Her confusion was endearing. “I mean,” he said, cupping her face between his hands. “I love you, Martha. Will you join with me? Be mine, as I am yours?”
“Yes.” She flung her arms about him again, kissing him while she laughed. “Oh, God, yes!”
Her swift response made him the happiest of men.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Martha blinked in disbelief as Vadim gently set her away from him and began unbuckling the thin belt from about her waist with slow deliberation. She couldn’t look away from his dark pirate eyes. Her heart galloped. She wanted to sing with happiness. He smiled as he looped the belt loosely around their clasped right hands.
Hand-fasting? This can’t be happening. “We’re doing this here?” her voice trembled. “Now?”
“Unless you have any objection?”
She shook her head. “None at all.” She watched him weave the end of the belt around the loop. “Is this legal? Don’t we need witnesses?” Then again, from what she recalled about hand-fasting, it was only a type of engagement, not legally binding.
Without looking away from her, Vadim whistled, calling to the dog. “Forge. Come here. Your services are required.”
Martha giggled as Forge lolloped up, abandoning his search for rabbits at Vadim’s summons. He was all pink tongued and laughing as usual.
“Sit there quietly and watch,” Vadim said sternly, but he gave the dog’s shaggy head a quick rub. “You understand?”
Forge grumbled something that must have been affirmative, for he sat down beside them.
“You’re actually serious?” Martha’s smile widened. “And I thought I was the crazy one.”
Vadim cupped the back of her head and kissed her with a thoroughness that left her breathless and trembling. She sensed something new in that kiss. He wasn’t holding back anymore.
“May I proceed, my love?”
Martha nodded.
The first raindrops tumbled from the darkening sky, gradually increasing in number and momentum, hitting the hard, parched earth like hailstones. They didn’t move, kneeling before one another, hands bound, their eyes fixed on each other.
“Repeat what I say.” Vadim kissed her again, but briefly this time. His slicked back his wet hair with his free hand. Rivulets of water ran over the angles of his beloved face.
“From this day on,” he began in a low husky voice, “I willingly surrender my heart to yours. Together or apart, we are now forever bound. As the sycamore embraces the mistletoe, I will cleave unto you. The storms of life shall only strengthen our bond. I pledge to you my love and my constancy. My life and death are in your care.
“I will seek your hand on the darkest nights, and your name shall be my talisman against harm. I shall be your shield and your sword, as you are mine. May truth and honor always guide our hearts. This is my vow to you.”
As if in a dream, Martha obediently repeated the words, transfixed by the man she was saying them to. She felt like a rabbit in the headlights of an oncoming car, unable to move or look away.
The words of the pledge seemed to sum up all the love she carried in her heart. It was as if it had been written for her. For them.
There were no more words. Vadim wiped her tears away—although Martha was unaware she was crying—and kissed her.
It was the truest kiss of all.
Wordlessly, he removed the belt from their hands, but he didn’t give it back. Instead, he stood, drawing her up with him, and smiled into her eyes so tenderly she could barely inhale.
Though she had no camera, her eyes captured his image, imprinting it on her mind so she could keep him—this moment—forever.
She watched him slick back his hair. It hung down like a luxurious black pelt, the ends of it coiling on the shoulders of his shirt. Martha swallowed. The rain had given the linen an invisible quality as it clung to the beautiful definition of his chest. She placed her hands there, palms down, absorbing the heat of his skin.
The loving gaze of his dark, chocolate eyes felt like a physical caress. His lips curved into a tiny smile, and he rested his forehead against hers.
She closed her eyes, tingles racing up and down her spine. He’s mine. I still don’t believe it. Any moment now she might wake up from this perfect dream.
Duty completed, Forge bounded away for the shelter of the woods, leaving Martha and Vadim alone in the rain.
By common consent, they set off toward the cabin, Vadim’s arm about her shoulders while hers curved about his waist. The rain meant nothing. Even though shelter was only a short distance away, they took a long while to get there. Every other step was punctuated by another increasingly hungry kiss.
Martha clung to him, her hands tangled in his hair, whimpering with an unspoken need.
“Soon,” he breathed against her lips.
The little cabin felt warm and welcoming, like a dimly lit cocoon. As always, a fire burned in the grate, its blaze settled into a pile of red glowing embers.
Vadim closed the door behind them, muffling the sound of the hammering rain. He slid the bolt into place, and the sound seemed to seal her fate.
Martha sighed and leaned her back against his chest. I am his. He is mine.
He swept aside her sodden hair, pressing hot kisses down the side of her neck.
She closed her eyes as Vadim nuzzled against her ear, muttering words of the Old Tongue. It sounded like French, but sexier, the strange, erotic sounds vibrating against her skin.
Was that even possible? “Wh-what are you…saying?” she whispered.
“My love.” He moved lower. Translating his words while he tasted the exposed skin of her throat, down to the junction of her neck and shoulder. “My heart’s ease.” He gently nipped her skin with his teeth. “My destiny.”
Martha gasped, and her knees wobbled. She liked him biting her. Almost as much as his words.
Reaching back, she wound one arm about his neck. Eyes closed, breathless with pleasure, she leaned against his strong body, surrendering to his will. She felt weightless, as if she would float away at any moment. Only holding onto him kept her grounded.
Still whispering his ancient words of magic, he turned his attention to the other side of her neck, kissing every sensitive place until her nerve endings buzzed.
Suddenly, Vadim spun her around, and pushed her firmly back against the wooden door.
Her eyes flickered open. Oh, feck. He was doing the leaning thing, his hands on either side of her head. So unfair.
With a devilish smile, he lowered his head, kissing along the length of her collar bone. She shivered as tendrils of his wet hair slipped down the bodice of her gown, tickling her.
Holy Mother of God!
She was out of her depth. Drowning in a sea she’d badly misjudged. Her own body felt alien, its movements controlled by his will. She trembled and quaked, even made sounds when he pulled the right string. And he hadn’t even touched her intimately yet.
Digging her fingers into his shoulders, she breathed his name over and over again, like an incantation, until she couldn’t take any more.
With a feral groan, she tangled her hands in his hair and dragged him to meet her hungry kiss.
Vadim readily answered her demands, kissing her so thoroughly until she was whimpering within his mouth.
Suddenly, she was airborne.
Hands beneath her buttocks, he lifted her, pinning her against the door, his kisses hot and urgent.
Being trapped between a rock and a hard place wasn’t always a bad thing.
One handed, she pulled her damp skirts to the top of her legs, the freedom allowing her to curl her legs about his waist. Gripping him with her thighs, she wrenched at Vadim’s shirt, desperate to touch his skin.
Without setting her down, he broke the kiss her long enough for Martha to yank the garment over his head and drop it. Before the shirt even hit the ground, his mouth was back on hers, hard and demanding.
She was breathing much too fast. Her heart galloped to ke
ep up.
Arms about his neck, Martha trailed her fingernails over the warmth of his back, gliding her fingertips over the firm contours of his returning muscles.
Vadim hissed and drew back, gasping for breath, dark passion glittering in his eyes
Her core turned molten. No man had ever affected her this way, or made her ache so badly with need. Only him. Her body pounded out a constant tattoo of demands, and for the first time in her life, Martha experienced true feral desire. The kind she’d only read about. A thirst that must be slaked no matter what. She couldn’t have stopped now if her life depended on it.
“Vadim, please,” she moaned against his lips. It sounded like begging, but she didn’t care. “I want you. Now.”
His jaw tensed, his breathing as rapid as her own. After one more lingering kiss, Vadim carried her over to their straw mattresses beside the fire, her legs still clamped about his waist. The straw rustled as he set her upon the bed. Then he lay down beside her, sucking gently on her lower lip, grooming his fingers through the damp tangles of her hair.
Kicking off her shoes, Martha tugged at the fastenings at the front of her gown and shift. Her impatience pulled the ties into knots. They were stuck fast.
“Damn it!” She yanked harder at the hateful things. She wanted…needed to be naked with him. Right now.
Vadim chuckled. “Allow me, my love.”
To her increasing frustration, he began to carefully pick at the knots she’d made, his head bent low to her heaving chest as he worked.
Yes, bosoms really did heave. Who knew? What the feck is he doing down there?
“They are badly snarled—”
“Cut them.” She trailed her fingers up his naked back. The feel of his breath on her chest brought her out in more shivering goose bumps.
“Be patient. I think I—”
She ground her teeth. “Cut. Them.”
Vadim looked up, his hair slipping around his face in a dark, heavy veil. He gave a slow smile. “Are you certain?”
Martha tutted. Was he deliberately trying to wind her up?
“Very well.” The mattress rustled as Vadim searched his pockets—he usually had a blade or three secreted somewhere about his person. He slid a small knife from its sheath. In two swift movements, he cut through the troublesome ties. “You are free, m’lady.”
“Finally.” As Martha made to shrug her shoulders from the gown, she paused. The knotting incident had allowed her broiling blood to cool a degree. She suddenly felt self-conscious.
If Vadim noticed her hesitation, he made no comment. Instead, he drew her to him, kissing her long and deep, bringing her back to the boil. Soon she was writhing and whimpering in his arms again, all modesty forgotten.
He slipped his hand beneath her skirts, ascending her leg from ankle to thigh in one smooth sweep. The sensation of his calloused fingers moving over her skin was heaven.
Cupping one of her naked buttocks, Vadim gave it a slow squeeze.
His resulting groan vibrated in her mouth, thrilling her. Almost as much as the incredible hardness of his body, positioned between her parted thighs.
Cool air played over her breasts and tightened her nipples. Glancing down, she saw her gown had slipped, taking her shift along with it.
Giving her buttock one final squeeze, Vadim continued his sensual exploration of her body, kissing a fiery trail down her neck.
Martha arched beneath him, indicating where she most needed him to place his hands.
And Vadim obeyed.
She bit down on her lip and closed her eyes as his fingers skimmed her breasts.
He touched her again, growling deep inside his throat. Then she experienced the delicious heat of his mouth as it closed over one of her nipples.
“Oh, feck!”
An electric current flashed from her breast to her lower abdomen. Helpless with pleasure, she thrashed her head from side to side. The fire within her increased, pulsing white heat through her whole being with each suck. She sank her nails into his shoulders, branding him.
Vadim inhaled sharply. He moved to her other breast, cupping it while his tongue slowly circled her nipple.
She couldn’t take much more. Her body felt like it was teetering on the edge of a vast precipice. One more wave of bliss would push her over. Her eyes snapped open.
“Vadim. Please!” She barely knew her own voice. It was like a stranger’s, husky and raw.
He stopped what he was doing. “Please?” He looked down at her, smiling, but his eyes were wild.
“I need you…now.” She’d never felt so hungry and wanton in her life.
He helped her sit up then wrenched the gown and shift down her arms, freeing her from their intolerable restraint. Then she lay back on the bed, raising her hips so Vadim could shimmy the unwanted garments down her thighs.
At last she was naked. Vadim knelt over her, raking her body with greedy eyes. The dark fabric of his trousers was positively straining now. Reaching up, she slipped her fingers between the tight lacing so she could liberate him too.
This amazing man actually wanted her. Loved her. She still found it difficult to believe. She chewed her lip and forced herself to concentrate on not knotting up his lacing too. That would never do.
She darted a glance at him. Vadim watched her intently, his hands clenched into fists at his sides.
When his waistband was finally loose enough, Martha sat up and slid her hand inside his trousers. She caught her breath. Oh, my life! He was more than ready.
Vadim groaned as she closed her fingers around him. Eyes closed, black lashes flickering upon his cheek.
Martha smiled. Then she squeezed.
The speed of his reaction shocked her. Suddenly, she was flat on her back, watching him strip. He kicked off his boots and sent them slamming into the wall. Then he tore off his trousers, escaping them in a couple of swift movements.
Her eyes widened. Oh, yes! He’s a very fine thing indeed.
Without doubt, Vadim was far and away the most beautiful man she’d ever seen. But there was no time to appreciate the view. He returned to her arms, demanding her kiss with a glorious savagery that made her head spin. The feeling of his hot naked body crushed hard against hers almost sent her plummeting over the edge.
Her legs parted of their own volition, inviting him closer. She closed her eyes as his hand slid up her thigh.
Vadim gasped when he touched her, his fingers encountering irrefutable evidence of her readiness for him. He moved higher and slid his fingers against the grateful heat of her most intimate place.
Martha broke the kiss and cried out, her eyes snapping open. She wanted to—needed to—hold on a bit longer. Impossible. Not when his mouth moved to her nipples again, sucking each one in turn while his fingers still caressed her.
A surge of bliss washed over her, dragging her to the brink of oblivion. Breathing fast, she fought to stay where she was, biting her lip so hard she tasted blood. She’d waited so long for him…for this. Oh, but the way he’s stroking me is—
“Please. Wait.” She grabbed his hand, halting its delicious torment. “I need you. Now!”
“Gladly, my love.” He smiled his wicked pirate’s smile. But his breathing was as erratic as her own.
She raised her hips to greet him as he moved into position against her body. His control was admirable. He entered her slowly, and she was grateful. Despite her readiness, it had been a while—and Vadim wasn’t exactly small. Little by little, her body stretched to accommodate him. Neither of them breathed. Eyes locked, they held their breaths until she was finally full of him.
They exhaled together, their lips so very close.
Vadim closed his eyes for a second, unmoving, as if battling for control. To prolong the inevitable. “Martha.” Her name was a gentle sigh.
When he looked at her, the tenderness in his eyes made her heart ache. She stroked his tangled hair back from his face and pressed a gentle kiss upon his mouth. “Ssh.” Don’t move. Please
don’t move.
But being motionless didn’t help. Hot ripples of pleasure were already washing over her, building in intensity. She rocked her hips and ran her hands down over his incredibly pert buttocks.
“Now,” she gasped.
As Vadim thrust into her, driving himself deep into her body again and again, Martha almost sobbed with the joy of his possession.
When the explosion hit, she clung to him, kissing him, swallowing his cry of release as he swallowed hers. Trembling and gasping, they held on to one another, long after the world had stopped whirling.
Eventually—after an hour or a year, she couldn’t tell—reality returned. Still holding him within her body, she became aware of the outside world. The rain continued beating against the cabin, driven by a rising wind. Within his arms, she felt cozy. Safe. Loved.
Vadim’s lips curved into a lazy smile as he lay with his head rested upon her breast. Martha stroked his beloved face. Such beautiful eyes. So open and warm. Not a trace of their usual watchfulness. He looked…at peace. Vulnerable.
She exhaled. So this is love? Everything she’d experienced before this man now felt like a cheap imitation.
And that concludes our sex and love master class. Any questions?
She kissed his head and closed her eyes. They felt so very heavy.
Yes. Where do I sign up for the next one?
CHAPTER THIRTY
The world slept quietly in the pre-dawn light. Vadim placed a soft kiss upon Martha’s brow.
Will she never wake?
She slept with her head on his shoulder, her wild hair splayed across his chest. Her gentle snores made him smile. As he gazed down at her sleeping face, he still could not believe this was real.
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