Legendary Warrior (Warrior 1)

He touched her face so gently that it almost seemed he thought she would break. “You are pale; are you all right?” Before she could answer, he rested his forehead to hers. “Good God, Ree, I am so sorry; can you ever forgive me?”

Her heart continued to pound madly in her chest, but she looked into his dark eyes. His anger was gone, replaced by despair, and she suddenly realized he needed her concern, her gentleness and, most of all, her love.

She placed a tender hand to his face. “There is nothing to forgive. You suffered a hurt so shocking—”

He placed a finger to her lips. “I had no right, no matter what I suffered I had no right to abuse you.”

She took hold of his hand and kissed his palm. “Your anger took hold.”

“A fatal mistake to any man or warrior. Sound reason is a better weapon.”

“Pain, hurt and revenge blind many, and in the end it is the innocent ones who suffer the most.”

He closed his eyes a moment and Reena thought that he battled tears, but when he opened them not a tear shone in his eyes. He had won the battle—or had he?

“My mother was an innocent. I thought she had endured misery beyond reason, but this . . .” He shook his head. “I do not know how she retained her sanity.”

“She had you to protect, the son of the man she loved with all her heart and always would.”

He remained silent, heavy in thought, and Reena rested a gentle hand on his shoulder, letting him know she was there and would remain by his side always.

“My mother taught me about love. She spoke about how love would find me when I least expected it, for she insisted love was unpredictable and could strike at the strangest times. She told me not to have any expectations but to accept the love that was sent to me and cherish it and never ever do it harm.”

Thoughts of the anguish and pain his mother had endured choked the breath from her, and she sighed, hoping to ease her troubled emotions. To think that his mother had been forced to be intimate with the man who had killed her loving husband was incomprehensible. Her courage to endure such torture was remarkable, and to survive it all and encourage her son to love was even more remarkable.

“Your mother is a special woman, strong and courageous, and she taught you well of love, for I know you would never harm me.”

Anguish surfaced in his dark eyes, and she knew he regretted his actions and that no apology would ease his regret. But she would not have him suffer, for he had suffered enough, now it was time for him to love.

“I—”

Reena pressed a firm finger to his lips. “Love you with my whole heart and soul. And did I ever tell you how handsome I think you are?” She rubbed her nose to his. “And how I love when you kiss me. Nibbles, I especially love nibbles, and touches, the slow lazy kind.” She pretended to shiver. “Mmm, you make me tingle.”

She faintly traced his lips as they slowly spread in a smile. “I am so very glad I found you to love.”

“It is I who am grateful to have found you,” he said and nibbled the tip of her finger.

“I think it is love that found us.”

“And I intend to cherish that love and you forever and all eternity.”

She rushed a kiss across his lips, leaving him aching for more, then nibbled at his ear and whispered, “I ache for the feel of you.” She let her hand slowly travel down his chest to settle intimately over him. She squeezed ever so lightly, then slightly harder, lighter again, then harder until he enlarged in her hand. She laughed softly in his ear. “You ache for me too.”

“You play with fire, Ree.”

“That is good,” she said with a nibble at his ear. “I like when you are heated.”

His reaction was so swift that she did not realize what he intended until she was flat on her back on the bed, he looming over her.

“Now to heat you to a fiery blaze.”

He had her naked in seconds, his own garments following with the same speed. And then he touched her slow and easy, running his fingers over every inch of her naked flesh and setting her soul on fire.

It was a torturous pleasure she never wanted to end.

His lips followed the same path in the same lazy manner, driving her completely insane with the want of him.

“Now,” she insisted. “I must have you now.” Her hands clung to his shoulders, her fingers digging into his hard flesh.

“Not yet.” He moved down over her to taste her sweetness.

She grabbed at the covers on the bed, bunching them in her hands as her cries of pleasure radiated throughout the room. Finally she pleaded with him to satisfy her ache. “Please, Magnus, I want to feel you inside me.”