Page 40 of Earth Dragon
She smiled softly, though this was meant to be nothing soft or gentle. This was meant to be quick and rough. Scratching an itch. One final time.
Only she was slowing her movements, sweat dripping down her back, his fingers still grasping at her hips. There was sweat pearling on his brow, and she dragged her fingers across it, swiping them away, into his hair.
His eyes warmed in frightening ways, his hands sliding up her back, to her shoulder blades. The caress was gentle, deliberately so. He wanted them to slow down, too. Was it because he was also thinking this was their last time? Or was it because he could feel her pulling away and wanted to stop her.
He had tried to make her believe that this was more, make her listen when he tried to tell her that he was feeling something for her.
She wished that she could, that she could encourage him to tell her everything that was on his mind. But how could she encourage honesty when she was a liar?
She closed her eyes, unable to look at the way he was observing her with such tenderness. She had wanted to open him up to forgiveness, and this was where it had gotten her.
She almost broke away from him, but when his arms went around her and he pulled her to him, she couldn’t. Instead, she wrapped her arms around his head as it was buried between her breasts, resting her cheek against the soft lock on top of it. She closed her eyes again as he began meeting her movements with gentle thrusts.
Take me, she thought.Just take me. Let’s not do this… Let’s not make love…
But he didn’t and, as the orgasm peaked, she felt he was right there with her.
She stayed in his arms in the afterglow, straddling him, keeping him inside of her a little longer.
It hadn’t started as one, but she now knew this had to be goodbye.
She didn’t want to let go just yet.
“That was quite the display,” a voice she knew too well said, and they both turned in surprise to Sir Patrick, lingering by the stem of an enormous palm tree.
She had completely managed to forget about him.
Ewan growled softly, his arms still around her, hiding most of their shared nakedness though not nearly enough.
Humiliation spread colorful blossoms through her, but along with it came sudden dread.
No, she thought, trying to communicate the plea with the knight.Please, don’t.He can’t find out like this.
Chapter 11 - Ewan
He stared at the knight as though he was an apparition. Though not quite as glorious as he had been back in Fawha, Sir Patrick was still a devastatingly powerful specimen. He had warrior written all over him, and Ewan had seen, firsthand, exactly how deftly he handled a sword. Formidable had been the word Malcolm most often used around him.
He held no sword in his hand, though. In fact, Ewan couldn’t see a single weapon anywhere on the other man’s person. Which was strange, given the fact that he was most grossly intruding.
“Forgive me,” Sir Patrick said. “Let me afford you a moment.” He was smiling as he turned his back to them.
Ewan’s gaze met Shannon’s as they broke apart. He missed the heat of her instantly. She had shown him her true feelings in his arms, and she simply could not pretend they weren’t there. He needed to know what was holding her back, because if it was guilt, then she must know that there was understanding in his hearts now. A willingness to hear her side of the story that he had been neglecting due to his own bruised ego and hurt feelings.
However, he slowly realized how she looked fearful. Moreover, he noted that what she didn’t look was surprised.
His hearts began to feel heavy, though he did not want to even think what that look might mean.
She shifted her gaze away from his and wouldn’t look at him, as they went back to the center of the Pavilion to gather their clothes. They dressed in the quiet, Sir Patrick loitering not far off, though he was still averting his gaze.
What was his play? Why was he not armed? Did Shannon have anything to do with why he was here?
Ewan pulled on his shirt, his breeches, secured his belt with ever harsher movements before turning to Sir Patrick, saying, “All right, sir knight. What’s the meaning of this?”
“That’s a broad question,” Sir Patrick said. “Could you narrow it down for me?”
The next second Ewan was on him, grabbing him by the collar and pushing him up against the nearest tree trunk. Sir Patrick huffed a laugh in surprise.
“I did not think you had it in you.” The knight smiled. “Feels good, doesn’t it?”
