Page 10 of Ice Bound

“What is it?” He began to rise, pushing himself into a sitting position.

“Stay.”

He paused, brows lowering in confusion.

Her frozen fingers tightened on the cloth of the blanket as she slowly approached him. She feared he would reject her, but the memory of his kiss, of his parting words, gave her courage.

She stopped just in front of him, her gaze locked with his, stomach fluttering. Pushing her covering from her shoulders, she loosened the ties of her night rail until it sagged, and shrugged the garment free. The fabric whispered down her body to pool at her feet.

Neledrim’s breath left him, his eyes wide as they dipped once in perusal of her body. When they met hers again, his surprise was replaced by deep longing. The way he looked at her warmed Anna like the sun never could, her heart expanding to break the layer of ice that encased it.

He lifted his hand and she took it, stepping free of her boots as he guided her down onto the blanket beside him. Leaning over her, he took her in. His hand hovered over her flesh, not touching, and flowed over every curve to trace her body. Her nipples, already pebbled with cold, tightened painfully. She ached with need for his touch.

“You are so lovely,” he whispered, awed. His eyes darkened when they settled on the spot between her slightly parted thighs.

She shivered.

“And cold.” A hint of mirth was in his smile. He knew it was more than the cold.

Lying there, she watched him pick up one of the other blankets she’d given him the night before, still folded neatly. He shook it loose and settled it over her. Any questions she may have asked vanished as he began to remove his own clothing.

His body looked as though it were sculpted of marble, the planes of his torso smooth and pale, muscle rippling beneath the surface. Despite years of wandering in harsh weather, the man beside her was perfect, his skin undamaged by sun and wind. He was beautiful.

And he was hers. For tonight.

Then he joined her, sliding beneath the blanket to position himself above her. Her hands flattened against his chest, marveling at the feel of him, his heart beating against her palm. His cool skin left a chill in its wake wherever it touched, only heating hers further.

Years of isolation, guilt, and sorrow fled from her in those moments, leaving only the need to love and be loved in return.

They shared kisses and caresses, learning every inch of one another, leaving no place untouched.

She opened to him, welcoming him into her body, into her very soul. They moved as one, their breathless sighs filling the barn, oblivious to the storm outside. Anna shattered in his arms, clinging to him as her body trembled. Ecstasy flooded her with a strength she hadn’t thought possible.

Never had she given herself so completely. She knew that she had granted him more than her body this night; she’d given him all of herself.

“In all my years, I have never known anyone so beautiful,” he said, brushing his fingertips along the side of her face. “Not only here, but here.” He pressed his hand between her breasts, over her fluttering heart.

The elation that rose within her was fleeting, fast replaced by dread. What had she done? How could she have been so foolish?

Was a single night of pleasure worth the years of pain that would follow?

He was a wanderer, a storyteller, a man without a home. How many other places had he stayed, how many other women had given their hearts to him? He had no roots; what would hold him here, with her?

As though sensing her withdrawal, Neledrim frowned, cupping her chin to force her watering eyes to his.

“What is it, Anna? Why do you cry?”

“This was a mistake,” she said, voice wobbly.

He recoiled, as though she’d slapped him. “What?”

She pushed on his chest, unable to bear the feel of him against her,withinher. He moved aside, and she hurriedly drew her night rail over her head and tugged on her boots. She reached for her blanket. His hand clasped her wrist.

“You do not mean that,” he said. His voice was low, thick. Pained.

Anna couldn’t look at him. If she did, she’d allow him to pull her back onto theirmakeshift nest and love her again. Pulling her arm free, she grabbed the blanket and swung it around her shoulders.

“What we did should not have happened. I’m sorry-”

---