Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 98745 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98745 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Noble shuddered one last time, then dropped down to rest on his wife a moment before rolling off her and onto his back.
Leora remained on her back, waiting for her breathing to calm down and she was pleased when his hand reached out to take hold of hers. He felt as she did, wanting to remain connected to each other.
When she had enough breath to talk, she turned on her side to face him, slipping her hand out of his to rest it on his chest. “I had no idea how unbelievably amazing it would feel to couple with you and how I can now envision spending my life with you.” She shook her head. “If I did not know any better, I would think you cast a spell on me.”
Noble placed his hand over hers, the warmth of her palm seeping into his tired chest muscles and easing them. “Or you spellbound me. Whatever it is between us, I am glad for it, for I too envision a good life with you.” He could not prevent himself from yawning as he turned on his side and rested his hand on the curve of her waist. “The beautiful sight of you naked, offering yourself to me without hesitation will live long in my memory, especially when I must go into battle, for it will give me a reason to live and return home to you.” He kissed her gently, then turned on his back, a yawn escaping him.
“You need sleep,” Leora said.
“Aye,” he said, and another yawn escaped him.
Leora sat up and reached for the blanket at the end of the bed to pull over them. She thought he was asleep, his eyes closed, when she finished tucking it around him and went to lie on her back, but his arm hooked around her waist.
“I want to feel you naked against me,” he said, his eyes remaining closed as he tucked her against him.
Leora was surprised that his strength hadn’t waned with the way he held her firm against his side as if he feared letting go of her. He wanted her there and she wanted to be there beside him, a thought she never expected to have, but found comfort in.
She cuddled against him, knowing like him that tonight would live long in her memory. She recalled what Mother Abbess had said to her about feeling whole when she had discovered love. She had not quite understood what the woman meant, yet now, after coupling with her husband, she could understand that there had been a part of her she had never known was missing. Whole. Complete. Love? She shook her head more confused than ever and closed her eyes, hoping tomorrow would bring clearer thoughts.
Leora groaned, the dream so real that she was certain she would soon burst with pleasure and the scent of coupling was strong in her nostrils. Her husband’s intense rhythm was demanding, and her passion grew with his every thrust.
“Open your eyes, Leora!”
Her eyes sprang open at her husband’s commanding tone. It wasn’t a dream. It was real and Leora couldn’t have been any more pleased. Her passion soared, seeing him kneeling on the bed between her spread legs, his hands gripping her bottom, holding her firm as he pounded into her.
It wasn’t long before she screamed his name that she exploded with pleasure, her husband joining her. He lingered in her for a while before he slipped out of her to drop down on his back beside her. He didn’t say a word when he turned, slipped his arm beneath her, and brought her to rest against him when he turned onto his back.
It was a few moments later when he said, “Here is where I want you and here is where you will stay… always.”
He was letting her know he wanted her always, could he possibly love her?
Leora had a burning question for Mother Abbess the next day, but the woman was busy tending to the many people who sought her healing skills, and she did not want to disturb her. Mother Abbess had been generous in sharing her experience with Leora yesterday about love, but she had failed to ask how a woman knew if the man she loved, loved her in return. How could a woman be sure?
She shook her head, annoyed that she was wasting thoughts and time on questions of love when there were more important matters at hand. She had never gotten to ask her husband what had kept him so long last night. What information had he discovered?
He was gone when she woke this morning and selfishly, she would have preferred he had waited for her to wake before he took his leave. But he was chieftain and had his duties to see to, and no doubt he wanted to see how Finley was doing. She also wanted to discuss with him some thoughts she had on securing the safety of the clan. At least she had not wasted all her thoughts yesterday on love, she had spent some time considering safety precautions that would benefit the clan.