by Rae Monet
"Wrap your legs around me."
She complied. Her core came in contact with his hardened cock.
"Feel what you do to me, Megan. Feel my love."
She moaned against his lips.
Richard stopped. Taking a deep breath, he gazed down into the face of the woman he loved.
"Can you feel my love? Can you sense it? You have abilities. I know you do.” He pressed his forehead against hers.
"Yeeees."
"Tell me what you feel toward me.” Richard gently pressed his penis against her. “Remember last night. Remember me caressing you until you were wet and panting. Remember what it felt like to come under the stoking of my fingers. Remember arching up at the last minute and flying into the stars. Do you really think you could feel that way if you were...” he spit the word out, “...damaged?"
She groaned as he laved her neck, working his mouth down to her breasts. “Remember me touching your nipples, squeezing them, how good that felt."
"Yeeees, Richard. God, yes."
"Tell me what you feel toward me."
His tongue touched her hardened nipple through her clothing. Her head dropped back against the tree.
"God, Richard, you know I love you. I love you more than anything in the world."
Richard stopped his onslaught and released her, guiding her legs to the ground until she was standing on her own. He kissed her a final time. Using his tongue he outlined her lips, then laved off the wetness.
"Don't ever tell me you're damaged again.” He smiled against her mouth. “Now, show me those dimples.” He kissed her cheek until she laughed at him.
"That's better."
She swatted at him. He captured her hand in his, raising it to his lips.
"So ye'll be marryin’ me then?"
She smiled at his attempt to mimic her accent and shook her head. “You're pushing your luck."
He wrapped his hand around her neck and kissed her again.
"Soon?"
"Mayhap. Give me time, please."
Sighing, he nodded. He led her back to the blanket and eased her down.
"Thank you, Megan.” He dropped down next to her. She weaved her fingers through his. He watched her as she gazed at the water, knowing his next words would hurt her. He stroked her wrist, massaging the newly-healed injury.
"Megan, I must leave to see your father."
Her hand tensed. He continued to knead it.
"I have to tell him you're alive and well. I want you to try and tell me what happened. We need to find who did this to you."
She turned her attention to the river. She nodded. “I know. I ken you need to go. It's just..."
Richard let his silence speak for him. He knew she would tell him when she was ready. It took a while, but piece by piece, she went through her ordeal. As she spoke, she began to shake. Her voice broke, and she often stopped to compose herself. His arms went around her. He held her tightly, once again absorbing her pain.
"So you think they were Scottish?"
"Yes, by their accents."
"Why in God's name would they want to start this feud again? If they were Scottish, how could they benefit from this?"
Megan pulled away from his grip, recovering some of her poise. “Many of the Scottish have turned on their own, to side with the English.” Her voice hardened. “The English promise them things, land, money, titles, if they betray their own."
"So this is likely about greed?” Richard tried to hold down his rage when she nodded.
"God's Blood.” Richard vaulted off the blanket and started to pace. A demon rose up inside his chest. This was the same devil that rode with him when he fought for the Scottish, the one that could kill in one fell swoop.
He sensed Megan come up behind him. She laid a hand on his shoulder, as if trying to soothe him.
"I will kill them. This I swear to you,” he vowed.
She massaged his shoulder, then wrapped her arms around him. He squeezed her arms, placing his hands on hers. He sensed her worry.
"Take care, Richard. Please."
He turned and folded Megan into his arms.
"I will. Don't worry. Do you want to come with me?"
She stiffened in his arms. “I'm sorry. I don't want to return yet."
"Please consider it,” he requested.
She nodded her assent.
Richard hadn't expected she would but wanted to give her the opportunity. After she pondered the idea, it was likely she would go. “It's all right, I understand. You let me know when you're ready and I'll take you."
"I will, thank you. How long will you be gone?"
Richard cradled her head to his chest. “Mayhap a fortnight. I'm not sure. Roan will go with me. He is a strong warrior and a good friend.” He joined her hands in his. “Come. I have a gift for you."
The smile she gave him wobbled at the corners. “Gifts, I do like."
"Aaaah, there are those dimples.” He pulled her toward the trees. “This gift you will definitely like."
Chapter Nine
Megan followed Richard, clutching his hand in hers. She had been taken aback when Richard asked her to marry him. She wanted nothing more than to be able to tell him yes, but she couldn't. Not now.
She needed time.
Richard pulled her toward the village barn. At one of the stalls, he stopped and smiled. Megan looked inside. Curled around a large gray wolf were three darling pups. Megan heart lifted with happiness as she shook off Richard's hand and hurried into the stall. She heard him chuckle.
"Be careful. She's a new mother and a little protective."
Megan bent down to stroke the mother wolf, who lifted her head and licked Megan's hand. Megan knew she was in no danger. Since she was a child, wild forest animals had eaten out of her hand. She had a mysterious connection with animals that defied explanation.
"Dinna fash. I have a way with animals.” She gently picked up one of the pups and cuddled her face against his.
"Yes, you do, my beauty.” Richard squatted down next to her, his gaze intent.
Megan watched him as he reached out and stroked her brow.
"Does this make you happy, Megan?"
Megan did love this man. His first thoughts were always for her. He was such a gentle soul, but strong in body and spirit.
"Yes, thank you.” As Megan cuddled two pups, they began swatting at her hair. Their bungled attempts at play made her laughter ring out. Suddenly a snarl followed by a ferocious barking came from outside the barn.
Megan scrambled up. She could sense the panic in the sound. Her heart skipped a beat.
"What..."
Richard quickly placed the pups next to their mother and rushed out of the stall. Megan followed him.
The barking and growling turned into a pained howl. It was the sound of an animal obviously distressed and in agony. Megan rushed forward, passing Richard as she ran outside and around the corner.
Inside a large fenced enclosure was a huge jet-black wolf. The wolf's hair stood straight up as it snapped at a man outside the pen who was trying to enter. The man had brought healing supplies and was attempting to calm the beast, speaking soothing words, but the wolf would have none of it. Every time the man put his foot inside the pen, the wolf lunged forward. Baring its teeth, the wolf's menacing stance warned him that one more step could be his last.
Shoulders slumped, the man eased out of the pen just as Megan reached it.
Richard made his way next to her. Before she could move forward, he wrapped his hand around her arm and anchored her to him. She strained against his hold.
"Megan, that wolf is injured. She is very dangerous. She has allowed no one to aid her. She was caught in a wolf trap."
Megan studied the wolf. She noticed that the wolf held her left leg gingerly off the ground, trying not to step down on it. Megan felt the wolf's pain. She raised her hand to her heart. It was thundering, just like the wolf's. The feeling left her lightheaded. She had empathized with animals before, b
ut never to the extent that she felt one with them. These feelings were growing stronger with each animal she cared for.
She took a deep breath and tried to convey a sense of calm to the wolf, who was staring with deadly intent at the man as he moved forward. When the man put his hand on the pen gate, the wolf tried to lunge at him and stumbled.
The wolf needed her. “Let me go, Richard. Please."
The wolf howled. The sound sent a chill spilling down Megan's spine. She turned toward Richard and beseeched him with her eyes.
"Please.” She tugged her arm from his hand. He let her go, his expression reluctant.
Megan approached the pen. She projected peace to the animal. The wolf backed up and began to pace, limping as she went. Megan was startled when she heard Richard fall in behind her. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw him draw a knife from his boot. She shook her head at him.
"You stay here.” Megan's hand fell to the pen lock.
"No, I think not."
Megan sighed and lifted the latch. “Trust me."
"I trust you, my beauty. It's the hurt, angry wolf I don't trust."
Megan laid a hand on his chest over his heart. She could feel the rapid pounding, evidence of his fear. She soothed her hand over his heart, as if she could allay his fear with her touch and soften his unease. It seemed to work. She heard him grunt and knew he had given up the fight. He covered her hand with his.
"I am asking you to stay here,” Megan pleaded.
Richard shook his head, released her grip and stepped back.
"I'm not going far.” He hopped up on top of the pen, where he positioned himself so he could jump off in an instant to defend her if needed.
Megan nodded, thanking him silently for his faith. She turned and let herself into the pen. The wolf, clearly agitated, strode back and forth. Although it snarled, it didn't attack. Megan squatted down and faced the wolf. She stretched out her hand.
"Come, darling, come to me. Let me help you."
The wolf stopped and stared straight at Megan. Her eyes held a menacing red glow, as if she were in a forbidding, unworldly place that no one would dare cross. She growled and bared her teeth at Megan.
"Come. Don't be afraid."
With one loud bark as warning, the wolf lunged at Megan. Just before it slammed into Megan, the wolf's body twisted. Panting, the wolf landed two feet from Megan. As its hurt paw hit the ground, Megan sensed the animal's pain.
At the same instant, Megan felt Richard stiffen.
"For God's sake,” he called, his voice anguished, “be careful."
Megan pointed a finger toward him and gave one command. “Stay."
He growled like her wolf. Her attention went back to the injured animal.
"Come. Come to me."
The wolf panted and whined, then lowered herself to the ground, stumbling with her injured leg.
"I know it hurts. Come, let me help."
The wolf laid her head on her paws. It was then Megan knew she had succumbed; an instinct she couldn't explain told her all was well. She eased toward the wolf.
The wolf cried and fell to her side, panting in distress. Megan knelt down and ran her hand over her pelt. The wolf was beautiful. Incredible.
"Well, baby, let's get you fixed up then.” When Megan rubbed the wolf's face, it nuzzled her hand.
"Richard, can you get me some supplies to splint her leg?"
When Megan glanced toward Richard he looked stunned.
"Richard,” she snapped, and he jolted out of his stupor.
He waved toward the man outside the pen. “Kell, would you hand me those dressings.” Kell handed over the package he had been trying to bring into the pen with him. Richard tossed it into the pen, straight to Megan's hands.
"Thank you. Would you leave us now? You make her nervous.” Megan stroked the wolf, gently picking up her paw. The wolf whimpered and growled a bit. Megan cooed gently, settling her.
"I don't want to leave,” Richard said
"Trust me. I've done this more times that you can imagine. I know what I'm doing."
Richard made a snarling noise. He sounded so much like the wolf, Megan hid a smile.
"God's Blood,” he grumbled, but hopped back onto the other side of the fence, making the leap look easy. Megan took a moment to admire him.
God, he's beautiful.
He pushed his shoulder-length hair behind his ear. He oozed virility. Just watching him made her think about his touch, his body pressed against hers in the middle of the night, his lips devouring hers. She wanted him like she had never wanted anything in her life.
Feeling the wolf's agitation return, she slowed her quickened breathing. The wolf needed her attention now. Daydreaming about Richard could wait. “Dinna fash. I'll be fine."
He threw up his hands and pointed toward a stand of trees behind the pen. “I'm right there. Call if you have need of me."
Megan gave him a dimpled smile and winked, then gave her attention to the wolf.
"Shadow,” she murmured. “That's what I'll call you."
The wolf looked into her eyes, gratitude and devotion glowing in their brown depths. The freely given affection made her feel a little more cleansed, a little more healed.
Megan took a long breath and concentrated on projecting her need to heal into Shadow. She felt it then, like the lighting of a torch. It started as a warm tingling in her arms, then traveled to fingers. This was how she healed, this heat. She gave herself wholeheartedly to the sensation. Megan wrapped her hand around Shadow's paw and absorbed the pain of her injury. She inhaled as she felt the pain transfer into her body.
Megan grunted and closed her eyes. She knew exactly what Richard felt when he took in others pain. Exactly. Shadow whined, then sighed and laid her head down. Megan lifted her fingers, satisfied when she noticed the wound had almost healed on the wolf's leg. She smiled. She never told anyone about her abilities. Glancing at Richard, she was satisfied he hadn't noticed.
Good, he has enough concerns to worry over.
Chapter Ten
Richard stilled as Megan helped him strap his claymore to his back. She smoothed the leather around his chest, stroking the dark strap as if she was petting her wolf. Richard let his head fall back while he exhaled.
"You'll be careful?” she asked.
Richard dropped his head back down and pulled Megan between his legs. They had returned to Richard's dwelling so he could get ready to travel. He sat on the bed, while Megan helped him strap on his various weapons.
The wolf, Shadow, rested comfortably in the corner, leg splinted and dead to the world. She had taken on the role of Megan's protector, almost as if Megan herself was a Wolf Warrior.
Richard was amazed at how docile the angry wolf had become with Megan's touch. However, the more time he spent with Megan, the more the mystery unraveled.
She has a way about her.
It was as simple as that. Richard nuzzled Megan's neck where her shoulder met that graceful curve, that lovely line.
Such a soft, tasty spot.
He was rapidly losing what little control he had been able to reclaim at the river. She touched him in ways no other had, and not just physically. Sleeping with her for the past few weeks, touching her, marking her as his with his small love bites had stirred something sacred inside him as well.
He ran his tongue up her neck over one of the angry red scars and claimed her lips. They were ripe, sweet, and tasted better than the finest ale. Richard sipped, filling himself.
Maybe it's time to take my loving further.
His hands strayed to her dress and he methodically undid each button. Then he pushed her dress over her shoulders, baring her beautiful breasts. Richard stooped and took a calming breath as he looked at the bounty of her nipples. He began to sweat, the heat of his body reaching furnace proportions. His cock had a life of its own, straining so hard against his breeches that it hurt.
"Richaaaaard.” Megan cried out his name when he finally claimed her ni
pple with his mouth. He tasted, nibbled, sucked and settled his teeth on her nipples, lightly tugging. Megan arched into his mouth and Richard felt a small amount of male satisfaction that he could please her so well.
Oh yes, it's time to heat things up.
"Yes, my beauty. Enjoy."
Richard moved to her other nipple. He pushed at her dress until it pooled at her feet and she was naked in his arms. He pressed her to him, running his hands up and down her back until they settled on her ass. He squeezed. Compelled to bring her closer to orgasm, he ran his hands along her cheeks, stroking that untouched area, feeling her tremble. There was a burning need in him so strong it eclipsed all rational thought. He knew her physical scars from her rape had healed, as he knew the past three months had eased the boundaries.
It is time. I have to taste her. She is ready.
Richard released her and stood up. He quickly pulled his sword back over his head and dropped it on the ground. Before sensible thoughts stopped him, he picked Megan's naked body up and laid her against the bed. She mewled like a pleased kitten, the sound ratcheting his sense of urgency twofold. He loosened the ties of his breeches to ease the strain on his cock, then bent down and settled himself over Megan's form.
With his mouth and tongue, Richard sucked his way down her body until he settled between her legs.
"Oh, God, Richard.” She moaned when his mouth settled on her heated center. He had wanted to drink from her like this from the first moment he saw her. He lapped at her. Separating her folds with his fingers, he latched onto her clit and sucked. She arched off the bed.
"Ahhhhh."
"Yes, moan for me, baby.” Richard continued to feast on her wetness. “Come for me.” Richard gently inserted one finger into her while he sucked on her clit. He could feel the pre-cum on his penis. It was straining for release. He tenderly moved his finger in and out. He didn't want to hurt her, but he sensed she was ready for this. He prayed he was right. He wanted to please her so badly. Gently, he pulled on her clit with his teeth. She moaned, her body tensed and bowed.
Richard groaned with her, he could feel her milking his finger and he could taste her cum. He was ready to explode. Sweat coated his body as he controlled his need to plunge into her. She wasn't ready for that level of penetration. Soon, he thought. Watching her come had been more than satisfying enough ... for now. Her entire body was flushed with her arousal. She was so incredibility beautiful.
