Chapter 6

Releasing a shuddery breath, Elain turned the page. Her eyes skimmed the words of the book she held in her lap as she sucked her bottom lip in between her teeth and bit it gently. Nesta had been right, this was good.

She gave a soft gasp as Rohan gathered her in his arms and sank into the fresh hay, taking her with him. Listening intently for a moment, she hoped that nobody had heard them. If her father found out, there would be no reasoning with him. But then, Rohan's hands were moving under her dress and she forgot all about her father. Hurriedly, she sought to pull her dress up out of the way as Rohan set about undoing his pants. She gave him a pleased smile when he'd evidently managed that and his hand slid up the inside of her thigh. Pulling him down to her, she threaded her fingers through his silky golden hair as he settled atop her and she could feel that he was as eager to have her as she was to have him. Tightening her hand in his hair, she pulled his lips down to meet hers, his hands went to her hips as he pushed himself into her, sheathing himself between her thighs, and then he was thrusting with purpose.

Elain flung her bedcovers aside, relishing the cool air that rushed to caress her heated skin. Running a hand down her body, she shuddered at the tingles her own touch produced as she closed her eyes, picturing the scene again in her mind. When she noticed that the silky hair she had a hold of in her fantasy was ruby coloured she opened her eyes with a start. Puffing her cheeks, she exhaled a deep breath and tossed the book aside before sitting up. "Well…" said to nobody. She might have to save the rest of the story for later. She hadn't expected it to have such an effect on her. Elain knew that if she were to touch herself now, she would find herself already wet with desire.

Swinging her legs over the edge of the bed, she got to her feet. She needed a drink.

Not bothering to grab her robe, as she was rather looking forward to the cooler air of the hallway on her flushed skin, she strode out into that hallway in her light nightgown. By the time she got downstairs to the kitchen, she was unfastening several of the uppermost buttons in order to let the air in further. She did not expect to find Lucien standing in the dark when she walked in, and she gave a small gasp. He turned to face her in surprise and a small light appeared at his shoulder, his metal eye glinting as he looked at her.

"What is it?" he asked, that eye whirring as his gaze moved over her, "What's wrong? You smell fu-" he broke off and Elain felt herself flush scarlet, realising that he could smell her arousal. Lucien cleared his throat. "Would you like some water?" his voice was clipped as he poured a glass of water from the jug next to him on the counter and slid it in her direction before backing away slightly.

Silently, Elain moved to pick up the glass and take a sip, promising herself that the next time she read anything sexy, she would definitely be bathing before she ventured out of her room. As she set the glass back down on the bench, she noticed that Lucien had gone very very still. Turning her head slowly, her gaze caught on his forearms where he'd braced himself against the bench, and she could see the strain there. It was taking a great deal of effort and self-restraint to control himself while he could smell her like this she realised.

She should run away. Elain knew this, but she suspected that if she ran, some primal instinct that he was currently fighting might take over and he might be unable to stop himself chasing her. Also, she didn't want to make him think that she was afraid of him. Elain suspected that might wound him more than she would realise. She had to do something, however. Making her choice before she could overthink it, Elain moved toward him.

Lucien's eyes widened in fear and he staggered back, away from her, holding a hand out in front of himself. "Don't…"

Elain paused, looking at him. "Lucien…" she thought she might have heard him whimper when she said his name. "Lucien…" she said softly, moving closer again. He hit the wall, backing away, and stopped. Elain took another step, and he looked away from her, trying to focus on anything else. She trusted him, she realised, or she never would have dared to get so close. Able to see the torment clear on his face, she wanted to soothe him. When she was directly in front of him, Elain reached out and gently touched her fingers to his arm. The instant she touched him, Lucien's eyes snapped to her face and the hunger she saw in them was startling.

She could see the difficulty he was having breathing, and Elain suspected that he was trying to not breathe her in. "I'm not going to run away." She told him, and watched as his eyes appeared to devour her. That metallic eye clicked and whirred as he made himself focus on her face again. He hadn't moved since he'd backed into he wall and Elain pressed closer, her eyes still on his face. "I didn't know you'd be down here. I'm sorry." He remained very very still and, tentatively, Elain wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing closer again as she leaned into him. He drew a breath then and Elain closed her eyes, feeling the way he shook with the effort it took to control himself as his own arms came slowly around her. She could feel his heartbeat in his chest now as well as hear it as she always could, and it was powerful and erratic. "I'm sorry…" she whispered. "I'm sorry."

The moment Lucien's arms were around Elain he felt the need within himself change. That driving desire to go to her, to get his hands on her shifted, and became more possessive. He tightened his hold on her, allowing himself to breathe her in now. He could still smell her arousal and it stirred something deep within himself. Bending, Lucien gripped her tightly and turned, lifting Elain to sit on the kitchen bench as he pushed himself between her thighs, pulling her flush against himself as he buried his face in her hair. Elain gasped in shock, but didn't pull away. He felt her stiffen for a moment before her gentle hands came to rest on his back. "Lucien…" she murmured, "Please don't…" he felt her shudder as he moved against her, "I haven't…"

"I know." His voice sounded more like a growl even to himself, "I can smell it." Her hands tightened on his back and he forced himself to leash whatever it was within himself that was trying to drive him. When he spoke again he sounded more like himself. "I won't. I promise. Just let me hold you." He felt Elain relax at his words, one of her hands moving slowly up his back. Mate. Touch her, smell her, taste her-

He still wanted her, but he could be content with this. As long as he had her here, in his arms, not trying to get away from him, he could be happy. The flimsy nightdress she was wearing might as well have not even been there, and Lucien let one of his hands slide across the exposed skin of her back. Bending his head, he pressed his lips to the side of her throat, breathing in the light perfume of her hair and closing his eyes when she began to soothingly rub his back. This was okay, he told himself. When Elain began combing her fingers through his hair, he told himself that this was all he needed, that this was enough. She was his, in this moment. She had never belonged to anyone else. If he clung to that, he wouldn't need anything further. The knowledge that that Graysen bastard had never had her helped to calm him. She was here, in his arms, her fingers moving through his hair, and he could accept that this was enough. She was his. This was fine. Cauldron help any male who might walk though that door, though.