Chapter Eleven The Wild Night
Chapter Eleven
The Wild Night
It happened so suddenly that Hea did not have time to react.
One moment she had been glaring up at Bridei, her fists clenched by her sides as she resisted the urge to slap his face, the next she was in his arms.
Hea had never been kissed before. An overprotective mother, followed by an overbearing king had kept all would-be suitors at bay.
She had seen couples kiss at the spring celebrations of Eōstre before some of them slipped away to spend the night together.
Sometimes their embraces had seemed awkward, at other times she had sighed at the obvious passion between them.
But she had never expected this.
The feel of his arms about her, the softness of his lips on hers, ignited a hunger deep within her belly that made the world spin.
She gasped, her lips parting, and his tongue delved into her mouth, dancing with her own.
The kindling fire in her belly burst into flame.
How could the act of fusing mouths with a man affect her like this? It was just skin against skin, yet it was as if a strong wind had gusted in and lifted her off her feet.
Her surroundings disappeared. No longer was she standing in the corner of her one-room hovel—instead she was flying, spinning out of control, pleasure thrumming through her body.
Her anger at him—which had been nothing more than hurt and shame—dissolved. She could think of nothing but how good he tasted, how warm and strong his body was, and how she melted against him like a pat of butter on a hot griddle.
The rasp of his chin, the warmth and the scent of his skin, and the possessive way he kissed her caused all rational thought to scatter.
When Bridei finally pulled away from her, breathing hard as if he had been running, Hea nearly cried out in disappointment.
Releasing her, he took a step back, a rush of cool air flooding between them.
He stared at her, his brown eyes almost black in the dim light of the hearth and the two oil-filled cressets burning on the walls.
He looked shocked; his lips were slightly parted and gone was the teasing, arrogant expression he had worn since entering her home.
The kiss had knocked them both off guard.
Need twisted deep within Hea as she stared back at him. He had only given her a taste of what she craved; she could not let him take it away. She felt as if she would die if he did not kiss her again.
Moving on instinct, all rational thought now gone, she stepped forward and placed her palms upon his chest. Through the leather of his vest, she felt his heart pound. A thrill went through her—she was not the only one struggling to keep control.
Then, she went up on tip-toe and kissed him.
Bridei’s low growl, at the back of his throat, unleashed a ravenous appetite within her. She flung her arms about his neck, her mouth opening under his.
Two steps brought them back, hard against the table. The edge of it dug into Hea’s back, but she paid it no mind. All she cared about, all she wanted, was this man.
His hands dug into her hair as they kissed wildly, tongues tangling.
Then his hands were tearing at her clothing.
He unfastened the brooches which held up the straps to her wealca, and pushed the garment down, leaving her standing in the thin tunic she wore underneath.
His hands left her hair and traveled down her body, cupping her bottom.
He lifted her onto the table, pulling up her tunic so that her legs were exposed.
Panting now, Hea spread her legs, wrapping them around his hips and pulling him against her as they kissed once more. She could feel his arousal, iron-hard, pressed against her belly, and excitement coursed through her.
She wanted to see him, touch him.
Frantically, she began clawing at his vest, at the laces on the sides. She had to feel his skin, taste it.
With a muttered curse, Bridei pulled away from her and yanked off his vest. The sight of his naked, muscular torso, the skin decorated with blue-inked swirls and circles down his left side, made Hea’s mouth go dry.
Once again acting on instinct, she leaned forward and kissed the hollow of his neck, her lips trailing down his chest to the hard nubs of his nipples, while she traced the skin of his back with her fingernails.
She felt him shiver under her touch, heard him moan.
Hea looked up to find Bridei staring down at her, a look of feral need on his face.
Wild excitement soared within her, and a deep throbbing began between her thighs.
If she did not have him inside her, she would dissolve from wanting.
Holding her gaze, Bridei reached down and started to unlace his breeches. Hea watched him, forgetting to breathe—yet when she saw his shaft spring free, her breath rushed out of her.
He was beautiful.
Almost shyly now, she reached out and touched him, her fingertips tracing the soft skin, to the swollen head that glistened in the firelight. She then wrapped her fingers and around his girth, marveling at its size and hardness.
“For the love of the gods,” he growled, his voice strangled. “Are you trying to kill me, woman?”
Hea glanced up at him, confused. “Kill you?”
His beautiful mouth twisted. Then he pushed her tunic high around her hips, so she was exposed to him and positioned himself between her thighs.
Hea felt the head of his shaft pressing against her, and her desire ebbed slightly.
Would this hurt?
Slowly, he slid into her—halting when he hit resistance. Bridei tensed. Hea clung to him, burying her face in the crook of his neck.
“Hea …” he began, hesitant, his voice husky. “I didn’t realize … I’m sorry.”
Hea barely registered his words, the throbbing ache at her core was almost unbearable. She did not see what he had to be sorry about; whether it hurt her or not she wanted him deep inside her.
“Please, Bridei,” she whimpered.
Gripping her firmly against him, he thrust into her.
A sharp, stinging pain knifed through Hea, and she gasped. It did hurt—his flesh had invaded hers, driving to her core. She clung to him, eyes squeezed shut for a moment, her body tensing.
“Be still,” Bridei murmured in her ear. “The worst should be over now.”
Hea nodded, although she did not believe him. After a moment though she relaxed her body and became aware of the delicious, deep throbbing at the point where their bodies were joined, an odd, rippling pleasure that almost felt as if she was being tickled on the inside.
“Oh,” she whispered. “What’s that?”
He gave a soft laugh, withdrew slightly, and slid with her once more. “What … this?”
Hea gasped before letting out a soft moan. “Bridei … I …”
But the time for speaking was over. He thrust into her again, and again—and she was lost. Hea arched back, her breasts, barely covered by her tunic thrusting up at him, her nipples like two hard berries.
Bridei bowed his head and suckled one of her breasts through the thin material.
Then, with a grunt of frustration, he grabbed the hem of the tunic and pulled it up over her head, exposing her nakedness to him.
Hea had never been naked in front of a man before, and under normal circumstances would have looked for something to cover herself up with—but not so now. She was lost; carried away on the crest of a wave. She wanted Bridei to see her nude body; she wanted him to touch it.
“Hea,” he groaned her name like a prayer. “You’re magnificent.”
In a wordless response, she spread her legs farther and wrapped them around his hips, pulling him hard against her. The rippling pleasure was building inside her, reaching for something she could not name.
Bridei lost control. He thrust into her again and again, all restraint gone. Moments later, she watched him throw back his head, his cry of release echoing through the dwelling.
They clung together in the aftermath, their ragged breathing and the gentle crack and pop of the hearth behind them, the only sound.
After a short while, Bridei pulled back from Hea slightly, pushing a lock of sweat-damp hair out of his eyes.
He stared down at her, his gaze devouring her flushed face, dark eyes, and bee-stung lips.
Despite that he had just climaxed, he felt himself harden inside her once more.
Hea’s gaze widened, and he responded with a rueful smile. “I meant for our coupling to last longer than that … I forgot myself.”
She gave him a dreamy smile in response. “It was wonderful.”
“Yes … but I wanted to give you more.”
Confusion flitted across her face, and Bridei felt an uncharacteristic pang of self-recrimination.
This woman was a force of nature—untamed and incredibly responsive—yet despite that, she was still an innocent.
Even though he had apologized to her about insinuating she was the king’s whore, part of him had not believed that she was still a maid.
How could such an attractive, earthy woman never have taken a lover? Yet their coupling had just proved it.
His comment just now had confused her; she had no idea what it could be like between a man and woman. She thought their frantic, wild coupling was the only experience to be had. A slow smile spread across Bridei’s face—he would enjoy teaching her that there was so much more pleasure to be explored.
Hea noted his smile and frowned. “What?”
Bridei’s smile widened. “I’m just reflecting on the fact that the night is still young, and there’s much I want to show you.”
She gazed up at him, her full lips parting slightly. He stared at them, hunger curling up from the pit of his belly once more. His shaft was now rock-hard inside her again. In wordless answer, her thighs tightened around him.
Their gazes locked, and desire pulsed between them.
Bridei’s smile faded. He was done talking—he wanted to spend the rest of the night letting their bodies get to know each other. He picked Hea up, holding her hard against him, and carried her across to the furs.
Hea stirred, waking slowly. She lay on her belly and awoke to the feel of a man’s leg slung over her back, pressing her into the warm nest of furs. Bridei slept next to her, his breathing slow and deep.
She remained there for a few moments, savoring an incredible sense of well-being. Never had she felt so relaxed; her limbs felt loose and weightless, her head clear—and the dull, pleasant ache between her thighs was a reminder of what she had spent the night doing.
Hea sighed softly. She had not understood Bridei when he had told her there was more pleasure to be had. But he had shown her what he meant … repeatedly.
Heat flushed over her at the memories of what they had done together, of how he had pleasured her … of all the ways he had taken her.
The night had been magical, unforgettable—and Hea wished she could snap her fingers and stop time.
No moment could ever be as perfect as this one.
Life would never be the same.
Breathing deeply, she rolled over onto her side, dislodging Bridei’s leg as she did so. Outside, the day was breaking. Pale streams of sunlight filtered into the dwelling from the top of the door and cracks in the shutters, and the muted sounds of voices reached her as Bebbanburg began another day.
Hea propped herself up on an elbow and stared down at Bridei’s sleeping face.
Freya save me, a man shouldn’t be this beautiful.
Awake, Bridei mac Beli’s face was harder, his expression more often than not arrogant. Asleep, the noble lines of his face were impossible to ignore. Gently, Hea reached out and stroked his stubbled cheek.
Bridei stirred at her touch, his eyes opening—his dark gaze spearing hers.