The Price of Freedom by Jenny Schwartz

Author:Jenny Schwartz
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Carina Press
Published: 2010-09-30T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

Mischa woke to the aroma of coffee and fresh baked bread, a welcome aroma since she was starving. Starving and smugly pleased with how she’d earned that hunger. Without opening her eyes, she smiled.

Firm, familiar lips touched hers, tasting her smile, then deepening into a passionate greeting.

She savored the coffee flavor of Rafe’s mouth and felt the brush of his robe along her skin as he bent over her. She threaded her fingers through his hair and held him firmly to his task, reaffirming their desire.

“Good morning,” he said huskily, kissing a path along the curve of her throat.

“Good morning.” She shivered as his tongue teased the tender skin behind her ear.

He nipped her earlobe. “I have breakfast.”

“Coffee,” she whispered.

“Honey,” he answered.

Her stomach gurgled unromantically.

Rafe laughed and broke off kissing her. “First we’ll eat.” But his hands lingered, caressing her breasts as he watched her flushed face.

“Breakfast,” Mischa reminded him, smiling.

“I remember.” He helped her rise and found her discarded robe.

She wrapped it around herself, grateful he realized that despite the night’s abandoned loving, she wasn’t ready to breakfast naked.

A low table held the breakfast foods: flat bread, honey, soft cheeses, fruits and, most important, coffee.

“Wonderful.” Mischa sank cross-legged onto a floor cushion.

Rafe sat comfortably beside her. They ate simply, not teasing or speaking, just enjoying the flavors and the gentle surge of energy from being near one another.

“When we have finished breakfast I will show you the oasis. There are deer in a corner where the grass grows by a shallow spring. There are finches, and the eagle flies high above. Many birds nest among the fruit trees. They fill the silence. If there is anything missing, anything you want here, I will get it.”

“Because I can’t.”

Rafe went still.

Mischa sighed. “I know that wasn’t fair. You gentled Haya’s wish as much as you could, and you’ve stolen time for us. You’ve behaved well. It’s I who have kicked and screamed against necessity.” She gripped his hand. “I’m glad for this time with you. Glad. It’s only my pride taking a beating because I’m dependent on your kindness. I’m sorry I hurt you with my words.”

“Your complaint remains a true one,” he said solemnly. “You are my prisoner.”

“A willing prisoner.”

“Truly?” He studied her. “I know how bonds fetter the soul.”

She smiled into his fierce regard. “I want you, Rafe. I’m happy to be with you.” She stood and pulled him to his feet. “Show me your oasis, your home.”

He slid his hands inside her robe and dragged her hard against him. “Later.”

“Later I mightn’t have the strength,” she teased, wanting the darkness in his eyes to ease. She had hurt him, and that wasn’t fair. He had introduced her to joy last night, given her patience and tenderness as well as glory. Her guilt at ignoring duty to the people she’d been appointed to guard was not Rafe’s guilt. He deserved a return of joy.

“Do I weaken you, Mischa?” His hands traced patterns of pleasure over her skin.

“Yes.” She sighed her answer, undulating to the stroke of his hands.

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