Beverly Barton - Paladin's Woman

Slowly, sensuously, Addy eased her hot, sweating body away from Nick. Opening the screen door, she walked onto the porch. A fierce, humid wind whipped her hair loose, flipping it around her naked shoulders like flames from a flickering torch. Nick stood in the doorway and watched her, totally mesmerized by her wild abandon.

She beckoned him to come to her. He obeyed. Bright lightning flashed. Sweat dripped from his big body like moisture from an icy glass on a hot summer day. His bare, bronze chest glistened, his small male nipples pebble-hard. Addy watched a trickle of perspiration clinging to his left nipple. She longed to put her lips on him, to curl her tongue around him and lick away that tiny wet droplet.

The moment he was within arm's length, she lowered her head, moving toward his chest. Her tongue flicked out, capturing the drop of sweat from his nipple. Nick moaned, then grabbed her, his mouth covering hers, his tongue thrusting into her in a parody of a more intimate act. She returned the kiss with all the passion, all the untamed longing she felt. Mouths captured, tongues ravaged, teeth titillated.

Nick dropped to his knees, burying his face in the delta between her thighs. He barely felt the warm, hard surface of the wooden porch beneath him. He was surrounded by the smell and taste of his mate—his woman. Running his hands from her hips to her thighs, he spread her legs apart. She swayed. Adjusting his head at an angle, he delved his tongue, seeking out her sweet nectar. He gripped her buttocks to steady her as her legs began to buckle. When she braced herself on his shoulders, he moved his hands around and up to her breasts, taking their soft, smooth weight. The constant pressure on her femininity and her nipples quickly drove Addy over the brink into a shivering, groaning climax. Nick soothed her as he brought her down to her knees in front of him.

She fell into his arms. The hot, damp air did little to cool their heated bodies. Their hands became wet as they touched each other, exploring one another's bodies as if they were new and uncharted territory. Tender kisses turned wild. Lips sought out every inch of slick, fiery flesh.

"I want it all, Nick," she moaned into his mouth. "I need you inside me."

Knowing he could never make it to the bedroom, let alone to the bed, Nick lay back on the porch floor, pulling Addy on top of him. Bracing her hands above his shoulders, she rubbed her body against his. He grabbed her hips, stopping her.

"Open up for me, Addy."

She spread her legs, pressing against his arousal.

"Now take me, Red. Take me!"

She raised her body, positioning herself. Nick grabbed her by the waist, then waited for her agreement.

"Nick?"

"Together, Red. Let's do it together."

And they did. In one swift, synchronized move they became one. Addy flung her head back, her long red hair cascading down her back, feathering across Nick's legs. He thrust up and into her again and again with a savage urgency that almost sent him tumbling over the edge. He slowed the pace, then stopped, allowing her to take over while he reached for her breasts.

The sensations were so intense that Addy couldn't stop herself from increasing the pace, riding him harder and harder until fulfillment burst inside her like a giant balloon of red-hot pleasure. She screamed out, her throaty voice echoing in the darkness, rivaling the resounding booms of thunder. Spasms of ecstasy shook her body; then she collapsed on top of Nick.

He gave her the time she needed to recover from the series of aftershocks that rocked her. She covered his face with kisses. He ached with his need, nearing the breaking point. With three hard, animalistic surges he found his own satisfaction. He spilled his seed into her with powerful, jetting release.

Addy clung to him, crying for joy at the sounds of his loud groans. She was Nick's woman; he was her man. Tonight they had come together, mating like beasts, unable to control their baser instincts. It had been savagely glorious and gloriously spiritual. Despite the very carnality of their lovemaking, their union had created an eternal bond. Addy knew, as surely as she knew her name, that she would never let Nick Romero go.

Easing Addy to his side, Nick raised up, gazing into the black sky, listening to the sounds of impending rain. "We'd better get inside, Red, before the bottom falls out."

They helped each other to their feet. Nick regretted that he couldn't carry Addy inside. With his bad leg and in his weakened condition, he might drop her.

Sensing his feelings of regret over not being able to carry her to their bed, Addy dashed toward the door. "Catch me!" she teased.

He laughed, realizing that she'd known how much he wanted to lift her into his arms and carry her. He followed her inside. She was bent over, pulling the quilt and top sheet down the antique iron bed that had been painted a dark moss green. Coming up behind her, he rubbed against her, then gave her a playful shove. She tumbled onto the bed and turned over quickly, spreading open her arms. "How long will it be before we can do it again?"

Lowering one knee on the bed, he leaned over her. She stared into his eyes. "I don't think it'll be too long. You wore me out, Red, but parts of my body are still raring to go."

She glanced down at that part of his body and smiled. "Someone told me that men past forty couldn't do it two times in a row."

He came down on top of her, sliding into her wet, tight sheath. "Someone told you wrong."

Chapter 11

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Addy awoke to the sound of drizzling rain. Opening her eyes, she looked across the room to the unclosed door leading to the porch. Pellets of moisture had sprayed through the screen, dotting the wooden floor with raindrops. Reaching out for Nick, she found an empty space on the other side of the bed. She rolled over onto Nick's pillow, burying her face in the softness as she breathed in his unique scent that clung to the hand-embroidered case. She cherished every element that made Nick Romero who and what he was, even the lingering smell of his manliness mixed with her feminine fragrance.

Last night had been—magic! There was no other word to describe what had happened or how it had made her feel. Despite the fact that Nick hadn't proclaimed his love for her, not even in the throes of passion, Addy knew in her heart that he loved her. He might not be able to admit it to himself quite yet, but sooner or later he would face the truth. They were meant for each other, destined to be lovers. He was her champion, her paladin, the man she had waited a lifetime to love. And she was his woman, the only woman for him.

Addy wondered where he was. When she got out of bed, she remembered that she was stark naked. Smiling, she thought about her clothes and Nick's strewn about in the living room. Glancing across the bedroom to where Nick had placed her suitcase on the small French sofa, Addy debated whether to wrap herself in the lightweight quilt on the bed or to seek out her satin robe. She decided on the robe, quickly making her way across the room to her suitcase. Slipping into the floor-length, sea-foam green robe, Addy began searching for Nick. After a thorough check of the four rooms and bath, she returned to the bedroom and opened the door to the porch. Stepping outside, she felt the cool, misty spray of summer rain.

Nick stood at the edge of the porch, wearing only his jeans, unbuttoned and riding low on his lean hips. His body was coated with a fine sheen of moisture, his thick black hair curling around his neck and ears. He held a large ceramic mug in his right hand as he leaned against the banister railing with the other. He seemed totally absorbed in watching the rain.

When Addy approached him, he turned. The smile that lit his face quickened Addy's pulse. His eyes glistened with the look of beckoning temptation.