– A Sneak Peek –

Copyright © Lynn Crain. All rights reserved.

She took the next item. His voice slid around her like a well-worn garment. She knew she would have to tune his voice out, as the sound thrilled her to her very core. This would not be a good detail since they would be cohabiting in this small cottage. Sure, there were two bedrooms off the central room, but walls could only keep out so much and thoughts were not an item on the list.

“I see you have a fiery. I was led to believe they were extinct.” His baritone voice soothed her, not unlike Balin’s used to do.

“Obviously not, as I have one here.” She reached for another jar.

“We will need a strategy for keeping him safe. The Nixautan king would pay a high price for something as magical as he is.” His hand came with a can this time.

“The king knows to keep his hands to himself around me. He will not be coming within a mile of Galeru,” she answered, the cadence of her voice low and rough. The little guy had been left to die by that butcher, she was confident.

“Let us hope he does not forget what you say. Are there any more of them?” Another jar.

“I cannot say. Galeru is close-mouthed about his species. I rather hoped there were more in the forest. He leaves about this time every day and disappears for a while. I have always wished it were to visit another like himself.”

He had no answer for this statement and remained silent. She continued to stack, putting away spices, cans and jars as well as the bits of meat she had been provided, mindlessly shelving the items. When she reached out and nothing went into her hand, she turned to see he held one last thing in his hand.

“This came to me after Balin’s death while I was on the road here. It is not his grimoire. I am sure you have that somewhere in your possession. I believe this is his journal of his last days.”

She grabbed for it. “Give it to me,” she screeched. “Have you read it?”

He held it high as his eyes twinkled. “No. It is warded. I cannot figure out the spell. I am hoping you know him well enough to open it and read contents.”

That set her back on her heels. Of course, she knew her husband more intimately than anyone else. What on earth was he talking about? “Give it to me,” she said again with a little more force this time.

He stood there, a wry grin splitting the somberness of his face. “Or what? You will turn me into a toad?”

“I just might!” she cried as she continued to reach for the book around his dancing body.

“Would it surprise you to know your husband has already done that to me?” All his movement stopped as his voice quieted to a mere whisper.

Oma stopped grabbing his clothes. “Yes, actually it would.” She turned in a huff, arranging the items on the shelves. What game was this man playing? She had wanted to be left alone in her own misery—never to come into contact with another human being would have suited her just fine.

Cayden wrapped his arms around her, book in front. “I think we are meant to share this together. See, holding on to the book and you at the same time makes me want to bed you in the worst way.” His hand moved to cover her breast as his lips caressed her neck.

Her crotch sizzled with unused power and need. If she did not find a way to bleed some off soon, she would want to go deep into the forest and cast spells, thus taking the chance of others seeing. Maybe this was just the outlet she required for her skills. “And if I say yes?” she asked breathlessly.

“If you say yes, you will have a night of pleasure like no other.” His other hand fell away from the book and reached down to caress her quim in deep strokes through her heavy skirt.

She wanted to let her eyes roll back into her head as the feeling was so intense. It had been years since she had felt the touch of a man and she wanted more. “Yes—yes—this is what I want.” Her voice came out low and sexy as she rotated her hips more into his hand.

“Then I suggest we get on with it…where is your bed?” His strength belied his seemingly small stature as he swept her up into his arms. “I am usually more filled out than I am now. Prison can do that to a man.”

“Prison?” Confusion spread across her face.

He gazed at her, his eyes taking in every aspect of her face. “It was part of my journey here and a long story. We will leave it for another time.”

Her fingers caressed his worn and scruffy face. “I want to know all about you.”

His tender smile made his face handsome to look upon. “You will know more than you ever wanted, Oma, in time. Is that not what lovers are supposed to do?”

She nodded. She could not wait to have his hands on her again. She was happy Galeru had vacated the premises once they were busy with the supplies. “My room is the one on the right,” she indicated.

The room, while spacious, was sparse in comparison to some she had seen over the years. The large log bed held the best mattress she could conjure and the quilt was one she had made when she was first married to Balin. She had little time for that type of crafting over the years unless it was entirely necessary. Her husband had never liked idle hands so she had made sure always to be working on a project for their home when he was alive.

He laid her down on the large bed, then moved his body to cover hers. “I want to make this right for you, Oma, nothing else will do. Please tell me what you want?”

Heavens, it had been years since she had been asked what she wanted, what she needed. “Touch me with your lips and your tongue, everywhere.”

“And your clothes? Should we shed them all at once or make it a seductive dance as we remove them piece by piece from the other’s body?”

“I have always thought seduction worked best. Do you not agree?” She was delighted at such a prospect, her wide smile suggestive as she moved her tongue over her lips. This was something she could relish.

In deliberate movements, Cayden pulled his shirt over his head. His chest, while muscular was a little lean for her taste. In no time, she would fatten him up in all the right places.

“Now, how about one from you?”

Her warm chuckle vibrated low in her chest. “And just what do you want to see, my lord?”

“Everything,” he whispered hoarsely.

She reached for the laces of her bodice and untied them slowly, pulling each through the grommets with meticulous care. Once her breasts were free yet still in her chemise, she took her hands and cupped them, running her fingers over the nipples. “Do you like what you see so far, Cayden?”

He groaned. “Woman, you are killing me.” He reached down, unlacing his trews with the same calculated motions, pushing them down to his ankles as his cock jutted forward. He was a sight to behold, long and lean, tapered at the dark purple mushroom head, now dripping with need. “Get on with it woman. I cannae wait much longer.” An accent she had not heard before crept into his voice.