for a moment more, and then walked across the room, giving him her
back. His next words had her turning back around just as quickly.

“Did you speak truth when you said you'd not escape
me again?"

Alexa frowned at him and watched him approach. Why
was he speaking of this again? She studied him for a silent moment. He had hurt
her a great deal. Aye. But she had no wish to run from him.

"I told you nay." Alexa fisted the sides
of her kirtle in her hands and skirted around him. He didn't follow, but his eyes
did. "Why do you ask me of it again?" she turned back to him and
asked.

He spoke with his penetrating hard gaze watching
her. "I do not know how long I will be away seeing to this matter for the
king.”

Her brows lifted in confusion.  He made a noise
with his tongue and added, “This strife between us I would wish resolved before
I leave. Think you ‘tis possible?”

Stunned by his unexpected words, Alexa at first
could not respond. His brows furrowing told her, he’d read wrongly into her
brief silence. His jaw set and his green eyes glittered in aggravation. “Well.
Then we shall think upon it whilst we are apart and perhaps come to a
resolution upon my return. I must see to a few things. I ride out at dawn.”

Alexa stood there gawking after him.

See if she cared if he ever returned. It would be
the answer to end this marriage. Was it not what she'd wanted all along? Alexa
huffed and stormed up the rest of the case to their chamber.

Once inside, she paced with her racing thoughts. She
would get no sleep this night. Her menses had stopped at dawn. Should she tell
him? His apology had been lacking many kind words and sincerity.

But from him- the Dark Axe- had she expected aught
less? From a man who used brute strength ofttimes to get his way.

Alexa tossed and turned some more among the soft
pelts in the bed.

Tonight could be their last night together.

Disagreement between still unresolved. Was it the
way to send him off? Untruths and hurts yet lay between them but Alexa was
intent on her purpose.

If he was intent on going on this mission, it could
be the last time she'd see him. She refused to think he'd not return. His
earlier words came back to her. Alexa’s heart stung.

So many emotions she was unfamiliar with she
struggled. To take from him did not mean she pardoned his behavior. But the
fear that he refused to heed the bad feelings on this latest matter worried her
deeply. What she felt for the Norman was nigh overwhelming. Alexa did not know
if 'twas love that caused her heat to beat fast. She didn't think she was
capable of loving him.

Fond of him?

Aye.

That she’d readily admit and it was strong enough so
that she was aware that she no longer hated his Norman hide.

When he came to their chamber a look of surprise
crossed his handsome face to see that she was still awake. He made a grunt and
went in one corner to disrobe and prepare for bed. Alexa watched his every
move.

He did not look at her again. She could see the
tired lines across his forehead. He glanced quickly in her direction when he
climbed up on the bed. No words were spoken and she waited. Disappointment
twanged inside her when he lay on his back with a muscled arm thrown over his
brow. So he would not touch her once again. Alexa would have none it this
night.

This night was hers and she would have what she
sought even if she had to take it.

She leaned up and lay a hand upon his bare chest.
One large hand quickly clamped around her wrist in a tight vise.

"What do you do, hellion?"

"My time ended at dawn."  Alexa felt
him flinch beneath her palm. When he remained silent she exhaled a deep
exasperated breath, continuing, "I wish to spend this night with you in
case there is not…."

She could not bring herself to finish. If she spoke
the words aloud, she may as well put a blade to his chest now for it would
bring ill luck. But she need not worry for as he was prone to do his eyes
changed and she knew he knew her meaning.  Seducing him was not as easy as
she thought. The hand around her wrist loosened and he pulled her closer.

"Do not play with me."

"It’s not a game, Rourke."

"'Ere you make your next move, Alexa, I warn
you to think. Your seduction may be awkward, but it has the effect you seek.
There will be no turning back," he warned her.

She said nothing. Instead she leaned down and pressed
her soft lips to his cheek. Rourke rolled and had her beneath him in seconds.

"I am hungry for you and my balls ache to be
inside you. I shall try to go slow but I fear I cannot promise that will hold
true."

Alexa reached up and stroked his cheek as she ran
her tongue over her lips. He groaned over her and she could feel his body shake
with his desire.

"You test me to the very last, hellion and I
will see you pay for such sweet torture." Rourke said before he leaned
down and began kissing and sucking at her neck, cheeks, chin and lips. When she
opened her mouth in delight, he plundered deep seeking her hot response. He
groaned when her hands tightened in is hair. His hands left a burning path of
titillation wherever he touched.  His growl came a hairsbreadth away from
her parted lips and Alexa moved and sucked his tongue back inside her waiting
mouth.

 Hugging her to him Rourke ground his hips
against hers and she opened for him.  Their bodies moved in unison with her
undergarments between them. Within moments she cried out in pleasure beneath
him and shuddered her fulfillment. As she fought to catch he breath, she
returned his wicked smile.

“Hmmm. Guess I was not the only one who could not
promise slowly.”

She leaned up to plant a hard kiss on his mouth.
When done, she told him. “I have no balls that ache as you, but I ached down
there nonetheless. I’m still hungry for you, Rourke.”

Her sultry words drove him mad and in his urgency to
be inside her, he grabbed her shift in his fist and tore it down the
middle.  She moaned and arched her back to rub her nakedness against
him. 

Her breast bounced and Rourke’s mouth watered.
Burying his head between the globes, he kissed her everywhere. Her hard nipples
slipped in and out of his mouth. He suckled at her tenderly and long like a man
starved. He nearly spilled his seed when she worked a hand down between them to
bring him to her entrance. The wetness of her was too much. And he struggled
for a steady breath. 

"You want me inside you?” 

Her yes came out in a strangled moan. Rourke took in
her flushed face and the naked passion in her eyes. He ordered, “Then take me
inside you.” Her fingers held him gently as she guided him.

“Take me inside you, hellion," Rourke repeated
against her lips and caught her soft cry in his mouth as he covered her mouth
with his. He moved to withdraw and she gripped him tighter her hooded gaze met
his, her hands clutched at his shoulders.

“Don’t.” Alexa whispered.

He slid back inside, filling her slowly, inch by
inch. When she wrapped her legs around his waist, Rourke roared and buried
himself deeply. He held himself there for a moment and kissed her deeply. She
kissed him back with the same hunger. Her body quivered beneath him and he
began to move.

Each stroke brought them closer, deeper. His hands
caressed nearly every inch of her supple frame and Rourke felt her hands and
fingers on him. The intimacy was like no other time they’d shared. She burned
for him. She lifted her legs higher, more open and he wanted all of himself
inside her.

When her fingers outlined the scar on his back, he
tensed but she leaned up and tightened her thighs and rode him hard. Rourke
lost it and his thrusts went wild. Soon their mutual cries of pleasure filled
the chamber with their soaring ecstasy.

Rourke rested on his back, breathless with her
snuggled against his side. He was worn. She had drained him, yet her fingers
and mouth caressed his chest seeking more. A quiet moment slipped by and Rourke
savored the peace of her softness in his arms.  Words still not spoken but
their hands, touches spoke volumes. Rourke closed his eyes in rapture when
later he was ready and she crawled on top of him to take his hardness inside
her wetness, once more.