A Knight in Central Park(51)

“When all is said and done,” he said, his eyes filled with lust, “regardless of anything that may or may not happen tonight, I have to leave at the next full moon.”

“And I will not stop you.” She took his hand and brought it to her cheek, keeping her hand clasped over his. “But until that time, we have now and I am cold.” She wrapped her arms about his waist. “And you are warm.”

“I can’t fall in love with you, Alexandra.”

“I do not ask that of you,” she said as she covered his jaw with more kisses.

His fingers tightened about her waist, and he swore under his breath, then kissed her hard and firm, without haste, matching the passion she felt within. Heavy breathing mingled with the sounds of the night as she reached down to unhook his breeches, eager to unlock the treasure she’d been seeking. They both stood now, tugging at each other’s clothing until there was nothing left to remove. He picked her up as if she weighed no more than a feather, carrying her to their bed of sheepskins and woolen blankets.

The stars and Sir Joe loomed over her, his gaze scorching. Despite a twinge of unexpected modesty, she smiled at him as she raised her hands to touch his broad shoulders and solid chest.

A wicked groan escaped him as her fingers trailed across his stomach. He rolled over, pulling her atop him, taking the brunt of pine needles and hard ground beneath the blankets.

She rubbed against him, his hardness catapulting forth without any resistance. Ecstasy is what she felt as instinct brought her full upon him, giving him no choice but to plunder deep. Instead of fluttering angel wings and sweet heaven as she’d expected, she felt a sharp searing pain instead. Her nails drove into his shoulder, raking midway down his chest.

She moaned, not in rapture, but in pain, unbearable pain.

He gritted his teeth, held her tight against him so that she couldn’t move. “Hold still,” he warned. “Why didn’t you tell me this was your first time?”

“I did.”

“But that was before...what about all of those men you talked about?”

“I lied.”

He exhaled.

A tear fell, trickling off of her chin and onto his. “I am no longer enjoying myself and I would appreciate it if you would kindly dislodge yourself.”

“It’s not that easy,” he said with a half-smile.

“Of course, it is.” She tried to push away.

“Hold still for a minute,” he said gently, holding her waist firmly with one hand while the other brushed the wetness from her cheek. “The pain will lessen and then all will be well again. I promise.”

“I believe you not.”

“You’re beautiful.” He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

His kind words did not help the pain. “I have changed my mind,” she said. “I do not jest. Nor do I care for you much anymore.”

The corners of his mouth turned upward, making her wonder if he was listening to a word she was saying. He gently rubbed her arms, making sure not to move his hips. He was still as hard as flagstone, but he whispered sweet sentiments, trying in earnest to make her relax.

She tried to focus her attention on the soft hoot of a distant owl. And then, just like that, it happened, like a switch of one of Sir Joe’s modern lamplights.

The pain subsided.

He rubbed her back and arms, keeping the chill at bay, gently pulling her closer so he could kiss her neck and shoulders. His lips made a hot trail down the hollow of her neck.

She sighed with pleasure. “’Tis over?”

He smiled. “Not nearly.”

“I mean the pain? Will there be any more pain?”

“No,” he promised, bringing her closer still so that he could kiss her lips and keep her warm within his arms, making her forget all else.

Before long Alexandra surprised herself by rocking her hips upon his, ever so slowly at first, and then faster. The pain had subsided, leaving her breathless and hot, and much more wanting than before. An odd feeling had built within. She knew not what to do, afraid any unnecessary movement might cause pain anew.

But Sir Joe knew what to do. Sir Joe knew exactly what to do, for he rocked her in a gentle rhythm to match his own. He kissed her mouth, touching and guiding her with strong hands until he brought her skyward to a high secret place, bringing them together like nothing else could, suspending them in time and making her love him all the more.





Chapter Fourteen