Page 62 of Midnight Conquest

Confused by his abrupt shift, she stared at his rigid form—and then a wide grin spread across her face. “Are you jealous?”

He turned toward her, a frown tugging at his mouth. “Why do you ask about thedukkerwhile you are in my bed?”

Rosselyn didn’t want to provoke his temper further, though the spark of jealousy thrilled her more than it should have. “I don’t ask about him for myself. ’Tis my mistress for whom I ask.”

Shifting away from her again, he kept his gaze forward, resolutely ignoring the pull of her fingers on his arm. “Nicabar, who am I here with this night?”

“Me, which is why—”

“Aye! And who has just made wonderful love to me, made my soul sing with ecstasy?”

He fidgeted and then turned his profile toward her. The corner of his mouth turned up at her compliment.

Rosselyn sat up and put her hand upon his cheek, making him face her directly. “I apologize for the timing of my question. Please forgive me?”

He nodded but still maintained some of his guard.

“Think upon this. How can you possibly think I would beinterested in anyone else when I have the perfect man before me?”

Nicabar’s defensiveness melted, replaced by embarrassment.

Rosselyn pulled him down next to her and planted a sound kiss upon his lips, joyous that he returned her affection with as much enthusiasm. “I ask about him because methinks he and Davina are a smart match.”

“Are they, now?” Nicabar shifted and kissed the beauty mark on her right shoulder.

“Aye, but she doesn’t want to marry any man, let alone a giant like Broderick.” Rosselyn sighed. “Mistress Davina had a husband who beat her terribly and she doesn’t trust any man, especially one as large and intimidating as the fortune teller.” She sat up. “He would never hurt her, would he? Does he give in to violent fits? I asked Amice, but I fear she may be biased.”

Nicabar laughed and sat up with her. “Broderick? Oh, not him. He is a jovial spirit and takes nothing to heart.” He cradled Rosselyn’s arm and kissed the mole on the inside of her elbow.

Rosselyn smiled. “Good. Mistress Davina needs someone like him.”

“Playing match maker?” His lips trailed to the mark on her wrist. Obviously, he was in one of his moods to kiss each one of the little raisin spots decorating her skin. They never meant much to her…until she met Nicabar.

“I want to see her happy.”

“You seek to make a match of her and Broderick because…?”

Rosselyn had been in turmoil about the secret she harbored since Parlan’s death. Once she revealed all, she could only see it ending in Davina and Lilias casting her and her mother from the castle, and yet she harbored hope Davina would understand. If she didn’t, Rosselyn would need to find a home for her and hermother, but she would feel better knowing Davina had someone who would take care of her if she couldn’t avoid the inevitable.

“Rosselyn? What troubles you?”

Snapping out of her niggling thoughts, she breathed deep. The golden lamplight painted shadows across his bronzed skin and glinted off the dark waves of his hair. “Davina’s uncle is forcing her to marry, while Broderick is using his gifts to help Davina determine…” She hesitated, unwilling to betray her mistress’ full plan. “Whether or not they have good intentions. I can see they are attracted to each other but…”

“I see.” He kissed the mole nestled between her breasts, his lips warm and lingering.

“If she had someone to protect her.” She sighed. “She has been hurt so badly, Nicabar. And I suppose she has been suspicious of us spending more time together. Mayhap I should not be coming down here so often.” Rosselyn lay in Nicabar’s arms for several moments, his heartbeat steady beneath her cheek. “I suppose I should return to the castle even now.”

His lips claimed hers with hunger, and his arousal pressed against her thigh. “We must make love one more time,” he breathed against her mouth. “Then I will take you back.”

Never had she been with a man who had as much desire for her as Nica. He rolled on top of her to make love for the third time that day, with as much energy as their first coupling.

Tearing themselves away from their private time together, they dressed, and Rosselyn mounted behind Nicabar, bareback on his horse.

At the castle, just outside the gate, Rosselyn pressed her hand to his arm to get his attention. “Mayhap you and I won’t have to sacrifice time with each other, after all. Pray steer your horse to the rear of the castle.”

Nicabar obeyed, and as they rounded to the back side of the curtain wall, Rosselyn pointed to the thick bushes clustered against the stone. “There!”

They dismounted, and she led Nicabar over, glancing around to be sure no one was about. Rosselyn pulled him behind her and ducked into a small space between the dense shrubs and the wall. Pressing against the stone knob, the surface rumbled beneath her fingers. As she shoved, she grunted softly, muscles straining to shift the concealed door aside.

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