Page 48 of A Knight To Call My Own
“You ask much.”
’Twas a quiet statement, and yet Lynet could tell he was pleased by her words. “Not really, for is that not what love is all about? I do not wish to be treated as your chattel, Ian, but to stand proudly next to your side, knowing I am loved.”
“I took you to wife,” he whispered.
“Aye, you did. Yet, that does not mean you love me.”
He reached out to pull at a lock of her hair and began rubbing the tresses between his fingers as he considered her words. “Surely, you must know I care for you, Lynet.”
She gave a brief laugh, for she was not sure what to believe as he took another step closer. Air rushed from her lungs. She tried to find her next breath, but he had stolen it from her, along with her heart, with just one look into his hazel eyes. “You do?”
“Aye, I do.”
“Prove it,” she challenged him with the same words she spoke in the hall.
He leaned down, placing his forehead upon hers as he made his vow. “I shall do so, even if it takes all of my days, my lady,” he whispered huskily, caressing her cheek.
“And what of the nights, my laird?” she murmured in return.
“They belong only to you.”
“Forevermore?”
“For forever and a day.”
“Then love me, Ian,” she said, wrapping her arms around his neck, “and make me your wife.”
His lips breathed life into her with his kiss. ’Twas gentle at first afore it became demanding. ’Twas her own doing, since she urged him on by molding herself into his body. She had waited a lifetime for this very moment, and she would not deny herself the pleasure of his touch.
Ian’s hand snaked around her legs and he scooped her up in his arms. He walked over to the bed where she slowly slid down the length of his body to rock on wavering legs. How she was able to stand on her own was beyond her ken, once he touched her. Her skin felt both hot and cold at the same time. ’Twas as if ’twere not her own. Every nerve felt alive as her body’s inner cravings heightened with her need to be close to him.
His mouth brushed lightly down her neck ’til his tongue flicked its way even lower to her breasts showing above her tunic. ’Twas in the way of the bountiful treasure he now sought, and Ian made quick work of removing the fabric from her body. She gasped when he took one nipple in his mouth, raising it to a peak afore turning his attention to the other. She had no notion where to put her hands, so she interlaced her fingers with the reddish-brown tresses of his hair whilst she took a firm hold.
He gave an amused chuckle afore he continued his exquisite torture. Surely, there would be no doubt left in what little was left of her mind he cared for her after he had his way with her. His hands slowly caressed their way down the curve of her hips then brushed against the flatness of her stomach. She had no idea what he would do next ’til her hose puddled at her feet, and the coolness of the air hit her skin like an icy cold blast of awareness.
Ian threw back the pelts from the bed whilst his plaid quickly disappeared from his glorious body. She had never seen a man nude afore, but this specimen afore her eyes surely must have been carved in God’s image. He was beautiful, and he was hers.
Climbing into the bed, Ian seemed in no hurry whilst he propped himself on one elbow to feast his eyes upon her body. She felt a blush starting from the tips of her toes and rising everywhere in between. She reached for the covers, but his hand grabbed hers to stop its progress.
“Nay,” he murmured, stealing yet another kiss. “I will not have your beauty covered. I have waited long enough to see you, Lynet. Even my dreams were tortured with wanting you.”
“They were?” Was that actually her voice? Those raspy words that were part moan, part question, and part innocence?
“Aye.” His fingers began playing with her own as her nerves were pricked with anticipation of the unknown.
Lying side by side, Lynet studied his eyes, marveling at the emotions that fleetingly swept across his visage. “I do not want to disappoint you,” she declared honestly.
“I cannot imagine how you would,” he answered with a small smile.
“I do not know what to do, or even what you like.”
“I shall show you.”
“You will?”
“Aye, my lady, I will, indeed. But that will be for another eve. As I promised, tonight belongs to you.”
She may have mumbled some answer, and yet he did not wait for one afore he began to leave a blazing trail of kisses down the length of her body. She gasped when he touched her where no other had ever dared afore. Embarrassed to the very core of her being, he only continued his loving assault on her senses ’til pleasure replaced all her inhibitions.
