Page 42 of An Unlikely Knight

How was it possible to feel so strongly for someone in such a short amount of time? Their future was unstable, whether he returned or not. At the same time, there was no doubt in her mind that the man who stood before her was to be joined to her for the rest of their life.

Something totally different surged within. A desperate longing, an overwhelming need consumed every inch of her body.

“I ... I need you to come with me.” Grabbing his hand, she pulled him from the room, up the stairs and into the bedroom where she was to stay.

Padriag looked around and then at her, his Adam’s apple moved as he swallowed.

“We are going to make love,” Erin said, with more assuredness than she felt.

There was something like relief on his face, his gaze locking with hers. Then closing the distance, he took her into his arms, mouth over hers, hands sliding down and up her back as he ravished her lips.

She clawed at his clothes, glad when he helped by pulling the tunic up over his head.

His muscles were rippling, each peak and valley demanding attention. One day she’d be able to pay every inch homage. But in this moment, there was a crucial need that sizzled under her skin and needed to be satiated.

“We have to hurry,” Erin said, her urgent tone husky almost as if someone else spoke through her.

Between kisses, they undressed until fully bare. Padriag lifted her easily and carried her to the bed. There was hunger in his darkened gaze, as they fell onto the bed.

“You are so damn perfect,” his husky voice sent tingles across her skin.

Erin could barely keep from yanking the man over her. Urgency filled every fiber of her being. Something was going to happen, something had to happen.

Seeming to sense what she was feeling, Padriag covered her body with his own. “I have to do this quickly. The pull back to the alter-world is strengthening. I am so sorry.”

Erin was at the point of writhing. “Yes, hurry.”

He began shaking, as if shivering from the cold. Erin wasn’t sure if it was because it was the first time in so long or because he was fighting to remain there. When Padriag lifted his hips, Erin reached between them and wrapped her fingers around his generous shaft. Definitely gifted in that department. It was too bad they’d not get to linger.

Both let out a groan as Padriag thrust into her, his girth stretching and length filling her. Erin threw her head back as he began moving, sliding in and out of her, each movement a relief to her overheated body.

“Erin,” he moaned into her ear, the heat of his breath erotic.

“So good,” she replied, lifting her hips to meet each plunge. “Oh!”

“Faster,” Erin said wrapping her arms around his shoulders.

Suddenly the room went dark.

Padriag didn’t seem to notice, or if he did, it didn’t stop him from continuing forward. His body in rhythm with hers. Their lovemaking reaching the crescendo their movements became faster and harder. On the brink, Erin threw her head back and let out a stifled cry as every part of her being broke apart into a million pieces.

As a second wave of release washed over her, she clung to Padriag, her body trembling, her vision a blur of lights.

His husky moan rolled over her, a tidal wave of pleasure taking them both. He shuddered and buried his face in her hair as he became lost in his own release.

For a few precious moments, they remained joined, his body sprawled over her as she ran her hands up and down his back.

Moments later, rolling to his side, Padriag pulled her into his arms. He pressed kisses in a path from her mouth, across to her jawline and then dragged his tongue down the side of Erin’s neck.

Erin shivered with delight her eyes falling shut. She could spend days like this, basking in the afterglow of making love with him.

“I have to go,” Padriag whispered, kissing her on the lips.

“Promise me you will come back to me,” Erin replied, doing her best to blink tears away. “I mean it, Padriag. You have to.”

His lips curved. “I will do what I can.”

A hand on both sides of his face, Erin studied him for a long moment. “You are the bravest man I’ve ever met.”