Authors: Shari Anton
His fingers slid along her jaw, his expression puzzled. “Obligation? Sweet Jesu, Marian, you are not an obligation, but my life. Without you the rest means nothing. I love you, Marian, and will do whatever I must to prove myself worthy of you.”
Her knees went weak. She stopped breathing. The man didn’t know it yet, but he’d just given her the greatest gift of all. His heart. ’Twas a thing she’d hoped for but not expected. Whatever else happened, she would cherish the gift, hold it close and keep it safe.
“I love you, Stephen. Whatever else—”
He cut off her words with another kiss, his hands moving over her in possessive, persuasive caresses. She needed no persuasion. Her body fired under the power of a kiss fueled by love declared without reserve, then trembled at his body’s declaration of his need for more than kisses.
By the time his mouth released hers, Marian was ready to tear off his tunic and tug loose his breeches. Shameless. In the road, yet. The hut was empty.
What would making love be like when under the influence of such heady emotions?
Breathless, he asked, “Whatever did I do to deserve you?”
“You came back to me.”
Confused, he asked, “That is all?”
She tried to think. “Love me and always come back to me. ’Tis all I require of you, my love.”
Amusement touched his mouth. He cupped her bottom and pulled her hard against the bulge in his breeches. “All?”
“Whatever else you might wish to do to further my happiness will be gratefully accepted, my lord.”
He glanced up the road toward the keep. “By now Armand and Harlan have reached the keep. Everyone knows I am here, including our daughters. Have we time?”
Marian tightened her hold around his neck. “Enough.”
He swooped her up into his arms. “We should really be deciding about where to live, how best to approach your father for his permission to marry.”
Wasn’t he going to be as shocked as she’d been when hearing that news? “All in due time. You have husbandly duties to perform first.”
He set her down on the table. She leaned back on her elbows and gave him what she hoped was a come-hither smile.
Sweat broke out on his upper lip. He fumbled with the ties of his breeches. “I am not your husband yet, my love.”
My love
. She’d never tire of hearing the words. “In my heart you are, always have been, I think.” Very slowly, she inched the amber silk of her skirts upward. “Unless, of course, you would prefer to think of us as lovers.”
“Not me,” he declared. “I cannot wait to hear the vows which bind you to me, make you my wife. Then
no matter what I do you are obligated to share my bed, my life.”
Gladly. ’Twas what she wanted, too. “Then come give me your oath of forever and ensure I believe it.”
He slid into her slowly, completely. “Us. Together for all time.”
Marian took him in, as sword to sheath, tight and to the very hilt. Joined. Together again, this time forever.
Stephen flung her high, beyond heaven, where only he could take her. As they soared, Marian believed.
ISBN: 978-1-4603-5969-3
KNAVE OF HEARTS
Copyright © 2001 by Sharon Antoniewicz
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