Lady of Steel

by Mary Gillgannon

  “Why not?”

  “Mortimer said he’d found a lowly squire to bed me. But then I saw you and you looked like a knight to me. And not lowly at all.”

  “You would never have seen me if I hadn’t insisted on opening the shutters.”

  “I would still have known you were man grown, and a bold one, by the way your body felt against mine and the way you loved me.”

  A faint smile touched his lips. “How did I love you?”

  She smiled back at him. “Slow and tender. At first I wanted you to hurry. Then I didn’t.”

  “And now? How should I love you this day?”

  “Today, I am impatient.”

  He nodded and finished undressing. When he was naked, he came to stand next to her. He placed his hands on her waist and drew her close, so his magnificent up-thrust shaft pressed hard against her belly. The feel of his hot flesh made a delicious ache spread from her groin to her breasts. She sighed with longing. “When I see you, my body doesn’t want to wait.” She caressed the tender tip of his shaft until he made an agonized sound.

  “I’m the same,” he said, breathing hard. “I want you naked. Hurry.”

  She stepped back and pulled her gown over her head, then swiftly slipped off her shift and loincloth. In seconds he had her in his arms. He kissed her desperately and maneuvered her over to the bed. After helping her onto it, he straddled her and kissed her again. She stroked his shoulders. Her body trembled with need as she raised her hips. Nicola moaned when he touched her between her legs, a quick stroke to open her further. Then he eased himself into position and thrust deep.

  Nicola shrieked at the intensity of it. Then she pressed her lips together, letting only low moans escape as he rode her to the heavens and beyond.

  ****

  Wild. Magical. Fierce. She was all those things. His beautiful Nicola, so fine and exquisite, and yet so strong. Fawkes gave into the violent passion building inside him and let the soul-deep fulfillment wash over them both.

  Seconds later, they sprawled in a helpless tangle on the bed when there was a knock at the door. “Lady Mama!” a small voice called.

  Fawkes let out a laugh. “Jesu, what’s he doing up here?”

  “Milady. I’m sorry. He wouldn’t wait.” Old Emma’s breathless voice echoed through the door.

  “Give us a moment,” Nicola called back. She met Fawkes’s gaze, grinning. “We must hurry.”

  They dressed rapidly, Simon’s small voice and Old Emma’s answering murmurs spurring them on. When they were mostly presentable, Fawkes went to the door and unlatched it. “Where is my young Simon?”

  “I’m here, Sir Fawkes.” Simon burst into the room. He held up a small gray kitten. “I found her.”

  Fawkes glanced at the kitten cradled in Simon’s arms, and gave Nicola a helpless look.

  Nicola bent next to Simon. “Is she old enough to be away from her mother? And how do you know the kitten is a girl?”

  “Sir Gerard said.”

  Fawkes and Nicola exchanged another look.

  ‘Can she sleep with me?” Simon gazed at them with wide, hopeful eyes.

  “I suppose so,” Nicola answered.

  Old Emma waddled over to the boy. “Come, lovey, let’s take the kitten to the kitchen and get it some milk. Then we’ll see what we can find to make it a bed of its own.” The elderly servant shot Nicola a reproving glance and herded Simon toward the door.

  Halfway there, Simon turned back. “Her name is Isabella, Joanie says.”

  Nicola shook her head as Simon and the servant left. “Old Emma certainly doesn’t approve. You probably don’t either. But I did tell you Simon loves animals.”

  “I suppose I can tolerate one kitten in our private chambers. It will keep the place free of mice.”

  “Eventually.” Nicola approached him. “Some months from now.”

  “We’ll have to endure until then, won’t we?” Fawkes’s smile was like a glowing sun. He took her in his arms and kissed her.

  A word from the author…

  I am fascinated by history, as well as ancient myths and legends. These interests, along with my passion for travel, inspire and enrich my books.

  Raised in the Midwest, I currently live in Wyoming with my husband and four very spoiled cats, and a somewhat spoiled dog. I also have two grown children and have worked at the local public library for over twenty-five years. In my spare time, I enjoy gardening, travel, and reading, of course!

  http://marygillgannon.com

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