Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 103333 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103333 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)
“Bella,” Dar called out and the woman hurried over to him. “Did the wander mention where he was going next?”
“Said he was headed south, though where he stopped would be anyone’s guess, since wanderers don’t keep any destination in mind.”
“Had this wander ever stopped here before?”
Bella shook her head. “Nay. He was a rare one. Wanderers don’t usually pass through here, let alone stop and share a tale in exchange for food.”
One of the Hunters raised one of the three pitchers on the table. “Empty.”
Bella grabbed it and hurried off.
The Hunter looked at Dar and lowered his voice. “We hunt the wanderer?”
“It would be wise to speak with him,” Dar said. “Eat and drink. We leave in the morning.” He went to Elara and, seeing she had finished eating, held out his hand to her. “Time to retire for the night.”
Elara took his hand, enjoying the warmth that rushed over her and missing it when he let go so they could climb the narrow staircase to their room.
A decanter of wine and two goblets sat on the small table waiting for them, along with a few honey cakes.
“Bella has been generous with us,” Elara said, not able to resist a sweet honey cake.
Dar filled the two goblets with wine. “I need to find this wanderer and see what truly brought him to Wedderlie, but your task holds just as much importance and cannot be ignored. Is there any place you need to go?”
“I’ve had no visions that points me in a specific direction. I don’t believe this area holds any connection with the healer.”
He listened but barely heard her, his eyes glued to the crumb from the honey cake stuck to her bottom lip. He thought to brush it off, but instead, he leaned down and licked it gently off her lip.
He licked his lips afterward, the honey sweet on his tongue. He couldn’t resist. He leaned down again and kissed her, the sweetness tasting even stronger.
It was an unhurried kiss, one that savored, tempted, sparked desire. One that you could get lost in, linger in, and let loose feelings never felt before.
It ended reluctantly, lips slipping away, returning briefly again and again until Dar finally rested his brow to hers. He remained silent, not sure what to say or understand what he felt. Passion was expected. It lingered in him for his wife but there was something different this time, a powerful pull that seemed to come from deep inside.
Her warm, honeyed breath whispered over his face as she said, “I do believe I have fallen in love with you, husband.”
Her words pierced his heart like a sharp blade, digging deep and firm, planting something or releasing something, he wasn’t sure. He only knew it caused no pain, just the opposite, he felt a strange joy spread through him.
He didn’t know what to say, how to respond to her, and yet, words fell from his lips. “I need you.”
A gentle smile touched Elara’s lips as she said, “And I need you, husband.”
Her words continued to dig deep inside him, as if she was planting herself there, taking root, never to leave. He wanted to do the same. Plant himself inside her so he would always be with her. He knew only one way to do that.
He swung her up into his arms and carried her to the bed, placing her on her feet when he reached it. “I want you naked.”
“Aye,” she said, “I was thinking the same as you.”
Their hands fumbled as they hurried to help each other shed their garments. Her hands faintly skimmed his nipples while his fingers tugged at hers. Whispered touches ran over arms and along waists. Her hand roamed over his backside and his hand squeezed hers.
It was when her hand drifted over his shaft and took hold of it that his hands halted in their tracks.
“So hard, yet so smooth to the touch,” she said softly and rested her brow against his chest and looked down to watch as she stroked his shaft.
He shut his eyes and tried to keep control of his passion, let it linger while trying to stay sane. But when her hand tightened around him and tugged, all clarity and control vanished.
He told himself to stop her, but it felt too good and he let out a groan.
Elara never imagined there was such pleasure in touching a man so intimately and yet her passion soared with every stroke and tug as well as his groans. Her body felt more alive than it ever did, a sensation running through her that caused her to lean against him and rub his shaft against her, hitting the perfect spot that caused an aching moan to rush from her lips.
“Enough,” Dar said, brushing her hand off him and lifting her into his arms to hurry her down on the bed.