by Grant, Donna
She had never touched a man before, never wanted to. But with Cole everything was different. Her own body pulsed with need as she saw him struggling with the pleasure she gave.
A bead of liquid pooled at the tip of Cole’s rod and before she could think about it, she leaned over and licked it.
“Shannon,” Cole groaned out as his hands bunched up the covers.
She loved her control and knew it would only last so long before Cole took over.
She ran her tongue along the length of him, enjoying the hiss through his wonderful lips.
But she wanted him to feel more. She wanted to give him the pleasure he always gave her.
With a hand at the base of his rod, she bent down and took him in her mouth. He was hot and tasted salty and exotic. He jerked and issued a long moan, and she began to slide him in and out of her mouth.
She became bolder by the second, taking more of him in her mouth and cupping his sacs with her other hand. He called out her name, his body now thrusting against her.
Of a sudden, she was lifted off him and found herself on her knees in front of Cole.
“By the gods, woman, what you do to me,” he said just before he claimed her mouth in a scalding kiss that left her breathless.
If he only knew what he did to me.
But she would never tell him. How could she tell him when she knew she would never see him after tonight? Her body had never, and would never, know a better lover, and her heart…her heart would never love as she did at that moment.
Tears filled her eyes as she realized just how much she had come to care for Cole in such a short time. She had never believed in falling in love until it had happened to her. Now, she was faced with leaving the man she loved.
She turned her face away from him as Cole rained kisses down her neck to her breasts. Determined to not let him know how she hurt, she gave in to the desire coursing through her and pushed all else aside.
His magical hands gripped her hips and rubbed his hard rod against her aching sex. She grasped his wide shoulders, pulling him toward her, needing his strength. His head bent and took a nipple into his mouth, suckling until it was a hard, aching nub before he moved to the other nipple.
By the time he was finished with her other breasts, moisture ran down her legs and her hips rocked against his with need.
“Not yet,” he murmured in her ear before he pulled out of her arms.
Shannon reached for him, but he was too quick. When next she felt him, he was behind her. He reached around and took a breast in each hand as he nuzzled her neck.
With his mouth doing delicious things to her neck, one hand tweaking a nipple almost painfully, his other hand dipped down and found her clitty.
She cried out and dropped her head back on his shoulder as pleasure ripped through her. He then moved a finger inside of her, matching the rhythm he set as he twirled his thumb over her clitty. She was so close to orgasm, just a few more seconds and she would shatter.
Then he stopped.
She started to question him when he pushed her forward onto her hands. She looked back over her shoulder to see him guide his rod into her. She pushed back against him, wanting more, but his hands held her hips in place.
“Please,
Cole.”
He chuckled softly. “Not yet.”
Inch by agonizing inch, Cole entered her. Shannon was panting with need by the time he was fully sheathed. Then he wouldn’t move. She was going mad with need, and every time she tried to move, he stopped her.
Suddenly, his hand came around and glided over her aching sex. The spasm of pleasure nearly sent her over the edge, and she prayed he did it again. When he did it was so fleeting she thought for a moment that she imagined it.
Then he began to move inside of her. She sighed and met his thrusts, climbing higher and higher with each one. His hands moved over her back and bottom all the while. When his hand stopped and he placed his finger on her bottom hole, she opened her mouth to ask him to stop when her climax hit.
She cried out as wave upon wave of pleasure washed over her, and as the last of her orgasm ripped through her body she felt Cole give a final thrust before he called out.
They fell as one to the bed. She welcomed his arms as he pulled her back against him. What they had just shared was more special than anything she could have ever imagined. She blinked back the tears that threatened to spill.
“What are you thinking?” she asked.
His hand ran from her shoulder down to her hip. “That, as amazing as you are, you haven’t already found a husband.”
She smiled. “I told you what my life was like in my time. I didn’t have time to find a husband.”
“Will you now?”
She shook her head. “I think you’ve spoiled me.” She would never admit to him just how much he had spoiled her for other men though. He would forever be in her heart, and she knew that none would ever replace him.
He kissed her shoulder and moved the hair from her face. “I’m glad we met.”
“Me,
too.”
Cole blinked and slowly sat up.
“What is it?”
“Stay still,” he said as he leaned over and examined her arm. His lungs burned, and he realized he was holding his breath. He let loose his breath and ran the pad of his thumb over the back of her arm.
She giggled and looked over her shoulder at him. “What are you doing? I’m ticklish there.”
“Shannon, do you remember that mark I told you about?” She nodded, the smile now gone.
“You have it.”
“What?” she asked as she turned to face him.
Cole shook his head in disbelieve. “It explains why Gyles brought you here. You are one of the Chosen.”
“It doesn’t make sense. If I am one of the Chosen and was brought here for them to kill me, why haven’t they?”
Cole shrugged. “Don’t question it. You’re alive, and we must get you out of here.”
* * *
Gabriel smiled when he saw Cole and Shannon walk from the dining room. He knew Shannon would keep Cole occupied for several more hours, which gave him all the time he needed to be taken to the castle.
Benton caught his gaze. The tavern keeper was talking to a burly man who kept casting glances at Gabriel. Gabriel fingered the dagger at his waist. He had the feeling they knew what he was, which was impossible unless Shannon had told them. He didn’t think it was Shannon, though. She wore her feelings on her sleeve, and if she had betrayed them, both he and Cole would have noticed.
Which left only one option.
The evil knew they were here. Gabriel shifted in his chair, looking at each person in the tavern. He was good, but not good enough to take on nearly twenty men single handedly.
He glanced out the window. It was nearly dusk. Another hour or so and all hell would break loose in the village. It was time to get things moving.
Gabriel banged his mug on the table drawing Benton and the other man’s attention. “Is there a problem?” he asked casually.
Benton eyed him. “There is.”
“Let’s take this outside then,” Gabriel said as he rose to his feet and walked around the table toward the door.
He motioned Benton and the other man out before him and followed them to the side of the tavern. “What seems to be the problem? Can strangers not drink in your tavern?”
Benton chuckled. “Strangers can, but you cannot.”
“Really?” Gabriel asked, his hands on his hips. “Why is that?”
“We know what you are.”
Gabriel froze. His suspicions had been right. “What are you referring to?”
“A Shield. That’s what we were told you were, you and your friend Cole,” Benton said as he pulled his sword from its scabbard. “But we’ll take care of you before you mess up our plans anymore.”
Gabriel dove and rolled to miss the swing of Benton’s sw
ord. As he came to his feet, a meaty fist slammed into his face from the other man. Gabriel staggered back and palmed his dagger in one hand and his sword in another. How he longed for his bow, but his sword would have to do for now.
He faced both men and wiped the blood that trickled from his nose and mouth.
“It’ll take more than the two of you to take me down.” His blood froze in his veins when Benton laughed.
“We know,” Benton said as he and the other man advanced on him at once.
* * *
“What was that?” Cole asked as he sat up.
Shannon sat up with him and listened. “What?”
“You don’t hear it?”
She shook her head.
But Cole had. It was the unmistakable sound of swords. Someone was fighting, and he knew who it was. His head swung to Shannon. “He asked you to keep me occupied didn’t he?”
When Shannon refused to meet his gaze he had his answer. He jumped off the bed and began to jerk on his clothes.
“Don’t be angry with him, Cole. We were only looking out for you.” He stopped and looked at her. “I realize that. Get dressed. It’s time to get you out of here.”
He finished dressing and grabbed his weapons. When he turned back to Shannon she stood by the door waiting for him.
“Ready?”
“No,” she said and ran into his arms. She held him tightly as if she were afraid to let him go.
He squeezed his eyes shut as he breathed in her scent. “Soon you’ll be away from this madness.”
“But also away from you.”
He pulled back and looked into her eyes. He had been afraid she might bring up what had happened between them, and it was because he didn’t have an answer that he didn’t wish to talk about it. Not yet. “Shannon ….”
“I know,” she interrupted him. “Just promise me you’ll be careful.”
“Always.” He waited for her to nod that she was ready then he unbarred her door and opened it.
To find the giant that had been with Gyles.
Cole instantly palmed his double headed war axe and faced the big man. “Run,” he yelled at Shannon.
Shannon opened her mouth to scream as Cole raised his massive war axe over his head and swung it at the giant before him. She backed away, hearing his words, but not registering them.
“Shannon. Now,” he bellowed as he ducked, the slice of a sword barely missing his neck.
She swallowed and looked around her tiny room. The only way out was through the door, but Cole and the giant blocked her way. Then she caught sight of the window.
She jerked up her skirts and climbed on the ledge. With one last look at Cole, she dropped to the ground outside.
The woods were just a few feet away. She could make it there and wait for Cole.
She took a step toward the dense trees and came to an abrupt halt as castle guards surrounded her.
Chapter Twenty-One
Cole turned his attention to the huge man before him. Now that Shannon was safe in the woods he could find Gabriel.
He didn’t waste any time attacking the guard. Giant or not, he was just a man, and all men had their weaknesses. His was that he moved too slow. Cole was able to dash around him and lead him into the dining room, all the while ducking and sidestepping his swings and thrusts.
Cole was just about to deliver his final swing when the big man suddenly rushed him, sending both of them into the heavy wooden door. Cole grunted as the weight of the man slammed him into the door which gave a loud creak and crashed to the ground with a bone jarring thud.
He was sure he heard some bones break under the immense weight of the giant but didn’t have time to take stock of his injuries. The giant reared up and sent a meaty fist into Cole’s jaw. Pain exploded through his head. Before another punch landed, he made himself move his hand and reach for the dagger he kept at his waist.
Cole opened his eyes in time to see the fist coming at him. He tried to move his head but only managed to move the punch from his nose to his eye. He knew if he didn’t do something soon, the giant would render him unconscious.
He gnashed his teeth and yanked the dagger from its sheath, and then with a vicious thrust, embedded the dagger in the giant’s neck. The man’s eyes bugged from his head as blood gushed from the wound. Then he slumped forward.
Cole let out a long string of curses as he worked to get the huge man off him. By the time he was done, he could barely open his mouth and his eye had swollen nearly shut. He climbed to his feet and grabbed his axe.
He was about to make a run for the trees when he spotted Gabriel and Benton.
Cole sheathed his war axe at his back and unhooked the two smaller axes at his waist. He walked toward Gabriel and Benton, his anger growing with each step he took.
“Cole,” Gabriel said as he approached.
“Benton is mine,” Cole answered, never taking his eyes off him. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Gabriel nod and turn to another guard who had attacked.
“I’m surprised to find you still alive,” Benton said as they circled each other.
Cole clenched his jaw. “As I am with you. I assumed you would have run off as soon as you found out you weren’t going to live.” Benton laughed. “We know who you are. Shields. Now, when I expected to have the legendary Shields come to my village, I assumed they would be men that would put fear in us. Instead, they sent you.”
“At least now you’ll pick on someone your own size. I’ve been waiting for this moment since the first night I saw you.”
Benton smiled. “You’ll never win.”
Cole lunged at him, one arm swinging the axe over his head, while the other arm swung from the side toward Benton. His axe overhead stopped Benton’s sword and gave him just the time he needed to embed the other axe in Benton’s side.
“The Shields always win,” he said as he pushed Benton’s dying form to the ground.
He stood over the man who had held Shannon captive and abused her, and he wanted to kill him all over again. Once just wasn’t enough.
“Cole!”
He jerked and spun toward Gabriel who was surrounded by castle guards. Cole rushed to help his friend and soon found himself in the thick of battle.
It was some time later that he and Gabriel stood back to back and surveyed the carnage around them.
“Are you injured?” Gabriel asked.
“My eye is swollen and my jaw feels like its on fire,” he answered.
“Anything
else?”
Cole didn’t want to think of himself right now. He needed to find Shannon and get her out of there before Gyles came looking for them.
“They know who we are.”
“I know,” Gabriel said and turned toward him. “I just don’t understand why they didn’t capture us. It was as if they wanted a fight. As if they wanted our attention turned.”
Cole felt as though someone had kicked him in the stomach. Without a backward glance, he took off to the forest, screaming Shannon’s name as he ran. He heard footfalls behind him and knew Gabriel followed.
He crashed through the forest, not caring who, or what, might be lying in wait for him. Never had he been so terrified. He came a halt when he saw Aimery waiting for him.
“Do you have her?” he asked the Fae commander between mouthfuls of air.
Aimery shook his head. “I felt your…emotions…and came immediately. It didn’t take me long to discover they have her at the castle. I take it she’s one of the women?” Cole nodded numbly. “I just discovered it tonight. I never expected them to take her.”
“They wanted us otherwise engaged so they could take her,” Gabriel said as he leaned against a tree to get his breath back. “I never saw it coming.”
“And you wouldn’t have been able to,” Aimery said. “You know the situation, now do what you have to do.”
Cole glanced at Gabriel. “We go to the castle.”
>
“Oh, aye,” Gabriel agreed and pushed away from the tree. “I need to tend to you.”
“Nay. There isn’t time,” Cole stated. “I have to get Shannon back.” He looked down at his feet and regained his composure before he moved his gaze to Gabriel. “I apologize.”
