by Eve Redmayne
She wrenched her lips from his and took the breath that’d eluded her since he’d grabbed her. He smelled like wood smoke and fresh air with a musk of desire about him.
Free of her mouth, he trailed firm kisses down her neck, across her collarbone, and straight to the fullness of her breasts. She arched back, wondering where he might land, writhing from the steadfastness in his movements.
As he moved across her flesh, she couldn’t take her eyes off his mouth and the path it traveled. With a wicked smile, he raised those golden eyes to hers, smirked and dipped to tongue the rim of an areola. A frenetic spark shot straight to her belly. The sinful man knew she watched every move he made and liked it.
He grabbed her breasts—lifted high from the stays—between large hands and thumbed her nipples through the linen shift. She shimmied closer, and his lips lifted in understanding.
With growing eagerness, he pinched and plied her flesh until it was no longer enough for either of them. With a growl, he tugged the fabric down, just until the pert nubs popped free and pulled them between thumb and forefinger until they throbbed, red and erect.
“You like when I do this?” His voice was rough.
She nodded and pressed nearer.
“And this?” He dipped forward, his golden hair soft against her skin as hot lips encircled one peak while his fingers toyed with the other. He sucked deep, his tongue heating her to a fever.
“Yes,” she gasped, her body thrumming in response.
Unable to resist, she grabbed his hair with both hands and held him in place. He continued to swirl and tug until whimpers escaped her lips. Body pulsing and achy, she almost climaxed from him tonguing her nipple alone. Lord, she couldn’t take much more.
His lips parted, and she slid free. He considered her with his steely gaze and said suddenly, “You are mine.”
Alarm skittered through her. They were going to make love! The tiny spark of concern immediately fled, replaced by a jolt of desire. No one had ever made her feel like Braum.
Hand in hand, they walked to the shelter. He placed a hand across his heart and knelt. “I swear to be true and care for you always. In return, you are loyal to me and only me. I am yours and you are mine.”
Was he swearing an oath? Before she could ask, he gripped her shift and urged her close. All conscious thought fled. She wanted this, his touch—and so surrendered utterly to him.
Not wasting a moment, he released the tie at his breeches. Just before his length launched forward, she caught a glimpse of dark gold curls around his engorged shaft, held down by the constraints of leather breeches. Eager to see all of him, she licked her lips as he palmed himself through his pants. Her eyes grew wide as the heavy flesh escaped.
Oh, he’s huge, she thought, feeling scared for the first time.
Before she could reconsider, he fell to his knees and yanked her skirts waist-high, baring her legs to his gaze. Firelight flickered through their shelter, casting a golden hue across his body, and revealing the lust gleaming in his eyes.
A tiny shriek escaped her lips when he ripped her undergarments away, leaving her naked from the waist down. She stood still as he looked his fill. After an eternity, he ran a long finger around her navel then dipped to the dark hair between her legs. First one finger then another sank within the folds of her sex, lightly touching, exploring.
Her limbs felt pinned in place though he didn’t restrain her. And she didn’t think she’d deny him anything at that moment. Then he found her clitoris, and all she had was his. A strange triumph surged through her as he gently rubbed. They would make love this night. He increased the pressure, and pleasure shot throughout her body. When he left the aching bud, she moaned for him to return.
He grinned at her protestations, and she groaned in frustration. “Patience,” he murmured just as a finger delved back into her warm folds, “I’ve suffered an eternity waiting for this.” He sank deep this time, rubbing along the inner edges of her sex. Her body jerked at the caress. “Look at me,” he commanded, thrusting a second finger inside.
Her eyes fluttered open to see the play of muscles across his shoulders as he stroked. Toyed with her. Made her crazed. But all she wanted was for him to take her, fill her.
“I want you to feel me,” he whispered, mouth pressed to her side. He nipped through her shift with sharp teeth as his fingers emerged from within to run along sensitive inner thighs and back again.
Unable to turn away, she devoured the sight of his hand pressed against her. And when his finger found her clitoris, once again, her hips undulated and demanded more.
“I need—” she began.
But before she could finish, he moved away with a knowing look, tormenting her. His fingers brushed over her pubic hair, trailed up the stay’s stiff lines, and finally, covered a breast. He tweaked a nipple and smiled at the frenzied moan he elicited, then moved on.
Warm hands wrapped around her hips and tugged her to her knees. “Feel me,” he said, voice ragged.
Compelled, she wrapped her hands around him, around the hot steel of his shaft. He shuddered at her touch, and power surged through her as he thrust crudely against her palms.
As he increased the pace, pistoning between her hands, the ground beneath her knees seemed to shift. Momentarily distracted, she looked down at the small tufts of grass cushioning her knees. But Braum drew her attention back to him, pressing firmly against her, rubbing up and down on that furious bud until she panted for more.
Wild-eyed, he pushed her hand aside and threw her onto her back while sucking a finger inside his mouth. Rocks scraped against her bare ass, but she didn’t care. All she could think about was him, inside her. He nudged her legs apart with his knees, pants down around his thighs, and in one fluid motion, pressed deep.
“Braum!” Her eyes widened with shock, then pleasure, at the first thrust. She dug her heels into the ground, arching her hips, pressing tighter to him, insisting he give her more. Oh, how she’d wanted this, him, big and hard inside her.
His finger slipped from between his lips to rest between their linked bodies, just over her desperate clit. And as he thrust, he began to stroke. His size was alarming, but all she felt was a delicious fullness, urging her on to a higher peak.
Nothing in her past had prepared her to make love to Braum. Everything she thought she knew was thrown into delirious chaos as her body sang in response to his every touch, his every move.
On a long, slow drive, he cradled her face between his hands and gazed at her, his golden eyes shining with what she knew to be love. Her heart pounded in response, recognizing her true feelings for him. When his lips dipped to hers, she poured all the love she felt for this man into the kiss, moving her mouth against his as their bodies cleaved together.
The combination of his fingers plying her eager flesh while he rhythmically rammed into her, brought Jessica passed what she could bear. She cried out as her climax crested. The ferocity of her release seared in its intensity, leaving her undone. But his fingers relentlessly coaxed more from her as he continued to pound. She wrapped her legs around him and bucked against his ministrations, encouraging him to find his own completion.
With a shout, he came. Body jerking into hers, she cradled him within her body, her legs wrapped around his bare buttocks until he stopped moving.
“Gods!” he finally said, breaths harsh against her neck.
Exhausted and content, all at once, she sighed. The pressure of his big body against hers, bringing a satisfied smile to her face.
Then without any forewarning, a sensation crashed over her, blanketing her completely. The strange tingling had returned, crawling under her skin. She shivered as the blood pumping through her veins seemed to cool for an instant before a roaring heat seared her, making her gasp in sudden pain before it ceased. Uncertain how to put the new awareness into words, she felt as though her soul inhabited a new body, one that thrummed with pleasure, and burned with fresh wakefulness. Was Braum such an amazing lover?
>
Soft lips claimed hers as Braum pulled her up for a kiss, and she chalked the strange feelings up to the healing spell. Between nuzzles—sounding gruff and well-pleased—he murmured, “Give me a bit of rest and some dinner and we’ll continue.”
He stood and tucked himself into his pants.
Jessica closed her eyes, a hand against her softness. She couldn’t help the satisfied look from spreading as she savored the throbbing after-effects of their passion.
“Keep touching yourself, though, and I may not need dinner, after all.” His voice was deep and languorous.
Lids fluttering open, she watched Braum eyeing the hand pressed against her intimate flesh. And with a wicked grin, she cocked a knee and ran a finger through the folds. “Oh, really?”
A thick brow arched in question and she laughed at his incredulous look. Not bothering to suppress the resulting shudder, she brushed down over her clitoris and grinned even wider at his groan.
“Don’t tempt me, woman, unless you mean it.” Hands on his waistband, he stepped closer, barely restraining the growing flesh.
A pale hand moved over her corseted belly to cradle a trembling breast. She pinched a red nipple and rolled her hips. “I suppose we can wait until after you’ve eaten. I wouldn’t want you withering away.”
Rather than discuss it further, a growl tore from his throat and he ripped open his fly, cock ready. “Trust me, I’ll be fine.”
He knelt above her and nipped each nipple before spreading her folds with firm fingers. Then he was in her. His hard length plunged forward as he covered her mouth with his, swallowing her cries of pleasure.
It was quick. A few hard thrusts before he came. And as his body convulsed against hers, he found her and pressed until she cried out, losing herself to her own orgasm, her body still thrumming from the first. In that moment of bliss, she couldn’t help but wonder why they’d waited so long.
“Now that you’ll not question my manly abilities”—he looked at her, the corner of his eyes crinkled with happiness— “how about some food?”
CHAPTER 10
A sliver of early light gleamed through the branches, and Braum awoke with a smile lifting his cheeks, though his legs stuck outside the shelter and his toes tingled from cold. He nuzzled Jessica’s hair and smelled roses—and her—and relished the feel of her snuggled against his side. He’d barely slept. Instead, had watched the arc of the moon as it made its way across the night’s sky. They were well and truly wed. Relief flooded him as he drew her closer.
This woman, from so far away, was his. And now, the elves couldn’t take her. No council would ever agree to separate a married couple, no matter the circumstances.
Unable to feel his arm—as Jessica lay upon it—he shifted. She burrowed into his side, fighting slumber’s retreat. When she finally pried one eye open and saw his gaze upon her, she gave him a shy smile. It was an emotion he recognized, feeling a little bashful himself.
“How do you feel?” His words sounded over-loud in the dawn hush.
A stretch and a yawn were his only answer until she mumbled, “Good.” Which she then elaborated with a smile and, “Very good.”
Nearly beaming with pride, he pulled her closer, no longer concerned about his numb arm. “I guess we should get up and ready ourselves for home.”
“Do we have to?” She sat up and blinked against the pale light. “There’s something delightfully primitive about our little campground and I’m not sure I’m ready to leave. Besides, I always liked camping back home.”
He kissed the top of her head, a tangled rat’s nest of hair intertwined with twigs. Her face, puffy from sleep, looked lovelier than ever to him. “I’m afraid we must.”
Gods, they were married, and she had no idea. He had to tell her before they arrived home. Though she appeared the same, as human as ever, when the transformation fully took, there’d be no doubt to anyone about their marital status as well as her new race—dwarven. He’d changed her over the course of a single night without her knowing it.
Instead, he chose the coward’s route and delayed. Still naked, he rose to dress. The thought of coaxing his new bride into an early morning tryst briefly crossed his mind, but she’d be extremely put-out by his deception—once she found out—and he didn’t want to add fuel to the fire.
Jessica stood as well, clutching his cloak about her. Grimacing, she yanked several sticks from her hair then pulled her shift over her head, affording him the fleetest glimpse of a pink-tipped breast.
“If you want to look around for some berries and mushrooms, we’ll have those for breakfast.” He nodded to the woods, sensing her unasked question. “Just look around. You’ll find them.”
It wasn’t hard to find berries; they grew in profusion in the area. Several mushroom varieties grew, too, if you knew where to look.
Within minutes, Jessica marched back, skirt filled with woodland treats, and presented her bounty to him. He laughed at the mass of poisonous berries she’d gathered and continued stoking the fire.
“Well, I think you managed to pick one edible thing in that lot.” He couldn’t help but smile at her dismay.
“It’s all bad?” Her smile faded as she examined her harvest.
“Not all of it, love.” He plucked out a single blade of grass and winked. “I did say there was one thing we could eat.”
With a dark look, she released her skirt, letting the berries fall to the ground, and smacked him on the shoulder. “I must have a knack for getting into trouble. Good thing you’re here to look out for me.”
Look out for her, is that what he’d done? If he hadn’t chosen for her, she’d still be at risk. So, yes, he’d made the right decision concerning her future, no, their future. “No matter,” he turned back to the fire, “I’ll catch us some fish and we’ll be home in time for tea.”
She groaned, and he looked over his shoulder, brow quirked.
“Tea sounds wonderful, as long as I can have all the cakes I want. I’m starving!” She leaned close to the fire and rubbed her hands over the warmth. “When do you want to leave?”
He didn’t answer. Couldn’t answer. What could he say so she’d understand what he’d done and why?
Her motions stilled. “What’s wrong?” she asked, concern shading her eyes. He must look like he’d eaten one of her poisonous berries.
Before they went back, he must tell her everything, and there was no time to waste. “We have to talk,” he said, voice quiet. The instinct to hold her tight fought with the knowledge he shouldn’t. She was going to need some distance. Instead, he ran his fingers through his hair and considered his words, knowing it wouldn’t go well.
***
We have to talk. Jessica’s heart thumped. Those words were never followed by anything good.
“You know how I feel about you,” he continued.
“I believe I’ve known since that day in Wycliffe’s garden,” she teased, trying to ease some of the tension growing rapidly between them.
“Of course, you’d mention him.” His voice took on a dark tone. “That damned elf. I don’t regret a thing I’ve done or a choice I’ve denied you. We’ll be happy and someday you’ll be grateful for what I’ve done.”
The choice you’ve denied me? He avoided her eyes, which made her stomach lurch. She jumped when he stood and grasped her by the upper arms.
“I know you’re aware of my feelings, and I’m certain you feel the same towards me,” he began again, face close, as though trying to convey the gravity of his words.
With her gaze focused on the golden whiskers studding his jaw, she spoke carefully. “I’ve enjoyed our time together.” Her tone was no longer light, and his scowl deepened. She frowned back and considered his tight grip on her arms. “Braum, our relationship’s grown so much. I hope we won’t go back to the way things were at the keep, I couldn’t tolerate that. But maybe I can move into my own place, and we can see where things take us.” She forced a smile, hoping he’d be reasonable.
> “No, dammit, that’s not what’s going to happen.”
“What—” she began to protest, but he silenced her with a slash of his hand through the air.
“You’ll not have your own home.” His brows knit, and she felt his aggravation. “You’ll live with me and you’ll bloody like it!”
In the ensuing silence, she began to shake unaccountably and pulled free of his iron grip. “I will never live under house arrest. I’d rather move back with the elves! Why’re you acting like this? Where’s the man who so tenderly made love to me? Told me he loved me?”
“You’re right.” He brushed a hand over his stubble. “I don’t know why I’m acting like this. Thinking about you with Wycliffe makes me crazed. And knowing you’ll be mad at me for what I must say, doesn’t make this any easier.”
Chin in the air, she crossed her arms over her chest and considered the odd sensation creeping through her, pulsing between her toes and knees. “I don’t like being threatened.” She was a stranger here without anyone to rely on but him, and suddenly felt powerless and hated it. But she’d be damned before he took away her freedom.
He let out a breath. “I didn’t mean to threaten you. Let’s start over.”
She lowered her chin a fraction, arms still folded, and waited for him to explain himself.
“I’ve done something you won’t be happy about.” His eyes gleamed as he watched her. “But you’ll find out about it soon, so there’s no hiding it.”
“What on earth are you talking about?”
His head tilted skyward as though searching for inspiration. Finally, he blurted, “We’re married, you and I.”
“What?” Certain she’d misheard, she shook her head. His topaz eyes bore straight into hers and he appeared ready to grab her as though she’d bolt. As she waited for the punchline, a sinking sensation hit her. What had he done? “I don’t understand.”
