Lady's Minstrel by N.J. Walters Page B

fingers shook but she reached out and took the wine. She even managed to get it to her mouth and take a sip without spilling it. Reys nodded his approval, so she took another sip.
    His lips turned up in a gentle smile and she stilled, the cup still pressed to her lips. He was devastatingly handsome when he smiled. And she was ordinary. Where he was as fierce as his namesake, she was a small wren with brown hair and brown eyes. She wasn’t tall and willowy, but short and rounded. Her skin was her best feature as it was smooth and unmarred by blemishes. Still, she had to wonder if he was disappointed by the way she looked.
    Her nerves came back full force and he didn’t help matters when he turned and walked around to the other side of the bed, tugging off his tunic as he went. He removed a knife from the sheath at his waist and placed it on a table beside the bed. Then he pulled off his boots and the rest of his clothing.
    She closed her eyes, half afraid to watch. But curiosity got the better of her and she peeked. Naked, he appeared even larger than when he was fully clothed. His legs were as thick as tree trunks, his arms heavily roped with muscle. His chest was broad and lightly furred. Her gaze dropped, following the thin line of hair that bisected his stomach.
    Alicia swallowed and almost choked on the wine. He was fully aroused, his cock long and thick. The bulbous head was darker than the shaft and reminded her of a ripe plum. This would never work. He was much too big.
    Reys climbed onto the bed beside her, ignoring the way she jumped as his thigh touched hers. He took the wine from her and set it on the table beside the knife.
    Carefully, he had framed her face in his hands, his blue eyes staring hard into hers. “I will never hurt you in anger, Alicia. You are my wife and the mother of my future children and I will always respect that and care for you.”
    Then he kissed her.
    His mouth touched hers gently. He tasted of wine and man, a heady brew. His tongue stroked along the seam of her mouth, tasting and teasing. “Open for me, sweet Alicia.”
    Unable to deny him, she did as he asked. His tongue snaked inside and touched hers. The sensation made her breasts tingle and started an ache low in her belly. Wanting to touch him, she raised her hand and placed it on his cheek. He smiled and deepened the kiss.
    Heat suffused her, leaving her feeling restless, wanting more. She let her hand slip from his face, down the strong column of his neck to his chest. His heart pounded against her palm as she delighted in the play of muscle beneath his skin.
    He pulled away from her and touched her cheek. “Let’s get this off you.” He tugged on the hem of her thin chemise. She clutched at the front of the garment as he drew it over her knees, his fingers brushing the insides of her thighs.
    The ache between her legs intensified and she felt wet in her most private area. Uncertainty filled her. What should she do?
    The gown was at the tops of her thighs now. Reys paused and she breathed a sigh of relief. It was quickly followed by a gasp as he touched her between her thighs.
    “You’re already wet for me.” She could hear the pleasure in his voice as he pushed his hand deeper between her thighs and touched the slick folds of her cleft. “Do you like this, my sweet?”
    Before she could even think to answer, he probed at her opening, gently inserting one thick finger. Alicia couldn’t contain the moan of pleasure that broke from her lips. What he was doing was amazing.
    He smiled and removed his hand. Grasping the ends of her chemise, he pulled it over her head and tossed it aside. Totally naked, she lay beside him, all her shortcomings revealed. Her insecurity grew the longer he stared at her. Instinct had her raising her hands to cover her breasts.
    “No.” He captured her hands in his and laid them flat against the bed. “Don’t cover yourself. You belong to me now. Every delectable inch of you.”
    Leaning down,