Loved By a Warrior (26 page)

She sighed aloud. “Don't stop. Please don't stop.”

He nipped at her ear. “Never, Tara. Never will I stop touching you.”

Chapter 28

E
xhaustion crept over Reeve, but he couldn't sleep. He closed his eyes, but they soon drifted open. He tried to calm his mind, but it soon filled with thoughts. Try as he might, sleep eluded him. All through his restlessness, he had kept Tara snug against him. She hadn't moved since falling asleep over an hour ago, which meant she was content, and he intended to see she remained that way.

He hadn't considered how they would avoid the obstacles already in their path or those to come. He only knew that he would protect her with his life, even against fate if necessary.

He yawned, had been for the last hour, though it hadn't helped him sleep. It more tormented him, letting him know just how tired he was but that nothing would come of it. He'd lain there awake, his musings haunting him.

Then there was his mission to consider. It would soon make more demands of him, and there would be times he would have to leave Tara and see to his duty. He and his brothers knew that, and it was the very reason why they had planned not to fall in love . . . just yet. They had concluded that there was no time for it, but as he had learned, love doesn't consider time. It arrives when and where it pleases.

The next yawn had him squeezing his eyes tight and spreading his mouth wide. Lord, he was tired and wanted to sleep. Here he could finally sleep, feeling safe, not worrying about someone bursting in and stealing Tara away from him. He was glad for the snowstorm that raged outside. It meant they would have time alone together. They would have time to talk, to plan

And—to make love as often as they liked.

Tara stirred, stretching as she turned away from him. He almost didn't let her go, turning to take hold of her, but she snuggled her back against him. And he, in turn, draped his arm and leg over her, cuddling her tight.

Warmth and the scent of their lovemaking drifted around them, not to mention the sweet aroma of her hair. He took a deep breath, breathing in her rich scent. And he smiled as his eyes drifted closed, and this time they didn't open.

R
eeve opened his eyes slowly. He lay on his side, hugging the edge of the bed, and he smiled when he thought of who lay behind him. His eyes opened fully, and he was about to turn and take hold of Tara when his eyes nearly popped out of his head.

She stood completely naked in front of the fireplace, her backside to him. She was washing herself from a bucket by the hearth. Her pale skin glistened from the fire's light dancing across it.

Good Lord, she was a beauty. He loved the fullness of her hips, the roundness of her backside, and the slender strength of her legs, which he was thinking would fit quite nicely around his waist as he slipped comfortably inside her.

The image had him slipping out of bed as quietly as he could to sneak up undetected behind her though he wasn't as subtle as he had thought. She went eagerly into his arms as they wrapped around her, and her damp, shimmering skin was like quick fire to his loins.

“I thought you would never wake,” she said, resting her head back so that their cheeks met.

“And imagine my surprise and delight when I caught a beautiful water nymph washing in front of the fireplace.” He nibbled hungrily along her ear, and she tilted her head, offering her neck to him. He kissed along the silky column, enjoying the fresh taste of her.

She rubbed her backside against him, and he ran his hand down between her legs to tease, but she turned quickly in his arms.

“No time,” she whispered, nipping at his lips. “I want you inside me now.”

Reeve didn't waste a minute. He threw his arms around her and hoisted her up, her legs swinging to wrap around his waist. Once she settled, he eased his way into her, not wanting to jab into her like a rutting animal. But she wanted none of his gentleness; she plunged down on him, taking the full length of him inside her. She threw back her head with a sensual moan, and all thought of tender lovemaking vanished.

He grabbed her backside and forced her to match his urgent rhythm, and she did. She rested her brow against his as they both concentrated on the passion that built like a raging storm inside them.

“Don't stop; good Lord, Reeve, please don't stop,” she begged.

His labored breathing didn't allow a response. He rushed with her to the door to brace her back against it so that he would have more leverage to quicken their movements even more, and he did.

He drove into her again and again.

“Reeve,” she cried with bated breath.

“Let go,” he urged, and increased the tempo.

She let out a scream, and her legs tightened around him, her fingers digging into his arms. Her explosive climax forced his own, and a groan that he couldn't stop erupted from deep in his chest and burst forth in a mighty roar.

They clung to each other, their bodies trembling from lingering ripples of pleasure. Reeve braced one hand to the door for support while his other hand held firm to her backside. Her head rested on his, and her arms lay draped over his shoulders.

He took a few deep breaths, then held her tight and carried her to the bed, following her down to lie beside her. When the heat of passion began to fade, and their bodies cooled, he pulled the blanket over them.

“That was the greatest morning greeting I have ever had,” he said with a chuckle.

“I wholeheartedly agree.” She sighed.

Reeve reached out and took hold of her hand, bringing it to his lips to kiss. “Your beauty is beyond words.”

She remained silent, and he turned his head to her. She was staring at him, her cheeks still flushed, her lips still plump, and her eyes soft lavender, the color speaking volumes to him though the hint of tears disturbed him.

“My words upset you?”

She shook her head and sniffled in an attempt to hold back the tears. “No. It is just that it has been so very long since anyone has told me that. And I didn't realize how very much I have missed such loving words until hearing you say them with such sincerity again and again.”

“Who spoke of your beauty as I have?”

“Rory. He was a good man.”

“You still miss him?” He was glad that she didn't hesitate to answer him.

“Not as I once did. I will keep the good memories he left me with, but it is you who now constantly fill my thoughts and dreams.”

He kissed her hand again. “And I always will.”

“You are so sure?” she teased.

He turned on his side, releasing her hand and running a finger along her cheek and over her lips. “You and I will live a long life together.”

“You are so sure of this?”

“Need I remind you again that I'm—”

“Always right,” she finished.

He took hold of her chin. “Believe in
us,
and you will know it too.”

Both their stomachs rumbled at that moment, and they laughed.

“See how alike we are?” he said. “We're both in want of nourishment.”

“I have bread baking.”

He grabbed his chest, feigning shock. “I didn't think this morning could get any better, and it just did.”

She gave him a playful shove. “Wait, you'll get tired of being stuck here with me soon enough.”

He gave her a gentle kiss. “I will never grow tired of you. I dare say we will have our battles at times, though never ever will I feel stuck with you. Besides, I can't live without that delicious bread you bake.”

She gave him another playful shove, and, laughing, they got out of bed and dressed, and Tara got busy fixing them breakfast.

Reeve grabbed his cloak off the peg. “I'll be right back.” He stopped before opening the door and glanced at the two buckets of water by the hearth. “You went out in the snow this morning?”

“Briefly,” she said. “You must remember that I am used to doing things on my own. There were none who extended a helping hand to me.”

“That is no more. You have me now, and you have a family to help you.”

Her smile was hesitant, as if she wanted to believe him, but uncertain if she should. He knew he couldn't force her to believe that he spoke the truth. She would need to learn it on her own.

“Do you need more snow?” he asked.

“Not at the moment,” she said. “Be careful, the wind and snow blind.”

He threw his hood over his head. “Fear not. The weather knows better than to torment me.”

His dramatic exit left her laughing.

L
ater in the day, with the wind and snow picking up in intensity, they stripped and climbed beneath the bedcovers and made love. They took their time exploring each other, and Tara allowed her inquisitiveness to take control. Soon she was kissing and tasting places on Reeve she had only dreamed of doing.

It was a lazy play of teases and taunts until they finally joined as one to finish in exploding bursts of pleasure. Afterwards, she lay in his arms, and when reason finally returned, they began to talk.

“Do you think we will need to remain here long?” she asked.

“God, I hope so.”

She smiled, for she felt the same, but there was his duty to consider. “What of your missions?”

“Presently, all parties are settled in for the winter, making plans, seeking direction, and continuing to choose sides.”

“And waiting for the true king to make himself known,” she said.

“He'll show himself when the time is right.”

“You have met the true king?” she asked surprised. “I had begun to wonder if he was a myth the people created to give them hope.”

“He's no myth. He is a man born and bred of strong conviction, honor, and distinction.”

“You sound as if you know the true king well?”

“Well enough to know he is a good man who will serve his country and people fairly.”

“You sound honored to serve him.”

“I am,” he admitted, “but enough about the king. There will be time for me to deal with that soon enough. I presently only have thoughts of you.”

“And I will see that it stays that way.”

“How?”

She slipped her hand along his leg and began to stroke him.

L
ater that night, Tara sat by the hearth in the lone wool nightdress that the women had packed for her. Reeve slept soundly in bed, snoring lightly. It was a scene she would have never imagined possible only a few months ago. She had thought death was just a matter of time after her father had explained that he had made arrangements for her to wed King Kenneth. She had never expected to be rescued, let alone fall in love. But how did she protect the man she loved from the curse. She wondered why the curse had yet to claim Reeve but had come to the conclusion that it was because he had yet to claim aloud his love. Rory had claimed his love for her and had died before they had exchanged vows. And no love was involved when it came to her second husband. It was when they exchanged vows that he also died. The curse brought suffering and death to anyone who loved or wed her.

So, as much as she wanted to wed Reeve, she couldn't, for exchanging vows would surely kill him. Bliss had told her to
remember
when it came to the curse, but what was it that she was supposed to remember?

Tara wished that she could find the witch who had cast the curse and have her remove it, but she had disappeared that day so many years ago never to be seen again. She often wondered what had happened to her. She remembered screaming when her father had her torn away, and though Stone had never spoken a word, she had thought she heard him say, “Go, all will be well.”

At the time, the curse meant nothing to her; her only thought had been for Stone's safety. It hadn't been until much later that she had learned the power of the witch's words. Tara wondered if it was possible to find a more powerful witch than her. Bliss had said that a more powerful witch could remove the curse. But where would she find one?

She felt as if she ran in circles, round and round, again and again getting nowhere. She felt completely helpless, and she had felt that way far too long. There had to be something she could do to stop the madness.

A yawn warned that sleep was approaching, but she paid it no heed. She had thinking to do, solutions to reach before they were reached for her. Never again did she want decisions made for her. Choices from now on belonged to her; she would have it no other way. How she would see to that, she didn't know. But she was determined, and that was half the battle.

She yawned again, and her eyes drifted closed. She would rest for a moment and then think again on finding feasible solutions to her dilemma. One more yawn, and sleep laid claim to her.

R
eeve woke and rolled over in search of Tara. When his hands found empty space, his eyes shot open, and he cast an anxious glance around the cottage. Relief poured over him when he saw her in the chair by the fireplace.

He leapt out of bed and padded over to her, ignoring the cold air that rushed to nip at his bare feet. He was about to playfully scold her for deserting him when he saw that she was sound asleep.

She wore her worry even in sleep, and he surmised that it was her concerns that had brought her to sit in front of the hearth. He wished she understood that he had no intentions of ever letting her go. They belonged to each other and always would. He had no doubt that his family would find a feasible solution to the matter. He worried the bigger problem might be getting Tara to wed him.

He leaned over and lifted her gently into his arms. He smiled, for she was toasty warm, and, at the moment, his body felt chilled. He held her close, sharing her body's heat, and once he placed her on the bed, he hurried under the covers and cuddled her close.

He tenderly tried to stroke away the worry lines from her brow, and, surprisingly, in only moments, his gentle persuasion worked. Her brow relaxed, and he thought he detected a slight smile. If only he could chase away their problems so easily.

He watched her sleep with one thought constant in his head. He loved her; beyond all reason, he loved her. And he wanted desperately to tell her so. Speak the words loud and clear so that she would hear the conviction in his voice.