Free Blaze by Kate Hill

beautiful to behold.
    Giggling, she melted against him. Blaze smiled, resting his cheek against her head.
    "I’ve never been so lusty. What have you done to me, Sir?" she teased, standing and straightening her tunic.
    "The same thing you've done to me." He drew a deep breath, trying to will his cock into submission.
    Melody's gaze dropped to his crotch and a smile touched her lips. "We really must do something about this swelling."
    "I’m all for trying, but I fear it's a recurring condition." He stood and grasped her shoulders, massaging gently. "I get this way every time I think about you."
    Lifting her face to his, she was about to kiss him when someone tapped on the door.
    "Come in," she called, touching her hair and stepping into the herbarium while Blaze turned to the fire and attempted to take control of his body. Since meeting her, he seemed to have regressed to
    the physical capabilities of an eighteen-year-old boy. All he had to do was think of her and he was toting a sword to rival the one he had given up for the Green Sash Faction.
    "A message for Sir Blaze," said a feminine voice. A glance toward the door revealed Melody accepting a note from a young girl who assisted Rose in the bird tower.
    The girl left and Blaze joined Melody, taking the note from her.
    He smiled. "I'm not needed at the fortress after all. We have the night."
    "And I'm sure we'll find wonderful ways to spend it."
    "With a meal first? I checked your stew and it smells ready."
    Together, they filled their bowls with the fragrant vegetable stew and sat at the table by the window. Dusk had settled on the courtyard. By the time they'd finished their meal, the room had grown quite dark, so Melody lit two lanterns. She washed the dishes and Blaze dried, though they paid far more attention to each other than to their tasks.
    Afterward, they carried the lanterns to the bedroom. Melody closed the door behind her and undressed. Reluctantly, Blaze turned from her to rekindle the fire. When he looked back, she was smiling at him from the bed, her curves concealed by a blanket. While he removed his clothes, she stared at him with a seductive expression that sent his heart soaring.
    Never in his life had Blaze spent an entire night with a woman, yet sharing a bed with Melody seemed natural. He slipped into the bed and tugged her close.
    "I don’t think I've ever been this happy," Melody said and kissed his chest.
    "Me either. I hope this night lasts a long time."
    "Morning will come too quickly. You know that."
    "I want to see you again soon."
    "As do I, but I'm busy here for the next several days."
    "As I will be at the home fortress. I have intensive training scheduled with several of the new recruits."
    "How about the end of the week? May I visit with you?"
    "Oh, Sweet Music." He stroked her cheek and caressed her hair. "You needn't ask. I will always welcome you."
    "Maybe I could spend a few days, then?"
    "Yes. It might also be a good time to officially announce our engagement."
    "Yes. I doubt I could wait an entire week without telling Glenna, at least."
    "Then we'll tell who we like and have a celebration at the week's end."
    Melody raised herself onto her elbow and gazed at him, her brow furrowing. "Does any of this make you nervous at all? I mean, we only met yesterday."
    "But it's right. I can feel it."
    "So can I. I've just never moved this quickly before—outside of life and death situations, that is."
    "Do you not want this?"
    "I do. Very much."
    As she settled into his arms, he realized that he had no doubts about making their relationship permanent. Blaze had never thought about love at first sight, but now that it struck, he refused to question it.
    * * *
    "A word with you, Sir!" Lock called as he crossed the training field behind the fortress at Rubyshire.
    Blaze lifted his gaze from where he performed pushups on the grass. Around him other members of his faction engaged in strength exercises and sparring. The Green Sash Faction trained