Warprize (Seven Brides for Seven Bastards, 5)(MFMMMMMM) by Georgia Fox

to my father's distress."
    "That explains your color. The dark
and the light together. It is most intriguing."
    Dom realized his heart was thumping
harder than usual. It was gratifying to know that she took an
interest in him, as he did in her. That she had studied him. Liked
his looks. "Sometimes the joining of two opposites can result in
something good and strong. Like Saxon and Norman."
    "Are you something good and strong ,
Redbeard?" She had almost smiled.
    He puffed out his chest. "Of course."
Then he gave her a wink. "I could throw you over my shoulder and
onto that bed, if you would like me to prove it."
     
    * * * *
     
    Oh, he tried to distract her again
from the chess game, she thought. How dare he wink at her? Now he
linked his hands together behind his head, relaxed as he waited for
her to take a turn, as if he had not just made a suggestion of
tumbling his host onto the bed for further games. Her pulse was
unsteady, but she could not allow her nerves to show. He tested her
sexuality, it seemed. Yet she was not certain whether he wanted to
know her preferences for the sake of his niece's future happiness,
or whether he was interested to know for himself.
    Did he usually look at other men with
such heat in his eyes? Or did he know the truth about Cedney?
Questions spun within her mind.
    Then he said, "The children of your
marriage to Lady Rosamund will likewise be strong, as they will
merge Norman and Saxon blood."
    Cedney swallowed hard. Good. He was
still fooled, then. "Indeed." She took his bishop.
    "One day I hope to have a son of my
own," he added.
    She could imagine a small version of
this man. A charming little warrior. "You have a wife?"
    "You asked me this at
supper."
    "And you did not reply."
    "I..." He sighed. "Yes. I am
married."
    Her heart sank a little, although it
should not matter to her at all. "You hesitated. Why?"
    He grinned. "It is a story that
requires more explanation than I am currently of a mind to
give."
    She raised an eyebrow. "She has horns
perhaps? Or two heads?"
    "She has four heads."
    Cedney laughed. "Very well I shall ask
you nothing more about your lady wife. As long as you ask me
nothing more about my preferences in bed or how I mean to please my
bride." Because the more he hinted at those matters, the hotter she
became, the harder her nipples pricked at her shift. Just imagining
him lifting her over his shoulder and on to that bed— as he'd
suggested— caused a moistening of her pussy, made her breathing
quicken, tightened her throat.
    He too laughed, loud and strong.
"Agreed. Now pay attention to this game, for I mean to win
it."
    Cedney had not played chess with
another being for many years. Usually she sat alone by her fire and
simply swapped seats between moves. It had never struck her as sad,
but now she realized how lonely she had been. Lonely for good
company, for laughter and for the forbidden excitement of
flirtation.
     

Chapter Seven
     
    The next day dawned grey and overcast.
By the time the hunting party had gathered in the yard a sprinkling
of snow had begun to lighten the ground and a new chill made the
air bite. Cedney wore her hooded cloak and warmest gloves. Rufus,
she saw from her window, was already mounted, talking to the other
riders. He had a cheerful confidence about him, she realized. A
steadiness that was surprisingly friendly and warm, not often found
in a man of such strength and vitality. Perhaps that had attracted
her to him yesterday as much as his dark, sensual good looks. He
was a big man and must be a fearsome opponent in battle. She'd seen
him move quite clumsily, yet there was also a gentleness in his
manner. A woman would feel swamped in his arms and yet protected.
Possessed and yet safe.
    Cedney shook her head, chagrinned. If
only she didn't know how a woman would feel with him, but it was
instinctual, unavoidable. "Sorry, father," she whispered. "But
that's what I am. A woman." Now, she must set about convincing her
guest otherwise.
    As she