Page 72 of The Highwayman's Bite

Vivian opened her mouth to refuse, but the bleak reality froze the words in her throat, reducing them to a heavy lump. Together, they filled a valise he’d previously stolen with a nightgown, the dress she’d worn the night he abducted her, and the carved animals she and Madame Renarde had chosen.

“I also want you to take my sword,” Rhys said. “Not only in case anyone tries to accost you during the day while you wait for your uncle, but also because you’re the only one I know who will appreciate it.”

He unlocked his sword case and withdrew the blade from an intricate tooled leather scabbard. The rapier’s hilt had an elaborately crafted silver hand guard that she’d admired when they’d dueled. The pommel was carved in the shape of a queen chess piece, something she hadn’t notice before.

She spoke through the heavy lump in her throat. “It’s beautiful.”

“I took it from the captain of a Spanish galleon in the late seventeenth century.” Sadness infused Rhys’s smile. “It’s the only thing I have left from my mortal life.”

“I will treasure it always,” she said as he handed her the blade and scabbard. Not even the sword that Uncle had given her was so fine and well-balanced as this one.

“You should give the other to Madame Renarde.”

“No!” Vivian said quickly. “Not that she wouldn’t appreciate another sword for her meager collection. But you must have something to defend yourself with.”

He sighed. “You have a point, though I fear it will do me little good if Lord Thornton catches me. I will not harm your kin.”

“He can heal quick as you,” she said, unable to hide her bitterness. “I’m afraid I cannot feel charitable towards him if he seeks to kill the man I love.”

Rhys uttered a humorless laugh. “The man you love is a criminal whom your uncle is fully justified to execute.” He tilted her chin up to meet his gaze. “But I don’t want to spend our last moments quibbling.”

“I don’t either.” Vivian wrapped her arms around his waist. “Make love to me one last time?”

He undressed and had her clothing off so quickly it was like magic. Kissing her hungrily, he lifted her against the wall of the cave and thrust inside her so hard she gasped. Vivian clung to his shoulders and gave herself over to the new sensations.

From this angle, her pleasure was threefold. She felt him reach a place deep inside her that sang with every thrust, even as the walls of her sheathe clenched his hardness. But the best part was that the base of his shaft ground against her swollen bud, which sang with the sweet friction of his movements.

The climax swept over her in a sudden storm, making her scream his name as lightning seemed to flicker through her clitoris while a heavier explosion erupted deeper within.

“I love you,” Rhys groaned and shuddered inside her, his thrusts rocking her into another cascade of bliss.

Too soon, it was over, and he set her down. Vivian placed her hand on the wall to steady herself as she caught her breath and willed her knees to stop quaking.

Adoration shone in his eyes as he smiled. “I wish there was time for another round, but we must go now.”

After they dressed, Rhys shoved her valise in his pack, along with the sword. “I’m sorry, but I’ll have to blindfold you again.”

Vivian’s heart sank as her last hope of somehow finding him again was crushed. “Why?”

“It is very likely that Lord Thornton will drink your blood to see your memories. I’d rather them not lead him back here.” Rhys pulled a scarf from his pack and tied it behind her head.

He lifted her in his arms and she jolted as he took off running. She couldn’t feel his footsteps, only a rapid jouncing and a strong wind against her face and body. How fast was he going? After what seemed like an hour, he set her down, panting with exertion. If not for his firm grip on her shoulders, she would have toppled from dizziness.

When he removed the blindfold, Vivian saw a sign with a carved owl swinging in the wind. The Owl Inn, it read. Rhys pressed a few coins into her palm. “This is where I must leave you, so the innkeeper doesn’t see me.”

Her chest ached with the sense of impending loss as she threw herself into his arms. “Oh, Rhys, I can’t bear it!”

“You’ll have to.” He kissed her long and deep, and Vivian sought to memorize the taste of his mouth and the softness of his lips.

Tears ran down her cheeks as he released her. “Forever,” she whispered, her soul contorting with grief. “My love will be forever.”

“Goodbye, Vivian,” he said. “I’ll love you always.”

And then he was gone.

Numb with agony, Vivian shouldered the heavy valise and trudged into the inn. The innkeeper regarded her with a querulous glare at her late arrival, but changed his tune when he saw her coin.

After a servant led her up to her room, Vivian collapsed on the bed unable to hold in her sobs. Only minutes after being parted from Rhys and she already missed him like a severed limb.

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