He shifted in his saddle and said something to his riding companion. Camden grinned, his reply causing Brigham’s lips to twitch before he motioned her forward with a wave of his hand. Like the Red Sea, the soldiers parted, and she came forward to take her place between the pair. Nodding a greeting to Camden, Aurora turned her attention to her husband. Heat sparked in his eyes. She blinked. Was that…she frowned…desire she spied in his gaze? The question circled. A moment later it died a swift death when Brigham wiped his expression clean.
Dragging his focus from her, he shared a loaded look with Camden. “The twin oaks near the stream?”
Camden nodded. “We’ll be there.”
“Good.” Switching his attention back to Aurora, Brigham reached out. His fingertips brushed the underside of her chin. He gave her a gentle tap, lingered a little, raising goose bumps on her skin. Holding his gaze, she shivered, desire rising like steam off the surface of a sun-warmed pond. “Come.”
The promise in his voice rolled in to surround her. Brigham didn’t give her time to react. Or wait to see if she followed. He spurred his warhorse forward instead, allowing the black’s stride to stretch until he galloped away from the entourage. Aurora hesitated a moment—a mere slice of time—then put her heels to Seyber’s flank and went after him. Her eyes narrowed on his back, she closed the distance while wondering at his game. Oh, she knew he had one. Brigham didn’t do anything without a plan…along with a foolproof avenue of attack. She learned fast, and the last week had taught her well. He was up to something. A something he didn’t want her to know.
No hint. No clues left for her to gather. Just simple anticipation wielded by an expert hand.
Not surprising. To be expected even.
Her husband qualified as a master. He enjoyed a challenge, and right now? He’d set his sights on her. Excitement swirled deep, making her belly flutter. Hmm, how she loved a good riddle. So only one thing left to do. Let curiosity loose and the need to know lead the way.
Brigham smiled as Aurora rode in behind him. Not wanting her to see his amusement, he hid it fast, wiping his expression clean. A good thing too. She was almost upon him, the mare’s head now even with the black’s flank. A few more moments and she’d overtake him. And as soon as she did? The questions would start. Like a siege engine sending volley after volley at castle walls, she’d hammered him with inquiry in an attempt to make him fold…and tell her.
Not that it would matter.
He had no intention of telling her. Not when he yearned to show her instead.
Giving the black his head, he stayed ahead of her, challenging her skills, making her work, stalling her game to preserve his own. His horse’s hooves hammering the compact earth, he led her down the deserted road. Ancient trees and new shrubbery lined each side, tunneling until…
Ah, and there it was. His gateway into paradise, a barely discernible break in the foliage.
Slowing the pace, he turned onto the little-used path. Well hidden, not many knew of its existence. Or that it went deep into the forest. With Aurora still behind him, he snaked around tree trunks and through undergrowth, then broke from beneath the leafy canopy into the small clearing beyond.
Reining in, Brigham sat motionless a moment.
Eyes narrowed and senses alight, he scanned the dell, searching for trouble. Nothing. No one. All quiet. Just like the last time he’d left it. Although, nowhere near as vibrant. In the summer months, the long grass grew tall and green. Now it looked faded and brittle, a casualty of the coming winter. The towering oaks at the edge of the clearing, however, still stood sentry, encircling the gem at their center—a pool of clear blue water. Oval in shape, the surface rippled and winked, basking in the glory of the late morning sun.
In a single move, Brigham dismounted. Looping his reins around a nearby tree limb, he turned to Aurora. His breath caught. Christ, he enjoyed the look of her. Particularly like this…with wonder in her expression. Still seated atop the grey, she drew a soft breath as her gaze swept over the glade. Her mouth curved. His followed suit. He couldn’t help himself. ’Twas an involuntary response, her pleasure dragging his to the forefront. Fortunate. He was so bloody fortunate to have found her—a woman whose love for the out-of-doors equaled his own. And as he watched her, his gratitude mounted, making his chest go tight, kicking up wild emotion and uncontrollable admiration.
More in common. Shared enjoyment. Yet another way to tie her to him.
An excellent thing. Mutual passion was all fine and good. But Brigham wasn’t stupid. He understood the finer points of marriage, and that building a strong one took time, patience, and…aye, shared interests. He needed every ounce of leverage he could get to bind Aurora to him. To encourage her trust and create an enduring relationship. Her love of nature provided another catalyst. Would only strengthen what he sensed already existed between them. ’Twas a bond most men would scoff at—insist held no importance—but Brigham knew better. After his disastrous first marriage, he refused to settle. He wanted Aurora in every way—body, mind, heart, and soul—and would do whatever it took to secure her.
Taking a deep breath, he wrestled with the urge to drag her from atop the grey and set his mouth to hers. Muscles locked, he pitted his will against desire, not wanting to frighten her with the ferocity of his need. Time. She needed a little. To hell with his body’s urging. Like it or nay, he would give her whatever she required to feel comfortable in his presence.
“What is this place?”
Lust shackled behind the wall of discipline, Brigham reached for her. His hands firming about her waist, he lifted her from the saddle. The supple curves of her body slid against his. Desire slammed through his veins. He let her go in a hurry and stepped back, putting space between them. “A clearing I found when last I passed here.”
“You were exploring and chanced upon it?”
“Aye,” he said, his body set to explode.
Eyes alight with pleasure, she smiled at him.
His muscles coiled, hard-won control faltering, passion rising, heart hammering. Brigham took another step back, forcing himself to be patient. But God, it was hard. He wanted her so much—craved the softness of her skin against his, yearned for her taste on his tongue and the heat of her body around him. The fact he’d barely touched her in three days—fearing that if he took her too soon after the loss of her virginity, he’d hurt her—wreaked havoc, killing the rational part of his brain. Now lust ruled, driving him into the realm of need and want, but…
Bloody hell. Pouncing on her wouldn’t win him any points. Quite the opposite. If he hurried her, he would lose out in the end. Guaranteed.
“’Tis beautiful, my lord.”
His gaze locked with hers. “Aye, ’tis.”
Wide-eyed, Aurora stared at him. “Brigham?”
God help him. He couldn’t do it. Couldn’t hold off. Couldn’t leave her alone. Or give her the time she needed.
With a groan, Brigham stopped fighting, reversed course, and pulled her into his arms. Dipping his head, he touched his mouth to the corner of hers. “I thought first to satisfy your belly, but mayhap I will feed your passion instead.”
She whispered his name again.
He molded her against him, letting his hands skate the length of her spine. He stopped when they met the lushness of her bottom. Cupping her in his palms, he rocked her against him while his lips traced her jaw. He strung soft kisses around one ear, nipping at the outer shell, loving her reaction and the sounds she made. So warm in his embrace. So perfect against him. So welcoming, she had ruined him for anyone else. No other woman would do. Not now. Not ever. And as he caressed and teased—touching her in all the ways he’d dreamed of doing—she responded in kind: buried her hands in his hair, kissed him back, giving as good as he gave her.
Thank Christ.
He wanted heaven. And now that he’d found it in her arms, pleasing her became paramount. Undeniable. A necessary thing. And as he kissed her, tasting her deep, unable to get enough, he listened
to her whimper. Each passion-fueled sound made him want her more. God, she was incredible. A wee wanton, perfect in every way.
Murmuring praise, he encouraged her abandon as she trembled against him. The beginning of the end. Any moment now, he would lay her down, strip her bare, spread her thighs and— With a moan, Aurora broke from the kiss. She shook her head. “B-Brigham…”
Denied the pleasure of her mouth, he changed direction. Nipping the underside of her chin, he jumped to her throat. Her pulse point thundered against his mouth. He flicked over with his tongue, then settled in to suckle her skin.
She twitched. “S-stop…please, wait. I—”
Brigham growled, cutting off her protest even as he froze. Goddamned son of a bitch. Call him an imbecile and be done with it. He’d moved too fast, doing the last thing he intended and frightened her. Which meant he needed to stop. Right now. Before he pushed her too far and hurt her in the doing.
“Aurora…loving, ’tis all right,” he murmured, desperate to soothe her. Hands light upon her body, he caressed her in easy strokes and lifted his head. Concern for her riding ahead of passion, he scanned her face. “Easy now. Tell me what is wrong.”
She drew a shaky breath. Her gaze left his, but not before he saw her embarrassment flare. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…it’s just that when you touch me like that, I…my reaction scares me a little, and I wonder…”
“What?”
Aurora swallowed. “When we touch, I get—”
“Hot and wet? So slick you want your skin against mine? For me to caress you, give you so much pleasure you come apart my arms?” Aurora blinked, color spreading in a delicious wash over her cheekbones. Brigham hummed, reveling in the cause and effect. Words were a powerful weapon. Even more so when it came to desire. A skilled lover could make a woman come without touching…if he knew what to say and how to say it. “You want me inside you right now, don’t you?”
Her lips parted on a quick inhale. “It is normal that I…”
“Burn and need and want?”
Licking her bottom lip, Aurora nodded.
Mouth at her temple, Brigham kissed her softly. “Aye, little heart, perfectly normal. If a woman is attracted to a man, she feels all of those things and more. The restlessness, the ache and the pleasure…all of it is as it should be when I touch you.”
“Oh.” Both hands fisted in his tunic, Aurora shivered against him. “Is it the same for you…the wanting, the needing, the heat?”
In answer, Brigham seized her hips. Pressing her hard against him, he moved against the curve of her belly. “Can you not feel me, Aurora? Can you not feel how much I want you?”
“Aye.” Smoothing her hands over his shoulders, her tension unfurled. As she relaxed against him, Brigham wanted to shout in triumph. His patience had paid off. Now she would accept him…take him every inch of the way. Shifting in his arms, she stroked along his back, drawing him tighter as she leaned back to meet his gaze. Small hands playing at his nape, she pressed up on her tiptoes to kiss him. “Can I see all of you this time…touch all of you?”
“After.”
“After what?”
“I have had you once…maybe twice…first.”
Make that thrice, because…Jesus help him. She was delicious. Beyond good. All he wanted and couldn’t wait to possess. And as he walked her backward, looking for a spot to spread his cloak, Brigham thanked his lucky stars. He’d met his match with the woman in his arms. Naught else mattered but that he lay her down and love her hard.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Got to Have You
Merciful heavens, the man was delicious.
Had anyone told her before meeting Brigham that being touched by a man would cause her to twist and moan in delight, she would have laughed in their face. No one could have prepared her for the reality of his attention and ardor. ’Twas nothing short of glorious. So sweet, her control frayed with the gentle sweep of his hands and the heat of his mouth. Though no longer a stranger to lovemaking, she was surprised by him all over again. She marveled at the ease with which he aroused her, encouraged her, and made her want to behave in a thoroughly inappropriate manner.
She loved the way he felt, and smelled, and tasted. The way he stroked, and touched, and talked to her. He was a man made for loving, for corrupting her woman’s soul into sin and decadence. And God save her, she wanted more. She wanted every bliss-filled ounce. All of his talent. All of his skill. All of his endurance and resolve focused on her.
Reveling in his attention, Aurora sank into his embrace, opening her mouth wide to appease him. Brigham’s tongue thrust deep, seeking her response while demanding she abandon all reserve and follow in the wake of his expertise. She went without question. Without hesitation either. Well past the point of reason, his command of her senses enthralled even as it pleased, pushing her closer to the edge, urging her to jump and enjoy the fall.
Aurora touched him everywhere her hands could reach. She’d missed so much the first time. Had been too overwhelmed by the experience—by the pleasure and heat of it—to remember the nuances, much less appreciate the hard-bodied beauty of him. That, however, was in the past. Naught but an afterthought, for…this time would be different. She knew now…how he would touch her, what he tasted like, how he would feel between her thighs. How the ride would bring her—fling her—into ecstasy. So aye. Shyness be damned. She wanted it all. Was determined to experience all she’d missed in the midst of his fire. And in the process, make him burn as hot and as bright as she did.
Desperation took hold. Aurora tangled her tongue with his. Hmm, he tasted good. Felt even better, and as the kiss deepened, her awareness of him expanded. So hard. So strong. So giving, and aye…gentle too. Skimming the contours of his face, exploring his cheekbones and the roughness of his whiskered jaw. The prickly texture sent shivers up her arms. Sensation raced in a swirl. Wanting more, she slipped her hands into his dark hair. Fingers playing, she reveled in its softness before tracing the curves of his ears. He groaned, rewarding her efforts, egging her on. Excitement settled low, fluttering in her belly, heating her through, spurring her to explore further.
She ran her hands down each side of his neck and across the tops of his shoulders, stroking him in wide circles. His muscles rippled beneath her fingertips. Bliss unfurled, whipping into a frenzy, sucking her deep, making her purr and…yum. So good. Unbelievable in so many ways, and—God hold and keep her—he was so warm. So incredible his heat reached out to stroke her through his jerkin and tunic. Aurora spread her fingers wider, sent her hands skating, caressing the contours of his chest. He murmured her name. She leaned away, shifting focus, and moved lower. Her palm brushed over his abdomen. He tensed, twitching hard against her. Emboldened by his reaction, she ventured on, interest piqued, hands questing until she encountered the hard bulge below.
Before she could appease her curiosity, Brigham shackled her wrist. Chest rising and falling on harsh breaths, he lifted his mouth from hers. She protested with a murmur. Dark eyes glinted from beneath half closed lids, he shook his head. “Aurora, nay.”
Intrigued by her discovery and frustrated by his denial, Aurora tugged on her hand. He held firm. “Let go, Brigham. I want to touch you the way you touch me.”
“Later, little heart.”
“Nay, now,” Aurora said, her tone firm. Leaning in, she nipped his bottom lip, tempting him, pressing her agenda. “’Tis only fair.”
“Bloody hell, you fight dirty.”
Her mouth curved. “And this surprises you?”
“Jesus help me.”
“Come now, my lord,” she whispered, her tone coaxing yet somehow naughty at the same time. “Give me my due. You stand to benefit, after all.”
With another curse, he loosed her hands.
Aurora didn’t hesitate. She got to work instead.
Brigham sucked in a tortured breath the moment she cupped him, and…oh my. He was incredible; so long and firm, so hard and…ready to please her.
Wonder circled deep. Keeping her touch light, Aurora stoked his length, caressing him from root to tip through his leggings. His hips curled toward her as he groaned. Showing no mercy, she continued her exploration. A low rumble broke from his throat. With a harsh gasp, he wrapped his hands around her upper arms, threw his head back in an exalted plea and…
Oh heavens. She liked the look of him. Loved the power she wielded and his capitulation. He was hers to command. A slave to her will. Without the wherewithal to stop her. Now the moment belonged to her.
Finding his laces, Aurora unfastened him. She sucked in an astonished breath, and reaching out, traced the head of his shaft with her fingertip. So soft, satin over steel. Circling with one hand, the other played along his length. She smiled when he rewarded her with a heartfelt moan. A little shiver of fear swept her spine as she stroked him. He was so big, so hard and strong, she wondered how she’d survived her first experience with him.
Of a sudden, she was filled with all sorts of questions.
“Brigham, will it hurt this time?”
“Nay,” he rasped, a slight shudder rippling along his frame. “The first time, ’twas a virgin’s pain you felt. I will never hurt you like that again.”
“Oh.” Her focus on his face, she quickened the stroking play of her hand.
“God, I cannot…Aurora, enough.” Chest working like a bellows, the need in his voice echoed inside her head, bringing satisfaction and more. “Please…enough.”
His plea did her in. She’d had her fun. Now ’twas time to allow him his. Planting a kiss to the center of his chest, Aurora let him go. “As you wish.”
“My sweet vixen…wanton temptress,” he murmured, his mouth a hair’s breadth from hers.
Feeling every inch the temptress he accused her of being, she flicked the corner of his mouth with her tongue. “Do I please you, my lord?”
He shuddered and, releasing her, stepped back. Unclasping the brooch securing his cape, he tossed it to the ground. It spun in midair, floating a moment before landing, becoming a dark stain on the muted green of the grass. His eyes locked with hers, he removed his jerkin and tunic. Voice rough with desire, he answered her query. “You please me simply by being.”
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