Torn Between Two

Note from me: Well, so many have responded to my little story here, that I updated TWO chapters for you guys!! Enjoy them! For those that may be confused by the whole love situation here is something to help: Murtagh loves both Reilyn and Eragon, Eragon loves Murtagh and poor Reilyn is confused about how she feels...Also, I'm thinking about making a sequel to this one, otherwise I'm afraid this is gonna turn into a freaking Stephen King novel...Tell me what you my readers think! Thanks and much love to all!

Chapter 29

She remembers! Murtagh thought, feeling overjoyed. She remembers that day. . .

He couldn't stop smiling, the excitement ran through his blood, making him feel weak all over. He stared at her, smiling like a fool, biting his lip, and slowly walked over to the bed. He sat down on the edge, back facing her, and dropped his head into his hands, laughing out loud.

She remembers, she remembers, his mind chanted. She remembers

"You remember," he said breathlessly. "You really remember. . ."

"That, yes. . .only that, so far. . ." she whispered.

Murtagh composed himself and turned on the bed to face her, heart racing and mind spinning. He licked his lips and smiled at her before speaking.

"Yes, I was your first kiss," he breathed. "And you were mine."

"I was?" she gave him a curious look, a small smile toying with her lips.

"Yes, you were," he lay back on the bed, closing his eyes. "I remember that you were so shy about it, you wouldn't make eye contact with me for days after!" he laughed.

Murtagh? Thorn whispered. Are you all right? You seem. . .

I'm fine! More than fine, terrific! She remembers our very first kiss! he told his beast excitedly.

Really? Then I guess I need not worry. . .I'll leave you be for now. The ruby beast departed.

"I guess you being shy hasn't really changed," he smiled, rolling to his stomach. "That wasn't the only time when we were kids, you know."

"No, I don't," she whispered shyly, looking away from him.

A small blush was flowering on her skin, starting with her neck and moving up to her face. He rose to his knees and stared at her neck, longing to touch her.

"Well, it wasn't," he said out of breath. "But you were so afraid of it, you didn't really understand what it meant, and I didn't push it. . .I only got brave and kissed you twice more after that. . ."

His self-control was beginning to diminish, he inched closer to her, reached out and traced a finger on her neck. Her eyes closed, she bit her lip, but she allowed him to touch her. He moved behind her, slightly reminded of the day he looked at her shoulder, and ran his hands down her neck, moving over her shoulders, and to her sides. She breathed quickly and leaned back, into him, showing she was trusting him.

"Just like last time," he panted, "you stop me anytime you want. I don't want you to feel like I'm forcing you into anything. . .I'm not, okay?"

Reilyn nodded, keeping her eyes closed, and relaxed into him. He reached down and laced her hands with his, kissing her neck carefully. He could feel her heart race as his lips pressed to a pulse point; he kissed slowly, moving to the other side of her neck and listened to her breath quicken again. She shifted a little, her hands tightening on his, when he reached the other side.

"All right?" he whispered, starting to worry.

"Fine," she said, out of breath, "I'll stop you. . ."

"Good," he breathed, resuming where he left off.

Murtagh eased one of his hands from hers, slowly wrapping his arm around her waist, pulling even closer to her. Her free hand went to the back of his neck, fingers burying themselves into his wet hair. He growled lightly, a pleased growl, and kissed behind her ear. Growling was his way of showing most emotions: pain, pleasure, anger, annoyance. . . .and he could never control it, but at least it didn't frighten Reilyn all too much.

Reilyn turned around in his grip and looked in his eyes. Her hand was still on his neck, tracing patterns at random, and he shivered. He prayed that she wasn't going to say stop, he wanted to keep going, but would stop if she said so. . .no matter how badly he didn't want to.

She eased her other hand from his and ran her fingers over his face. She brushed his wet, raven locks from his eyes, holding his eyes with her all the while, and slowly traced his jaw. Finally, she lightly ran her thumb over his soft lips, eyes moving there instead of staring into his eyes. He smiled and flicked his tongue out, licking her thumb lightly.

----------------------------

Reilyn smiled as Murtagh licked her thumb, continuing to run it along his soft mouth.

I wonder if he'd mind. . .she thought, slowly leaning in.

His hazel eyes looked at her gently, curious as to what she was doing, but they fluttered closed as she brushed her mouth to his. She didn't want to just let Murtagh have all the fun, merely kissing her neck like he had been, she wanted to show him that she was paying attention--she wanted him to know she was learning.

Be careful. . .don't give him the wrong impression. . .just show him he's a good teacher. . .

A growl escaped him as she moved to the pale neck, slowly kissing his warm flesh. She put her hand on his waist, rubbing her thumb over his side, and held the other side of his neck with her right hand.

He thinks I'm so shy, she smiled. He's not wrong, but not all right with that assumption. . .

Reilyn moved down the pale neck, kissing lightly, and felt his hands move to her waist. The man's breath picked up, his heart raced, and his hands tightened a little on her. He shifted and panted as she put one last shy kiss behind his ear before she lay her head on his shoulder. She was done showing, she believed she had made her point.

----------------------------------

So much for total shyness, his mind gasped.

Reilyn had just kissed his neck in the same manner he had kissed hers. She was an excellent learner and had apparently decided to show him that. Now, she rested her head on his shoulder, leaving him slightly confused.

God, what do I do? he thought. I don't want to scare her. . .

"Reilyn," he whispered, slowly pulling her back so he could make eye contact.

She looked at him briefly, then stared away, embarrassed, and bit her lip. Brown eyes closed and she hung her head.

"Reilyn," he breathed, nuzzling her neck, "you learn fast. . .but I'd like to. . .see how good your memory is, how well you remember what you learn, if you don't mind."

A smile spread on her lips and she allowed him to turn her face to his. She kept her eyes closed and her hands on his waist as he brushed her hair from his face. Slowly, he put his mouth to hers, smiling when she kissed back. He gently asked entry and his smile widened when it was granted quickly. His tongue was met by hers and he moaned despite himself, shocked by her actions. Her hands tightened on his waist as she focused on battling with the older boy.

I wonder. . .

Murtagh suddenly quit battling so hard for dominance, letting the girl overcome him slowly. She carefully ventured into his mouth, moving warily, a little unsure. He gently encouraged her, teasing with his tongue, and let out another moan as she grew braver, more dominant. His whole body ached furiously for her and he did everything in his power to stave the urge away.

If she doesn't stop me soon, I'll have to stop myself. . .he realized.

Suddenly, she pulled back, ending it. His body shrieked in protest at the loss, but he was relieved.

"Thank god," he panted, collapsing back.

She looked at him, biting her lip, and was very shy suddenly.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

"No,"he sat up and touched her knee. "Don't be! Trust me, I'm thankful you stopped!"

Brown eyes looked at him with a curious yet knowing look, "Really?"

"Yes," he smiled. "Very thankful. I didn't want you to keep going. . .things were getting a little. . .well. . ." he trailed off. "Just believe me when I say you couldn't have picked a better time to stop, Reilyn, trust me."

A small laugh came from her lips, igniting the ache in him, and he kissed her temple. He slowly crawled off of the bed, trying to prevent himself from any more pain than he was already in.

"I'm going to go for a walk," he mumbled. "I need one."

Reilyn sat biting her lip and looking very guilt ridden at what she had done to him without knowing she had.

"Hey," he said, "look at me."

Slowly, Reilyn looked into his hazel eyes. He smiled an honest, forgiving smile.

"Don't feel bad. It's not your fault, it's more mine really. . .It's all right, this isn't the first time such things have happened to me."

She smirked and stared at her hands, pretending to examine her nails. Another scream from his body caused him to move on.

"Don't worry, I'll be all right," Murtagh laughed, opening the door.

She nodded and kept looking at her hands as he left, still bathed in the firelight and embarrassment.