Royden gave a hardy laugh. “And here I thought you were clumsy.”
“I was in love with you then and I’m in love even more with you now. I could never love another, want another, have such a need for another as I do for you. You have my heart and love always.”
Royden rushed them behind one of the storage sheds, pinning her against it with his body as his lips came down on hers. He’d kissed other women, nothing meaningful, more out of curiosity, but the kisses where nothing compared to how he felt when he kissed Oria.
It was magical. There was no other way to describe it. As soon as his lips touched hers, he was lost in a world of pure magic. Everything seemed to fade away, concerns, fears, doubts magically disappeared and he felt a contentment he’d never felt. Of course, he also grew aroused and it had grown harder and harder to keep his hands off her. She hadn’t stopped him when his hands had touched her breasts the first time, though she had pushed him away when he had rubbed his hard shaft against her.
It’s not that I don’t want you, but I won’t sully my family’s good name.
Her gentle warning had stayed with him and he’d never done it again… until now with only three days till they wed. Knowing they’d soon be husband and wife, his impatience had grown along with his manhood.
He settled his swollen shaft against the apex of her legs, in that sweet spot he yearned to touch and ached to slip into. He shifted his hips while pressing against her and he was beyond happy when instead of pushing him away, she pressed against him, encouraging him.
Good Lord, but he wanted to slip inside her and bring them both the pleasure they had been denying themselves.
Reluctantly, he moved his lips off hers and whispered, “Our wedding night can’t get here soon enough.”
A small moan fell from her lips and sent his passion and need soaring. He wisely and hastily stepped away from her.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have encouraged you, but I can’t help myself. I have an awful need for yo—”
He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her deep and quick. “Don’t ever apologize for encouraging me or needing me. I’m happy that you admit it. Knowing you want me as badly as I do you fills my heart with joy.” He lowered his whisper to a faint murmur. “It does, however, keep me rock hard.”
Her eyes fluttered closed for a second. “I can’t wait to touch you, feel you, have you slip inside me—”
He stepped away from her again. “Don’t… my need and impatience are too great.”
“So is mine.”
Royden turned, ready to rush her off somewhere where he could satisfy them both, and disappointment stabbed at him. She had left their private spot to stand out where anyone passing could see them.
“I’m as disappointed as you, but it’s only three days and then you’re stuck with me,” Oria said with a teasing grin.
“And you with me,” he said, walking over to her and took her hand.
A soft laugh fell from her lips along with her words. “It is good then that we love each other.”
“Let me go, Arran!”
Royden and Oria turned to see Arran all but dragging Raven toward the keep.
“Not this time. You’ll answer to Da and you’ll tell me who it was you warned to run away,” Arran said.
“Never!” Raven spat.
Royden and Oria hurried over to them.
“What’s going on, Arran?” Royden asked.
“Our dear little sister was spying on me in the barn again and she had someone with her, though she refuses to tell me who so I can see her punished as well.”
Raven looked to Oria, hoping her warning was clear not to betray Purity.
“Do you know who she was with in the barn?” Royden asked, turning to Oria.
Oria wanted no lies between her and Royden and the way he asked her she could answer honestly. “I don’t know who was in the barn with her.”
Raven was relieved at her response. She feared what Bayne might do to Purity if Arran confronted him about it.
“I don’t know what all the fuss is about,” Raven complained. “I only saw your naked arse this time.”
“Raven!”
She froze at the sound of her father’s shout. He had heard her.
“She needs to be sent to the convent,” Arran said.
“Traitor,” Raven snapped, glaring at Arran.
“Inside now!” her da ordered.
Raven took a wide berth around her da as she hurried to the keep, not that he’d raise his hand to her. He never did, though he looked awfully angry. She had given her word she wouldn’t do it again. For that she was sorry. She sighed, knowing she’d been wrong and wondering how to make it right.
“Raven has a fierce, stubborn streak to her, Da, that I fear will bring her harm one day,” Arran said.
“Or give her strength that she might need one day,” Oria said, feeling the need to defend her.
“You will be a sister to her soon, Oria. Tell me you will help me with Raven or I fear I’ll have no choice but to send her to the convent,” Parlan said.
A pain jabbed at her chest, but it was nothing to what Oria sensed Raven would feel if told she was being sent to the convent. Raven was far too spirited to be locked away and it hurt Oria to even think about such a dreadful thing happening to her.
“I’m sure I can help her learn the propriety she lacks,” Oria assured him, hoping she’d be able to accomplish the task, but having doubts.
“Mark my words, Da. One day Raven is going to do something that we won’t be able to help her with or protect her. And I fear that day the most,” Arran said.
Chapter 5
Raven took herself off to the woods to avoid the endless parade of preparations for the wedding in two days and her two brothers’ scowling faces every time they looked at her. Both had been annoyed that their father’s punishment had not been severe enough for what she had done. But having been sent to her bedchamber for the remainder of the day yesterday had been complete torture to her.
It was also the reason she chose to remain outside. She couldn’t stand the confines of the keep any longer. Besides, Purity was probably in the woods. They had talked about visiting today, but Purity didn’t want anyone to know she was there. She feared her brother would discover and think that she came there to beg Arran to marry her again.
Raven had stopped in the barn to scoop up the kitten Purity favored and when she reached the spot where they had agreed to meet, Purity squealed with delight.
“You brought him,” Purity said and hurried to take the kitten from Raven.
The kitten practically jumped out of Raven’s arms and into Purity’s to snuggle and purr against her. Then he crawled up her chest and along her shoulders, meowing as he went as if declaring Purity belonged to him. Once done, he curled himself in the crook of her arm to sleep.
“It’s a shame you can’t take him home. He favors you as much as you do him,” Raven said.
Purity sighed softly. “I wish I could, but he’s safer here and I do love to visit.”
“You don’t need a reason to visit. We’re friends now and you’re welcome here any time.”
“That means a lot to me, Raven.”