Sharon Schulze - L'eau Clair Chronicles 03

by Heart of the Dragon

  Ian made a leisurely survey of the treasures before him, his gaze finally centering on her face.

  A delicate bloom of color rode high along her cheeks a tinge of embarrassment because of her boldness? He had enjoyed every moment of her teasing.

  She resumed her stroking caress of his chest and stomach, her touch sending a fine tremor through his body. Ian knew the instant she felt it, her eyes darkening to a smoky green. Gliding her hands slowly over his neck and shoulders, she moved closer, until her breasts brushed against the curls matting his chest.

  Closing his eyes for a moment, Ian searched within himself for the patience to make this feeling last. His body urged him to grab Lily, carry her to the bed and drive his aching flesh into her welcoming warmth.

  But he wanted to linger over the pleasure, to share with Lily all the facets of passion, not just the urge for completion.

  Ian wanted to imprint himself upon Lily, to lose himself in her, to give himself to her—and receive the gift of Lily in return.

  He could see her growing sense of power in her eyes, feel it in the sure touch of her hands on his body. It was her turn to lead the way, after their loving of the night before. He intended to savor every moment of Lily’s boldness;

  he’d never felt so appreciated by a woman.

  “Come, Dragon. Let me help you bathe,” she murmured, taking his hand and stepping into the steaming tub.

  ““Tis wonderful.”

  Ian climbed in after her and tried to decide how they’d both fit. Laughing, she scooped water into her hand and splashed him.

  “Careful,” he warned.

  “We don’t want to start a flood.”

  He grabbed her about the waist and pulled her into his lap, sending a surge of water over the sides of the tub.

  Lily shrieked, the sound swiftly cut off when Ian covered her mouth with his own. She offered no resistance, her tongue slipping through his lips to mate with his as he settled her more comfortably atop his lap.

  Lily sank into the warm water and Ian’s embrace, until she lay draped over him, her legs about his lean waist.

  His kiss alone was pure seduction, his tongue thrusting and taunting, drawing her deeper into the dark, whirling pool of his desire. He drew his hand slowly up her stomach and captured her breast, toying with the nipple and sending a bolt of fire to her very core.

  She was content, now, to share the power in this battle.

  A low moan rising from her throat, Lily sank deeper into the water, tightening her legs around Ian until the welcome heat of his manhood pressed against her aching flesh. He tore his mouth from hers, soothing her loss by nipping at her lower lip.

  “You make me burn, sweeting,” he murmured. Easing back slightly, he took her hand in his and dragged it down his chest until she encountered his arousal.

  “Feel how I want you.” He closed her fingers about his flesh, hissing through his teeth when she slowly caressed him.

  He was like silk beneath her touch, smooth and warm, pulsating with life. The water embraced her, intensifying her awareness of Iah’s touch. It suddenly struck her that he intended to make love to her in the tub.

  She found the idea appealing, although she wasn’t certain it was possible. But as Ian continued to lavish attention on her aching breasts, stoking the flames smoldering within her, Lily became impatient.

  “Shouldn’t we get out of here?” she asked, moaning against his neck as he slipped his hand over her stomach to the pool of heat between her legs.

  “Are you trying to drive me mad?”

  “Aye.” He took her mouth at the same moment he slid his fingers into her, her body arching into his at the sudden onslaught of pleasure.

  “I want to make you forget that anything exists but me. I want to hear the sounds you make when I give you joy, see it reflected in your eyes—” he nipped at her earlobe “—feel you melt around me when we become one.”

  Shifting beneath her, Ian grasped her about the waist and impaled her with his shaft.

  “Still want to leave?” he asked, his breath coming in short gasps.

  Lily’s aching body accepted him eagerly, rippling around his flesh in a spasm of pleasure. Her eyes opened wide, and she stared into his.

  “Never,” she moaned. The possession in his eyes sent another bolt of fire searing through her to pool where they were joined.

  “Never leave me, Ian.”

  His hands still firm about her, he helped her move in a languid rhythm, while continuing to stare into her eyes.

  The water lapped about her breasts, its delicate caress intensifying everything she felt until her entire body became a pleasure point, every brush of sensation adding to her desire.

  Ian slowed the rhythm of his thrusts, moving within her with a maddening languor.

  “Take me, Lily,” he whispered, his breath against her ear weakening her grasp on reality.

  “I am.”

  “Nay. Not just my body. Take me. Everything I want to give you.” He maintained his leisurely movements.

  “I’ll give you happiness, if you let me. A child of our bodies–” he thrust harder “—if ‘tis what you desire.”

  His words pushed Lily closer to the edge of the peak.

  Fire searing her veins, she gazed into his face, still reluctant to believe.

  “But you must give me yourself. AH of you.” He leaned closer and brushed his lips against hers.

  “Please,” he whispered, “give me my heart’s desire.”

  Lily had no strength to resist the sincerity in his eyes.

  He lured her into the unknown depths with the promise of trust, of excitement–of love. How could she defy such a challenge? Throwing caution to the winds, she let her body welcome everything Ian offered.

  “Yes.” Her lips curled into a shaky smile.

  “Yes,” she moaned as her body soared free.

  The awareness that Ian watched her face as the spasms shook her sent Lily into a deeper realm of pleasure. And he waited until her eyes were fixed upon him before giving in to his own.

  The intimacy of the gesture sent renewed heat shimmering through her. Gasping, they slumped together in the water.

  As the blinding pleasure faded, Ian became aware of Lily draped limply over him, her hair floating in the now cool water.

  “I cannot move,” Lily mumbled against his cheek.

  “What?” Had she come to harm from their lovemaking?

  Gathering himself, Ian pushed up against the side of the tub and lifted her so that he could see her face.

  “Is something wrong Her eyes opened slowly.

  “Not a thing,” she said, her voice a raspy purr. Her lips curled into a smile that was pure seduction. ““Tis just that you turned all my bones to mush.”

  She had the look of a thoroughly satisfied woman. Ian had never realized how arousing it could be, to know he’d put that look on her face, that hum of pleasure in her voice. His manhood began to stir. Impossible! he thought.

  But he couldn’t deny that he wanted her again.

  However, she’d been exhausted when she came into the room. He was greedy for her, ‘twas true, but surely he could restrain himself long enough to allow her some well-earned rest.

  And they needed to talk. Ian would never have believed he’d think such a thing. Discussing feelings and emotions was a woman’s province. But they had gone deeply into something important, though they’d said barely a word about where they were headed.

  He wanted to know what his wife felt for him.

  The best thing would be to get out of the tub and dressed. Perhaps that would lessen the temptation to drag Lily beneath him and have his way with her. He looked at her again, keeping his gaze above her neck, but it didn’t matter. He still wanted her.

  Seeing the circles of weariness beneath her eyes, he knew he wouldn’t try to take her.

  Ian picked Lily up and climbed from the tub, then set her back in the water.

  “What are you doing?” Her hand t
railed lingeringly along his arm.

  “You should finish your bath and rest now,” he said.

  Picking up a clump of sweet-scented soap and a washrag, Ian knelt beside the tub.

  “Ian … I thought you wished to bathe, too.” Lily looked at him in confusion.

  “If I get into that tub, there will be precious little bathing going on,” he said shortly. Reaching into the water for her hand, he lifted her arm and began tomb the soapy cloth vigorously over her arm, then moved up to scrub at her upper chest and the column of her neck.

  “But—” Letting the rag fall into the water, Ian took her by the shoulders.

  “I want you again—now—but you need to rest. See what you do to me?” He glanced down at his manhood, jutting out from his thighs.

  “I’m becoming a rutting beast, wife,” he said with disgust.

  Lily’s face colored slightly, but she continued to gaze at him. His body reacted accordingly, swelling his arousal even more. She reached out and cupped him in her palm.

  “I’m not that tired,” she said, meeting his eyes with a searing look.

  “By Christ, Lily. You’ll drive me mad.” Closing his eyes, he savored her touch. Her fingers cherished him, smoothing over his heated flesh until he was aware of little save the driving need to join with her again.

  “Are you sure?” he asked, bending to rinse the soap from her glistening skin, then scooping her into his arms.

  She nodded, looping her arms about his neck and nuzzling at his throat.

  There would be time for bathing and talking—later.

  Three strides took him to the bed. Capturing her lips, he fell across the mattress and made her his once again.

  They dozed for a while, but eventually neither could pretend to be asleep any longer. Ian rolled onto his side and looked down at Lily’s beautiful face.

  Their lovemaking had been amazing, each time more incredible than before. He had never imagined himself capable of the depth of feeling Lily could evoke with the simplest of caresses.

  But life, once again, had intruded upon them. Although Steffan could not harm anyone now, Ian knew ‘twas a matter of time before he—or they—were attacked again.

  He could not bear it if Lily was harmed, but to have it happen when they were after him… He would rather die than allow that to occur.

  He kissed her lips gently, the only way he dared show Lily how he felt. The words to express his feelings were foreign to him, although perhaps he’d be able to say them, in time.

  But time was something they might not have.

  “I’ve been thinking,” he whispered.

  “Trying to decide what to do.” Lily stroked her fingers over his lips, making his blood begin to simmer once more. He captured her hand and laid it on his chest, over his heart.

  “And what have you decided?”

  “You realize we cannot go on like this, sweeting?”

  “Like what?” she asked, looking confused. Perhaps he needed to go back to the beginning; he’d been turning ideas over in his mind for so long, he’d forgotten that she might not know what he was talking about.

  “I have a home, a modest estate not so very far from here. Now that Llywelyn has branded me outlaw, my lands are likely forfeit. I need to find a way out of this coil, Lily, so that I can give you a home, and a life. We cannot run forever.” “Is there no place else we can go?”

  Her shook his head.

  “Nay. Most of my power, such as it was, came from my position as Llywelyn’s enforcer, not from lands or hereditary rights. So now I have nothing to offer you. Not even a roof over your head.”

  “That doesn’t matter to me, Ian. So long as I have you, I need nothing more.”

  “But you will.” He placed his hand over her stomach.

  “Even now, a tiny dragon may slumber here. You would not wish a wandering life on a babe. I know that, and so do you. The only way I can provide for you now is to hire out my sword. While I don’t doubt I could do well at it, I don’t believe you’d enjoy the mercenary’s life.”

  Her eyes were soft when they gazed into his.

  “Such trifles do not matter, Ian,” she said.

  “I’m afraid you would find that they did, love. After living your life in an abbey, a mercenary’s lot would seem to you as hell on earth. Ask Nicholas, if you don’t believe me.” “How could he know?”

  “His father was a mercenary, and so was he, briefly, before he inherited the honors of Ashby. His king never allows him to forget where he came from, and I’m certain he’s not the only one.

  “Tis a harsh life, with no hope of salvation. I refuse to subject you to it, if I can avoid it.”

  “But what can we do?”

  “There’s only one thing I can do. Go to Llywelyn and see what I can salvage of my life.”

  He hated the way her face turned pale and shadows clouded her eyes.

  “I don’t know if he even knows the truth of anything that has happened.”

  “If you go to him, he’ll kill you, or lock you away in those vaults!” she cried, burying her face against his chest. He could feel the warmth of her tears as they seeped from her eyes and ran over his flesh. They burned him, seared him with a sense of hopefulness, despite their situation.

  Lily wouldn’t cry. unless she cared for him. Knowing that she cared, he Was willing to try anything to give her all that she deserved—a life, a home, children, whatever she wanted.

  “I think I know a way, a bargain I can strike with Llywelyn to get back what I have lost. I want to take you back to Gwal Draig with me, show you the Dragon’s lair. if my idea works, I can give you the life yOU deserve, Lily.”

  And if it doesn’t, I pray our family can protect you.

  No doubt Llywelyn’s vengeance would know no bounds.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Please, Rarmulf, tell him he’s mad to even consider returning to Dolwyddelan. Why can’t he see how dangerous it is?” Lily pleaded with her brother-by-marriage, although she feared it would serve no purpose.

  He seemed as enamored of the idea as Ian. Perhaps they saw the situation differently, being men. She did not know. But she had to do something.

  She looked across the solar to her sister, who was sitting by the fire, sewing, as usual.

  “Gillian—can you not reason with him?”

  Gillian shook her head.

  “I agree with you that it’s probably foolish to put himself into Llywelyn’s hands. We’ve all seen he cannot be trusted,” she added bitterly.

  “But I know Ian, and he will not rest until this situation is resolved.”

  Her expression sympathetic, Gillian shook her head.

  “I’m sorry, Lily, but there is nothing we can do to stop him.”

  “Thank you for your faith in my abilities, cousin,” Ian said dryly. He leaned back against the mantel and watched Lily. She refused to look at him, but she could feel the power of his gaze.

  “It’s a pity my wife doesn’t feel the same.”

  Lily fought back tears. They had been through this argument over and over. Ian refused to listen to anything she said. It felt as though he were mocking her concerns, and that hurt her, deeply.

  They had just begun their life together, and what he wanted to do could bring it all including Ian’s very existence–—crashing to an end.

  “Don’t you understand? I want us to have a future together.” She jumped to her feet and took a turn about the room. She wanted to scream, he infuriated her so!

  “I

  don’t care where we live, or how, so long as we’re together.”

  “And don’t you understand me?” Ian asked, low-voiced.

  “I have devoted myself to Llywelyn’s cause for many years. It’s as much a part of me as my hands, my eyes. He has to realize that will not change. He can trust me in this, at least. And if he needs me badly enough, perhaps he’ll be willing to bargain.”

  She glanced at hims making no effort to stem the tears streaming down her ch
eeks.

  “And if he’s not? What do you think will happen to you then? Or to me, not that that matters ? Ian crossed the room and knelt by her side.

  “Nothing will happen to you. Rannulf won’t allow it, will you?”

  he asked, glancing Rannulf’s way.

  “Of course not,” Rannulf said.

  “You mustn’t worry, Lily. You are family. I protect what is mine.”

  Were all men so dense? Lily reached out and framed Ian’s face in her hands.

  “But how will I survive if something happens to you? Please, Ian.”

  He pressed a kiss in her palm, then gently pushed her hands away.

  “No. I’m sorry, sweeting.” He stood.

  “I

  cannot do as you wish. Rannulf, may I speak with you outside?”

  Lily watched them go, then buried her face in her hands as soon as the door closed behind the men. Gillian came to her and held her, smoothing away her tears.

  “You cannot push him to it, Lily,” she chided.

  “It will simply make him more stubborn.”

  “I truly don’t understand him. Isn’t it better to be alive somewhere else, even if it means changing your dreams, than to have done the honorable thing and be dead because of it? Perhaps it would make more sense to me if I’d grown up around men. I really haven’t had much contact with them.”

  Gillian laughed, startling her.

  “It wouldn’t make a whit of difference, believe me. I spent the first twelve years of my life almost exclusively with men, and while I might know how they think, I don’t understand it, either. And I never learned to think like them. Thank goodness,” she added with a rueful chuckle.

  Lily scrubbed the trailing end of her sleeve over her eyes and stood.

  “What should I do, Gillian?”

  Her sister put her arm about Lily’s shoulders.

  “Kiss him goodbye with all the love in your heart, and smile as he rides off, in case he looks back. You’re not going to change his mind, Lily, whether you rage and plead or j weep and moan. At least let him remember you smiling, so that he’s not distracted with worry while he’s way.