Chapter 19 #3
Lord, what more could there be? And yet she knew she wanted to find out. She wanted to experience it all with him. She decided in that instant she would hold nothing back when he made love to her.
When they had finished the wine, Richard yanked the hangings closed and settled into the bed with a sigh, pulling her against him.
Gwen molded to him without protest. She wanted to explore him, to find out more about his body, but she was too shy to do it now. She buried her face in the curve of his neck and pressed her lips to his throat. His arms tightened around her.
Why did she feel so happy? She knew she shouldn’t, but she didn’t want to analyze it right now.
The fact was she felt wonderful lying in his arms. His scent mingled with hers, reminding her of the beautiful intimacy they had just shared.
If being with a man was always this way, it was no wonder the castle wenches were so eager to bed the knights.
No doubt they’d been just as eager to bed their lord. She shoved the disturbing thoughts aside and concentrated on the man next to her.
What would her life be like now that he was home?
She’d come to enjoy the independence she felt in managing a household.
Would he take it away? It was in his power to do so.
He could order her to stay in this room and perform for his entertainment during the day, and when the day was over, he could order her to perform for his pleasure.
That last thought was not without merit.
“You have made some changes,” he said suddenly.
“Aye, it seemed for the best.”
“I’ve only been in the hall. Will I find the rest of my castle as changed?”
“Aye,” she said softly. “You are displeased?”
He was silent for a moment. “I was at first. Just a little,” he added when she stiffened. “I thought you’d had no training, being Welsh. It was quite a shock.”
For once, Gwen was not offended. She laughed. “Ah, but you forgot about Elinor. ’Twas she who whipped my father’s hall into shape. I could not help but be influenced.”
“’Tis been a long time since things were in order around here. ’Tis not a high priority for fighting men.”
Gwen wanted to ask if Elizabeth had kept the castle properly when she was alive, but she could not bring herself to utter the name during this new closeness.
“’Twould not have been possible without Owain,” she said.
“I told him to obey you as he would me, but I think he would have done it anyway. He’s taken a liking to you.”
Gwen stroked the side of his face, unaware of how tender the gesture was, or of the hidden things it stirred within him. “You told him to obey me?” she asked.
He had not forgotten her! He’d made sure she would have Owain. Without thinking, she turned his face and pressed her lips to his.
He cupped her cheek. “Aye, I did. But tell me, love, how did you manage to get Oliver to do what you wanted?”
Gwen’s heart quickened. “I threatened him.”
“You threatened him? With what?”
“I threatened to dismiss him.”
Richard chuckled. “I cannot imagine Oliver believing such a threat.”
Gwen smiled against his throat. “He didn’t at first.” She raised herself to look down at him. There was still enough light that she could see his features. She decided to take the plunge. “He said he would only believe it if you said it. So…”
“What?”
“You might get angry.”
He brushed her cheek with his finger. “Tell me anyway.”
“I asked him if he wanted to gamble on who had more influence with you, him or me. He decided not to take the chance.”
Richard laughed. “You must be mighty convincing if he found thirty years service lacking against your claim.”
“Well, I didn’t exactly play fair. I suggested that since our marriage you found certain… ummm, pleasures… with me that would very likely influence you in my favor.”
Gwen swallowed. There, she’d said it. Now he wouldn’t have to hear it from anyone else. She thought her heart would stop beating while she waited for his response.
He pushed her back on the pillows, his kiss as sensual as hers had been tender. Gwen’s arms slipped around him.
“You could just be right about that, sweet,” he murmured thickly.
His manhood pressed against her abdomen and she tried to shift beneath him, wanting him deep inside her. When they had been joined, she had felt his strength coursing through her as if it were her own, and she wanted to know that feeling again.
“’Tis too soon,” he said, sucking her nipple into his mouth.
Gwen moaned and arched into him. “Please, Richard…”
“I’ll hurt you…”
“Nay…” Her hands closed over the taut muscles of his buttocks.
He groaned. “God, you really don’t play fair, my sweet. Are you certain you want me?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t want to hurt you.”
“You won’t. Please, Richard…”
“’Tis selfish of me, but I cannot deny my own needs when you are asking me to do it.” He shifted downward. She spread her legs and lifted her hips. They both groaned as he slid inside her.
If she’d had any doubt the sensations she’d experienced had been real, he proved it to her again in exquisite detail.
They fell asleep much later, bodies sated, clinging to each other in sleep as they had in passion.