AN: Thank you so much to everyone that's read and reviewed. This takes place some months after Chapter 3 of 'Closer to Heaven'. El and Elle are getting on quite well, I think... ;) The second part will be posted in a week and a half!

It was damn late. Elleree Rowan sighed quietly, resolving herself to finishing the night out as best she could in the tavern without her uncle's help. He'd come down with a cold, nothing serious but he'd been working far too hard and more than anything he needed time to rest.

Unfortunately, it was one of the busiest nights she'd seen since she had started working for her uncle and she was having a hard time keeping up with the crowds - especially the knights who seemed to have endless energy - though she had no idea from where they had found it - and bottomless stomachs...

But it was almost midnight now and a group of about a dozen of the kings guardians and knights were still going strong. The castle was nearly complete again, the princess's wedding was near; she knew they were celebrating and she did not like to call a halt to the much needed cheer. And she was loathe to turn down their good money...

As long as they were buying her ale, she was serving it.

As the next hour passed however, the jovial men showed no signs of slowing down, but she couldn't shake the image of her warm, cozy bed, so she began trying to think of a polite way to ask them to please get the hell out of her tavern so she could go to sleep.

And that was when she heard the creak of the heavy wooden door as it swung open.

"I'm sorry," she called out quickly. "I'm just about to - " Elleree stopped short as she turned from the bar to find Elmont standing just inside the tavern door, one hand resting on the hilt of his sword, looking his normal unbearably handsome, sternly intimidating self.

Every one of the men at her tables stood immediately to salute their captain though some wobbled as they did so, and Elleree could not bite back the grin that curved her mouth.

"Finish your drinks and head out," Elmont commanded with a curt nod. "Work on the grounds isn't close to finished and you all have to report to duty early tomorrow."

The men all answered with a perfunctory 'yessir' and Elmont nodded again, his expression not losing a bit of sternness. "On with you, then."

He moved to take his own seat and Elleree poured a mug for him, smiling warmly as she served it. "On the house," she murmured. "And thanks for the rescue," she added quietly. "I'm exhausted."

His expression finally broke and he returned her smile, his fingers brushing discreetly across hers as he took the glass. "At your service, milady."

Elleree grinned again and then turned, trying to not give herself away, but it was difficult when he was near - to not just shout to the world how happy he made her. But she tried.

Slowly she began to clean up, clearing empty glasses a few at a time and wiping off tables. Some men behind her were talking, but she didn't think they realized she was near enough to hear.

"What do ya reckon Captain's orders have less to do with 'duty' and more to do with with that pretty barmaid that likely warms his bed every night..."

Elleree turned around, giving a little shove to the knights shoulder from behind. "Hey."

He turned in his chair, eyes wide as he looked up at her and then when he caught sight of Elmont, sitting within hearing distance, he stood up swiftly. "Ma'am..."

She leveled one finger at him, poking him in the chest as she narrowed her eyes, waiting a moment before she spoke so she could watch him squirm. "I'm not a barmaid."

The knight gulped but nodded readily. "Sorry, ma'am, of course not, I - er,"

"Alright," Elmont interrupted, standing up himself. "That's enough. Night's over, men."

Elleree turned toward him, and winked, grinning and though he didn't return the smile, she saw the sparkle in his eye.

When everyone else had finally left, he came up beside her at the bar, chuckling as she faced him. "You certainly know how to handle a few unruly men," he grinned, letting his guard down now that they were alone.

"A few?" she teased. "There were at least a dozen of them. And you should have seen the place a few hours ago. Packed."

"Well, I'm impressed. And I'm sorry about that comment..." His brow furrowed as he regarded her and she knew he was trying to gauge how much and if the slight had bothered her, but she cast him a soft smile to assuage his worry.

"Hey, it's true..."

Elmont grimaced, but she tried not to laugh knowing he was much more concerned with propriety than she was, and he was probably right. But she had been judged her entire life, and she'd learned long ago not to let it affect her or it would end up breaking her down. Life was too short for that.

"All that matters is that I know you love me," she added softly.

"And I do," he assured her, sliding his arm around her waist. "And I will marry you, as soon as we can..."

"We'll see," Elleree smiled. In her mind, there was no hurry, at least as long as she wasn't pregnant, and the world seemed to agree with her - a new crisis popping up anytime Elmont tried to sit her down to talk about it. She loved him truly, she did, she had just spent so much of her life alone, the thought of being tied to someone, even someone as wonderful as Elmont, was not the easiest thing for her to accept.

Still, for him, she would try, as best as she could.

Elleree leaned up to give him a kiss on the cheek before she turned with a stack of dirty glasses to take to the back and Elmont leaned across the bar. "Can I help?" he asked, though she knew he already knew the answer.

"No. Just want to clear the tables and I'll do the rest tomorrow before I open. At least I know that lot won't be back early," she joked.

Elmont laughed and took a seat, continuing to watch as she gathered the remaining mugs. "How's your Uncle?" he asked.

"He's alright," she answered, coming back to the bar and wiping her hands on a towel. "I checked in on him at supper. He ate a little soup and went back to bed. At least he's sleeping, I think he'll be well in a day or two."

"I'm glad to hear that," he said.

Elleree moved around the counter and Elmont reached for her, unable to hold back now it seemed, that they were alone. "Are you hungry?" she asked even as his hand slid around her waist and he urged her closer.

His blue gaze flickered, heated, and he pulled her to him as he shook his head. "No."

Elleree smiled, running her hands across the smoothness of the leather armor that covered his chest until she met with bare skin. "Are you... staying?"

Elmont's smile widened, his eyes darkened and his fingers pressed tightly against her lower back. "I shouldn't," he lied.

Still sitting on the stool, his legs parted as he drew her nearer, and she leaned into his body, reveling in his warmth.

Elleree couldn't help the cheeky grin that curved her mouth as she ran her fingers into the soft hair at the nape of his neck and pressed herself closer to him. "That's too bad," she sighed. Her mouth was so close to his now she could feel his breath on her lips. Her eyes flicked up to meet his own and the desire that was catching fire in the dark blue depths made her breath hitch. "I've been working so hard, I could really use someone to tuck me in."

Elmont chuckled and Elleree couldn't help but press herself even closer, her arms tightening around his shoulders.

Leaning forward, he barely brushed his lips across hers and she sighed softly.

"You know," he started, his voice low and sexy, his hands slipping a little lower on her hips. "If I stay, you won't be getting much rest."

Elleree nodded. "But a bit of attention that I have a feeling will make me feel better all the same."

For a moment, he looked at her and Elleree held her breath. Elmont was so intense sometimes and she couldn't help but wonder what was in that head of his. Whatever it was she hoped it was good. She had a feeling it was similar to her own feelings though - entirely overwhelmed and overjoyed with the connection between them. And desperate for more.

This seemed to be proven in the next moment as he pulled her tight and captured her mouth eagerly. With her hips snug between his legs, she could feel him now beginning to harden and it sent delicious tremors through her entire body.

Momentarily she broke the kiss to take a breath before softly bringing her mouth back to his, parting her lips and letting the tip of her tongue dart out to taste his. Elmont returned the gesture, but pushed farther, deeper, and passion flared to life between them.

Moments later when they pulled apart, Elleree cast him a warm smile and couldn't help rubbing against him just a bit, loving the feel of him but wishing there wasn't so much armor between them.

Elmont gave a mock sigh, and let his fingers stroke her waist. "Fine," he conceded, shaking his head. "I'll stay. For you, milady."

Elleree laughed but swatted his shoulder. "You know you don't have to be so proper when it's just the two of us, Captain."

"Old habits, and all that " he answered, voice haughty. "I don't have the experience you do in acting so...whimsical."

Elleree rolled her eyes, still smiling.

"But I'm always willing to learn something new," he continued. "Would you like to take me upstairs and show me a thing or two."

Elleree lifted one brow. "I can think of a thing or two I'd like you to show me."

"My dear lady," he scoffed. "I can't pretend to know what you mean by that."

"Ha." Elleree rolled her eyes again and turned to put the towel away but before she knew it Elmont was lifting her up and over his shoulder like a sack of grain and Elleree squealed in surprise but quickly hushed not wanting to wake her uncle. "Hey!" She laughed.

"Quiet there," Elmont replied, swatting her behind lightly.

Elleree laughed and found she didn't really mind that much. His playfulness caused her stomach to flutter with anticipation, and hiked over his shoulder as she was she found her view of his backside wasn't so bad either.

Anyway it was only a moment before they were in her room and Elmont was dropping her on the bed and locking the door.

Elleree laughed, but settled back against the pillows while Elmont stood at the end of the bed, one eyebrow arched, hands on his hips, looking rugged and masculine and so so good.

"What first, my lady."

Elleree grinned. "Armor. Off."

"As you say." Piece by piece, he removed the entirety of his armor until he was wearing only his plain black jerkin which clung to his torso, and his black pants.

"Boots." Elleree said simply when he straightened to face her. Elmont smirked as he turned to sit on the bed but removed his footwear efficiently.

"Shirt," she continued as soon as he was done with that. Keeping his place on the edge of the bed, Elmont reached, crossing his arms over his chest to grasp the hem of his tunic and lifted it up and over his head.

Elleree smiled to herself, watching the play of rippling muscles across his broad back as he moved and stretched.

She sighed and Elmont finally turned around, a knowing smile quirking his lips. "I'm detecting a pattern," he said. "One I think you yourself should be repeating right about now."

"Of course. You're getting the hang of this I think, Captain."

Elmont moved to crawl up the bed toward her as she made quick work of her clothes. "I'm a fast learner," he teased. By the time he was perched next to her she was wearing only her shift and she was eager to feel him skin to skin so she turned to wrap her arms around him.

Elmont moved deftly catching her in his sure embrace and effortlessly it seemed fitting her body tight against his.

"I'm not going to ask what's next," he murmured, brushing his lips teasingly over her cheek and down the slope of her neck. "Do you know why?"

He lifted his head to look at her but before she could answer, he bent to nip the pulse point in her neck, and she shivered, almost beyond words.

"Mmmhm...?" Was all she could manage.

"I think I've got the idea now..."

"Oh?" She said, pressing her hands against his chest for a moment.

"Mmm," he replied. "Simply go with what I'm feeling, correct? Let...loose."

"Exactly," Elleree grinned, running her fingers over the soft fine hairs on his chest.

"And with inspiration like this," he added, his voice husky as he slid his palm over the rounded contours of her body. "It's not hard..."

"Oh really?" Elleree pressed her hips closer to his. "It feels pretty hard to - "

Her saucy retort was cut short as he sealed his mouth to hers and stole the last of her breath with a passionate open-mouthed kiss. Elleree felt every thought dissipate in her mind as he continued kissing her and his hand slid down to her thigh and then began to make it's way under her thin shift. Slowly, his fingertips traced the curve of her hip and then shifted down and Elleree was gasping for breath.

Quick learner, indeed.

tbc...

An: Please review!