Free Heart's Ransom (Heart and Soul) by Kathryn Loch Page B

to both madden and calm him.  His body suddenly came alive, every nerve awake, every sense focused on her.  She gazed up at him, her eyes liquid.
    “I...won’t take in any more strays, Talon.”
    “Aye.”  He continued to gaze at her, watching in bemused fascination as her throat muscles worked convulsively.
    “Is...is there something wrong, my lord?”
    “Nay.”  He could not resist her siren’s call as he reached out and lightly traced his fingertips over her soft cheek.
    Gwen closed her eyes and shivered, her tongue darting out to dampen her lips.  Talon lost himself to her innocent seduction.  His body roaring with desire, his muscles trembling, and need pounding through the very core of his being, he slowly moved his fingers to her chin and tilted her head up.  Lightly he brushed his lips over hers once then twice.  He heard a tiny gasp escape her and crushed his mouth against hers.
    She stiffened in surprise, pressing herself more firmly against the wall.  Talon’s body ignited with a primal fire he had never experienced before.  Her lips were drugging, her scent intoxicating, and the feel of her under his hand more than he could bear.  He traced his tongue lightly over her bottom lip and she instinctively opened her mouth.  Talon swept inside, savoring the honeyed heat of her mouth, the wondrous sensation of her body relaxing, and molding against his.
    Desire pooled deep in his loins, quickening his body.  Suddenly they both had on too many clothes.  His hands traveled her face, moving to the silk of her hair, his fingers loosening the plaits.  Dear God in heaven, never had he wanted to make love to a woman so badly.
    Suddenly he ended the kiss, his breath coming in ragged gasps.  The pounding in his skull increased tenfold with his unreleased lust.  Saints have mercy, what was he doing?  He blinked down at her, struggling to refocus his vision.  Never in his life had he felt such a thing, never had he so completely lost control.
    Gwen gazed up at him, stunned, her lips reddened from his kiss.  Talon battled the fiend she had loosed within him but he could not make himself move away.
     
    ****
     
    Gwen had never been kissed by a man and the encounter left her breathless and shaking.  She suddenly felt as if her stomach had flipped over and her heart was now located in her throat.  The glorious sensations rioting within her were terrifying and wonderful at the same time.  A strange energy seemed to flow between them, as if an approaching lightning storm charged the air.
    She marveled at the power yet tenderness of his kiss.  Talon was not a man who took no for an answer but she knew instinctively he would never force her.  She gazed up at him, absorbing every detail of his handsome face, the strong jaw, the elegant sweep of his cheekbone, the beautiful browns and golds in his eyes.  His lashes lowered, the pupils in his eyes large, giving him a hooded, seductive look.  But she saw too clearly the worry lines and the dark shadows around his eyes.  Something was causing him great pain.  Her brow furrowed in concern and she reached up, cupping his cheek in her hand.
    His reaction startled her.  For a brief instant he leaned slightly toward her hand, squeezing his eyes closed.  His shoulders relaxed as if they could no longer bear the burden upon them.  The pain of his expression became more evident.  Gwen knew all he longed for was an end to his torture, to somehow find peace from whatever demon tormented his soul. 
    Her heart twisted painfully.  What caused him such agony?  Something was afoot at Montgomery Castle but she did not know what.  The servants were very quick to stop their gossip if she entered a room.  But she had heard mention that Talon wasn’t sleeping; instead he stalked the ramparts at night, trying to find peace from his ghosts.
    She wished her touch, her embrace, could shelter him even if only for a moment.  Her fingers lightly traveled over his face and