Claiming A Lady Read Free

a hard
pounding.
    Her lips played at his jawline, spurring
Gawen to motion. He stopped at his bedside, indulging in another
heated kiss, groaning at Bavin kicking away her low shoes.
    Duty intruded, and he sensed her.
    His growl of frustration brought her head
back. “What is it?”
    His mind worked hard at the problem. “I will
give you pleasure, Bavin.” Just you. Even spilling on her
could result in a child she wasn’t prepared for.
    She smiled at that. “I trust you will, but
what is wrong? What makes you grumble and growl? Am I --”
    “No. Never. It is --” She is an innocent.
I must watch my words. “Your cycle, Bavin. You are fertile
tonight.” If he indulged himself, she’d surely catch pregnant. He
wasn’t Veriel. The last thing he’d do would to be force this on his
chosen.
    Her smile disappeared. “You don’t wish a
child?”
    “Of course I do. What Krieger wouldn’t
want a child of his chosen?” The need was ingrained in them.
    Bavin seemed to have problems forming words.
“Lay with me and explain. I fear I am lost.”

    Gawen lowered her to the bed and settled next
to her, careful to keep his boot soles off the edge. Finding the
words to explain his concerns wasn’t easy. It certainly wasn’t how
he’d pictured their first words in their shared bed to pass.
    He forced himself on. “If I love you fully
tonight, it cannot be undone, and you will likely catch pregnant
from it. One doesn’t rush into creating life, Bavin.” He raised a
hand to still her rising protest. “Be sure. It is all I ask. Be
sure that you wish to carry my child so soon...and I will endeavor
to make it a reality.” Just saying it had his cock straining at the
loosened laces of his trews.
    She bit at her lower lip, seemingly thinking
hard on the matter. It was both a relief and torture. Bavin was
making a reasoned choice. He wasn’t convincing her to it. But if
she refused him, it would be nearly a week of maddening loveplay
before he could indulge in more.
    But he’d come to her with that expectation in
mind. Surely, the chance of a child wouldn’t force him past reason
now.
    Bavin’s hand pressed to his thigh and trailed
upward, taking his measure again.
    Gawen forced a deep breath...then a second
and third. “Bavin?” He kept his voice calm and even, inviting her
honest answer.
    “Love me fully, Gawen. Don’t make me wait for
you any longer.”
    His cock bucked against her hand, urging him
on.
     
    * * * *
     
    Bavin expected bruising kisses and a fierce,
fast mating in claim of her. Instead, Gawen lowered his head,
urging her lips apart for kisses so deep they stole her breath
away.
    In between them, his tunic disappeared, then
his boots and trews. Gawen paused, giving her the chance to survey
every luscious line of his body.
    She licked her lips, reaching for her dress,
but Gawen’s hands were there first. He shook his head, gathering
the fabric between his big hands and drawing it up.
    Her body responded fiercely to it, the heat
between her woman’s folds spilling over in preparation for Gawen’s
cock. Or his mouth. She shivered in delight at that. The
widows had told her about Gawen’s talented mouth.
    He paused, meeting her eyes. “What is
it?”
    Her cheeks burned in embarrassment. How could
she say such a thing to him?
    Gawen nodded grimly and started to ease her
skirt down.
    “No,” she gasped.
    “Bavin, if you are not certain --”
    “I am.”
    “Your body says something different.”
    She shook her head, denying it. How could he
say so when she wept and ached to accept him?
    “You shudder and --”
    “Not in fear,” she protested. “Not in
revulsion.”
    He closed his eyes, then opened them again,
seemingly working at that. A tentative smile pulled up at his lips,
and his eyes glittered. “They told you about something...something
you wish to feel.” Gawen didn’t question it.
    Bavin seized the moment to answer. “Yes, they
did.”
    Her dress slid up again, slowly, a torture