Hadn’t she already? Yet even as she questioned it, a crescendo built within her, her pulse pounding a fierce beat through her veins as a hot, searing liquid exploded within her. She sank into his arms, panting with the release of the throbbing in her loins and buried her face against his chest as she ran her fingers over coiled, warm arms.
How would it feel to have Grey inside of her? New longing sprang within her.
“Madelaine,” he whispered into her ear as he gently tilted her head back.
Raw need filled his voice, but when she looked into his eyes, she gasped. His eyes shimmered with longing. It was hard to believe she had thought at one time that he needed nothing and no one. She could not deny what she saw. Tonight, she’d give him what he desired, and she would try to forget that soon she would betray his trust.
Cupping his face with her hands, she kissed his neck, the stubble of his chin, and his lips. A craving to touch every part of him filled her. She twined her fingers through his hair as he lifted her off the ground and carried her to the bed. He settled her and stood over her looking down at her.
Outside, a storm brewed which matched the tempest within her. Rain beat against the inn and gusts of wind smacked against the wooden shutters making them rattle. “A storm’s coming,” she said.
Grey kneeled before her and took her hand in his. “In here too.”
She nodded.
“This will be different than moments ago.”
Good God. Was he trying to prepare her? Her heart tugged at his thoughtfulness. “I’m aware.” Though only slightly, but he didn’t need to know how utterly naïve she was.
“Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”
“I know exactly what I’m doing.” For tonight she did anyway.
His gaze burned her. “This makes you mine. There’s no turning back.”
She wanted to be his forever. Even if only like this. “I know.”
He slid a gold ring off his finger and held it toward her. “I don’t have a ring for you yet, but soon you’ll wear one—mine. For now, I pledge my loyalty to you and swear it on this ring, which holds great meaning to me.” He kissed the ring, and she swallowed back thick tears. God, how much would he hate her tomorrow? Was this wrong? She was too selfish to change her mind now. He cupped her chin. “Will you pledge your loyalty to me?”
She could. She would always be loyal only to him, but he may not see it that way. Still, she had no choice. Shaking, she leaned forward and pressed her lips to the cool metal. “You have my undying loyalty.” She took the ring from him, kissed it and handed it back to him.
He slid the ring on, cupped her neck and drew her face close to his. A deep ache coiled through her when his lips brushed her tender mouth.
“You are so damn beautiful.” His voice hitched.
That she made him vulnerable made her tremble anew. She shook her head.
“Don’t do that.” His tone was sharp, insistent. “Youarebeautiful. I know your mother made you feel ugly because you were different, but it’s that difference that makes you so beautiful, so special to me.”
His words unlocked a part of her she hadn’t realized had been barred against people. Inside, she felt as if she shattered. Moaning, she pulled his head closer still, needing more of him. His mouth crushed down on hers in a plundering kiss that robbed her of coherent thought. Blood surged through her veins; the rush of heat through her body was extraordinary. His hands were underneath her, scooping her up and laying her back against the soft pillows. As she reached for him, he rolled off the bed and stood beside her. His eyes held hers while he stripped the clothing from his body.
She meant to protest the loss of his heat, but as he revealed himself, she sighed. His skin glowed in the candlelight. She caught her breath as she drank in his appearance. He was hard and sculpted, just as she had always imagined her knight would be. There was nothing soft or relenting about the rippling muscles of his flat abdomen or the rising curves of his arms. His broad shoulders appeared strong enough to withstand many blows from an enemy, and based on the angry red zigzagging scars on his right shoulder, she realized he’d already withstood some sort of wounds.
She scrambled off the bed and licked his shoulder, and then she kissed the scar once, twice, three times. “How did you get this?”
“Equerry training.” He sounded guarded. Maybe training had not gone well.
“You should choose a less dangerous profession.”
He laughed. “I wish I could. Too late for that, my love.”
My love. The sound of the endearment from his lips made her smile. She trailed her fingers down the smooth skin of his chest, grinning when he shuddered beneath her fingertips. “Is that because of my touch?”
“It’s because I want you too much.” He cupped her breasts, causing her nipples to harden.
Her newfound power made her dizzy with excitement. “How much do you want me?”
Laughter rumbled from his chest. “I ache all over.”
