The Lady and the Falconer (38 page)

Logan leaned forward, pushing her back onto the hay with his weight until he lay on top of her. With a soft growl, he claimed her lips again with a possessive desire that flamed her own passion into uncontrollable want. His manhood throbbed and pulsed between her thighs, the thick, powerful muscle taunting her with soft strokes. He pushed her legs wider, teasing her soft opening with his hard shaft. At one point, it moved dangerously near, touching the small petal that hid beneath her silken folds. She gasped aloud as her body instinctively arched toward him, trembling with anticipation.

He shifted slightly to the side as his hand caressed her hip in circles, drawing ever closer to the patch of soft, downy hair between her legs.

Just when she thought he would touch her, just when she moaned and raised her hips to meet his touch, just when his predatory fingers started stalking her through the dark tangle of her hair, he pulled away. He did it again and again until she thought she would go mad with desire. With a low growl of her own, she grabbed his hand and moved it to where her passion flared. He cupped her with his hand, and his finger touched the silken folds of her womanhood, separating them to reveal the pink pearl lying in wait beneath.

The night seemed to glow brighter around them as his finger caressed her. She could no longer feel the cold air, the hay beneath her; she could only feel him, Logan, touching her everywhere, caressing every part of her body. And then he was above her again, parting her legs with his own. She felt him ease his manhood forward, felt him force his way into her tightness. He stopped, looking down at her with silvery, moon- painted eyes.

She groaned, arching, wanting more. “Please,” was all she could whisper.

Then he thrust into her, his lust-gorged member spreading her wider, plunging deep. She fought back the urge to cry out. He caressed her hair, her cheek, her face, rained kisses over her jaw, her eyes, her nose. Only after he kissed her lips again did he begin to move, slowly at first.

She matched his thrusts, their bodies joining, fusing together. He unleashed something she did not even know had been hidden deep inside of her. He had taught her the true dangerous power of making love, a power that had a life of its own, a power that she could only submit to.

Then, when Solace thought she could take no more of the pleasure rushing through her, he reached between them to touch her with his finger. A whirlwind swept her up as the sky around her exploded with light. She clung tightly to Logan breathing hotly in his ear as she was buffeted with ecstasy. “Oh, Logan,” she gasped. “Logan.”

Finally, after a long, unforgettable journey, her body trembled with release.

He watched her with warm eyes and pressed a kiss against her temple before he began to move again. Within moments, he stiffened, thrusting into her.

Finally, he withdrew from her and lay beside her. She propped herself on her elbow to look into his face. He was so relaxed and calm. Solace didn’t think she had ever seen him so content.

***

Logan saw Solace studying his face through sleepy eyes. How did he suddenly become so lucky? he wondered. His life had always been about anger and revenge. How had he managed to get Solace to care for him?

Logan sat up, presenting her with his back. “What can you see in me?” he mused out loud.

Solace brushed her fingers through the ends of his hair and trailed a path down his spine. “Right now, I see your naked back,” she whispered playfully. “And your bottom.”

Logan jumped as she pinched his buttocks. He whirled, catching her wrists and flipped her on her back. He captured her beneath him with his body and pinned her hands over her head. “I want to know,” he said sincerely. “After everything I’ve done to you. Why me?”

The amusement faded from Solace’s eyes as she studied his face. “I always imagined that one day I would find someone I could count on. Someone who would always be there when I needed him. I thought I could depend on my family. But they were a grave disappointment.” The words died on her lips, and a strange understanding lit her eyes.

Logan frowned slightly, not comprehending the glow on her face. “That’s not me, Solace,” he answered, releasing her wrists. “I hurt you. I let Barclay into your home.”

“Yes, you did do that,” she agreed. “But it wasn’t to hurt me. It was under the notion that Barclay would turn Castle Fulton over to you.”

“I never intended to hurt you,” Logan admitted in an agonized voice.

“Logan.” Solace sat up, pushing him from her. “I know that. It’s taken me a long time to understand and to realize that the person I’ve been looking for has been with me all this time.”

“Who?”

“You!” Logan began to shake his head, but Solace took his hand into hers. “You were there from the beginning. You opened the castle gates for me when Alissa would have locked me out.” Logan opened his mouth to object, but Solace placed her fingers against his lips. “You’ve always been there when I needed someone to talk to. You helped me escape from Barclay. And you saved my life from Ryder.” She caressed the X on his cheek. “It’s been you all along, Logan. I love you.”

Logan froze, unable to draw a breath, stunned by her confession. Despite everything, she professed to love him. He pulled her into his embrace, crushing her to his heart. He wanted to tell her. He wanted her to know how much she meant to him. But the words refused to come. The uncertainty of their future together kept them trapped inside him. But he knew he would always love her. No matter what.

***

Solace snuck from the barn early in the morning. She heard a caw and looked up to see Logan’s falcon perched on a tree branch nearby. It watched her with large, dark eyes. She smiled at the bird. She had begun to see the falcon as some sort of guardian angel.

She returned to her room and quickly dressed before heading toward the Great Hall. She paused at the top of the stairs, scanning the room for Logan.

Servants scurried through the Great Hall. William wiped his mouth and pushed his trencher away from him at one of the tables. Suddenly Solace’s eyes were drawn by a dark shape standing silhouetted near the hearth, the fires raging behind what appeared to be a man.

Her heart quickened. She stepped down a stair and almost stumbled, but caught herself on the stone wall.

He was speaking to Blade, but turned as soon as her eyes settled on him. A grin curved his lips, and a sensual look entered his smoky eyes. He moved away from Blade toward Solace as she descended the stairs. Blade held out his hand, as if he were in the middle of saying something, but then dropped it and shrugged.

Logan met Solace at the bottom of the stairs. Taking her hand to rest on his arm, he led her to the table. They ate the morning meal together, side by side, and were inseparable for the rest of the day.

That night, as Solace headed for the loneliness of her room, she cast Logan a pleading glance. She left her bedroom door unlocked, hoping he would come to her. She sat near the window, staring at the barn, wishing he were by her side. But the moon rose higher in the frosty night sky and he did not appear. Solace lay her head on the window ledge, but exhausted from lack of sleep the night before, she fell into a deep slumber.

She awoke when Logan’s arms settled around her, lifting her from the seat near the open window and depositing her gently on the bed. She refused to relinquish her hold on him, even as his hands began their slow, heavenly exploration of her body. She opened her mouth and her soul to Logan, and he worked his magic over her senses, sending her to the stars and beyond.

Afterward, he pulled her against his body, cradling her lovingly to him, his hands stroking her hair slowly.

Solace curled into his warmth, letting the glow of his love wash over her and shield her.

He cupped her breast lightly, caressing it. As the spark of desire flamed in her again, she felt him grow stiff against her.

“Lord, woman, I can’t get enough of you,” he growled, rolling her onto her back and lying on top of her.

Solace chuckled deeply as he entwined his fingers through hers. “That’s not what you would have said a few days ago.”

“I was a fool,” he answered, pressing his lips to hers.

Logan made love to Solace languorously, and she thrilled to the new sensations he brought to her flesh, to her mind, to her heart.

***

Logan slipped out of her room early the next morning, pausing in the doorway to glance back at her. She was sprawled, naked, on the bed, sleeping soundly. He didn’t think a thousand men thundering down the road on horseback could wake her. With a smile, he turned and continued down the stairs into the Great Hall. As he descended the stairs, he saw Goliath and Blade seated near the hearth.

“Logan,” Blade greeted as he entered the Great Hall.

Logan responded with a nod of his head. “What’s there to eat?” he wondered. “My appetite is hearty.”

Blade and Goliath exchanged glances.

“Logan,” Blade said, stepping forward, “Alexander rode out early this morning.”

Logan eyed the men. Nothing wrong with a little early morning ride. “And?”

“Just over the ridge,” Goliath said, pointing west. “Just beyond Cavindale’s borders.”

Anxiety tightened the muscles in Logan’s shoulders. “What?” he demanded.

“An army has camped for the night. I imagine they’ll be here sometime late today.”

“An army?” Logan said, tension spreading across his shoulders, anxiety swirling in the pit of his stomach. “Is it Barclay’s?”

“No. Farindale’s.”

Chapter Thirty-Six

L
ord Farindale lifted his arm so his squire could fasten the strap on his shoulder-plate armor. He stared out over the lands of Cavindale.

Behind Farindale, his army waited, all mounted, all looking toward Cavindale Manor.

He stared again at the note crumpled in his hand. A note he had reread hundreds of times since he had received it a month ago.

Farindale—

Meet me in battle at Cavindale. I have Solace.

Logan Grey

Grey. Farindale spit, the name tasting foul in his mouth. He thought he had rid the lands of that pestilence thirteen years ago. It seemed his work was not finished.

His squire rose, holding out a gauntlet. Farindale slipped his hand inside. The squire held out the other glove. Farindale stared at the note in his hand, then tossed it to the ground and slid his hand into the other gauntlet.

I will kill this bastard who dares to hold my Solace. If she is harmed, not a building in Cavindale will be safe from my wrath. Farindale clenched his jaw as he thought of his daughter. If he has hurt her...

Farindale mounted his steed. The warhorse danced anxiously beneath him. He lowered his gaze to Malcolm Wayne, his first in command. “You’re sure he said the western boundary of Cavindale? Where the river widens?”

Malcolm nodded. “The messenger said you’ll recognize it by the crossed trees.”

Farindale nodded, and his gaze lifted to the west. “You will stay here until I return,” he ordered.

“But my lord...!” Malcolm began to protest.

Lord Farindale silenced him with a dark look. Malcolm knew better than to argue any further. Lord Farindale’s orders were law, to be obeyed without question.

“My sword,” lord Farindale called.

His squire raced to him, the weapon in his hand. Farindale took his sword from the youth and stared at it for a long moment. He studied his reflection in the bright silver surface of the blade. Gray hair framed his face. Shadowy lines were etched deep in his brow. The flesh on his cheeks was sagging. He was much older now than when he had faced Randol Grey. Randol had died for his child, for Logan. And now the boy had returned for vengeance.

Farindale sheathed his sword. He hoped he was strong enough to defeat the son. For Solace’s sake.

He spurred his horse over the rise in the hill.

***

Logan threw the saddle on his horse, checking the straps and the length of the stirrups. He had thought Solace had slain his need for revenge with her forgiveness. But it wasn’t that easy. Like a horrible demon, it had raised its ugly head when he heard that Farindale was just outside Cavindale. And now it was all he could think of. For years he had sought revenge. It was his life, his blood. To think he could be rid of the need so easily had been a grave mistake. Well, he aimed to be rid of it forever. He had to face Farindale. He had to do it for his family. For his father.