Page 62 of The Knight’s Reward

“As you should be.”

When he pulled her back to him and kissed her again, the loose shift hardly presented a barrier. Without giving her time to think about the intimacy of what he was about to do, Neill slipped his hand under the fine material and pushed away the undergarments that covered his goal.

Despite her murmur of surprise, he continued, determined now. The fire crackled beside them as his fingers found the curls he would give his sword arm to see. When Kathryn instinctively pulled back, very likely embarrassed, he tore his mouth from hers and watched for a sign that he should stop.

“This is . . . wrong.”

But that was not his sign.

“Aye, very much so. For you are not mine.” The thought tore at him even as his fingers continued their exploration.

“And I am still very much angry with you.”

Her lips, swollen from his kiss, glistened, demanding his attention. Already hard, Neill attempted to ignore those lips. He had a mission to accomplish, and his personal release was not part of it.

“And I am still very much sorry for hurting you.”

He slipped a finger inside her.

Kathryn gasped.

“I am sorry for not telling you at the inn.”

He slipped in another.

“Or on the road to Brockburg.”

Neill moved both fingers, slowly, deliberately.

“Or when I kissed you behind the stables.”

He pressed his palm against her, waiting. Watching.

“I’m sorry for not telling you on our way here.”

He pressed harder.

“Or before Sara could see how taken I am with the most beautiful woman in the world.” He circled his hand and moved his fingers in and out.

Her lips parted and Neill resisted the urge to take a taste. He was enjoying watching her face as she took her first real pleasure.

At his hands.

“I’m sorry to be crippled at the behest of a king I do not like.”

Her eyes widened at the heresy.

He increased the pace.

“I’m sorry for the violent thoughts I had when I first came into your chamber and saw two goblets.”

Faster and faster he moved his hand, knowing by her expression she was close. The hem of her shift teased his arm as it lay limp, the opposite of him. Neill would do well not to think of it. The feel of her under his hands, the sight of his hand under her shift in such an intimate position . . . he had to look away for a moment.

The knowledge that Kathryn felt for him what he did for her nearly tore him in two.

Neill looked back up, this time into her wide, surprised eyes, and held her gaze as he brought her to climax. She clenched around him, her nails digging into his undertunic.

“Neill,” she breathed.