The glint in his eyes slowly faded and the tension around his eyes softened. His grip on her was firm, and although she knew she should get out of the intimate embrace, she was helpless to leave the warmth of his arms.
“Say my name again, Amelie,” he said softly. “It sounds so lovely on your lips.”
“I — I made a mistake. ‘Twas wrong of me to come here,” she said, helplessness and desperation sounding in her voice.
“Nay, you shouldn’t have come,” he agreed, his gaze lingering on her mouth. “But nevertheless you’re here.”
Her dark eyes shimmered with uncertainty. “This is not proper…” she tried again.
Derrik drew her forward and placed one finger on her lips, effectively silencing her.
Initially, he thought that she had followed him to discuss her father, but now that she was here, looking up at him with her big, round eyes, it seemed that she had a different agenda on her mind. An agenda that he didn’t mind taking her up on.
As he remembered their passionate kiss, he began to think that perhaps he had misjudged her, and that she was more experienced than he had thought.
“The fact that you’re in my room is improper,” he reminded her gently. “If you wanted to ask me about your father, you had every opportunity to do so when we made our journey back to the castle. Yet you didn’t.”
Raising a finger, he caressed the soft curve of her cheek. “Why are you really here, Amelie? Is it because you want to tempt me again?” His eyes fell to her lips. He wanted just one kiss. What harm would it do? “Because if that’s your plan, ‘tis working.”
He watched as she nervously licked her lips once more.
Amelie had seen that look many times before, although she had never allowed any suitor close enough to kiss her. But now she felt an overwhelming urge to press her lips to his. Every time she was near him, she felt that magnetic pull. And this time the pull was even more powerful because it contained something more, something indescribable and wicked.
Raising her eyes, she saw that his eyes were dark with desire, a veritable reflection of her own. The blood pounded in her head, her body tingled as if every part of her body was now roused from a long, slumberous sleep.
“Kiss me, Derrik,” she whispered achingly.
Slowly, he bent his head, descending closer. His lips barely brushed against hers, although the small pressure caused her body to become motionless. A moment ago, she had a reason to visit him, a reason that made perfect sense, but now her logic fled her, and she was acutely aware of the perilous situation that she had placed herself. Still, a jumble of emotions ripped through her — anticipation, curiosity, panic and fear. Even her heart felt as if it galloped away and left her body behind.
Derrik backed off slightly. Without being fully conscious of what she was doing, Amelie twined her arms around his neck, stopping his movement. Then sliding her hands up, she placed them at the side of his head, bringing it back down toward her. Leaning in, she kissed him back.
Vaguely she could hear and feel his groan rumbling against her own chest.
Her body seemed to sing in answer to the erotic music, bringing new tingling awareness, showing her that, all along, this was what she craved. A flood of warm energy whirled around in her body and flitted down to her core, making her wet and aching. She turned her body squarely, pressing her soft curves into his hard, sculpted planes, wanting to get as close as possible, wanting to become one with him.
Her fingers slid through his golden mane as he deepened the kiss, matching his passion with her own.
Small, desperate whimpers formed in the back of her throat. He pried her lips apart with his tongue. Then with that same tongue, he stuck it into her mouth, drinking in her essence as if she was made of honey and everything sweet.
The first kiss he had given her at the inn had taken her by surprised, and this kiss re-awoken those feelings that had been latent. The feeling was insistent, a throbbing in the center of her being, a void that could be satisfied in only one way. She couldn’t quite describe it. It was a sensation, a raw heat, a hunger that started in her heart and spread throughout her body and settled between her thighs.
What was happening to her? She had never experienced these feelings until she met Derrik. And now that her body tasted the dark promise, it demanded more. It demanded that she continue to play this risky and dangerous game. It demanded that she surrender everything to him, including her heart.
Derrik broke away from the kiss, his breath coming out in harsh rasps. This needed to stop. Of all things, he was a knight, and he knew better than to ravish a maiden like this.
A soft sigh escaped her. And he groaned out loud. He had trained for many years to become a strong knight. Sir Jared, his uncle and mentor, had drilled in his head about duty and loyalty. Even now his voice echoed in Derrik’s head, telling him to cease this madness. And he knew he should have the ability to stop. Over the years he had honed his control until it was as robust and unbreakable as iron chains. Except his chain of control was falling apart. And when his lips touched hers, he couldn’t do it. He couldn’t draw back. He wanted all of her.
Once again, he became aware of that vague, strange feeling, the feeling that he experience only with Amelie… And he knew as surely as his heart was beating that he had gone and fallen in love with her.
He closed his eyes. How did this happen? He had locked up his heart ever since his childhood love rejected him. How did this small woman in his arms unlock that heavy pad surrounding his heart, and make him desire only her? He didn’t know why he did it; he had a duty to the king. There were unknown dangers that lurked beyond the bedchamber door. But Amelie’s innocent kiss ignited the passion that he had kept so carefully under wraps. And now that it was unleashed, his body desperately wanted to take over, to have his way with her.
“Derrik?” Amelie said, her voice sounding like a sigh.
“I think that this kiss is more than what is proper,” he said, his voice sounding thin and distant to his own ears. “We need to stop.”
Her large brown eyes looked up at him in surprise, and he saw it quickly turned to disappointment.
“You should leave now before ‘tis too late.”
She stared at him as if he spoke a foreign language. “Nay,” she said finally. There was something about Derrik that was different from all the men who had ever tried to vie for her attention. With them she felt nothing. But with Derrik, she felt something deeper. She tried to deny her feelings for him. But whenever he was near, it was impossible to ignore her attraction to him. She should have been content with this one kiss, since it was clear that the kiss had affected him as much it had affected her. But her body demanded that they finished what they started. And all the years of having what she wanted without anyone questioning her, came to the forefront.
“I desire more,” she said, her voice husky. “I desire you, Derrik.”
Her soft voice was his undoing and he drew in a sharp breath.
From the moment he set eyes on her, he experienced a curiosity that had grown to an all-consuming obsession. The fire inside him burst into feverish heights, surprising him in its intensity. He pulled her back into his arms. Dropping his mouth to hers, he kissed her with an unbridled, hungry passion. His arms tightened, drawing the small of her back toward him, allowing her to feel how much he wanted her.
And when he felt her body yield, a groan rumbled in his chest, and he deepened the kiss once again. Lifting her up, he brought her over to the bed, settling her on the firm mattress. He knew full well that it was a mistake. But he was unable to resist the temptation. All he could think to do was to quickly pull off his braies.
With one hand splayed across her slender shoulders, it slid down her back until it cradled her backside. He squeezed her briefly before making his way to her smooth leg. Then sliding underneath her gown, his hand skimmed over to the front. It slowed down, stroking, caressing her velvety skin, moving ever closer to her secret entrance. And when h
is questing fingers slipped inside her, he found her wet, slick, and ready for him.
He groaned as if he was in mortal pain.
Suddenly the clothes on her body were too much of a barrier. Still kissing her, his breath mingling heavily with hers, he fumbled with the buttons and ties of her gowns and underclothes. And when the clothes pooled at her feet, he paused to look at her glorious body. A deep flush crept over her, and Amelie reached for the blanket to cover herself.
“Nay,” he said, grabbing her hand. “I want to see…taste…all of you.”
Then to prove that he meant it, he bent over one taut nipple.
“What are you doing?” she gasped.
Involuntarily, her hands reached up and dug into his straw-colored hair. His hot mouth covered her breast while his rough tongue began licking, caressing her fully aroused nipple. And when she thought she couldn’t take it anymore, he moved to the other breast and paid it equal homage.
His tongue trailed across her rosy skin, gliding across her flat stomach. She thought she had experienced it all, but then his searing tongue found a new path along the inside of her thigh.
“Do you want me to stop?” he asked hoarsely. He lifted his head, his eyes filled with tortured tenderness and restraint. “Because if you do, you must tell me now — while I still have the ability to end this.”
Amelie whimpered. Her capacity to speak was lost long ago. The reason why she sought him in his bedchamber was a distant memory. All she could do was shake her head.
And that was all the answer he needed.
He brought his fiery tongue back to her thigh, licking upward until the flaming heat touched her delicate folds. She sat up abruptly, trying to move away from the burning heat. But Derrik simply pulled her back down, and continued with his tender onslaught. It was then that she surrendered to his erotic ministrations. Leaning on her elbows, she threw back her head, her breath coming out in short gasps and moans.
With each stroke of his tongue, her breath came out faster and faster until a sudden wave of bliss hit her. She screamed as her world shattered. Blindly, she reached over and grasped his shoulders.
When the pulsating slowed, her grip on his shoulders loosened. And then he rolled on top of her, kissing her neck, shoulders and breasts as if he couldn’t get enough of her. Burying her fingers into his hair, she lifted his head and brought his lips back to her own. She then kissed him with a renewed energy and passion that radiated from her core. And once again her body was set aflame, causing her to rock to the frenzied rhythm that he set.
And when she thought she reached the pinnacle of exquisite pleasure, she felt his arousal between her thighs, poised at her entrance. She threw her head back and moaned, feeling the sensation, feeling his hardness lightly touching her, making her drip.
“I need you,” he said, gritting his teeth.
And then as if to prove how much he needed her, he rubbed the tip of his erection against her mound, making her fully aware of his rigid length.
“Look at me,” he commanded. Then when her eyes locked with his, he slowly entered her. She saw his pupils enlarge and darken before she became lost in the rapturous sensation.
“I’m sorry, Amelie…” he said, his voice breaking. Small beads of sweat formed on his forehead. “I cannot hold on any longer.” And with that, he thrust his hips one final time until he was fully sheathed inside of her.
Her eyes closed abruptly as she gasped at the sudden passionate invasion, her fingers digging into his shoulders.
He held still, giving her a chance to become accustomed to having him inside her. And when her body softened, he began to slowly rock back and forth, circling one way and then the other until all her thoughts fled once again. A pressure built from within her, and the sharp pain that she experienced a moment ago became a dull memory. It felt as if he caressed her from the inside, and she couldn’t help but moan at the tortured pleasure he evoked. Then he quickened his movements, thrusting in and out, in and out, the sound of their frantic breaths merging and becoming one.
Amelie let out a startled cry just as she felt an explosive wave of ecstasy. In response to her scream, Derrik’s body tensed. And as he held still, she felt the powerful pulsation as he released his seed into her. Then in one smooth motion, he came off of her, and rolling to the side, he brought her up to a seated position.
“I hope that I didn’t hurt you,” he said, his tone serious and slightly apologetic.
“There was a bit of pain,” she said, looking at his neck, now feeling shy. “However it did not last very long.”
Derrik winced. “I suppose that I should apologize, but I would be lying if I told you I regret this.” He put a finger under her chin, tilting her face up. “The next time won’t hurt, I promise you.”
She stared at him, not believing what she was hearing. She had expected him to tell her that he, at the very least, cared for her. But from his casual words, it appeared that she was just another woman to romp with. The next time.
“There will not be a next time,” she said, shaking her head, and pushing away from him. “We both know that this was a mistake. I would appreciate it if we do not speak of this ever again.”
Chapter 28
“I have been searching a good hour to find you, Amelie,” Clarisse said. “Where have you been?”
“I was in the chapel,” Amelie said, lying.
“That is strange because I checked the chapel, and did not see you there,” she twisted her lips. “Perhaps we missed each other. Anyhow, Geoffrey has arrived and was asking about you. Have you seen him yet?”
“Nay,” she said. “But I fail to see what he — that anyone — can do. At least Sir Derrik has placed my father somewhere safe.”
“Where is this farmhouse that he spoke about?”
“’Tis about five hours north of Stanbury. I am told that Sir Gareth —”
“Wait, are we speaking about the Sir Gareth? The Iron Hawk’s commander?”
“The former commander, as I understand. But aye, we are speaking about the same knight. For some reason he has chosen to live in the secluded area.”
“Then he cannot be farming so far north. There would be nothing there except for wilderness.”
Amelie nodded. “I do not know if Sir Gareth actually farms the land. A farmer usually clears the fields that he works,” her brows drew together in puzzlement. “As far as I know, his property is not cleared.”
“How odd. I am assuming he has no neighbors nearby?” Clarisse asked.
“None that I know of. I am told that very few men venture near his home.”
“I guess ’twould be a safe haven for Lord Stanbury if no one cares to go that far north,” she said, shrugging.
“Aye, the knight has put up many barriers to prevent people from getting near his place.”
“Do you think he has gone mad? I have heard stories —”
“I should hope that he has all his mental capacities in tact since he will be harboring my father,” Amelie said, cutting off her cousin.
Clarisse gave her an assessing look before saying, “Aye, of course you are right. ‘Tis by far safer for Lord Stanbury to stay at the farm rather than be here at the castle, if what you told me is true.”
“How is Mother?” she asked, abruptly changing the subject.
Her cousin blinked, understanding immediately that the discussion about Lord Stanbury was ended. “Lady Edeline is much better now, although she is still weak and delirious at times. In her confusion she asks about you and Lord Stanbury.”
The Healer looked up when they entered the bedchamber. “My ladies,” she said although there was no smile of greeting upon her lips.
A servant stood on one side of the bed, while Margery stood on the other side with the Healer.
“Ester, move aside please,” Clarisse said. The servant jumped and did what was asked of her. Clarisse beckoned for Amelie to come closer. “Her convulsions have stopped, and she has slept for a good while now.”
The wimple was gone from Lady Edeline’s head, exposing gray streaked hair. She was sleeping, although the blue veins showed through her eyelids. Even in her sleep, Amelie could see the dark shadows that formed beneath her eyes. And her once beautiful skin had taken on a sallow, sickly hue.
Sensing her presence, her mother opened her tired eyes. “Daughter,” she said weakly. She raised her hand, but the movement seemed to take too much effort, and Amelie caught it before it dropped.
“Are you feeling better now, mother?”
Her mother made a thin, inaudible sound in the back of her throat.
“Perhaps we should administer more of the potion, my lady?” Margery said from behind them.
Clarisse glanced at the nursemaid. “I do not think ‘tis wise to give any more of the potion, Margery,” she said quickly. “It seems to make her worse every time you give it to her. Perhaps if she is thirsty, she should only drink the wine.” She softened her voice and turned to Lady Edeline. “My lady, do you want some of your spiced wine?”
“But Margery’s potion makes me feel strong…” Lady Edeline protested.
Clarisse made a clicking sound with her tongue, demonstrating her contradictory opinion. “There is nothing that will take away this sickness. Even the physician is puzzled over it. He has tried blood-letting and a number of other remedies, and as you can see, nothing has worked.” She looked over at the Healer. “What do you think ‘tis, Mistress?”
The Healer leaned closer, her keen eyes taking everything in. “Aye, I agree with you, my lady. She should stop taking the medicinal potion and just drink wine.”
Clarisse gestured for Margery to get the wine. The nursemaid frowned slightly at her, but she went to fetch the drink from the small table.
“Thank you, Margery,” Clarisse said, taking the flask from the nursemaid’s hand. She then filled a goblet with the spiced beverage and held it to her mistress’ lips.
The Healer watched as Lady Edeline opened her mouth and obediently drank from the cup. “Where is my lady’s herbal potion, I wonder? I want to see it,” she said, looking at the table and frowning.
A Knight's Duty (The Knights of Honor Trilogy, Book 2) Page 19
