His Abducted Bride

by Ruth Ann Nordin

  Amused by the way he pouted, she set the towel aside and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Has it been that long?” She twirled his damp hair with her fingers.

  He drew her closer, his hands traveling down her back and cupping her behind. “Yes. It’s been forever.”

  Noting his erection, she wiggled against him, enjoying it when he groaned. “It has been a very long time.” Unable to stop herself, she patted his chest and gave him a chaste kiss. “We’ll have so much fun tonight.”

  She turned her back to him and headed for her armoire so he wouldn’t see her smile.

  “Tonight?”

  Biting her tongue so she wouldn’t laugh at his bewildered tone, she opened the armoire. She waited until she could talk without laughing before she pointed to the dark red flowing gown with black hearts embedded around its hem. “I was thinking of wearing this one. What do you think?” She didn’t dare look at him because she knew if she did, then she’d burst out laughing.

  A moment passed before he walked over to her. “You can’t be serious. You’re going to make me wait until tonight?”

  “What? Aren’t you hungry?”

  “Well, yeah, but not for food.”

  “That’s funny. I distinctly recall hearing your stomach growl when you were taking a bath.” As much as she tried to complete the last part of her sentence without laughing, she couldn’t do it. She turned to him and hugged him. “You’re so sweet, Gavin. You really would have waited until tonight if I didn’t want to do it now, wouldn’t you?” She cupped his stunned face in her hands and kissed him. “However, as it turns out, you’re in luck.” She lowered her hands and slipped them under his towel, loosening it so that it fell to the floor. “I happen to be in the mood.”

  Relieved, he pressed her close to him and grinned. “Okay, you had me going. I had no idea you could bluff like that.”

  “I have a trick or two up my sleeve.”

  “Indeed you do.” He ran his hands up her arms and kissed her. “You know, being able to fight with a sword is important but so is outwitting your opponent.”

  “Thanks.”

  “You’re very welcome.”

  She kissed him, parting her lips in a silent invitation for him to interlace his tongue with hers, and he obeyed. She loved the strong masculine feel of his body as it pressed against hers. He had his egotistical moments, but one thing she couldn’t deny was how gorgeous he was with or without his clothes. And while she’d never admit it, she had thought of him in sensual ways while watching him in the courtyard. There was something primitive and sexual about a man who believed in doing everything he could to protect what was his. She had no doubt that he would do everything in his power to keep her safe, no matter what happened, and given how considerate he was to those he ruled over, he’d always be considerate of her.

  With a mischievous smile, she took his hand and led him to the bed. “Get on it.”

  His eyebrow rose in interest. “Is that a command?”

  “Yes. Why? Are you going to refuse to do it?”

  “Considering there’s a bed and we’re naked, I’ll do whatever you say.”

  “That doesn’t surprise me.” She playfully swatted his behind. “Now get on the bed before I change my mind.”

  “Oh, I don’t want you to do that.” He settled onto his back and waved her toward him.

  Though she shook her head, she got in beside him. Leave it to Gavin to figure out a way to get her to do his bidding no matter what the situation was. Even so, she didn’t let the fact that she had just followed his command stop her from kissing him. The least she could do was lead some of their lovemaking.

  She ran her hand down his chest, stopping briefly to tease his nipples. He let out a low growl, pulled her into his arms and kissed her neck, teasing the skin under her ear with his tongue. Shivering in delight, she lowered her hand and wrapped it around his erection. She lowered her hand to the base of his shaft then up to his tip, running her thumb along the slit where a bead of moisture was. She rubbed the moisture of his tip then renewed her grasp on his shaft so she could continue stroking him.

  He groaned and rolled her to her back. His hand slid between them then his fingers slipped into her. She shifted so he could go deeper and was rewarded when he found the sensitive area in her core. She whispered her encouragement, her hips rocking on their own accord. He kept fondling her and her hand stilled on his shaft as she became aware of how close she was to her orgasm. Murmuring his name, she gripped his arm, giving herself completely to the sexual tension building in her core. His fingers kept stroking her core, working faster and ensuring that she would climax. When she did, she cried out and stilled, her body clenching tightly around his fingers.

  He waited until her body relaxed before he slipped his fingers out of her and shifted so that his erection was nestled inside her. Grabbing her hips, he slowly built the momentum of his thrusting, in no hurry to finish what he started.

  At one point, he rolled onto his back, taking her with him so that she was straddling him. This position allowed her to angle her sensitive nub against him, and she worked with him, her hips moving in time with his. He cupped her breasts, lightly pinching her nipples in a way that intensified her pleasure until she climaxed once more. He joined her soon after, his body shuddering beneath her, his seed filling her. They relaxed soon after and she settled next to him on the bed, wrapped securely in his arms, her head resting on his shoulder.

  “I think I outdid myself this time,” he murmured then kissed the top of her head.

  She lifted her head so she could see his expression, not too surprised by the cocky smile on his lips.

  “You had your pleasure twice this time, and I only had mine once,” he explained.

  “I have a mind to say something to deflate that ego of yours,” she replied. “As much as you’d like me to believe you’re nothing like the man I created, you’re the kind of lover I imagined you to be. Arrogant, skilled, domineering.”

  His grin widened and he cupped one of her breasts in his hand. “Skilled, huh?”

  “I included ‘arrogant’ and ‘domineering’ in that description, and all you can focus on is ‘skilled’?”

  “Well, since I’m a skilled lover, don’t I have the right to be the rest?” He kissed her neck, just below her ear, turning her exasperated sigh into one of pleasure.

  “I don’t know what I’m going to do with you,” she said, already knowing she was going to lose the battle as her body responded to him.

  “I’m not stupid, Sandy. I kept parts of my personality you set up for me. Being an excellent lover was for your benefit.” Before she could respond, he gave her a lingering kiss that made her melt in his arms. “Don’t worry. I saved myself for you. I didn’t want to waste my talents as the world’s greatest lover on someone else.”

  She was ready to protest that even he wasn’t the world’s greatest lover, but his hand slipped between her legs and she gave into the pleasure of being intimate with him once more.

  Chapter Fifteen

  The next afternoon while Gavin practiced with his sword, Sandy decided to take a stroll along the garden path. As much as she enjoyed watching him fight, she wanted to do something different. She clasped her hands in front of her as she took note of the variety of flowers lining her path. It really was a lovely garden, and the weather was ideal for a walk. But her gaze kept going to the wall surrounding the castle.

  There was no doubt about it. There were more guards than there used to be, and though she hadn’t heard anything about it, she sensed the guards were on high alert. They stood at their posts, not taking their eyes off the area of land they were expected to watch. Even one of the knights from her kingdom had a post. The others were probably resting until it was their turn to keep watch. But what were they watching for?

  She glanced around her and caught a slight movement out of the corner of her eye. Surprised, she turned and inspected the large tree. She could have sworn someone slipped behi
nd it. Curious, she approached it, mindful that all she had to do was scream and arrows would be flying at the person behind the tree, in case the person meant her harm.

  She shook her head and laughed. She was the author. No one could hurt her. Assured by this logic, she headed for the tree. A flicker of movement came from behind it. She picked up her pace and stopped when she saw the same old man she’d talked to in the village.

  “What are you doing here?” she asked, not hiding her surprise. “How did you get here? The guards should have seen you come into the castle.” And if they had, she would have known about it since she was the queen.

  “I’m a holographic image,” the man said, lowering his hood so she could get a better look at him.

  She squinted but saw the slight distortion in his face. “Okay,” she slowly consented then reached out to touch his shoulder. Her hand went through it. Pulling her hand back, she studied him. “Were you a holographic image when I saw you in the village?”

  “No.”

  “Then how did you disappear so fast when my husband came into the shop? One moment you were there and the next, you were gone.”

  “I don’t have much time. My image will only work for a few minutes. Sandy, I know you’re the author of this story, and I also know King Blackheart brought you here against your will. I am here to offer you a way out.”

  “A way out?”

  “A chance of escape.” He dug a round object out of his pocket and held it in front of her.

  It rotated in midair, and it took her a moment to realize it was the world she had created for the story. She saw Crystaline, Havenshire, and the other kingdoms. “That’s amazing,” she whispered, entranced by the moving globe. “How are you making it move?”

  “That’s not important. What’s important is that you get to the portal that will take you home so you can finish this story as you originally intended. I have saved the original file in a backup document on your computer. All you need to do is take this hologram and it’ll take you to the portal.”

  Her gaze went to the floating orb which showed her a path from the castle and into the forest where a dot was blinking. She guessed the dot was the portal.

  “Every kingdom has a portal to your world, but you’re closest to this one.”

  She bit her lower lip and debated going back. If she went back, she’d have to give up Gavin and everything that had happened since she’d been here. But going back would mean returning to her family and friends. Well, maybe those two things didn’t have to be exclusive. Gavin knew how to get to her world. Maybe he could arrange it so she could visit her family and friends from time to time. But if she went to the portal without him, then she wouldn’t know how to get back here, and that meant she’d lose him.

  “I appreciate the offer, really I do,” she began, “but I don’t want to leave.”

  The man’s eyebrows furrowed. “You mean to tell me you’re happy here? With a king who has forced you here against your will?”

  “I know it seems bad, what he did and all, but it’s really not. He’s a good king. He’s not the villain I made him out to be in the original document.”

  He frowned and returned the globe to his pocket. “I see. You have fallen in love with him.”

  “Well, yes.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  Finding that a curious sentiment since she’d think everyone in the kingdom would be relieved because he was a merciful king, her eyebrows furrowed. “I don’t understand. Why are you sorry to hear it?”

  He disappeared.

  Startled, she stepped back. After a moment, she waved her hand where he’d been standing. Just who was the strange old man, and why did he care if she returned to her world or not? She took a deep breath and remained still, her gaze on the spot he’d been, wondering if he’d return. But he didn’t. A couple minutes passed before she turned around and proceeded down the walkway.

  She bit her lower lip and glanced at the guards. Should she be concerned? They were watching for someone, which meant Gavin was worried about something. He might protest it, but he was definitely being cautious. She wondered if it had something to do with the man she’d been talking to?

  She debated whether or not to tell Gavin what just happened. Maybe if she did, he’d come out and tell her exactly what was going on with those guards lining the walls. And who knew? Maybe there was a connection between the guards’ watch and the man.

  Decision made, she lifted the hem of her dress and headed for the courtyard. When she reached it, she paused, taking a moment to admire the skill Gavin employed with the sword. He hadn’t been as focused when he was practicing with her, preferring to act charming and sweet instead. But now he wasn’t trying to impress her. He was honing his skills, and though she’d never come out and admit it, she did entertain sensual thoughts as she watched him.

  When he glanced in her direction, she noted the warmth flooding her cheeks. There was no way he could know her thoughts and yet, he winked and shot her a suggestive smile before he turned his attention back to his sword. She had a mind to deflate that ego of his, except she caught the way his muscles worked under his thin, white shirt. She loved grabbing those strong arms while he made love to her.

  All too soon, the exercises were over, and he was crossing the lawn so he could talk to her. “How is my lady doing?” he asked, his skin glistening with sweat.

  She licked her lower lip as she contemplated what it might be like to have him make mad passionate love to her while she wore her dress and he wore nothing. There was something wonderfully wicked about that fantasy. Blinking back her thoughts, she cleared her throat. “You didn’t put some kind of spell over me, did you?”

  He chuckled and sheathed his sword. “No. Why would I do that?”

  She shrugged. “I don’t know. I wouldn’t put anything past you. You’d probably like nothing more than for me to throw myself at you.” It’d be just like him to put a spell over her to get her to seduce him.

  A slow smile spread across his lips. “If you want me to take you, why don’t you just say so?”

  “As it turns out, I’m not here for that.”

  “Doesn’t matter. We can go to the bedchamber or somewhere else that’s private and make all your dreams come true.”

  “Or maybe these are your dreams you’d be making come true?”

  “If that’s your story, I’m willing to go along with it.” He took her hand in his and lifted it to his lips, his kiss making her body tingle in excitement.

  “What am I going to do with you?”

  He squeezed her hand and winked. “I don’t care as long as you promise to be gentle.”

  With a grin, she pulled her hand away from his. “Well, this is an unlucky moment for you because I’m not here to do anything sexual with you.”

  He frowned. “Not even a little bit?”

  “No. In fact, I have something important to discuss with you.”

  “Really?”

  She glanced around and slipped her arm around his. “It’s probably something we should discuss in private.”

  “And we can’t combine this with something more fun because…?”

  She shrugged. “I have a feeling this might be important enough that you won’t be in the mood for sex.” She noted the flicker of apprehension on his face. “Okay. Maybe I’m being dramatic. It could be nothing.” But even as she said it, she wondered if it was the truth. Something about her encounter with the old man just wasn’t right.

  When they were inside the castle, she made a turn to go to their bedchamber, but he stopped her. “I discuss serious matters in the planning room.”

  “Alright.” She led him in the opposite direction and waited until they were in the room before she spoke. “Remember that old man I told you about?”

  “The one from the strange shop in the village?”

  “Yes.”

  She expected him to walk right over to her, but he sat on the edge of the table in front of her, one fo
ot on the arm of the chair in front of him. He rested his elbow on his knee and leaned forward. “What about him?”

  “I saw him.”

  “When?”

  “Just now, as I was walking through the gardens.”

  His eyebrows furrowed. “That’s impossible. None of my guards saw any suspicious activity there.”

  Her eyes grew wide. “Your guards are watching me?”

  “No,” he quickly argued with a forced chuckle. “Not watching you. They’re watching out for you.”

  She crossed her arms and stared at him, not sure she liked any of this. “I fail to see the difference.”

  “There’s a huge one. By watching out for you, they are protecting you from harm.”

  “And what am I being protected from?” When he hesitated, she grunted and turned away from him so she could look out the small window. Her gaze went to the wall where three guards stood at their posts, ever diligent in their job. “What’s out there that is a threat?”

  “I suppose the answer lies with the old man who somehow managed to sneak past the castle walls.”

  “He didn’t sneak in. He was a hologram.”

  “A hologram?”

  “Yes. He was a three-dimensional image. It allowed him to be here without physically being here.”

  “I know what a hologram is and what it can do,” he replied. “What I don’t understand is how he slipped the hologram inside the castle. The thing he used could be anything, and it’s probably something so small no one would notice it.” He shook his head.

  “What are you thinking?” she asked, sensing there was more to this whole thing than he was telling her.

  “I already told you what I’m thinking. This old man is using something small to find a way to get a message to you. What did he say?”

  “Before I tell you anything, I need to know something first.” There was no way she was going to reveal everything when he was hiding something important from her. She uncrossed her arms and stepped toward him. “What’s going on? Why are the guards watching out for me? What threat am I supposed to watch out for?”