Knight of Pentacles (Knights of the Tarot Book 3) by Nina Mason Page A

Putting his weight on his knees, he pushed off her, freed his cock from his trews, and lifted her nightgown. Her underwear was white this time and even scanter than the pink pair. Please let her be not too attached to them. He ran his fingers over the crotch, pleased to find it moist. She emitted a soft moan and wriggled against his caressing digits. Desire incinerated his self-control. Hooking two fingers inside her panties, he tore them free and tossed them aside.
    The auburn nest between her legs was a whip on the flanks of his passion for her. Taking his weight on his arms, he lowered himself onto her and took possession with one ardent stroke.
    “As good as this feels, you haven’t answered my question.”
    There was a whiff of mischief in her tone.
    With a satisfied smile, he withdrew to the brink of separation and plunged into her again. “I thought we had retired the subject.”
    “You may have, but I have not.” She released a sigh he did not like in the least. “I’ve only just found my voice, Axel. Please don’t try to take it away from me again.”
    Guilt and self-recrimination sprouted inside his heart like deadly nightshade. Pulling out of her, he moved away and plopped down on the couch at her feet. Picking up his unfinished scotch, he swallowed what was left. “I would never do that.” He stared blankly at the empty glass in his hand. “Not intentionally, anyway.”
    Coming up beside him, she put her hand on his bicep. “I probably shouldn’t say this, given how little time we’ve known each other, but I strongly suspect I’m falling in love with you. I know it sounds mad, but I also know how I feel.” She paused for a breath and to take his glass, which she set on the table beside hers. “I don’t expect you to love me back, but I do hope you’ll allow me to express myself—however much you might not want to hear what I have to say.”
    She’d misunderstood his motives. He had no desire to silence her; he only wanted to protect her. Looking deeply into her eyes, he said with all sincerity, “I will always want to hear what you have to say.”
    Her soft hand brushed his cheek and pushed back his hair. “Does what I just said about the strength of my feelings scare you?”
    “No, it gladdens me. Because I feel the same way.” He reached behind his neck and untied the cord holding the ring. Cupping the wee talisman in his palm, he held it out to her. “I want you to have this. To fall in love after a day might seem mad to some, but not to me, because I believe in fate and magic and divine purpose, Jenna.”
    “I believe in those things, too.” With tears in her eyes, she took the ring from his hand and studied the inscriptions he’d carved into both sides of the circle. “It’s so beautiful. Did you make this especially for me?”
    “Aye.” His throat was so thickened by emotion he could barely get words out. “From a stick of ash I found this morning. After I left you. It will protect you from physical harm and bind us together emotionally. Let us hope it brings us to a better end than the ring Sigurd gave to Brunhilde.”
    “I’m afraid I don’t know the story.” She looked up at him with eyes so full of tenderness it was all he could do not to grab her to him. “Will you share it with me?”
    “Gladly, but first, there are other things I must tell you.” He took a shuddering breath to cool his emotions and steel his nerve. “The first is that my role as a knight requires me to serve my queen in ways you might find…well, objectionable.”
    Concern etched her features. “Objectionable? How so?”
    “As a portal guardian, I have been granted certain freedoms. I am, however, still a knight, still one of the queen’s drones.”
    She withdrew and bit her lip as she regarded him. “Did you say drones ? As in a male bumblebee?”
    Unable to bear her gaze, he looked away. “Aye, and, in the manner of male bumblebees, the main function of a knight is to populate the