De Warenne Dynasty 01 - The Conquerer (37 page)

She had come to him. She had wanted him. She had responded to his passion as fiercely as he had given it. CeidreGuy's wife.

He rolled off her, grim now, and stared up at the ceiling. He felt her touch, a soft caress on his bicep, and he jerked his head to her. Anger-at himself, at the both of them-faded, to be instantly replaced with warmth. She was radiant and gorgeous, and mostly it was her eyes that held his, shining with pleasure-with joy.

He looked at her hand on his arm. Naturally, she stroked him, as if enjoying the feel of his skin, his flesh, his muscle and bone. Unbelievably, he could feel his desire renewing itself. He stopped her hand abruptly.

"Where isGuy ?"

She met him steadily. "He is out wenching. Have no fear, he will not miss me this night."

The words came out before he could stop them. "He is a fool."

She said nothing.

He moved closer to her so that he was looking down upon her, into her eyes. "Did I hurt you, Ceidre?"

His tone was thick. He still held her hand.

"No." She smiled, a smile of contentment, and something else, something more, something that choked him with pleasure.

"After your imprisonment, maybe 'tis not good-"

"'Tis fine." She squeezed his hand reassuringly.

What was he going to do? He was only a man, and much weaker than he had thought himself. to be. He groaned and fell back on the pillows, staring again at the ceiling.

"Do not torture yourself," she whispered, raising up to do so. Her breasts flattened against his arm. Her face was near his.

"Do you read my mind?" he asked gruffly.

"I do not have to read it," she answered. "Your thoughts are written on your face, and besides, I know you well enough."

He shifted onto his side, his palm spreading on her taut back. It slipped to her hip. Her flesh curved perfectly into his hand. "I should never have given you toGuy ," he said roughly.

"It matters not. You are our liege lord. You may take what you want."

Page 184

Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv
erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

"Guymost likely will feel differently."

"No, he would deny you nothing."

"You are so sure?"

"I am sure, but if it bothers you, he need not know."

"What are you suggesting, wench?" His grip tightened. "I am not a liar. I do not cuckold my best man.

Yet I am doing both!"

Her palm grazed his face. "We need each other, my lord," she said simply.

Her touch was going to undo him. He groaned, fighting with himself, telling himself to get out of the bed and leave, now. Yet he knew, all along, that he would not. He could not. "You are a witch," he rasped.

"Because I am under your spell, of that there is no doubt."

Her hand slid from his jaw to his neck, paused, then slipped to his shoulder. She began rubbing his thick chest muscle.Rolfe 's head went back, his eyes closed, he arched himself into her hand. He heard her whisper "You are so powerful, my lord, so big, so strong ..."

He groaned, lifting her on top of him, nuzzling her breasts. A simple touch, a few words, and he was lost.

He prodded her with his throbbing organ. "Can you ride me, Ceidre?"

"I don't know." She gasped, surprised, as he lazily rubbed his swollen tip against her derriere, tonguing a nipple at the same time.

"Ride me," he commanded, holding her in place, then swiftly thrusting up into her. She cried out as he filled her, instinctively shifting to lessen the vast pressure. He held her immobile. "Don't move, I will be gentle, you will get used to it in a moment. Relax."

She trembled on top of him. "You might split me asunder."

"No, no, I will not, trust me. ..."

He watched her relax, and as she moved, slightly, he saw her gasp with pleasure as she grew accustomed to him. "Ride me," he said thickly.

She needed no urging. Head flung back, breasts thrust forward, she rode him hard.

"How long have you been withWilliam ?"

They lay entwined together in the middle of the bed, Ceidre's face resting against his shoulder, his hand drifting in her hair. "A dozen years."

She looked up. "But how is that possible? Are you an old man?"

He smiled slightly. "I am almost twenty-nine. I joinedWilliam when I was seventeen. Why?"

"I know nothing about you."

Page 185

Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv
erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

He smiled genuinely now. "You know more than all other women." His eyes glinted. He wrapped his hand in her hair and pulled her head back, turning her face up to his. "You know how to please me."

She blushed. "I imagine you are easy, enough to please."

"Release is easy, yes," he agreed, "But that is not the kind of pleasure I am talking about."

She smiled and nuzzled her face against his chest.

He stared down at her. This second time they had loved passionately, fiercely, for hours, yet he did not feel sated-there was an urgency still within him, not as intense, but distinct nonetheless. He wasn't sure it was entirely physical either, but if not, then what was it? He wondered if Ceidre really understood what he meant-that she had taken him to heights of ecstasy so high they were unbearable, and now, lying here in his arms, she was bringing him equal pleasure, although completely different, soothing and calm and replete, except for that elusive niggling sense of urgency he could not shake. Never had he experienced this last kind of pleasure before. When had he, in fact, ever dallied abed with a woman after fucking? The answer was an unqualified never.

He wanted to tell her all this, but did not know how.

"Is your brother as big as you are?"

"What!"

She looked up innocently, saw his expression and grinned. "Do not be lewd! I meant is he as tall, as broad of shoulder-is he as fine of face?"

"What is this interest in my brother?" He was absurdly pleased with her compliments, and his tone was rough to hide this. "How do you even know I have a brother?"

"I have my witch's ways." She smiled; he smiled. "Is he not here inEngland ?"

"Yes, in the south, and if you must know, he is almost as tall, but slimmer. Height runs in my family, but not the breadth. I do not know where I got these shoulders from. Mayhap some Viking ancestor."

"Your shoulders are very fine," she said, touching one. "Will you ever go back toNormandy ?"

"There is nothing for me there."

"But do you not have family there? Parents? Other brothers, sisters, cousins?"

He smiled. "Yes, of course. Ceidre," he explained patiently, "I am the fourth and youngest son. I followedWilliam toNormandy for the promise of my own land, a patrimony for my sons. You understand the way of the world. There was nothing for me inNormandy , and there is still nothing for me there. My life is here now. Aelfgar is my life."

She looked at him, rising up. "'Tis not fair," she said, eyes flashing.

"I do not want to fight."

Page 186

Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv
erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

She instantly softened. "Nor do L"

He looked at her breasts. "Your tits are magnificent, do you know that?"

"So I have been told."

He had been caressing one, now he froze. "Who in hell told you such?"

She laughed. "I wanted to see your reaction. No one, my lord."

"Guydoes not tell you how beautiful you are?" Ceidre hesitated. She looked away, thinking frantically, trying to decide if she should tell him the truth.

"Ceidre?" There was a hint of warning in his tone.

She gazed at him. "Guyhas never seen my breasts, my lord."

He stared. "I do not believe this-he beds you in the dark or with your clothes on?"Rolfe sat up. There was distinct jealousy in his tone.

"He does not bed me."

"What are you saying?" he demanded.

"He has never touched me. He is afraid of me because I am a witch and does not wish to consort with the devil's own. He is my husband, yes, but he takes his pleasure elsewhere. We have an understanding and it suits us both."

Rolfecould not believe it; he gripped her shoulders. " 'Tis the truth?"

"Yes," she breathed.

"He has not bedded you, not once?"

"No."

He hauled her up against him, kissing her with hard, brutal passion. She resisted his onslaught instinctively, hands pressed against his shoulders, whimpering when he drove her roughly against the wall.

He instantly lessened the pressure, his mouth becoming gentle, soft.

"Do not fight me," he said hoarsely. "You are mine, Ceidre, mine."

As he kissed her she could feel him controlling a fierce, brutal passion, she could feel it in the shaking of his big body. And the contradiction, the tenderness, the sensual stroking of his mouth, when he was so desperately ready, brought something forth in Ceidre, something shimmering and bright, more than just an answering passion. She clung to him, returning his kisses. He had already spread her thighs, and now he thrust abruptly into her. She was wet and ready, fueled by his explosive need. Moments later they cried out, one after the other, in the throes of hot, heady pleasure.

He held her tightly afterward. "You are mine, Ceidre, do you understand?"

Page 187

Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv
erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

She looked at him. She saw the ruthless, uncompromising look upon his face; his gaze was brilliantly hard, like diamonds. "Do you understand?"

She was frightened by his tone. "I am stillGuy 's wife."

"No one will touch you," he said. "I will take care ofGuy ." His gaze was piercing. "I am truly warning you, Ceidre; 'tis good you are afraid. If a man touches you, I will slice off his hands with my sword-do you understand?"

She nodded, breathless and trembling.

"And if another fucks you, I will kill him with my

own hand-while you watch. Do you understand?" "Yes."

"Good." He smiled a hard smile. "I do not share what belongs to me, and from this day forward you are mine."

She was appalled, she was also exhilarated. Unthinking, she touched his cheek gently. The hard brilliant look in his eyes the look of a ruthless conqueror -began to soften. "I do not want another, my lord," she said.

The melting in his gaze was rapid. "You speak the truth?"

"I swear it."

There was no hardness left in his regard, none at all. His smile was unrestrained. "You unman me, Ceidre."

"You are not unmanned to feel happy, my lord."

"No? What is happiness? A commander has no place in his life for such emotions."

"Wrongly said, my lord." She touched his cheek again, cupping his face. "A man has room for all emotions."

"A man who caters to all humors ceases to be a man, Ceidre. He cannot function as he should."

"You are happy with me, yet you function well." She smiled lasciviously. "More than well-superlatively."

He laughed, a warm, rich, bold sound that shook her with surprise. " 'Tis not that kind of functioning I am talking about, and you know it." His arm, which was holding her, squeezed her in what was almost a hug.

"Oh, my lord, 'tis good to hear you laugh," Ceidre breathed, hugging him back, hard.

His mirth died as he gazed at her. "I have never laughed with a woman before," he said.

She smiled impishly. "No? I am most flattered. Mayhap I can make you laugh again?"

His mouth quirked. "There are other humors I would rather feel."

Page 188

Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv
erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

She snorted. "Of course, if I catered to you as you would, there is only one humor you would cherish, only one you would have me feel, and it is hanging there between your legs."

"You may feel that humor anytime, Ceidre, even now." He pulled her hand toward his belly, she jerked it away.

"That humor does not need more humoring this night."

"But you said you would humor me." He was grinning.

"I am humoring you, fool. And here is more humor." She grinned and quickly tickled him under his arms.

With exaggerated annoyance, he slapped her hands away. She laughed and dove for his ribs. He caught her wrists, holding them triumphantly. "You cannot win!" But he was smiling.

"I think I already have, my lord," Ceidre said.

Chapter 49

Rolfepaused in the doorway of the stable, trying to peer into the darkness within. He held up a lamp and saw her. Ceidre sat upon a bale of hay, her hair loose and streaming to her hips, waiting for him. He smiled.

She smiled back.

He came forward, aware of the need to rush. He urgently enveloped her in his arms; she protested. "My lord, you will set us ablaze!"

He laughed ruefully and went outside to douse the oil lamp. He returned, impatience overwhelming, yet because he could not see, his steps were measured. She called out to him, like a siren, guiding him to her, luring him on. He crushed her to him, seeking her mouth fiercely, possessively, demanding a response.

She gave it with equal fervor. It was a long time later before they came up for air.

"It feels as if we have not seen each other for days," Ceidre managed, stroking her hand down his neck.

"From dawn to dusk is long enough,"Rolfe said roughly. "I cannot wait another moment, Ceidre."

Holding her buttocks and anchoring her, he pressed himself crudely against her groin.

"Nor can I," she returned, running her hands over his arousal boldly.

Their mating was quick and fierce, there in the straw, and afterward they lay panting, curled up together.Rolfe began undressing her. "I want to feel you naked against me."

"Yes," she murmured, helping him to remove her

garments. She snuggled against him.

"Guyleaves for Dumstanbrough tomorrow,"Rolfe told her. "To build his keep and see to his demesne. I have given him a fortnight's leave."