Page 64 of Ensnaring the Dove
Her head fell back as his lips grazed up the column of her throat to her jaw. And then, an instant later, he was kissing her again, his tongue tangling with hers.
Colombia’s hands roamed across his chest. Her shawl slid down, yet she was still wearing far too many clothes. Curse allthe layers of fabric that separated them. She wanted to be naked right now—she wanted those strong yet gentle hands to touch her everywhere.
Fumbling in her eagerness, she unlaced his bracae, freeing his shaft. It pulsed, hot and eager, in her hands, soft skin stretched over iron; and she whimpered, need thrumming through her.
Muttering a curse, Aedan spread her thighs wider still and pushed aside the silky material of her subligaculum.
And then, with one driving thrust, he seated himself inside her.
Colombia arched into him, biting down hard on her bottom lip to stop herself from crying out.
Gods, she thought she remembered how good this felt, but she hadn’t. It was even better than she recalled. He stretched her, filled her, the tip of his shaft touching a place that made aching pleasure throb through her womb.
Sliding his hands under her backside, and gripping tight, Aedan took her there, on the edge of the table, in deep, hard thrusts. And within just a few strokes, she was quivering.
She couldn’t control herself. She writhed and pushed against him, biting down on her lip until she tasted blood—for otherwise, she’d have screamed.
Likewise, Aedan’s face was contorted with hunger.
Colombia shattered then, clutching at his vest as waves of blinding pleasure pulsed out from her core, turning her inside out. She collapsed against the hard wall of his chest as he too climaxed. The heat of his release filled her, and Colombia bit back a sob, burying her face in his neck. Aedan’s arms clamped around her, and he hauled her against him.
They clung together there, panting in the aftermath—unable to speak, unable to move—for a while.
“Aedan … the dumplings are nearly ready!” a man’s voice intruded then, filtering through the wattle door. Faint, off-tune whistling followed, accompanied by the clatter of iron pans. Colombia dazedly realized that Keir was still next door, preparing supper.
Still breathing hard, she drew back, lifting her gaze to meet Aedan’s.
His eyes were dark in the glow of the lantern hanging from the beams behind him. And what she saw in his gaze made her still-pounding heart leap.
Raw, fierce tenderness glittered there. “Very well, little dove,” he rasped. “I shall take the risk.”
XXVII. WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE
THEY LEFT THE workshop and made their way down the street. Small clay lamps hung from the eaves of buildings, bathing the vicus in soft gold.
Colombia and Aedan walked hand in hand. Keir had promised to keep Aedan’s supper warm, but they’d left the carpenter with little explanation.
They didn’t talk now, as they both prepared themselves for the coming meeting with Severus Juventus.
Colombia glanced at Aedan’s profile, noting how his gaze focused forward. Shadows played across his proud features.
They passed the tavern farther down the street. Earlier it had been rowdy, with a milling crowd of soldiers gathered before it. But now it was silent. Lamplight flowed out onto the cobbled street.
The sight surprised Colombia. Perhaps those men had run out of coin after all and returned to the barracks.
It wasn’t late, although most of the residents of Onnum were indoors at present, having supper. As such, the streets Colombia and Aedan walked through were largely empty.
However, as they crossed the market square, Colombia was surprised to see the gate to the compound was open—and that no sentries were watching their approach.
She squeezed Aedan’s hand. “Something’s wrong,” she whispered.
“You’re right,” he murmured. “Where are the guards?”
They slipped into the compound.
Aedan released her hand and moved a couple of steps ahead, his gaze flicking left and right as they walked toward the heart of the fort. The principia building glowed pale up ahead.
The eerie quiet splintered then, angry voices filtering toward them. And as they drew nearer still, Colombia spied a mob gathered inside the principia’s wide courtyard, before the entrance to the headquarters building itself.