Page 41 of Love Me Forever

‘Tell me as often as you like.”

“That I will. Now are you hungry?”

“Starving, but I would like to help with the meal.”

“Nay, you will rest.”

She protested. “I have rested. I am tired of resting.”

“Your back continues to pain you.”

“Because I spend too much time in this bed, I need to move around more.”

Since he looked to digest her remark, she continued to attempt to convince him. “I could sit on the chair by the table if I tire.”

“Your word on that?” he asked.

A warrior’s word was his honor. He looked to her for the same. She had no trouble giving it to him. “Aye, you have my word.”

He reached for her leather slippers that sat beside the chest at the end of the bed.

She hastily slipped from beneath the covers to the edge of the bed. She swung her feet in eager anticipation.

She reminded him of a young innocent girl. Her skin was smooth and touched with a faint blush. Her eyes were rounded in excitement, her lips softly puffed from kissing him. She adjusted the comb in her hair, capturing the strands that refused confinement, though one or two managed to escape. Her defined beauty grabbed at his heart and twisted until he thought he had not a breath left in him.

He quickly kneeled on the floor to place her soft leather slippers on her feet and restrain his pounding heart. His position only worsened his condition. He had to take hold of each of her ankles when slipping on the leather slippers. They were trim and so soft that his fingers itched to explore farther up her leg.

He had touched her often when caring for her, but his thoughts had always been for her well-being. Now, however, his thoughts were those of passion.

“Are you finished?” she asked with a hand to his shoulder.

The innocent gesture completely unnerved him. It sent a rush of heat racing through his body and settling in places that had him thinking that she was right where he wanted her.

She had a different thought and urged him along.

“Help me to stand.”

‘Take my arm,” he said, knowing that in a moment she would be flying off the bed of her own accord if he did not oblige her.

She was about to slip her arm with his when he stopped her.

“Nay, place your hands on my arm and let my strength help you stand. Then, if you require my assistance to walk, I will help you.”

She was overjoyed at the thought of being independent once again and determined to remain so. She did as he directed, her hands grabbing hold of his hard, muscled arms. The strength of him startled her. She was not certain why since she had felt his strong arms many times before, yet somehow this time was different. Very different. Her body reacted like a woman who desired a man.

“Ready?”

She nodded, trying hard to ignore the tingle in her fingers from the heat of his skin. She focused her attention on the task at hand while the tingle crawled up her arm.

He stood close by her side, his body nearly touching hers.

She stood with deliberate slowness, wanting to make certain not to harm her back and not wanting to let go of his arm. When she was certain she could stand on her own, she removed her hands from him and looked up with pride into his face.

What she saw excited and frightened her. Passion brewed in his eyes.

He wanted her.

CHAPTER13