Guilt lanced Tamsin. She should tell him about the chronicle. But with guilt came a renewed sense of urgency. This would be over soon. She knew a bitter-sweet yearning to hoard every precious moment. She’d tell him when they returned to the castle. When the fantasy ended.
She’d never felt so cherished. Invited to share his laughter as well as the passion that lurked in the curve of his lips, his hooded eyes and his tight, possessive grip.
‘Thank you, Alaric.’ Her voice was hoarse as she stared at this man who’d given her so much. Physical pleasure, but more too. Something that made her feel strong and special.
She stretched up on tiptoe and pressed her unsteady lips to his. Instantly he gathered her close, arms wrapping tightly around her, kissing her with tender persuasion.
Alaric didn’t believe in love or commitment. Yet it would be so easy to fall for him. Totally foolish, definitely dangerous, but, oh, so easy.
CHAPTER TWELVE
‘NO, NOT like that, keep your palm flat.’
Alaric wrapped his hand round Tamsin’s, holding it steady while the mare snuffled a chunk of carrot. Tamsin’s gurgle of laughter echoed through the stable. He felt it as he stood behind her, his other arm pinning her close.
The horse whickered and mouthed Tamsin’s palm. She crooned to it, rubbing her hand along its nose.
Alaric’s belly clenched in response to her tone. It was like the one she used when they were naked and he discovered a new erogenous zone on her supple, gorgeous body.
He loved listening to Tamsin, he realised. Whether the soft gasps and cries of delight as they found ecstasy together, or the quiet, serious way she discussed other matters. Or her passion when she talked about books and dead languages and preserving the past. He even liked the schoolmistress voice she used to counter his teasing.
His groin stirred and he tugged her nearer, taking her weight. He was turned on by a woman whose eyes shone with delight over the size of his library!
This was new territory.
Normally his interest in a woman was skin deep. But these past few days with Tamsin he’d discovered a deeper pleasure, sharing her delight, not just with intimacy, but with the world around her.
He’d known joy unfettered by the cold shadows of the past. He even slept soundly, devoid of dreams.
Was it any wonder he didn’t want her out of his sight? It was selfish, but the sunshine she brought to his soul was worth ignoring the responsibilities it would be his duty to shoulder soon. Already discreet arrangements were under way to ensure the crown’s smooth transition if necessary.
Just a little longer…
A disturbing memory surfaced of Felix talking excitedly about finding the one right woman. But his brother had made the mistake of believing in love.
Alaric would never make that error.
‘Why are you shaking your head? Aren’t I touching it right?’
Alaric rubbed his chin against her hair. ‘You always touch just right. It’s one of your talents.’
Tamsin was a natural sensualist who loved giving and receiving pleasure. Her tentative forays into pleasing him reduced him to a slavering wreck. Imagine when she became expert at seducing a man!
A splinter of dismay punctured his self-satisfaction at the notion of Tamsin sharing herself with another.
Alaric’s jaw tensed.
He wouldn’t let it happen.
Not yet. Not for a long time. He wouldn’t relinquish her until this liaison had run its course.
His left hand crept towards the apex of her thighs.
Her hand clamped his wrist and instantly he felt ashamed. Only an hour ago they’d finally emerged from bed. His attempts to restrain himself, allowing her time to recuperate from their lovemaking, kept failing abysmally. He needed to be more considerate. Until a few days ago she’d never been with a man.
His chest expanded on a rough breath of satisfaction. He couldn’t help it. He tried to feel guilty for stealing her virginity but now all he experienced was pleasure knowing he was her first, her only.
It must be the novelty that made him feel he never wanted to let her go.
‘Not in front of the horses,’ she whispered as he nudged her ponytail aside and kissed her neck.
‘You think they’ll be offended?’ He smiled against her fragrant skin, pulling her back from the stall.
‘I…’ The word disintegrated in a sigh of delight that stoked his ego.
‘You’ve never been naked in front of a horse?’ he teased as he laved her skin.
‘I’ve never been near a horse.’ She tilted her head to allow him better access.
‘Tragic,’ he murmured. ‘So much to make up for. Horses, sledding, caviar, breakfast in bed. So many firsts.’ He punctuated each word with a tiny bite to her neck and was rewarded by tremors of response that racked her body. He gathered her close. ‘What were your parents thinking to deprive you so?’