Read Online At Her Service (Swords of Passion) by Cerise Deland - Free Book Online

flowed closer to him, and in the pristine beauty of a chilled land, she pressed against him and up on her toes. Against his lips, she whispered, “Today, tonight is all we have. We shall be about our duty to each other and this kingdom quickly. And this time, I vow to do it with a bit more joy to comfort us when days and nights are colder than these.”
    He crushed her close and lifted her up against him in such a sweep of delight that he spun her about. And when he set her down, she traced his mouth with one fingertip and stretched up to kiss him sweetly.
    “Run home, Elise. Time is short, but my need for you is long and very hard.”
    For the first time in years, she threw back her head and laughed heartily. “I need to see the proof!”
    He spun her around and gave her a whack on the ass with the flat of his hand. “Get you to my bed, woman. I’ll show you proof such as you have never seen.”

Chapter Five

    Snuggling under his covers in his room, Elise revelled in the softness of the linens and martens she had ordered the servants to throw on his bed. An honoured guest deserved the best the Earl of Atherton had. He had plenty of it to share. Even Alphonse’s serfs boasted of their comfortable pallets beneath the stairs and in the kitchen.
    She rolled over to face the door. What you do here, Elise, ensures they will live that way much longer. Phillip Crosby gives no regard to his servants. ‘Tis said he beats them for the smallest discourtesy. Worse, t hey were renowned in these climes for their greediness—and their interest in absorbing Alphonse’s estate into theirs was one ripe evidence. But I will not think of them now.
    The door opened, and Simon closed it behind him. At sight of her, surprise widened his features. He froze, his eyes on her face. “You frown, Elise. I thought you accepted—“
    “I think not of us, Simon. But of the Crosbys .” She tossed him a brilliant smile and beckoned him with an outstretched hand. “I will forget them now for the next hour. Come kiss me.”
    Simon’s lush lips opened in a joyful expression. He lifted one long brow. “You order me about?”
    “Very well, stay there then.” She flung back the covers to show him her naked body. “Stir the fire, Simon. There,” she whispered then tipped her head towards the one blazing in the wall, “and consider the one here.” She ran two hands from her hair to her cheeks, her throat, her breasts, her waist and hips. Kneading the flesh of her thighs, she caressed her belly and thrust her fingers into her nest of hair.
    Her cheeks flushed with her boldness, and as she shivered with enjoyment of her own touch, she watched him walk towards the fireplace. He stood in profile to her, but she could tell he narrowed his gaze, concentrating with too much purpose on the spark and flames of the logs. “Have you ever made love to yourself, Elise?”
    Her fingers fanned out over her frothy curls. “Nay.”
    He faced her. “You have thought of it, though?”
    She combed her curls, and the friction tickled and titillated her. “Aye.”
    He devoured her actions with his eyes. “Why never to do it then?”
    “Why?” She caught his gaze and once more recalled Ulred’s advice to do as instinct instructed with this lover. “Because, my Knight Divine, I have never had such manly inspiration.”
    He sucked in his breath. “I would see more then.”
    She smiled at him, her mouth watering to taste him, all of him. Purring like a cat, she spread herself out, arms wide in the luxurious bedding, legs brazenly dropping open to let him view his fill. Her body flared with excitement at Simon’s regard, and the crackling of the fire stirred her appetite for his acclaim.
    Simon advanced, walking to and fro to survey her at every aspect and at his leisure. He hovered over every curve as he had had no time to do the other night when first they had mated. This time, his eyes lingered and caressed and his mouth dropped open at the sight of her