‘Slowly, søtnos.’ Alarr ground against her, and she quaked as an aftershock flooded through her.
He took her lips, kissing her as he began to thrust. She felt uncertain at first and a little sore. But gradually she found herself meeting him, lifting her hips as he caressed her deep within.
She arched her back, trying to get closer. Her breathing was hitched, but he kept his lovemaking slow, coaxing her passion higher. When she thought she could bear it no longer, he slid in deep and held himself there, gently stroking her hooded flesh. A shocking coil of desire struck hard, and she moaned as his caress evoked a powerful release that filled every inch of her body.
Her heart pounded, and she gripped the furs, trembling violently with the storm of pleasure. Breanne wrapped her legs around his waist, and he quickened the tempo, gripping her hips as he entered and withdrew. His breathing was harsh, and when she squeezed him with her inner walls, he lost control. Over and over, he took her, until she climaxed again, and he emptied himself inside. His breathing was laboured as he rode out his own release, and he collapsed on top of her.
She held him close, their bodies damp with perspiration. Never had any man made her feel this way. Her heart was thundering, her body alive in ways she’d never imagined. While he slept against her, she pushed back his hair, memorising the lines of his face. He would not let her go now, and she found that she wanted to be with him, whatever came next. Her feelings were vulnerable, and though she was wary of loving this man, she could not stop the emotions from gathering inside.
And as he drifted off to sleep, their bodies still joined, she prayed that she had made the right decision to stay with him.
Chapter Seven
Alarr made love to her twice more as the morning waned into afternoon. Though his conscience warned that he should not have taken advantage of her offer, he could not bring himself to hold regrets. The craving for her touch consumed him, and the knowledge that he was the only man who had ever claimed her body made him feel even more protective of Breanne.
She held an inner strength and bravery that he admired. But more than that, she had insisted that he was a man of worth. He didn’t really believe her, but she had forced him to consider a decision beyond his thoughts of vengeance. It was still likely that he would die in battle, even if he did keep this vow. And for that reason, he had agreed to Breanne’s bargain.
Alarr knew his fate, but before he breathed his last, he wanted to spend his remaining days with her. He wanted her bare skin next to his, just as it was now. And every time he pleasured her, he wanted to watch her tremble with release, welcoming his body inside hers. It was as close to a true marriage as he would ever have. And if somehow she conceived a child, a part of him would live on.
A hollow ache centred inside him at the knowledge that he would not share that with her. All he had were these last few days, and he wanted to savour them, searing them into his memory. He kept their bodies intertwined, feeling content as he had never been before. She was awake, but neither spoke. It was as if words would break the spell between them, bringing reality back. And he didn’t want that—not yet.
But soon enough, Breanne’s stomach growled, and at her soft laugh, he realised he could not keep her here for the rest of the day, much as he wanted to.
‘Do we have anything to eat?’ she asked, tracing his bare skin.
‘I know what I want,’ he answered, rolling her to her back and taking her breast into his mouth. He was rewarded with her slight gasp, before she sighed and moved her hips against him.
‘Much as I love having you in my bed, we do need food.’
‘Do we?’ He reached to touch her and found that she was as aroused as he. Giving in to his desire, he slid inside her welcoming depths.
Breanne’s swift intake of breath told him that she wanted him, too. He entered and withdrew slowly, and she raised her knees to take him deeper.
‘When we approach Dún Bolg, we will tell them that you are my wife. It’s safer to stay together.’ But it was about more than protecting her—it was because he wanted no man to even look at Breanne. She was his for these last few days, and he needed her with him.
‘I agree.’ She pulled his face closer and kissed him. He took her mouth, kissing her deeply as he continued to make love to her. Breanne met his thrusts, digging her fingers into his shoulders until she wrapped her legs around his waist, demanding more.
‘If Feann is there—’
‘Then I will stay with you and speak with him,’ she interrupted. ‘As you said, we will let him believe we are married.’
He didn’t argue, but continued to love her, driving her close to the edge. If he dared to tell Feann that he had wed Breanne, the king would demand his life in return. Their battle might be this day. For all he knew, this might be the last time he could be with this woman.
He slowed his pace again, wanting it to last. Her breathing had shifted, and she tried to urge him on, begging, ‘Alarr, please.’
But he continued to draw out her pleasure,
