Realizing he must sound like a babbling lack-wit, he
looked away, cursing under his breath.
Reina tugged his sleeve until he looked at her. When she had his attention, she smiled.
Fulke briefly covered her hand. “Thank you for your kindness,
mistress. I assure you, I do not make a
habit of playing the fool.”
He vaulted into the saddle before reaching down to lift her up. Guiding her legs around the pommel, he
positioned her sideways on the saddle before him. Reina moved to situate
herself as his wet hose soaked through her clothing. Briefly brushing against
his manhood, a spark of lust ignited into fire when she wrapped her arm around
his waist to balance herself.
Adjusting in the saddle to conceal his sudden arousal, Fulke tightened
his arm, gently easing her back against his chest as the wind gusted, causing a
lock of lavender scented hair to caress his cheek. Gritting his teeth, he
fought to control the surge of lust threatening to overwhelm him. Forced once
again to re-adjust his seat, he spurred his horse in the direction of the keep.
Warin turned to them as they set off, “With your permission, my liege,
I shall await you at the stables.”
“We shall not be far behind, lad,” watching Warin ride off into the
light of the waning moon.
Finding himself in his own personal version of hell, Fulke sought the
resolve to keep his hands to himself. With Reina snuggled against him, her
cheek resting lightly in the crook of his neck, he found himself torn.
Nearly undone by the sensation of her warm breath on his neck, he took
a deep breath to cool his raging desire. He clenched his teeth with an audible snap as Reina shifted slightly,
bringing the palm of his hand in contact with the side of her breast.
Her slight intake of breath had him reaching his hand up. Caressing the
side of her face with his calloused fingertips, he gently cupped her chin. Seeing her tongue dart out to moisten her
full lower lip was his undoing. His
fingers slid through her silken tresses as he bent his head to claim her lips.
Unprepared for the searing heat the touch of her lips stoked to life,
he groaned in abject defeat. Drawing her closer against him, he deepened the
kiss. Stroking her lower lip lightly
with his tongue, he coaxed her to open to him, slipping inside to join with
hers as soon as she complied.
He had never had such a reaction to a woman before. Somehow, he knew no other woman, except this
woman, would ever make him feel this way again.
Slanting his lips against hers, he sought more as Reina’s arm tightened
around his waist to bring him closer. When he felt her shiver, he struggled for control, his only desire to
find a warm bed to follow her down.
The thought of debasing such an innocent gave him the strength to pull
away, leaving them both gasping for breath. Resting his chin against her
temple, he exhaled heavily into the flowing mass of her hair.
Trailing his fingertips lightly along the side of her face, he cursed
himself for his weakness. This woman,
above all others, deserved someone better than him. She deserved to be loved, an emotion he had
not felt in so long, he no longer felt capable of feeling it.
He felt her tense in his arms as they passed through the gate. Frustrated he could not communicate with her,
he could only wonder what she now thought of him.
Entering the courtyard, Warin stepped forward to lift Reina down. “The keep shall be stirring soon, my liege,”
he said anxiously.
Fulke passed him the reins as soon as he dismounted. “Be at ease lad.
None shall hear of this night’s events from my lips.”
“Thank you, my liege.” Casting a quick glance at Reina, he led the
horse away.
Reina grasped a handful of skirt to turn for the keep. Before she could
take a step, Fulke gently held her by the arm, preventing her flight.
Tipping her chin up, he reverently traced the lines of her face with
his fingertips. “Forgive me,