Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 97306 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97306 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
“Did I hurt you?” he asked, caressing her back to keep her warm.
“A minor pain, no more,” she assured him.
“That is good.”
Words seemed to fail him. Usually after coupling with a woman, he would take his leave. He had pleased the woman and himself and there was nothing left to be said. Besides, he had trusted no woman enough to sleep the night with her. But with Fia, he did not want to let her go. He wanted her there beside him, always.
To make certain of that, he commanded, “You will sleep with me in my bed from now on,”
“I would have it no other way, my lord.” She pressed herself tighter against him. “Making love is so much more pleasurable than I imagined it would be. I look forward to sharing more love and pleasure with you.”
“I remind you that I know little of love,” he said, and she chuckled softly, her warm breath tickling his chest.
“As do I when it comes to love between a husband and wife. We will learn together, make mistakes together, laugh together, grow angry together, but always, always together will we love each other.”
“You are so sure of that?” he asked.
“Aye, husband,” Fia said with authority. “We are one now and no one or anything can change that.”
He would have liked to believe her, but he had learned otherwise. “Life is a series of changes, wife, most of which we cannot control. One must learn to adapt, take command, and survive.”
She reached her hand to his face, resting it gently across his cheek, its warmth tingling her palm. “Life may be such… but not love. Love is not something you adapt to or command. It is something you feel, not control, nor do you survive it. You live love, keep it strong in your heart, and enjoy every moment of it.”
He turned his head to kiss her palm, surprised to feel his shaft stir. “I want to believe you, wife, truly I do, but life has taught me differently.”
His kiss sent a tickle over her body. “Then I will teach you what you haven’t been taught.”
“What is that?”
“How to love,” she said and brushed her lips over his.
Her kiss and words turned his stirring into an arousal, surprising him in a pleasant way, but as much as he would love to pursue it, he thought better of it. It had been her first time and she no doubt was sore. Besides, they had to leave early and needed sleep.
“Sleep, we leave early,” he said to convince himself he was doing the right thing.
Fia sighed softly and cuddled as tightly as she could against him and fell asleep quickly.
Varrick feared sleep would elude him, his thoughts far too chaotic to even will himself to sleep, but with his wife wrapped warmly and safely around him, sleep came quickly.
Fia woke with a moan to find her husband’s hands exploring her.
“I cannot keep my hands off you,” he whispered.
“Then don’t,” she said softly.
“You are not too sore?”
“Nay,” she assured him, though she did feel a twinge of soreness, but it was only a twinge while her passion was far too demanding to ignore.
“I will be quick.”
“If you must.”
“You want more?” he murmured, brushing his lips over hers.
“I think I will always be far too demanding on you.”
“Believe me, wife, when I say that will never happen.”
She smiled. “I will hold you to that.
“You won’t have to,” he said and lowered his head to tease her nipples.
Varrick meant to make it quick, but he could not help but linger and enjoy kissing every inch of her and taking his time when he entered her, not wanting to end the thrusts that brought them such exquisite pleasure. They erupted together in climax again and, exhausted, fell asleep soon after.
Fia cringed as soon as her husband had left the shelter the next morning. She was sore but did not want to admit it to him. Once home she could tend to it, but she worried about the walk home, though it was better than riding a horse. The soreness would only worsen if she were to ride.
She wrapped her cloak snug around herself, Varrick having doused the fire and the cold already seeping in.
The door opened and Varrick stood there. “Too much snow fell last night for us to walk. Come, we ride.” He stretched his hand out to her.
Fia stopped herself from wincing at the thought of the discomfort ahead for her. There had to be something she could do that would help her at least tolerate the ride. The ride was brief, though it probably would not feel brief with how sore she was.
She took her husband’s hand and stepped outside with him.
“Wait here, while I speak with Corwin,” he said.
Fia hurried her thoughts, trying to think of something that would help alleviate her discomfort as her husband talked with Corwin.