Free Forbidden Love by Maura Seger

him."
    "As it was meant to. You have said I am safe so long as your cousin remains unharmed, and I see no reason not to believe you."
    He could not quite suppress his pleasure at this evidence of her trust. His harsh features relaxed somewhat as a different kind of tension grew within his hard, lean body. Almost without his being aware of it, he took a step toward her.
    "Roanna. . ."
    This was the time to make some lightly jesting comment that would break the mood. But she was helpless to do so. Instead, she could only stare up at him, her entire being caught by the silvery depths of his eyes and the heady promise of his nearness.
    When his large, calloused hands reached out to touch her gently, she made no effort to pull back. Her body slipped as naturally into his embrace as though it was the one place she was most meant to be.
    Several times in Normandy, Roanna had allowed herself to be kissed by young lords eager to win her favor. She had done so not out of any yearning for their touch, but in simple curiosity. Despite their undoubted expertise, she had come away still baffled by what compelled men and women to behave in such a fashion.
    Now in a single instant the mystery began to unravel. The first touch of Colin's tips against her own sent fire spiraling through her body. All pretense to modesty vanished before the overwhelming need to know more of what he was clearly willing to teach her.
    The gentle pressure of his mouth was enough to make hers open willingly. Enveloped in the warmth of his powerful arms, she trembled as strong, knowing hands slid down her back to draw her even closer. A fierce surge of pleasure tore through her as she felt Colin's huge body quiver in response. Joyful at the realization that he was not immune to her, Roanna welcomed the first tentative thrust of his tongue with unbridled eagerness.
    A low groan broke from him as his restraint snapped. Avidly he took the full sweetness she offered, savoring her to the utmost Pressed so closely together that not a breath of air could move between them, they luxuriated in their exploration of one another.
    Roanna found quickly that she loved the taste and scent of him. The clean, slightly musky aroma of his skin sent ripples of delight coursing through her even as the flavor of his tongue and mouth drew her like nectar.
    All thought of anything beyond the quiet, sun-dappled hut vanished. There was no world beyond his embrace, no consideration of anything but Colin and the extraordinary sensations he was making her feel.
    Just as the spiraling waves of pleasure threatened to erupt beyond all control, he drew back. His breath was ragged and a dull flush shone on his high-boned cheeks.
    "I didn't mean. . . Roanna, you intoxicate me. . . ."
    No force on earth could suppress the giggle of purely feminine delight that slipped from her at this admission. Heady with the burgeoning sense of her womanly power, she moved against him temptingly.
    "D-don't. . ." Colin grated.
    The strong arms that had held her so tenderly a moment before were now pushing her firmly away.
    "You don't realize what you're doing," he muttered thickly.
    On the contrary, she knew exactly what she was about. In Colin she found exactly the combination of male strength and gentleness allied to intense sexual attraction that she had always sought The heady combination was more than she could resist nor could she think of any good reason to attempt to do so.
    Dimly in the back of her mind she remembered the deep well of pain and rage that lay between his people and hers. But she pushed that thought aside as determinedly as she tried to move back into his arms.
    Colin thwarted her efforts remorselessly. He could not hope to hide the full state of his arousal, but not for the world would he give in to it Honor and pride, so essential to his very life, demanded that he resist
    His only refuge lay in mockery. Cuttingly he said, "What would your brother make of this scene, my lady? Surely he would