Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 43414 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 217(@200wpm)___ 174(@250wpm)___ 145(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43414 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 217(@200wpm)___ 174(@250wpm)___ 145(@300wpm)
Declan groaned at the snug fit, and he ached to grab hold of her bare bottom and help her ride him. But he had no control. It was all up to Aura.
She didn’t waste any time. She began to move up and down on him, leaning forward, her hands on his chest, then leaning back, then getting to her knees, until finally finding the right position that let her ride him with ease.
His hands itched to grab her backside and help with the thrusts that started slow and easy and now were building in a potent rhythm. Next time, he’d have his hands on her, for he intended there to be a next time she rode him. But right now, he simply enjoyed the feel of her, the ecstatic look on her face with every bounce that grew deeper and harder, the way her dark hair fell wildly around her head, and how her breasts bounced up and down.
She was absolutely beautiful, and this night would live long in his memory.
“Declan,” she moaned and cast an anxious glance at him.
“I’m ready, love, let go,” he ordered, and she did, and he joined her.
His groan echoed off the stone walls along with hers as they exploded in fiery passion that took hold and refused to let go, until exhausted Aura collapsed on top of him.
Her hair tickled his nose as her head lay on his chest. He could feel her chest heaving and his chest did as well. It was a mind-shattering climax, the last of it just ebbing away.
She lifted her head, her look anxious.
“That was fantastic, and you are the most beautiful woman in the world,” he said, wishing he could hold her.
She grinned, pleased. “I so enjoyed that, perhaps you wouldn’t mind if we made love like that from time to time?”
“I insist on it and I will join in and help make your ride a bit less strenuous.”
“I look forward to it,” she said and kissed his lips lightly.
Aura reluctantly moved away from him and off the bed. She pulled the blanket over him and went and grabbed her nightdress.
The distance allowed Declan to move and, relieved to have control of his limbs, he turned on his side to watch her.
“I prefer to feel you naked against me,” he said, as she slipped her nightdress on.
She smiled. “I love feeling your warm nakedness as well, but I am not going to sleep here tonight with you.”
“What?” he demanded, throwing the blanket off him and swinging his legs off the bed to sit.
Aura held up her hand, warning him to remain where he was. “Don’t be angry with me, Declan. You know it’s for the best. You cannot move when I am close and that is no way for you to be, especially all night long. I will sleep in the chamber I slept in before now. Tomorrow we can go into the woods and see if we can summon the witch.”
“How? She appears when it pleases her.”
“I know an incantation that might help summon her, though I have been warned against using it. But we must take the chance.”
“If it may bring you harm, I won’t have you take the chance,” he insisted.
“You would rather keep things as they are?”
He mumbled several oaths.
“You would do anything to end this madness and so will I.”
“Aye, I cannot abide keeping a distance from you,” he said, his heart already aching that she would not share his bed tonight.
“And I you. Get some sleep and we will tackle this in the morning, together,” she said, and feeling tears swelling in her eyes, she hurried to the door, calling out as she did, “I love you, Declan.”
“Aura!” he cried out, stopping her abruptly. “Look at me.”
She turned slowly, tears streaming down her cheeks.
“Bloody hell,” he said, standing, his hands clenched at his sides, his heart aching, and his anger simmering.
“Stay where you, Declan, please,” she pleaded.
“I have never seen you shed tears and the first time that you do, I cannot even hold you and comfort you.” He released an angry growl, then shook his head and calmly but firmly said, “I love you with all my heart, Aura, and I promise I will make this up to you.”
“Nay, there is no need to. You have given me everything I need… your love.” She rushed from the room, her tears growing heavy.
Declan rushed to the door, calling after her. “Forever. I will love you forever.”
CHAPTER 20
The Great Hall was quieter than usual for the morning hour. The clatter of wooden bowls and the murmur of the few lingering villagers drifted in from the far end, but most kept their distance from where Aura sat near the hearth speaking with Freyda.
Aura’s eyes felt heavy from the restless night in the spare bedchamber, her thoughts on her husband and what they had shared even with him unable to move and the pain of leaving his side afterwards. She missed sleeping cuddled against him, and the way he would wake her with tender caresses and a kiss. She didn’t want to lose that. She didn’t want to lose him.