The Warrior by Nicole Jordan

Author:Nicole Jordan [Jordan, Nicole]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Romance, Historical, Regency, General, Erotica, Fiction
ISBN: 9780739455470
Google: qohJpns-Y6AC
Amazon: 0804119864
Barnesnoble: 0804119864
Goodreads: 671897
Publisher: Ivy Books
Published: 1992-01-01T06:00:00+00:00

14

“Greetings, my sweet.”

Ariane stirred beneath the covers at the husky masculine voice murmuring in her ear. When she felt warm lips nuzzling her neck, accompanied by the sensual rasp of a stubbled jaw against her skin, she forced her eyes open and blinked to find Ranulf leaning over her, his weight braced on one elbow. He was smiling, the transformation of his dark visage startling. In the dawn light, he looked endearingly boyish and incredibly seductive, with his hair tousled and his jaw roughened by a night’s growth of black bristle.

“Have you no proper greeting for your lover?”

Still befuddled with sleep, she dragged her gaze from him and tried to focus her thoughts. The rays of sunlight filtering through the shutters made her realize the lateness of the hour. “Why did you not wake me earlier?”

“You were weary from your exertions last night.”

Ariane flushed as sensual memories of those exertions suddenly flooded her: the hot image of this man straining between her thighs, his lean, thrusting body shuddering as he moved over her, within her, his power immense, yet restrained. He had shown her an ecstasy she had never dreamed possible.

Unaware of the tumult of emotions rioting through her, Ranulf bent to cover her passion-bruised mouth with a fleeting kiss. “You pleased me well last night.”

His sunny mood grated on Ariane’s raw sensibilities. Not only did it shock her to be awakened by a naked man’s brazen, carnal attentions, it stung to be reminded so vividly of her surrender—and of her wanton conduct.

“Should I be honored by your praise, my lord?” she responded sourly in a voice still raspy with sleep.

To her surprise, Ranulf laughed, a sound that stunned her with its richness and warmth. “Verily, you should. I do not bestow such praise lightly.” He gazed down at her with heated eyes. “I wonder if the pleasure will be as great, now that the novelty of your virginal state has passed.” With one finger, he traced her lower lip. “I wonder how much greateryour pleasure will be. . . . I vow you tempt me sorely to examine the question, but you will doubtless be tender after having your body used so roughly.”

Her eyes had widened in dismay at his suggestion that they repeat their wicked coupling in broad daylight, but at Ranulf’s consideration, she relaxed to a degree. Testing his theory, Ariane moved her hips gingerly and winced at the twinge she felt between her thighs.

“Does it pain you?”

Grudgingly she shook her head. Her physical symptoms pained her far less than her conscience did. “Not much.”

“Good.” Ranulf smiled indulgently. “You may sleep for the remainder of the morning, but I had best rise. My men will not wonder to find me still abed with a winsome wench, yet I have matters that need my attention.”

Ariane shut her eyes in mortification. After the scene she had made last eve in the hall, his men would know precisely what had passed between them during the night. She had lain with Ranulf, if not eagerly, then without protesting overmuch.

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