Gem of Gravane (The Northern Knights) (31 page)

They had just ended their month
long visit at Egway and Gent.  

Aric’s men rode in the front and at
the rear of the horse drawn carriage. A man on each side rode alongside
them. 

Albeit the horse, Aric’s new brown
destrier that she had Balwain acquire for him and had been waiting for him at
Egway, was without its rider.  For when she had first poked her head out
through the cloth, Aric had brought their entourage to a halt so he could see
to her well-being. 

Danielle smiled.  She had seen
the devilish glint in his dark eyes as he’d climbed down into the small
carriage with her. She had said naught for she was ecstatic and wanted him
inside with her. Now, she snuggled closer to him content.

“You think she will like me?”
Danielle asked, unable to keep the anxious sound out of her tone.

“How can she not? I like you.”

“You do?” She gazed up at him with
a teasing smile.

“Aye, very much, Danielle. Oh. I
love you too.”

Danielle’s laugh was smothered by
his hard kiss.  When she could breathe again she declared, “I love you
too, Aric.”

Aric held her stare then slid a
hand down over her protruding belly. “And I love you too, son or daughter.”

She drew his face back down to hers
and kissed him.

Had he truly believed if allowed
himself to want more than his heir would make him any less of a man? Make him
weak? He’d been so wrong.

 Their union made him
stronger. Her love for him and his for her had changed them both and made them
all the stronger.  And he, a better man.  Aric felt it down to his
very soul.

She was dressed in a deep burgundy
gown that she had made from the fine cloth.  Her beauty stole his breath
each time he looked at her.

Aric’s hand dropped down further
until his fingers brushed against the top of her mound.   
Danielle’s head shot back up.

“What is it that you think you are
doing?”

“I told you, I do not like to see
you distressed. I can feel the tightness in you. ‘Tis not good for the babe.”

His hand palmed her and he smiled
wider at her sharp intake of breath.

“I am fine, Aric.” Danielle tried
to affect a serious tone, but failed.   

“Hmm. Then why do you tremble so?”
He nuzzled her neck and she squirmed against him. His other hand pulled up her
dress. 

“Will you- stop. Stop that.” 
She slapped at his hands, with little effort.

Danielle dropped her head back on
his broad shoulder as his fingers sank into her heat. She bit her lip to stifle
the moan as he expertly massaged her quivering flesh. She was on fire.

“Mayhap I said that rather hastily.
You are right. I do seem to be a mite nervous.” She managed to gasp out before
the first ripple of pleasure jolted through her. 

Aric laughed against her cheek,
happy to oblige her and leaned down to cover her scream of fulfillment just as
he slid a finger inside her to share the sweet release of her nerves.

THE
END

COMING SOON!

Look for
>
Rourke’s
story:  The Merciless knight is conquered by the hellion he weds.