an easy ride.
“ Please, Sir Luke, may I have a word with you?” Gillian began. “We can speak on the way to the stream.” As they walked, Gillian said, “I imagine you would not wish me to slip away from you again by letting me out of your sight.” Luke smiled at her insight.
“ I would appreciate riding my own horse into Fairhaven Keep.”
“It is of no matter how you arrive, My Lady,” Luke answered flatly.
“It is of great import to me, Sir,” she answered. “I must not appear as though I am a prisoner.”
“ You will appear as though you are under my protection,” Luke insisted.
“ Riding in your company will so indicate. You would favor me if you would agree to this small concession, Sir Luke.” Her chin rose, and she stared steadily into his eyes.
Never had he met a woman so bold and wonderful. But he was also curious. “Is there some reason you would add to this request?” he asked.
Anne’s gaze dropped to her hands. “It will become apparent in good time, I’m afraid. For now, I wish to keep my reasons to myself. I fear…” Anne stopped, then hurried ahead.
She slipped out of sight of the road and the men as she made her way to the stream. Luke followed close behind. After all, it was an occasion similar to this that she had once run away. He had no intention of taking time out to track her down, once again.
As Anne approached the stream her foot slid in a small puddle of wet earth, casting her body backward and into the arms of the large knight guarding her. A gasp of air rapidly filled her lungs, but was just as quickly expelled when her back came in contact with the rock solid chest behind her. Strong arms clasped her around the waist holding her steady.
Slowly, Anne turned in the circle of his protective grasp. The top of her head came up to his shoulder, forcing her head to tilt back so she could look into his face.
Nearly laughing, Gillian said, “Thank you! Had you not been so steady I would certainly have ended my wild ride in the mud. You have seen only my weakest side, Sir. I should have been pleased if you had known only my strengths. It should have pleased me greatly.”
Before Anne could say another word, Luke’s eyes reflected the lust filling his veins, and he lowered his head slowly. His lips brushed lightly against the soft warm lips of the lady. A moan of pleasure sounded deep in her throat, driving Luke to higher passion. His hands placed on the small of her back tugged her closer, as if hoping for such a complete contact the two would somehow become one. Each devoured the sweetness of the other’s waiting lips. Gillian’s mouth parted slightly at the touch of his probing tongue and her hands slid up his chest to the nape of his neck pulling him tighter to her. Luke increased the pressure and the two tasted the sweet warmth of the other as their tongues tangled together in a passionate feast.
Lady Gillian’s steadfast reason fought with her willing body for control. At present her will was losing the battle to the waves of sensations spinning out of control throughout her body. One last struggle resulted in a gentle but steadfast push of her hands breaking the spell.
Embarrassed that she could give in to such carnal desires, sent a surge of color to her cheeks. “I…” her eyes never left the knights as she tried to explain. “It seems I have little control when you are so near, Sir. Please forgive me.” Her discomfort drew a pool of tears into her eyes. She took a step back.
“ Please, My Lady, do not chastise yourself. It was my boldness that brought us to touch.” The knight watched her closely. “Forgive me for alarming you. You have touched a flame to my heart, and I find myself wanting to stay warmed by you.”
“ You have not alarmed me,” she added. Struggling for some control over the conversation and her raging emotions, Gillian changed the subject. “Please may I ride my own horse to the manor?”
“ Very well,” Luke grumbled.
“ Please, Sir Luke, may I have a word with you?” Gillian began. “We can speak on the way to the stream.” As they walked, Gillian said, “I imagine you would not wish me to slip away from you again by letting me out of your sight.” Luke smiled at her insight.
“ I would appreciate riding my own horse into Fairhaven Keep.”
“It is of no matter how you arrive, My Lady,” Luke answered flatly.
“It is of great import to me, Sir,” she answered. “I must not appear as though I am a prisoner.”
“ You will appear as though you are under my protection,” Luke insisted.
“ Riding in your company will so indicate. You would favor me if you would agree to this small concession, Sir Luke.” Her chin rose, and she stared steadily into his eyes.
Never had he met a woman so bold and wonderful. But he was also curious. “Is there some reason you would add to this request?” he asked.
Anne’s gaze dropped to her hands. “It will become apparent in good time, I’m afraid. For now, I wish to keep my reasons to myself. I fear…” Anne stopped, then hurried ahead.
She slipped out of sight of the road and the men as she made her way to the stream. Luke followed close behind. After all, it was an occasion similar to this that she had once run away. He had no intention of taking time out to track her down, once again.
As Anne approached the stream her foot slid in a small puddle of wet earth, casting her body backward and into the arms of the large knight guarding her. A gasp of air rapidly filled her lungs, but was just as quickly expelled when her back came in contact with the rock solid chest behind her. Strong arms clasped her around the waist holding her steady.
Slowly, Anne turned in the circle of his protective grasp. The top of her head came up to his shoulder, forcing her head to tilt back so she could look into his face.
Nearly laughing, Gillian said, “Thank you! Had you not been so steady I would certainly have ended my wild ride in the mud. You have seen only my weakest side, Sir. I should have been pleased if you had known only my strengths. It should have pleased me greatly.”
Before Anne could say another word, Luke’s eyes reflected the lust filling his veins, and he lowered his head slowly. His lips brushed lightly against the soft warm lips of the lady. A moan of pleasure sounded deep in her throat, driving Luke to higher passion. His hands placed on the small of her back tugged her closer, as if hoping for such a complete contact the two would somehow become one. Each devoured the sweetness of the other’s waiting lips. Gillian’s mouth parted slightly at the touch of his probing tongue and her hands slid up his chest to the nape of his neck pulling him tighter to her. Luke increased the pressure and the two tasted the sweet warmth of the other as their tongues tangled together in a passionate feast.
Lady Gillian’s steadfast reason fought with her willing body for control. At present her will was losing the battle to the waves of sensations spinning out of control throughout her body. One last struggle resulted in a gentle but steadfast push of her hands breaking the spell.
Embarrassed that she could give in to such carnal desires, sent a surge of color to her cheeks. “I…” her eyes never left the knights as she tried to explain. “It seems I have little control when you are so near, Sir. Please forgive me.” Her discomfort drew a pool of tears into her eyes. She took a step back.
“ Please, My Lady, do not chastise yourself. It was my boldness that brought us to touch.” The knight watched her closely. “Forgive me for alarming you. You have touched a flame to my heart, and I find myself wanting to stay warmed by you.”
“ You have not alarmed me,” she added. Struggling for some control over the conversation and her raging emotions, Gillian changed the subject. “Please may I ride my own horse to the manor?”
“ Very well,” Luke grumbled.
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