There was a fine mist in the air was they rode back to the castle. She sat behind him; there was just enough room on the saddle. Her arms were wrapped tightly around his waist, fingers entwined and her face pressed into his back as she held on for dear life. She felt deliciously soft and real against his back, he could feel the soft rise and fall of her chest and an occasional lock of hair whipped around into his face.
He rode swiftly –heck, dangerously, if he was honest. Every passing second bringing them closer to what they both wanted. The air was silent but the anticipation was palpable as both digested the events of that afternoon. She had finally admitted she wanted him. A part of his heart sang, but he knew it would never be that simple, this was just the beginning.
They dismounted inside the castle gates, a stable boy taking command of the mare from him and confirming that Emma's mount had returned to the castle of his own accord.
Together they walked along the dim courtyard, lit only by the flames of torches affixed along the wall, giving out waves of searing heat as they passed them. Their bodies were so close, shoulders almost touching. As they stepped into the tunnel that headed to the castle keep, he slipped his fingers into hers. She gasped as he pressed her against the wall, pushing into her with his hips as he claimed her mouth for his own.
Mewing into his embrace, she became limp in his arms for a moment before her mood switched and she began to kiss him back with a ferocity that took him by surprise. Hungry, lurching kisses, relentlessly pursuing his mouth as their lips met in battle –neither willing to back down or concede defeat.
Finally he snatched his mouth away from hers, drinking in deep mouthfuls of damp night air. She reached up and ran her lips along his jawline. He shivered, the impact of her touch reaching every part of him in a second. Closing his eyes he let the feeling wash over him.
"So keen love," he whispered.
She grabbed his hips and pressed them against her own, "You started it."
"Oh is that how it is?" he smiled. How he loved their flirtation – their back and forth. There were few women who had ever been able to match him and none ever so perfectly as she. "But that was just a preview my love, I told you, I'm going to take my time." He paused and put his lips next to her ear, "Ravish you darling. All night."
He felt her start, a feeling of self-satisfaction spread over him, as he watched her eyelids flutter and her swallow deeply.
"No one can see us."
He raised an eyebrow, peering down into her eyes. "Ashamed of your dalliance with a pirate sweetheart?"
She reached up and placed her hand on the bare patch of skin exposed by his shirt, her fingers grasping around the bundle of silver pendants around his neck. "Is that what this is?" she asked, taunting.
Rather than reply, he stepped back and released her from his grip. She still wasn't sure, or at least still didn't know what she felt, truly. Certainly, she wanted him, his body, the solace he offered but he craved more from her. How could he get her to see the truth?
"Well if you aren't sure you want this-"
"I want it."
As if to prove her point she reached down and curved her hands over his hardening groin. Silently he cursed and rolled his eyes shut. Perhaps he could show her…
Grabbing her hand, he pulled her along through the tunnel to the heavy wooden door that signalled entrance to the keep. Once inside, they quickly made their way along corridors and up spiral stairs, being careful to make as little sound as possible. Finally they reached the uppermost floor of the north tower, where Killian had been given quarters until he found his own abode.
He paused at the door and looked at her seriously. "Last chance Swan, you come through this door and, well, everything changes. Everything gets much more complicated."
She seemed to hesitate, running her tongue along her lip, before she reached behind him and pushed open the door until they both stumbled inside into the darkness.
Super short, but I'm promise I'm getting to the 'good' stuff next!
Reviews are super appreciated!