the mountains, Richelle. I would not take you away from your home unless it was necessary.”
Richelle leaned against his palm and nodded. Shifting her to his side he began to rise. She watched in rapt fascination as he stood. His chest expanded when he spread his arms wide embracing the night like a welcome lover. The muscles in his biceps flexed with every movement. He stretched his arms upward and leaned his head back, taking a deep breath of the night air. She let her eyes roam over his body and smiled in appreciation.
There wasn’t an ounce of fat on his powerfully built body. The soft glow of the campfire played against his tawny skin and gave it an unnatural golden glow, as if it could absorb the power of fire and then emit its own illumination. With the exception of the chocolate brown hair that hung to his shoulders, his body was devoid of hair. Smooth, she could see every dip and ripple of his lean and muscular frame.
Abruptly, his arms dropped to his sides, and his head snapped down where his gaze could meet hers. His eyes were the same chocolate brown as his hair but darkened to black as he gazed at her, the muscle in his cheek ticcing. She could not stop the onslaught of his emotions under his intense scrutiny. She felt the admiration of her strength and courage, his devotion to her, and his mounting desire.
Of Night and Desire
69
Her body grew hot as his gaze intensified. His nostrils flared like a beast scenting his prey. Her eyes grew wide and she was overcome with a feeling of panic. So many emotions in such a short time she didn’t know how to handle them. Happiness, sadness, hatred, fear, desire—it all left her with an overwhelming need to run away.
Her heart beat faster, thumping like a drum in her chest. Used to hiding from everything and everyone, she didn’t know if she could adjust to her changing world. She shrank away from him, only for a moment, but Valya had seen it and sensed her agitation. Reining back his growing lust, he extended his arm, his hand upturned. He waited for her to place her hand in his, a show of trust. He stood motionless while she stared at his hand contemplating. It seemed like an eternity, though it took no more than a few moments to make her decision. With misgivings but a look of wonder and trust upon her face, she placed her hand in his and he helped her to her feet.
“We need to return to the cabin and gather your things. I am sorry to take you away, Richelle. But it is necessary for your safety.”
She nodded as he began to lead her out of the cave.
“Wait, Valya. We can’t go out there like this. You have no clothes and my slip…”
Before she could finish her sentence, they were clothed. She was in a long, flowing dress similar to the one she wore earlier, with longer sleeves to protect her from the chill of the night. It was so much softer, like doe-suede, only the fabric floated softly as she moved. Valya wore the same black pants and shirt she had always seen him wear in her dreams.
His jeans and t-shirts don’t fit him. They’re the right size, but the style is wrong , she mused. With his courtly manner and affected speech, she imagined him better suited in the Renaissance period. Her romantic fancies pictured him upon a dark horse, wearing a burgundy bard shirt belted with a scabbard. His dark breeches would blend into the horse he rode bareback, with his high-top boots pressing into the sides. Wearing a long black cape flowing in the wind, he looked every inch the lord of the manor. She liked that vision…a lot.
The man has absolutely no imagination when it comes to his wardrobe , she thought wryly.
He turned to face her, his face stoic at first but softening as he smiled at her.
70
Mia Bailey
“No, I have no imagination. I need only the basics, something to cover me and help me blend into the night. No more, no less.”
Richelle smiled back as he squeezed her hand, gently pulling her to the mouth of the cave.
“Come. There is a
Richelle leaned against his palm and nodded. Shifting her to his side he began to rise. She watched in rapt fascination as he stood. His chest expanded when he spread his arms wide embracing the night like a welcome lover. The muscles in his biceps flexed with every movement. He stretched his arms upward and leaned his head back, taking a deep breath of the night air. She let her eyes roam over his body and smiled in appreciation.
There wasn’t an ounce of fat on his powerfully built body. The soft glow of the campfire played against his tawny skin and gave it an unnatural golden glow, as if it could absorb the power of fire and then emit its own illumination. With the exception of the chocolate brown hair that hung to his shoulders, his body was devoid of hair. Smooth, she could see every dip and ripple of his lean and muscular frame.
Abruptly, his arms dropped to his sides, and his head snapped down where his gaze could meet hers. His eyes were the same chocolate brown as his hair but darkened to black as he gazed at her, the muscle in his cheek ticcing. She could not stop the onslaught of his emotions under his intense scrutiny. She felt the admiration of her strength and courage, his devotion to her, and his mounting desire.
Of Night and Desire
69
Her body grew hot as his gaze intensified. His nostrils flared like a beast scenting his prey. Her eyes grew wide and she was overcome with a feeling of panic. So many emotions in such a short time she didn’t know how to handle them. Happiness, sadness, hatred, fear, desire—it all left her with an overwhelming need to run away.
Her heart beat faster, thumping like a drum in her chest. Used to hiding from everything and everyone, she didn’t know if she could adjust to her changing world. She shrank away from him, only for a moment, but Valya had seen it and sensed her agitation. Reining back his growing lust, he extended his arm, his hand upturned. He waited for her to place her hand in his, a show of trust. He stood motionless while she stared at his hand contemplating. It seemed like an eternity, though it took no more than a few moments to make her decision. With misgivings but a look of wonder and trust upon her face, she placed her hand in his and he helped her to her feet.
“We need to return to the cabin and gather your things. I am sorry to take you away, Richelle. But it is necessary for your safety.”
She nodded as he began to lead her out of the cave.
“Wait, Valya. We can’t go out there like this. You have no clothes and my slip…”
Before she could finish her sentence, they were clothed. She was in a long, flowing dress similar to the one she wore earlier, with longer sleeves to protect her from the chill of the night. It was so much softer, like doe-suede, only the fabric floated softly as she moved. Valya wore the same black pants and shirt she had always seen him wear in her dreams.
His jeans and t-shirts don’t fit him. They’re the right size, but the style is wrong , she mused. With his courtly manner and affected speech, she imagined him better suited in the Renaissance period. Her romantic fancies pictured him upon a dark horse, wearing a burgundy bard shirt belted with a scabbard. His dark breeches would blend into the horse he rode bareback, with his high-top boots pressing into the sides. Wearing a long black cape flowing in the wind, he looked every inch the lord of the manor. She liked that vision…a lot.
The man has absolutely no imagination when it comes to his wardrobe , she thought wryly.
He turned to face her, his face stoic at first but softening as he smiled at her.
70
Mia Bailey
“No, I have no imagination. I need only the basics, something to cover me and help me blend into the night. No more, no less.”
Richelle smiled back as he squeezed her hand, gently pulling her to the mouth of the cave.
“Come. There is a
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