Dark Warrior

by Alexis Morgan

  When Judith mentioned that Kerry would have to share a bathroom, she hadn't realized that it would be with only one person. Suddenly she knew that at that very moment, Ranulf was only a few feet away, separated from her by the thickness of one door. She looked around for other signs that he'd been there. Sure enough, there was a single toothbrush in the holder, an old-fashioned straight-edged razor on a hand towel, and a well-worn leather shaving kit tucked in the corner of the counter.

  She put her bag next to his, but then moved it to the other side. He wouldn't like being crowded, even in such a small way. She quickly brushed her teeth and then returned to her room to crawl into the big bed, feeling more alone in this house full of strangers than she did all by herself in her apartment.

  Would she be too much of a coward if she left the lamp on all night? Even if it would help her sleep, she'd be embarrassed if anyone noticed the light under her door and came to investigate. It would be just like Sandor to come poking his nose in where it didn't belong. She wouldn't mind Ranulf checking on her, but he needed his rest more than he needed to babysit her.

  She gradually drifted off to sleep, hoping that if she dreamed, it would be of a blue-eyed Viking and not a crazed killer with a scary smile.

  Ranulf flopped over onto his back. He'd been restless ever since he'd heard Kerry enter the room next door. He should have insisted on Judith giving Kerry a room in her wing. Instead, he'd had the choice of keeping her too close to him or too close to Sandor, which had been the same as no choice at all.

  The water ran in the bathroom as she got ready for bed. Was she wearing that nightgown? Damn, he wished he hadn't thought about that again. He couldn't remember the last time he'd taken a lover. Now that his body had rediscovered the pleasures of a woman's body, it wasn't going to let him forget the sweet touch of skin on skin—although he suspected that it wouldn't settle for just any woman.

  Kerry had finished whatever she was doing, but she was still in there. He could feel her presence, like a heady cologne that drew all of his senses. His fingers clenched the sheet that covered his body. She was temptation itself, but he knew better than to entangle his life with another woman who could lay claim to his loyalty and his heart. His soul was too tired, his control too fragile to bear that burden again.

  Finally, the far bathroom door opened and closed again, followed by the muffled sounds of Kerry moving around in her room. For the moment, he was safe from her dark eyes and soft touches.

  A heavy silence settled over the darkness. He was alone, and he wanted it that way. He really did.

  And if anyone believed that, he had some swampland in Death Valley to sell them.

  A whimper invaded Ranulf's dream, making him frown. He'd been sailing the coast of what was to become Ireland, tasting the salt-laden mist of the sea, feeling the solid weight of his sword at his side. The sun felt warm on his face as the sails billowed overhead.

  A second whimper slowed the breeze, causing the sails to hang loosely with only the current moving the ship forward. His dream self looked around, trying to find the source of the problem. To the east, he could see a human form struggling to reach the shore and safety. He shouted orders, and the ship immediately tacked in that direction as strong Viking arms pulled long oars through the water.

  The third whimper, louder this time, shattered the dream completely. Ranulf charged out of his bed and across the room. Flipping on the bathroom light, he stopped in the doorway to Kerry's room. She'd kicked off her blankets and lay sprawled down the center of the bed, her head rolling from side to side.

  It didn't take a genius to realize that she was trapped inside a nightmare. Not wanting to scare her more than she already was, he approached the bed cautiously.

  "Kerry?" He pitched his voice low. "Kerry, wake up."

  She turned away, her legs twitching, as if she'd been running. Her silky gown had ridden high up near her waist, but at the moment all he could think was that she looked chilled to the bone. He reached for the sheet, intending to cover her, when the hall door slammed open with no warning.

  His first instinct was to jump back, but that would have made him look guilty in Sandor's eyes even when he'd been doing nothing wrong. Rather than acknowledge the other Talion, he pulled the covers back up over Kerry, but she immediately tried to fight free of them again.

  "What are you doing in here?" Sandor glared at him from the foot of the bed.

  "Same thing you are. Trying to figure out why she's making all this racket." Although since he'd entered the room, she'd quit moaning.

  "She's having a nightmare."

  As if Ranulf couldn't figure that out for himself. "I know." He knelt by the head of the bed. "Kerry, wake up."

  "Let me try." Sandor moved around to the other side. "Kerry, it's me, Sandor. You're safe here."

  Sandor shot a look in Ranulf's direction, saying without words that he was the reason she was in no danger. She still didn't wake up, but she scooted closer to Ranulf, an action that Sandor clearly did not appreciate.

  Ranulf could feel the jagged edges of her emotions. "Her control is slipping." He automatically sent a small burst of energy toward her, only to have it blocked by Sandor. When he pushed harder, shoving it past the barrier Sandor tried to throw between Ranulf and Kerry, Sandor muttered a curse and clenched his fists. It didn't help when the expression on Kerry's face immediately smoothed out as she snuggled into the pillow with a sigh.

  "She shouldn't be tainted with that vile brew of energy that you put out," Sandor snarled in a harsh whisper. "If she needs to be fed, it should come from me."

  Thor's thunder, he got tired of Sandor's insults, but common sense said this time he might have the right of it. He'd already sent small bursts to Kerry over the past couple of days. So far she seemed to be handling it fine, but who knew what prolonged exposure would do to her?

  He started to back away from the bed, then stopped when Kerry immediately started inching closer toward him. If she went much farther, she'd fall off the bed.

  Ignoring the waves of disapproval coming from Sandor, Ranulf knelt at the side of the bed and repeated Kerry's name, each time with a little more emphasis. When that didn't work, he gently shook her shoulder. She fought against his touch, trying to burrow deeper into the pillow. The small display of stubbornness made him smile. She definitely had a warrior's soul.

  "Kerry, just open your eyes. Once we know you're out of the nightmare, we'll let you go back to sleep." He shook her again; this time she batted at his hand with hers.

  "Leave her alone. She's sleeping better now." Sandor crossed his arms over his chest.

  Ranulf rose to his full height. "And you think your standing over her will keep the dark dreams at bay?"

  "Better than you will. Don't forget, I've seen what you're capable of, Viking. It's one thing to protect those who need it. It's another to enjoy killing."

  He wasn't about to defend himself to the younger Talion. Yes, he had killed. Yes, he was good at it. But only monsters and madmen took pleasure in ending another's life, even if that person deserved to die. "Go back to bed, Sandor, while you're still in good enough shape to get there on your own."

  Bristling, Sandor snarled, "Like hell I will. Not until you go back to your room and promise to stay there."

  Ranulf's bark of laughter sounded ugly even to his own ears. "That's rich, pup. You call me a monster and a killer, yet you would accept my word?"

  Sandor ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. "She deserves better."

  Ranulf stared down at the woman in the bed, a little surprised she'd been able to sleep through the anger burning between the two men in the room. "Yes, she does. But right now, we're all she has standing between her and Bradan."

  He met Sandor's gaze. "After this is over, you and I will settle this between us once and for all. Now, we both leave and let Kerry sleep."

  "You leave first."

  "We both go," Ranulf repeated, stalking toward Sandor, smiling when the younger
man backed up two steps before he caught himself.

  "Her door stays shut."

  "No, Sandor. If she needs me, I will come." Ranulf started for the bathroom door, hesitating long enough to make sure Sandor was leaving at the same time. Then he stepped through.

  He knew he wasn't hero material, at least not the kind Kerry needed. But if his presence eased her, he would stay near.

  The dream was back. Bradan stood before her with death in his eyes—her death. She tried to run, but her feet were mired in thick sludge and she exhausted herself after only a few steps. The renegade smiled and held up his hands, which lit up like a pair of torches, burning bright and hot. Her throat ached with the need to scream, but even breathing was an effort.

  Her skin burned with cold fear, seeing the inevitability of her death, which he was offering with those flames. She wanted to escape, she wanted to live, she wanted… Ranulf. Suddenly he was there, surrounding her with his warmth and holding the darkness at bay.

  His scent filled her senses… but wait. Since when did dreams have smells? Her eyes fluttered open to realize her room was no longer dark, and she was no longer lying on the pillow. Instead, she was cradled in a pair of strong arms with her head against Ranulf's bare chest.

  "You were having nightmares." His voice rumbled near her ear.

  Her face flushed hot with embarrassment. "Loud enough to wake you in the next room?"

  His fingers toyed with her hair. "I'm a light sleeper."

  "Liar," she said. "But thank you. I guess that fire earlier brought back memories of the dance club."

  "That's understandable, but you're safe for now. Go back to sleep."

  He started to slide away, but she caught his arm. "Don't go." She hated sounding needy, but she felt better with him close.

  His blue eyes darkened. "I'll sit in the chair."

  She pressed him back against the headboard, even knowing he could shake her off in an instant. "You won't get any rest sitting up all night,"

  He traced her lips with the pad of his thumb. "And if I stay in this bed much longer, neither of us will get any sleep." Then he gave her a little smile. "I've already had to throw Sandor out of here once tonight. If he comes to check on you again…"

  "Don't the doors have locks on them?" She ran her hand up his chest to caress the side of his face, liking the whisker)' feel of his skin against hers.

  He focused his attention on the lock across the room and frowned. "Yes, they do."

  Two audible clicks followed hard upon his answer. "However, if Sandor or Judith wants in badly enough, they can unlock the doors just as easily."

  "I don't care." If they were rude enough to barge in uninvited, that was their problem. Right now, cocooned in the strength of Ranulf's arms, her skin tingled with warmth and a growing desire for more than a quiet snuggle. She slid her leg over his, slowly turning to sprawl across his chest.

  "Kerry…"

  "Please, not another lecture on how wrong we are for each other, or that you're not a stick-around kind of guy. I already know all that." She shifted so that the core of her body was centered directly over the impressive evidence that he wasn't immune to her efforts.

  He caught her wandering hand in his. "Correction. You've heard what I've been telling you and what Sandor tried to tell you before that. That doesn't mean you believe it. If you did, you'd be across the hall with Sandor instead of with me."

  That did it. She sat up, aware of the delicious feel of his erection pressed against her bottom. "We've already had this discussion. Maybe Sandor is the perfect Kyth, but that doesn't mean he's perfect for me. Maybe I've always had a thing for tall redheads who drive Packards."

  Ranulf rolled his eyes. "Yeah, right. And how many of those have you met?"

  "One, and that's enough for me." Maybe more than enough, judging by the size of his erection.

  His expression settled into its usual grim lines. "Tomorrow I go on the hunt for Bradan. When I find him, I'll kill him." He lifted her chin to look straight into her eyes. "Then I'll go home. Alone."

  His brutal honesty hurt, but she preferred that to empty promises. "Then let's not waste another minute."

  When Ranulf didn't immediately shove her off his lap, she knew she'd won. It was just taking him a bit longer to reach the conclusion she had: something that burned this bright and hot shouldn't be wasted. Maybe she could hurry him along. Slowly, slowly, she rocked forward and then back, creating a lovely bit of friction between them. Her eyes drifted shut as heat burned through the thin fabric that separated them. She couldn't wait until he was on her, in her.

  "Kiss me." His big hand caught the back of her head.

  She'd kiss him, all right. Giving him an impudent smile, she slid down his body, planting small kisses and tasting his skin as she made her way down to her intended target.

  The low growl in his throat pleased her greatly as she nuzzled his erection. Before she could release the drawstring of his flannel pajama bottoms, though, he reached down to haul her up for a kiss as he flipped her onto her back. Anchoring her there with one heavy leg. he showed her what a man with a thousand years' experience knew about kissing.

  The tingling burn of energy between them increased with each second, flickering up and down her back, making her arch off the bed even as he pressed her down. His hand slid down to peel her nightgown off, pausing long enough to rub the soft fabric against his face.

  "Like it?"

  "Very much, but I like you naked even more." He tossed the gown over his shoulder and she giggled.

  Then he caught her hands and anchored them over her head as he kissed her, starting off with small flutters across her lips before moving on. The slick swirl of his tongue across the sensitive tips of her nipples had her going up in flames.

  She usually closed her eyes on the rare occasion she kissed someone, not liking having someone that up close and personal. With this man, though, it was as if he short-circuited all of her misgivings about intimacy. With her eyes wide open, she savored watching the changing shades of blue in his gaze. In a matter of seconds, his irises ran the full gamut from pale blue to indigo and back again, the colors swirling and mixing in heated desire.

  She lost herself in the skyrocketing passion as he directed his intense focus on her breasts. She moaned with a deep hunger as he suckled first one nipple and then the other, tugging at them with his teeth and tongue. What the man could do with his mouth should have been outlawed. She was burning up, inside and out, with the need to get closer to Ranulf.

  She tried to separate her legs to coax him inside her, but he was having none of it as he nuzzled and licked her nipple before recapturing the sensitive tip with his lips. At the same time, he let go of her hands.

  Her fingers immediately dug into his shoulders, holding on to the solid comfort of his strength as he made her world spin out of control. When he moved farther down her body, she held her breath, waiting and wanting.

  Ranulf breathed deeply, loving the fact that this woman was so aroused by his touch. She was a generous lover, giving as well as taking as the two of them learned by touch and taste and sound how to please each other. Right now, he was going to send her rocketing over the edge. He looked up the curved planes of her body to see the anticipation in her smile.

  The lady knew what she wanted, and he was eager to indulge them both. With firm pressure, he spread her legs wide apart, lifting them over his shoulders. "Hold on, honey. This is going to be a fast ride."

  At the first touch of his lips and tongue, she arched back, her head rolling from side to side. He was a warrior, trained from birth to never lose sight of the target. Using that same intense focus, he learned what Kerry merely liked and what drove her crazy, and he used that knowledge mercilessly.

  As soon as she started to shatter, he surged forward, claiming her mouth to absorb her keening release. When the tension drained away from her body, he briefly left her to fetch a condom from the bathroom.

  Kerry was waiting for him with
open arms. His feet stuttered to a stop at the sight. Her smile was a siren's call, drawing him back. Although his body had cooled in the few steps to the bathroom and back, hot blood came rushing in as he returned to the bed, covering Kerry with the full weight of his body.

  Aware of the differences in their size, he promised, "I'll go slow."

  Her smile brightened as she wrapped her legs around his. "Not too slowly."

  The flow of energy between them burned hot as he eased into her tight passage, pausing every little bit to kiss her sweet lips and to give her body a chance to adjust. Damn, she fit him like a glove, the warm slide of her inner muscles caressing each inch of him. With one last push, he completed the union of their bodies.

  "Ranulf!" Kerry's hips thrust up, seating him even deeper.

  The urge to ride her hard burned up the last bit of his hard-fought control. Withdrawing almost to the tip, he rocked forward again and again, each time faster and harder. The world narrowed down to the confines of the bed and this woman. In all his life, there was no moment more perfect than this one.

  He drove them on and on, claiming her with his body and his energy. His instincts burned hot and primitive, a celebration of life in an existence that had been too full of death for centuries.

  "Come for me, Kerry!" His breath came in shallow pants as he strained toward completion for them both. "Let go and fly. I'll catch you."

  "Yes! Yes!" she chanted as her nails dug into his ass to drive him even deeper. When her body seized his in a pulsing grip, he poured out his climax in a hot, pulsing surge as she careened right over the edge with him. Together they soared with the gods, then slowly settled back to earth, mortal again.

  For an eternity, the only sound in the room was ragged breathing and racing heartbeats. The world had been remade in bolder, brighter colors, and the energy still pulsing between them was honey sweet and sizzling hot.