Chapter Four #5
The gentle suckling turned open-mouthed and his tongue gently demanded entrance.
She opened her lips instinctively and he plunged into the sweet pink orifice, licking and suckling her until her knees gave out and he had to support her.
Even then, he continued to kiss her until her face was red from the stubble on his cheeks and even then, he did not stop until he forced himself pull away or risk abandoning all self-control. He had, in fact, already lost it.
When the kiss ended and his wits halfway returned, he realized that he had her squeezed tightly against him. He didn’t even know if she was breathing except for the fact that her arms around his neck still held him fast. His face was in her fragrant hair as he spoke.
“Perhaps I should not have done that,” he said hoarsely. “Forgive me if it was too bold. I could not help myself.”
Avalyn heard his word and almost laughed, for she knew that she was in a good deal of trouble. She never wanted to leave the safety or strength of those massive arms, ever, nor leave those lips that had twice branded her.
“You were not too bold,” she murmured, her lips on his ear. “I wanted you to do that.”
His response was to hug her tightly. Avalyn clung to him, savoring the sensation of his massive body in her arms, wishing with all of her heart that it was Brogan she was betrothed to and not the red-faced baron.
He felt so good against her, creating a feeling of security and safety and euphoria.
And there was a distinct feeling of belonging, feeding an emotional need she never knew she had. He seemed to feed all of her.
But her wits gradually returned and she opened her eyes, seeing the tall structure of the White Tower behind them. It reminded her of where they were, and that at any second they might be discovered. Now, more than ever, she did not want them to be exposed.
“Brogan,” she said softly, and he released her enough to look at her. “It is not safe for us out here. You must return to the barracks and I must return to the feast.”
She could tell by his expression that he did not like that suggestion. “But…but your entertainment…?”
“Not tonight. It is too dangerous.”
“When shall I see you again?”
She sighed sadly. “I do not know. We are leaving on the morrow.”
His deep blue eyes were intense, serious.
“I do not want to let you go, Avalyn. I feel as if I am just starting to live again and to take you away would… would surely be the end of me. But I also know that there are many things I have no control over. I am a lowly soldier and you are a powerful lady. Tell me what you would have of me, what you want me to do, and I shall do it.”
She shook her head. “You are speaking before you can think this through. The heat of the moment is causing you to say things you do not mean.”
His expression dimmed. “I am not a wise or educated man, but I know what I am saying. I am not stupid.”
“I did not mean to offend you. But sometimes we say things in passion that we would not normally say. You must listen to what your words. Would you really risk all just to be near me, no matter what the cost?”
He fell silent, his massive hands stroking her back as he often stroked St. Alban’s fat cat.
The strokes were gentle, uncannily so, but there was untapped strength to them.
“Perhaps,” he suggested, his tone a bit calmer, “we should go see your entertainment and reason things out. We both agree that we do not want to lose whatever is happening between us. Perhaps we can think of a way to keep it.”
She looked at him hesitantly, thinking that perhaps her foolish attraction to the man was getting the better of her.
So much had changed since last night, since this morning.
She was betrothed now. But gazing into Brogan’s eyes, she knew that her heart would not let her think clearly.
Perhaps there was a way they could keep what they had started.
But in the same breath, her apprehension was growing at the thought that they might be discovered at any moment.
No doubt those missing her at the feast would be looking for her. She could not put Brogan at such risk.
“Return to the barracks and I shall return to the feast,” she told him. “But meet me here around midnight. We will speak more of it then, without the fear of someone coming upon us.”
He pulled her close and rubbed noses with her before depositing a sweet and longing kiss on her lips. Then he let her go.
“I will be here.”
She smiled sadly at him. This wasn’t healthy for either of them, in more ways than one. “I know,” she murmured. “Now go before you are discovered. Hurry!”
He gave her a wink as he faded back into the shadows, hugging the wall of the White Tower before rounding the corner and out of sight.
Avalyn watched him go before turning back in the direction of the feasting hall.
She hadn’t made it ten feet when Inglesbatch was suddenly in front of her.
His simmering blue eyes told her everything she needed to know.
He had seen them together.