“I would take you like this, Keeley. Like a stallion covering a mare. Would you like that?”
She closed her eyes and let her chin fall to her chest as she sucked in deep, steadying breaths through her nose.
“Aye,” she whispered.
Her knees trembled and threatened to buckle underneath her. She braced her palms against the bed in an effort to keep from falling.
She felt extremely vulnerable in this position. She had no defense. He could take her as he liked, do anything he wanted, and there was naught she could do.
Again his hand smoothed over her backside, caressing and rubbing until she sighed with pleasure. Then his other hand grasped her hip and he held her in place.
The tip of his c**k bumped against her entrance, moved away, and then back again before he finally plunged forward, burying himself in her damp heat.
She threw back her head and would have cried out if he suddenly hadn’t covered her mouth with his hand.
“Shh, lass. Easy now,” he soothed.
She let out a whimper as he pushed even deeper. It didn’t seem possible that she could take him so deep. She felt full to bursting, stretched so tight around him, it was almost painful.
“I’m going to ride you hard, Keeley.” The words came out as a near growl. His voice was hoarse and raspy as though he hung on to control by a mere thread. “Just lie still and take it. I’ll take care of you.”
She had no choice. Her head was bent to the mattress and her arms were splayed out, her fingers curled into the covers. Her knees were her only means of support as he drove into her again and again.
Images battered her mind. How must he look mounted over her? Her mouth went completely dry, and she closed her eyes as pleasure quaked over her body.
He was deep, so much deeper than he’d been the previous two times he’d taken her. She was much more sensitive now after having endured his possession twice already. His movements were part pain, but raw, edgy pleasure as well.
After a few moments, the cloud of pleasure dissipated and she became aware of the raw twinges with every one of his thrusts. He was too thick, too big, too deep this way.
He plunged deep, his hips slapping against her bu**ocks. She let out a soft cry and flinched away.
He froze and carefully withdrew, but even that elicited a tiny sound of pain.
“Keeley, what is it? Have I hurt you?”
He turned her around, sat on the bed, and pulled her into his arms. He kissed her brow and stroked her hair as he stared anxiously into her eyes.
She grimaced. “I’m a bit tender.”
He cursed softly, self-recrimination burning brightly in his eyes. “You were a virgin and yet I’ve used you like a woman well accustomed to matters of the flesh. ’Tis inexcusable. I wanted you so much that I paid no heed to your comfort.”
She rubbed her hand over his cheek and smiled. “I wanted you as much as you wanted me. I still do. ’Twas just uncomfortable for a moment.”
Alaric shook his head. “You should have a long, hot, soaking bath to soothe your aches and pains. I’ll have one brought up to your chamber so you can have the care you deserve.”
Again she smiled and pushed her mouth up to his to kiss him. “A bath sounds heavenly, but right now, we have but another hour until dawn. And I want to spend that time in your arms. Could we lie in your bed and rest for the remainder of our time?”
His gaze softened and he pushed a stray tendril of hair behind her ear. “Aye, lass. There’s nothing more I want than to hold you against me. When the morning comes, I’ll have your bath brought up to your chambers. No shame will be visited upon you for this night.”
She grasped his hand and squeezed. “It would be worth any shame to have spent this night with you, Alaric. I want you to know that. I have no regrets.”
“Me either. No regrets. I’ll hold this night close for the rest of my days.”
She allowed him to lay them both back onto the bed. Alaric reached for the furs and pulled them over himself and Keeley until they were bundled up warm against each other.
“I’ll not sleep this night,” she said. “For I don’t want to miss a single minute in your arms.”
Alaric kissed her brow and gently rubbed his hand repeatedly down the side of her hair.
“I’ll not pretend I’ve not loved you, Keeley. In public, aye, I’d never do anything to bring you shame. In private, however, don’t expect me to pretend you didn’t give your innocence to me.”
Her smile was sad. “Nay, Alaric. I’ll not pretend either. But ’tis for the best not to dwell on impossible matters.”
“Let us cease this kind of talk. I find it makes my heart heavy.”
“Then wrap yourself around me and keep me warm until I must rise and return to my cold bedchamber.”
“Aye, lass. I can do just that.”
Chapter 20
Dawn was creeping across the sky, bringing with it ugly fingers of regret that the night was over. Keeley lay sleeping against him, her head nestled in the crook of his arm.
Her arm was thrown possessively over his midriff and her br**sts were flattened against his side.
Slowly he grazed his fingers up and down her bare arm as he inhaled the scent of her hair just an inch from his nose. He loved touching her. Loved her smell. Loved the feel of her next to him. It was a feeling he’d enjoy waking to for all his days.
Instead he had to look forward to another woman in his bed. Someone who didn’t have Keeley’s sweetness or her fire. Or her infuriating stubbornness that amused him to no end.
He turned into her, gathering her tight as he buried his face in her hair. She stirred quietly next to him and stretched, her body tightening against his as her back bowed.