Keeper of the Flame (10 page)

“I want you,” she whispered, enjoying the little growl that rumbled through his chest at her bold words.

He struggled with the lacings on his leather vestment even as she tried to help. Their hands tangled but managed to get the job done, though it took longer than she wanted. He paused when the lacings were undone, slowing his movements and capturing her attention. She read hesitation in his green gaze, along with regret.

“Lera, I know you’ve had a shock today. Two shocks, in fact. I don’t want you to regret what comes next.”

“The only thing I’ll regret is if you stop now, Hugh. I’m not a maiden, if that’s what has you worried.” She felt her cheeks heat with the frank words, but hoped it was too dark for even Hugh’s half dragon vision to discern.

“That’s a relief,” he admitted boldly, inserting his legs between hers as they lay on his bedroll. “It means I can worship your body as you deserve.”

Lera’s blood heated at the promise in his gaze and the fire in his touch. She wasn’t altogether certain if she should be insulted or gratified by his response, but either way, she was going to have him. Really, nothing else mattered. Just him. His body, on hers, in hers, as soon as they could manage it.

Hugh shrugged out of his shirt while his lips traced patterns down her neck. He paused only briefly to help her with the bodice of her fine lawn gown. The dress laced up the front so she could put it on without assistance. She used the plainer fabrics for times when she wanted to go out without an entourage. When she wanted to be as incognito as possible.

It didn’t always work. The innkeeper had recognized her, for one. And the assassins had found her. But she’d been able to dress herself and get out of the palace alone. That, in itself, was a feat.

And the outfit was just as easy to take off as it was to put on. Hugh made short work of her lacings and she almost purred when her breasts fell free, into his waiting, warm hands. She liked the way he paused to examine her as if she were made of the finest porcelain.

He rubbed her nipples, making her squirm with arousal. As she’d expected, Hugh showed all the signs of knowing his way around a woman’s body and she was glad he was here to share this night with her. For all she knew, the assassins would find her soon enough and Hugh might not be there—or he might be a split second slower—and she’d be dead. Just like that. She would enjoy this time with him while she could.

There was nothing like a brush with death to make a woman value the important things in life. A warm bed and an even hotter man to make her go up in flames.

Hugh’s mouth covered first one nipple, then the other, sucking and licking, making her temperature rise. All the while his hands lowered to the tapes at her waist, releasing the skirt and pushing it downward. She helped, kicking her feet until the fabric was clear. Clever man, he’d undone all her bows and she was able to get free of skirts and undergarments in one move. Now there was a man after her own heart.

Hugh’s hands traced the curves of her body as his mouth suckled and kissed its way over her skin. One hand delved gently between her legs and found the little button that sent her senses spinning. She stifled a moan, not wanting to wake the baby gryphon. She had to be quiet considering they were outside where anything—or anyone—might hear them.

Just the thought of it sent a forbidden thrill through her as Hugh’s fingers moved on, seeking entrance to her wet passage. She was primed and ready. It wouldn’t take much to set her off.

“Come into me now, Hugh.” Her softly spoken words brought his gaze up to meet hers.

Surprise turned to deviltry in his expression. “Impatient, are you?”

“Needy,” she corrected with a soft smile. “It’s been a long time for me and I don’t want to wait.”

“But anticipation increases pleasure. Haven’t your previous lovers taught you that valuable lesson, Lera?”

He was definitely fishing for information, but she saw no reason to keep her sexual experience—or lack thereof—from him. If anything, such knowledge might help him satisfy her.

“There were only two and neither for very long. It was several years ago. Since then, I’ve lived a quieter life. Less dangerous.”

“Dangerous?” Hugh grinned. “Playing fast and loose with your favors is something you would consider dangerous to your position, then? I can understand that. Many a court lady has lost her standing and the respect of her peers due to loose morals. But I never expected that of you, Lera.” His gaze turned serious and he removed his hands from her body. “That’s not what I was implying. Forgive me if it sounded as if I was insulting you. That was not my intent.”

He was drawing away and that was something she did not want. She grabbed one of his hands and tucked it against her skin, close to her heart.

“I never thought that, Hugh. Don’t leave me like this. I want you.”

“So you say, but you’ve had a rough night. Much as I want to be with you, I do not want this to happen for the wrong reasons.”

“I want this for all the right reasons, as far as I’m concerned.” She stroked his hand. “You’ve saved me twice this night, Hugh.”

“Do you think giving yourself to me is some sort of repayment?”

Damn. That hadn’t come out right and she was losing him.

“Never,” she replied. “I meant that I know I can trust you. Above all those in Helios at this hour, I am certain only of you, Hugh. My savior. My protector. And I hope…my lover?”

The fire rekindled in his eyes and hope blossomed in her heart. Had she said the right thing? His actions would tell.

“I am honored by your trust and will not abuse it, Lera.” He moved closer once more.

“I never thought you would.”

Hugh smiled and lay back down at her side, his hand turning over in hers so that they were palm to palm. He lifted her hand and brought it to his lips, kissing her knuckles with lingering, licking little kisses.

The warmth of him amazed her. On one side the fire did its best to warm her bare skin. On the other side was Hugh. Warm, huge, smoldering Hugh. With him around, she would never be cold in any way.

“Now can we get back to where we were?” she asked breathlessly as her temperature resumed its climb upward.

“And where was that?” The wicked glint in his eye brought a smile of anticipation to her mouth as he climbed gently over her, insinuating his legs between hers.

She parted her thighs eagerly, wanting him with increasing desperation. Never before had she been so quick to excite, so eager to accept a man into her body, but she knew this was right. She felt it in the very marrow of her bones. This man. This time. This night.

There might never be another as perfect as this moment.

“Just about there,” she agreed as he moved into position and then halted. She frowned. “A little farther?” she asked hopefully, looking up at him in the dim firelight.

His grin was sultry and the intent in his gaze made her tummy clench.

“You don’t think we’re moving a little fast?”

“I know we are, but I don’t care. Don’t you feel this?”

“I thought I was the only one,” he admitted, making her gasp. She’d put herself out there not really expecting anything in return. He hadn’t come out and said it. Not really. But he’d definitely implied that he was feeling some of the same magic she was at the moment.

“You’re not in this alone, Lera.”

She thought she read something deeper in his gaze, but she couldn’t be sure. The feel of his skin against her body made her crave more and he still had his pants on.

“Too many clothes, Hugh,” she complained breathlessly. “Please don’t make me wait.”

Hugh laughed and rolled a bit, taking the time only to release the vital part of his body and return. She felt the blunt head of him against her leg as he moved back into position.

“I’ll make you a bargain. This first time will be quick, the way you want it. After that, it’s my turn.”

His smile widened as she began to pant. She was in a bad way and he’d barely even touched her. What was this power he held over her? If he was using his magic to inflame her responses, she couldn’t sense it. And she’d been trained from birth to be able to deal with various forms of magic. Of course, she’d never come up against dragon magic before.

Still, did it really matter? She had been attracted to him since almost the moment she’d seen him in that inn. His appeal had only increased in the hours since when he’d saved her life. Twice.

He was heroic in a way she’d never really seen before firsthand. For the past twenty years or so, her land had been a mostly peaceful one. Her father had ruled during the last big conflict, when he’d moved the seat of power to Alagarithia after the assassination of the entire House of Alagar—the hereditary rulers of this city.

Since her father had come here and dispatched those who had killed off the House of Alagar, nothing else had caused such a military response. She’d known soldiers and guardsmen. She’d rewarded those who’d demonstrated bravery in the course of their duties, but there hadn’t been a war in Helios since before she was born. The opportunities for real heroes to prove their worth were few and far between. Thankfully.

But Hugh had been where she needed him to be twice that night.

If he’d move a little closer, he’d make that three times, she thought with a wicked grin.

“What’s so funny?” He moved, dragging the aroused head of his cock along her most tender skin. She hadn’t seen him or even touched him, but she could feel the substantial size of him against her inner thigh.

“Not funny,” she clarified. “More like desperate.”

One of his hands slid downward, insinuating itself between them. His agile fingers zeroed in on her clit, rubbing lightly at first, then in harder, circular motions. Lera could feel the wetness seeping from her body, making ready for his entry. An entry she craved with every last fiber of her being.

She squirmed under him, trying to coax him closer to no avail. Hugh was too large for her to maneuver easily, but she liked the weight and heft of him over her. He was careful not to crush her, considerate of her smaller frame under his and she was grateful for his care. Everything about his actions proved how good he was as a man.

He’d impressed her by taking in the vulnerable misborn baby gryphon. He’d earned her thanks and respect for killing the Eyes and whisking her away from danger. And now he was in the process of proving how considerate a lover he was. Everything about this man made her like him more.

If only he would move his arse and get inside her.

Hugh’s fingers delved deeper, pulsing within her as he watched her intently. She felt vulnerable under his scrutiny but could do nothing about it. Not at the moment.

“Are you ready for me, Lera?” She met his gaze, aware of how in control he was and how out of it she felt. He definitely had her at a disadvantage.

“I was ready ten minutes ago, but some fool of a dragon has been keeping me waiting,” she whispered against his lips as he bent over her.

He chuckled and moved closer, sealing his mouth to hers as he used the hand that was still between them to line himself up with her opening. She felt the first gentle probe, followed by the steady slide inward as his tongue danced with hers.

He went slow, for which she was grateful. It had been years since her last foray into the world of physical pleasure. When this first bout was over, she wanted to examine that rigid shaft in depth, but the moment was too urgent just now to take the time.

“Oh, Hugh…” She gasped when he was seated fully within her. Stars, that felt good.

“All right?” he paused to ask, concern in his green gaze.

“Better,” she replied breathlessly. “Keep going.”

“I’m in all the way,” he laughed.

She shook her head, wanting more. “I know. Just keep going. Move!” Increasing desperation forced her to use simple, urgent words.

“As milady commands.” Hugh dipped his head, placing sucking kisses under her ear and down along her neck as he began to move in shallow thrusts that nearly made her scream. It was so good. So perfect.

He picked up the pace, moving faster now as her body opened to accept him fully. She was wet and willing, ready for the pleasure she sensed only he could show her.

She’d had climaxes before, but she’d never heated up so fast for a man and had definitely never been so desperate. She wasn’t sure she would survive the ecstasy that loomed just out of reach. She yearned for it. She wanted it so bad, it almost hurt. Would Hugh be able to take her there—to the place beyond mere pleasure? She thought she might have finally found the man who could show her the true power that waited just over there, on the other side of the massive orgasm that was even now building within her.

Hugh’s speed increased again as his breathing began to match pace. His thrusts were harder, deeper, more compelling, and she welcomed every stroke, every contact.

“Hugh!” She fought hard to keep her voice down even as her senses began to explode.

It didn’t take much. Hugh accelerated, grinding into her in short digs that put pressure on just the right places inside and out. Three strokes and she shot to the stars, stifling the scream she would have voiced if they hadn’t been so out in the open. The real stars above her swirled as her vision faded and sparks flew behind her eyes. Her body trembled and shook under him as Hugh clenched, his cock spewing warm jets into her body, heating her from within as his blanketing bulk heated her skin.