Page 12 of The Knight Who Loved Me
“You look tired today, Angel,” he said.
She knew he watched her intently. She wanted to remain silent, but found herself saying, “I assure you I am not. My quarters were quite comfortable.”
He gave her a slow grin. His teeth were a brilliant white in his tan, lean face. He oozed charm and civility. Why was he so easy to look at? She could almost understand why a woman would be flattered by his attention.
“Angel, you fascinate me. Won’t you tell me your name?”
She merely continued to eat, trying not to shove it into her mouth too quickly.
Bolton sighed. “I must say, I am disappointed. You hold a grudge against me, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen you before. Have I?”
Next she tried the cheese, which was so soft it melted on her tongue. She closed her eyes and swallowed.
“Shall I talk to your young partner about your identity?”
She opened her eyes and looked at him, feeling her heart pick up speed. He had stopped eating to study her. Would he harm a mere boy? Had he already?
“I would hate for anything to happen to him,” Bolton continued.
“He knows nothing,” she said coldly. “I found him wandering the roads. I fed and housed him, so he agreed to help me.”
“That is a nice story, Angel, but I may have to put it to the test. He seems too loyal. Are you finished?”
She wasn’t, and couldn’t resist a longing glance at the food.
“You go ahead and eat. My men are outside the door, so call them if you need anything. I’ll just go visit your partner.” Bolton stood.
Isabel rose to her feet. Her hand went to her belt, until she remembered she didn’t have a sword at her hip.
Before she could grab an eating knife from the table, he stepped forward until there was barely a hand span between them. She hated having to look up into his face, when men usually had to gape up at her. She returned his gaze boldly.
“Angel, do you wish to answer my questions?” he asked, his voice a low rumble.
“The boy knows nothing,” she repeated.
Bolton sighed and went to William’s trap door. He threw it open, and called, “Boy, I need to know your lady’s identity. Think on your answer as I come down. I don’t want to hurt her.”
Isabel came up behind him. He must have suspected her intentions, for he turned and caught her around the waist, shoving her against the stone wall with his body. He stared at her mouth and she couldn’t look away.
In the tense silence, William’s voice drifted up from the open hole. “Bolton?”
Isabel felt trapped by his eyes, now storm blue with intensity. Her breasts ached against his chest, her legs trembled where they twined with his. She must be beyond exhaustion, because it took a moment before she remembered to struggle. She brought her hands up and pushed at his shoulders.
“Let go of me.”
She couldn’t move him. His gaze dropped to her breasts and she felt his grip tighten on her ribcage. He leaned harder against her.
“Release me!” she cried, her voice rising higher.
William called out, “Angel, what is happening? Has he harmed you?”
Before she could answer, Bolton covered her mouth with his. His lips were hot and hard against hers. She was so shocked she didn’t know what to do, how to react. He turned his head and molded his mouth to hers. Something terribly, darkly exciting burst to life within her chest at the feel of him along her entire body. She was vividly aware of the thrust of his hips against hers, and how much she longed to rub back against him. She was horrified, appalled at her wanton behavior. With a wild cry she twisted her head away.
Bolton clasped her face between his hard hands and tilted her head. From somewhere far away, she heard William scream her name. Then Bolton’s mouth caught hers again, and he parted her lips with his tongue. He pushed deep inside her mouth and she should have gagged, but the more he stroked her tongue with his, the more she wanted to respond, to wind her arms about his body, to pushhimback against the wall. She heard herself whimper as she fought the urge to kiss him back.
“Don’t hurt her!” William screamed. “I will tell you anything you want! Why isn’t she answering? Is she dead? God’s precious blood, please!”
Bolton stepped back so quickly Isabel almost fell. Through wide, shocked eyes she watched him struggle for breath. Then he slowly wiped his mouth and turned away.
