Rhiannon knew this might be her last chance to be with him. Soon he’d be taking her back to her world--a world that seemed so dismal and gray. Right here in his arms, for the first time in her life, everything felt so vivid, so real, so wonderful. But, what else could she do? She couldn’t stay here. Ilar wouldn’t want her to stay once the enchantment was broken.
Rhiannon pushed at his shoulder and Ilar thought she meant to push him off her breast, where he found great delight in sucking. He moaned his denial, parting from her only long enough to suck her other nipple into a hard, matching peak. He gripped tighter to her waist, kneading insistently into her flesh.
“I can’t,” she gasped, breathless. His mouth became more insistent, almost fierce. Pleasure shot all over her body from her breast. She arched, pushing herself more fully against him. “Ilar... ”
His eyes were dark when he pulled back. He took in her impassioned face, devouring her with his fervent look. He worked his hand, clenching and unclenching it over her hipbone. “Do not deny us both, Rhian. I only mean to give you pleasure.”
Rhiannon blushed at the heated fire in his words. Her eyes dipped down, shy. “You’re lying on my hand. I cannot reach.”
Ilar grinned, lifting his hips slightly. Rhiannon pulled her hand from under him. When he didn’t resume kissing her, she moved to touch his chest, peeking up at him for approval. His eyes closed and his breath deepened as she skimmed his nipples. His hands found her newly freed fingers and he drew them onto his arousal. He’d dreamt of her touch, longed for it there against his solid heat.
Rhiannon was surprised at how hard, yet silky smooth, his shaft really was. His body jerked slightly as she moved her fingers along him. Not sure what she was supposed to do with his erection, she merely squeezed, slowly exploring its length. She rubbed her leg onto his, spurring his fingers to glide along her hips. She kissed his chest as he had hers, licking at him, discovering the taste of his flesh. Ilar groaned, liking the gentle, teasing feel of her lips. His body lurched. It was almost too much.
“Ilar?” she breathed, her blue eyes growing wide. He moved to look at her and she became embarrassed, trying to burrow into his chest so he couldn’t see her face. “Could... would you...?”
She bit her lip, turning red.
He grinned, chuckling softly, roguish and handsome. He trailed his hand inward on her leg. He maneuvered himself above her with a deft lift of his hips. Rhiannon gasped, blinking in surprise. He used his legs to part hers wide.
“You want me to touch you?” he murmured, nuzzling her throat.
“Mm,” she sighed in agreement, too weak to lay voice to the plea. She felt as if he was everywhere at once, causing havoc inside her, making her blood scream and race. His delightfully hard body rubbed into hers. His flesh was like formed metal. His touch was so vigorous, so compelling and strong--from the brush of his hair-roughened thighs to her soft ones, the press of his rigid abdomen to her yielding waist.
Ilar let his erection fall heavy onto her hip. Rhiannon jolted, feeling the fire of it heating her with a new kind of excitement. It was fear, apprehension, longing, anticipation--so many things that she couldn’t stop to consider, only feel.
Slowly, he stroked himself against her, readying his hips for the first conquering thrust. Ever since meeting her, his shaft had been hard and aware, waiting for this moment when she was ready to take him in.
Ilar rose up and lifted his hand to his throbbing shaft. He guided his erection to her slick opening, stroking the mushroomed tip along her folds. She was so wet with cream, so hot from his touch. He heard her heart pounding in her chest, smelled the sweet calling of her body’s desire. A growl of intense pleasure left his throat.
Rhiannon blinked in surprise when it wasn’t his hands that intimately found her. He urged her to part to him, stroking harder and deeper with each pass, gliding along the sensitive nub of her flesh from top arch to the cleft of her backside. She arched, panting in delight to discover the pleasure of his wicked heat against her. She jerked violently, shivering.
Ilar moved to her ear, whispering, “Is this where you want me to touch you?”
“Yes.” She opened herself up to him at his hand’s insistence, trusting, waiting.
Ilar gradually slid himself forward. Straining for control, he kept from mindlessly thrusting into her slick passage. Oh, but she was tight, gripping his thick length almost painfully.
Rhiannon gasped at the white fire searing through her, but soon the pleasure of his touch overshadowed the ache. The sound didn’t stop him as he glided deeper, forging her to his body, marking her as his. Ilar mindlessly pushed past the boundary of her innocence, liking that no other had dared to lay claim to her.
“You feel so warm,” Ilar asserted. He drew back, only to force himself in harder. Rhiannon’s eyes widened, surprised to feel a strange friction at the movement. She watched his face tense as he continued, “So moist.”
A need grew inside where he touched her, replacing the dull pain. Her heartbeat pounded in her chest, thumping as if the organ would free itself. His stroke was slow, sure, hitting deeper with each pass until he’d forced his heavy length completely into her. It hurt, but the pain felt wonderful. She didn’t want it to stop. Her hips moved, meeting him at each thrust.
Ilar could take no more of this slow, wet torture. He groaned. His eyes changed to a scintillating golden fire, as he lifted his body up. His hips pumped, vigorous and strong. His buttocks flexed, tight and sure, as he plunged wildly like the beast he was.
Rhiannon was stunned by the sudden change in his lovemaking. She grew excited, feeling his power overtaking them. He found her breast, demanding and confident as a thumb circled over the tip, pinching ever so slightly. His lips captured hers, moaning his passion into her body as she breathed him in.
Her body tensed, straining gloriously against him, reaching and searching for what he gave. She was almost there, almost at the point, almost...
Suddenly, he stiffened, an untamed cry of ecstasy leaving his lips as he met the violence of his release. Ilar fell against her heated skin, panting for breath. His teeth lazily grazed her flesh as he drew them over her racing pulse. Rhiannon’s eyes were wide with wonder.
“It was... different,” she mumbled.
Ilar lifted up to study her, frowning.
“What?” she demanded, growing defensive at his look. “It was... pleasant enough. But I don’t see what everyone goes on about.”
“Different?” His eyes narrowed, knowing she teased him. He also knew his body came too fast, knew she wasn’t near the point he could push her. “I’ll show you different, Rhian.”
Before she knew what he was up to, he had her hands lifted above her head and pinned beneath a strong hand. Drawing his fingers down her stomach, he stared deeply into her eyes, forcing her to watch him. Leisurely, he tweaked the swollen nub guarding her entrance. She jerked. He smiled wickedly.
“Ah,” she gasped when he did it again.
Ilar had met the burning need her enchantment wrought and, now that his desire was somewhat sated, he could concentrate on her body’s demands. Already he felt his shaft stirring to claim again, rising up to her challenge. Her wrists pulled, but he held them easily with his superior strength. He stroked, growing bold as he again heated a fire beneath his touch. His mouth kissed her breasts, exploring her arms and chest, tasting of her neck and lips.
Rhiannon’s head shook before him, rolling in the golden bed of curls. By the time his fingers finished their teasing caresses she was parting her legs and begging him to come inside. His name left her lips on endless pants, calling to him.
Ilar lifted over her once more, his glorious body straining as he moved. She loved the look of his muscled form. He guided himself to her, dipping shallowly into her moist entrance.
“Ilar, please,” she begged. “Oh, please, don’t...”
Still he held back, torturing her, making her ride her emotions to the brink of insanity and longing. Rhiannon
was mindless in her search for him, her mouth opening wide as she bit at the air. The sweat from her skin allowed a wrist to slide free and her fingers burst forward. She pushed hard into his chest, digging her nails roughly into his flesh.
Taken by surprise, he groaned against the pleasure her clawing fingernails brought forth in his body. His grip loosened to free her. She forced him over onto his back.
Rhiannon sat astride him. Licking her lips, she liked the newfound power the position afforded her. She let her fingers roam over his chiseled body, scratching lightly.
With much care, she angled her hips trying to get him inside her. First, he slipped back, gliding intimately along her backside, spreading her cheeks. She jolted. That was a new pleasure altogether. Then, his shaft slipped forward running along her swollen clit. Rhiannon groaned in frustration and bucked her hips against him.
Ilar chuckled as he watched her. He purposefully moved off course to frustrate her further.
“Ilar,” she moaned. “Help me.”
“Like this,” he murmured softly, taking pity on her suffering as his hands rose to her hips. He guided himself into her, letting her control the depth. Rhiannon groaned as he stretched her again. The throaty sound echoed in his head and he couldn’t help controlling her thrusts as he taught her how to ride him. He gripped her with his hands, lifting her hips high only to let her weight bring her slowly back down.
It was so much easier this time. The ache was still there, but it was nothing compared to the widening gratification of his body in hers. Maybe it was the enchantment that made her forget it, or maybe it was the instinctive way she knew he was meant to be inside her like this.
“Ah, let me,” she demanded. She dug her hands into him as she took over, fighting his control over her hips until he was forced to release her.
Ilar’s stomach tensed, delighting as she quickened her pace. To his amazement, she became as wild as he’d been as she sought her fulfillment. She began bucking crazily against him, slamming down onto his hips. His hands fell back, crossing behind his head to keep them back. His narrow eyes watched her, taking in the bouncing show of her breasts. He let her have complete dominance, loving each tempestuous stroke of her tight passage.
“Ilar!” she screamed, the agony building unbearably inside her loins. She didn’t know how to end it. She clawed at him, rocking his thickness deeper and harder.
“Yes, Rhian, keep going, keep moving.” Ilar knew she neared her peak, felt her hot body quiver. He saw the confusion on her face. “Ah, yes, just like that. Take me deeply within you.”
Rhiannon screamed. She jerked as her body convulsed violently. His hips kept moving beneath her, urging her to keep riding, not to stop. She convulsed again, this time strong and hard. Her body became so tense she couldn’t move. She froze, arching above him, overflowing with intense climactic pleasure.
The tremors of her climax pulled him in, urging a response from his body as her depths seized tightly upon his shaft. The erotic sight of her body’s arching fulfillment burned into his brain. His stomach muscles flexed, nearly sitting him up completely at the force of his release. The seed spilled from his jerking body, shooting violently out of him into her womb. His howl of pleasure joined hers. His arms reached forward to hold her against him. Rhiannon nearly fainted as she fell into his embrace, her weight pushing him once more onto the bed.
“Now that,” she said, nearing a breathless swoon. “That was definitely different.”
Ilar chuckled. He was completely sated. Pulling her down beside him, he trapped her to his body with a heavy leg.
“The enchantment has ended,” he said, readying to nuzzle her ear in pure contentment.
Rhiannon froze, pulling away from the tease of his breath. Did this mean he was done with her? Did it mean he no longer desired her?
“Then it’s time you took me home,” she whispered, not knowing what else to say as she pulled away from him. Without stopping to look at his face, she turned her back. She was too hot for the covers, but she pulled them over her anyway. She felt vulnerable. She didn’t want him looking at her, not now, not like this--still shaky and weak.
Ilar’s eyes narrowed in resentment. How could she think of going home after what they’d just experienced? When all he could think of was keeping her there, in his bed, under his protection? He swallowed, torn. He knew he could force her to him. The bitter taste of her ultimate rejection was hard to endure. Her body might succumb, but the man-beast wasn’t good enough for her human heart.
“Yes,” he said darkly, turning his back on her, not bothering to cover himself. “I’ll take you home, Rhian. A promise is a promise.”
Rhiannon bit her lip to keep from crying. The bitter ache in her chest was overwhelming. She had hoped he would beg her to stay.
* * * *
During the night, Rhiannon’s body naturally drifted under the fold of Ilar’s arm. Before she was fully aware, her fingers were drifting lightly over his stomach, glancing over the tight ridges. Ilar’s eyes opened slowly, feeling the caress. His chin lowered, looking down at her sleeping face. Her head was on his arm, trapping him beneath a tangle of wild curls.
He waited, watching to see what she would do, content to momentarily hold her and look at her. She drifted her fingers over the curve of his navel, only to stop near his hip. He heard her mumble something. A pretty half smile graced her lips.
“Rhian,” he said, flexing his arm beneath her head.
She blinked. The smile faded as she yawned. Seeing him, her gaze softened for a brief moment only to grow hard. The pleasure melted behind the blank mask. She snatched her hand from his firm waist.
“Oh.” She tried to sit up. His arm trapped her head down by her hair. Thinking he woke her to get her off of him, she mumbled, “I’m sorry. I was sleeping.”
Ilar’s eyes narrowed, darkening. His body was ready to make love to her again, but it didn’t seem she was so willing. Untangling his limbs from her, he sat up. Rhiannon naturally reached for his back, before drawing her fingers away. Instead, she pulled the coverlet to hide her naked chest.
“We will break our fast. There is no reason for you to stay locked up now the enchantment is gone.” Ilar stood and strode naked across the chamber. Rhiannon’s eyes devoured him with newfound appreciation. Her body lurched, remembering easily what he felt like against her, inside her. With a toss of his arm, a blue tunic was wrapped over his body. “Then, we will journey to Fenris with Malak. If I remember correctly, there is a portal near there.”
So soon? Rhiannon bit her lip, fighting the sting of moisture in her eyes. He meant to be rid of her so soon? She clutched the coverlet as she scrambled to the floor. Finding her blue gown, she shrugged it over her shoulders, doing her best to stay concealed from his eyes. There was no point. He didn’t try to peek.
When she didn’t protest, he turned to find her fully dressed. She came around the bed to face him. His eyes dipped over her form, before saying quietly, “I shall find you some boots. It will be a long walk.”
Rhiannon nodded, wondering at the displeasure in his voice.
“Come,” he said listlessly, leading her from the bedchamber.
Rhiannon shivered, but could only obey. More than anything she wanted to weep the wretchedness from her heart. It would seem the enchantment really was gone.
* * * *
The enchantment wasn’t gone. It was lessened, but it wasn’t completely faded. Rhiannon stared around the main hall. The soldiers, who she’d learned were put into the prisons while under her spell’s influence, stared up at her from the main hall floor. Their heated eyes had lessened in intensity, but they still desired her. Rhiannon tried to eat the bread and meat set before her, but the overbold eyes were beginning to unnerve her.
“Are they normally like this?” Rhiannon asked, leaning naturally closer to Ilar at her side. She brushed near his thigh causing him to tense.
Ilar looked over her head at Malak, frowning.
Malak nodded. H
e too sensed the disquiet. Turning back to the hall, they saw each pair of unmated eyes was on Rhiannon’s every move. It was clear that Ilar had claimed her as his lover. His scent was all over her.
When Ilar didn’t answer, Rhiannon looked up to his tense face. Realizing she touched him in public, she frowned and drew her hand away. Irritated, she edged closer to the more amiable Malak, and said teasingly, “They don’t mean to eat me, do they? This food is bland, but it’s truly not so bad as to warrant an attack.”
Malak chuckled, drawing the jealous eyes of the men to him. Leaning close to her, he whispered so only Ilar could hear them, “I think they make plans to challenge Lord Ilar for you.”
“Why would they do that?” she asked, a puzzled look coming to her features as she looked over the silent hall.
Ilar’s nostrils flared. His frown deepened as Rhiannon turned her back completely on him. He wasn’t the only man who noticed.
Narrowed eyes watched closely, as the soldiers tried to judge what went on between Ilar and the woman. They didn’t touch and act as lovers this morning, though the Commander’s scent marked her. The soldiers’ gazes lit with a faint stirring of hope. They tensed, forgetting their food and the pretense of eating altogether.
“They know he’s marked you as his lover,” Malak answered, easily with a shrug. Rhiannon turned bright red. She was mortified. Malak noticed, but pretended not to.
“Oh, no,” Rhiannon said, seeming to understand Ilar’s discontent and the hall’s unease. “I’m not his lover.”
Malak’s brow rose slightly at her quick denial. He smelled otherwise, as could the rest of them. He sniffed her again, just to be sure. The marking was strong, sure. He glanced around to make sure none of the others detected her comment. The lycans had very sensitive ears. He was relieved to find none stood to challenge for her.
Breathing a little easier, Malak studied the woman’s pretty face before looking at his friend. Ilar had tensed in outrage at her words. The Commander’s eyes bore into her back in growing fury.
“No,” Rhiannon said softly. She colored to a light pink and looked at her hands, not knowing Ilar listened. Under her breath, she explained, “It was just to end the enchantment, but I don’t think it worked.”
Naughty Cupid Trilogy Page 11