A Wanton's Thief (15 page)

And he would start with her brother. He raked both hands through her hair, marveling at the long length of the strands as he continued to ponder his next plan. She sighed and collapsed onto his chest. Her soft breasts pressed against his torso and something about the tender moment further sealed his love for her.

It sealed, too, his resolve to make her love him back.

He must return to Wyngate Hall and confiscate that letter. Falcon thought he knew where the key was hidden, thanks to his cunning spy skills the night he’d overheard her murder being plotted. He’d attempted to tap into the thoughts of both men in the room but he had failed. That skill was selective and seemed to be proximal-related as well. But if he could return to the manor’s library and locate the letter, it might be enough proof to talk her into staying with him. He wanted her willingly at his side. Sure, he’d gotten her addicted to sex, but he knew by her intermittent thoughts that she still planned and plotted an escape.

Something odd and painful twisted in his gut. She wanted to return so she could marry the duke, that he was aware of.

“Salena.” His hands gripped her arms until she rose up to stare into his eyes. His universe tumbled and imploded, for he saw the beauty there marred by wariness.

“I must leave you for the night.”

“Aye,” she said on a wistful sigh and laid her cheek upon his chest again. “I know. The thieves’ raid.”

“Nay, I’ve another task to complete. I shan’t return until this time on the morrow.”

She slid over and snuggled at his side. Her bright blue gaze followed the swirl of her finger over one of his nipples. It made him suck in a breath and snatch her hand up.

“Are you listening to me?”

She nodded, her eyes finally rising to snare him with a glittering look. “How can I not? You speak of abandoning me here with your men, all of which are but strangers to me. And then there’s your lover, Grizella…”

“‘Tis only for a day’s time. And she is no longer my lover.”

Salena snorted and turned her bare back to him. She reached down and dragged the extra bearskin up and covered herself with it. “That is not what I see in her eyes.”

Her voice came out muffled against the rock wall. He heard the tone of jealousy and it gave him hope. His first instinct was to tap into her thoughts, but no. He loved this woman. He longed to one day hear her profess her love for him. Therefore, he would give Salene her own thoughts. Somehow, that monumental event seemed much more appealing coming from her mouth voluntarily rather than by unfair thought invasion.

“She has been ordered to stay clear of you. You do the same with her. Besides, she is aware the relationship we had was not serious. She will get over it and you will both be friends before you know it. It is Grizella’s way to be protective of all of my men when a new person joins our ranks.”

“Is that what I’ve done?” She turned only her head and shot him a smoldering look over that elegant shoulder. Her tone reached an unmistakable high note that indicated coming ire. “Joined your ranks?”

He sighed. “That you have.”

“I need to go home or at least send a note that I am alive and well. My brother worries over my safety.”

“Your brother prays for your death.”

“My
brother
prays for my death?” she gasped, clapping a hand over her mouth. “How dare you say such a thing of Sheldon? He would never think of doing such a thing.”

“Loving? I do not think so.”

“Oh, so you speak of this death plot again. And it is now your firm opinion that my own brother plans my permanent demise?”

Falcon sighed with a warning tone. “Salena, there is no sense in us going into that again. It is obvious you will never believe it. Unless…”

“Unless?”

Unless I get hold of that letter.

“Never mind. What matters is that you will stay here with me for as long as I wish it. Even if I did not know your heart accepts it, I would still demand it of you.”

“I do not want to stay here and be used as a plaything by you and your men—or to deal with Grizella’s spiteful jealousies. I need to go home. This…this cannot continue.”

Home? Never. To her he said, “You are not a plaything. You’ve given both John and I an honorable gift. You will always be held in the highest respect by both the two of us, and by my clan. And if you do not wish, you will not ever have to make love that way again—except with me.”

“Oh, well, thank you very much. I feel so much cleaner now.”

“Salena, you enjoyed it immensely. Do not play coy or indignant with me when I know better. Admit what is in your heart.”

She sat up and slapped her thigh. “Oh, all right. I admit it. I am a harlot.
Your
harlot,
John’s
harlot. Whoever the bloody hell wants me can have me!”

Visions of what she spat at him seemed to slap him in the face. He shot up onto one elbow. “
No
one but me—and John if you so wish—will
ever
have you, do you hear me?”

Tears of relief sparkled in her eyes. “Do you promise me?”

His lungs ached in his chest. He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “Oh, aye, you have my word on it, forever and eternity.”

She let out a long breath. “And truly, if I choose not to allow John to join us again, you will not be disappointed in me or seek another?”

“I promise you I will not seek another.”

She drew up her legs and wrapped her arms around them. With her chin planted on her knees, she whispered, “B-but what if you both need…need the energy or whatever. I thought you were to make love together with one woman to achieve it.”

He chuckled and cupped her jaw, rubbing his thumb over her cheek. “We gain soul-reviving energy with a single mate as well. It is just not nearly as long-lasting and strong as when we couple together with one woman.”

Her lips curved ever-so slightly at the corners. “So one of you must mate
many
times with a single woman to attain the same effect as you get together with one woman?”

He nodded. “And I do not think I’ll be lacking in energy where you and I are concerned.”

“But what of John? Will he seek a mate like…like—”

“Like my insatiable Ice Princess?”

She grinned wickedly and he fell in love a small measure more. He continued to caress her face, marveling at the satin texture of her skin. “Aye, like your Ice Princess.”

“John will find his way. He is not hard on the eyes, thus I’m sure he will have no trouble finding a wanton—” he winked, “—woman such as yourself to energize his soul.”

She lowered her lids and spoke softly. “Well, if he does not, I suppose I could oblige on a minimum basis until he finds his woman. But please,” she said huskily, her eyes moving back to his, “I only want you, my thief of desire. No one, not even John, captures my eye like you do. I will do it for you…and because I feel a friendly connection to John—as your soul-brother—and do not wish him to suffer.”

“Salena…” His heart flipped in his chest. Her words had been as close to a profession of love as he could ever hope for. Falcon wrapped her in his arms and drew in her heady aroma. “Thank you, my love. And I’m sure John thanks you, as well.”

He lowered her to the bed and tucked the bearskin around her. Crawling to the bundle he’d left near the door earlier, he snatched it up and brought it back to her. “Hungry?”

She nodded eagerly, her eyes lighting with an almost impish gleam. “Famished.”

“Here.” He tossed the leather pouch to her. “Some of the roast hog, a container of water and an apple. Eat.”

She sat up and tore into the contents of the pack. Around bites, she asked, “Did you pilfer this from some poor farmer?”

He grinned, unable to resist her humor. “Nay, from your betrothed.”

Salena gasped, laughing against her will. “You are incorrigible. He will hunt you down.”

His grin faded. “If he has half his wits about him, the only thing he should come after me for is you.” He clenched his jaw. “But he will never have you. Ever.”

“You intend to keep me forever, do you?” She tipped her head back and took a long sip of water from the small flagon.

“Forever.”

Her eyes scanned the cave. She took a crunchy bite from the apple. “And this will be our castle?”

“Nay, I have a small estate north of here. If you do not wish to go on these raids with me, you will be free to stay behind. In fact, I insist that you do. It will be safer.”

Her chin rose in defiance. “I can defend myself—as long as it is not some outlaw casting an unfair spell of paralyzation upon me.”

Falcon threw his head back and roared. Ah, but she was a delight to have around. “I do so look forward to having you in my company—forever.”

Her mischievous smile faded. “You promise it will be only me forever?”

“I promise on my immortal heart.” He made an X over his chest.

“Not Grizella?”

“Never Grizella, ever again.”

She tied the bundle back up and tossed it aside. Patting the bed, she whispered, “Then come here, thief, and hold me. Rest with me until you must depart on your mysterious journey into the night.”

He wanted to do nothing but what she asked. And he did, climbing beneath the fur with her. Her small naked body emitted warmth and energy. He closed his eyes, soaking in the aura of her. Yes, he loved her with all his heart, and it seemed with each passing moment, the emotion intensified tenfold.

Salina sighed and wiggled her ass against his soft cock, her back to him as they lay spoon-fashion within the bed gazing at the waning fire.

He combed his hand through her hair. “Sleep now. When you’re off in slumber land, I will slip away and be on my way. Already, I cannot wait to see you again.”

“And I you,” she rasped, her body relaxing into his. “Falcon Montague…” Salena let out a long yawn. “If this is due to some…spell you’ve cast on me…please, do not reverse it.”

“Eh,” he murmured in her ear. “You are the one who has cast a spell upon
me
, love.”

She didn’t reply. He lay there for a long while listening to her even breathing. Sure that she had truly dropped off into a deep sleep, he finally rose and slipped from the cave.

The snow had stopped, leaving behind a six-inch white blanket that glowed a soft blue in the moonlight…like her eyes. His heart swelled. All he wished to do was race to Wyngate Hall and get his hands on that document as soon as possible. If only his abilities included that of disappearance and high speeds of travel like John’s. He could be there and back within an hour, and right back in her arms with the proof he needed to keep her safe once and for all.

But it was not so. And he could not ask it of John. Accepting of the facts, Falcon sought out his friend.

“I depart now.”

John lounged beneath a leather tarp strung between four wooden posts. He was stretched out on a bear’s pelt thrown over the snow. The bonfire was close enough to afford him enough warmth to keep him dry and comfortable for the night until time to venture out on the excursion. He had his arms folded beneath his head and his ankles crossed. And he appeared to be a man much sated.

His ice-blue gaze flitted to Falcon. “Godspeed. Are you sure you do not wish me to travel with you or go in your stead?”

“Nay. I thank you, though. I’d prefer you stay and keep a close eye on her. She is not
tazired
, and I wish not to do so at this point. But I do not think she will attempt to leave. Things have much improved between us…”

“She is quite a lady. You are a lucky man.” Over Falcon’s shoulder, John stared up at the starless sky, his voice thoughtful, almost serene.

“I’ve come to discover I love her, if you can believe such a thing.” Falcon chuckled, securing his longbow and arrows across his back.

John’s calm gaze slid back to Falcon. “Aye, I can believe it. It shows in your eyes and in everything about you. Grizella is beside herself.”

Falcon grinned. “Somehow, I trust you will be able to rectify that in no time.”

“That I’m sure of. As you know, Griz is loyal, but she is vulnerable to sexual wiles—which I am not deficient in.”

Falcon roared with laughter. “That I am aware. As now is Salena.”

John sat up resting his brawny forearms on his up-drawn knees. “Yet I sense she does not wish to repeat the process.”

“Nay,” Falcon said softly. “She claims if you’re in desperate need of re-energizing yourself, she will oblige, but does not desire it to be a way of life. Oh, she definitely enjoyed your talents, but she is apparently a one-man woman.”

John nodded. “I can understand that. It is the normal wish of a woman in love to have only one man’s touch.”

“In love?”

“Aye, though she does not accept it yet, I believe her to be in love with you, brother. And I envy you to no end.”

Falcon’s heart swelled. He could easily invade her thoughts to confirm it, but no. He wished to wait and hope for those words to cross that sharp tongue and plump lips. If only it were true! Yes, Salena was definitely addicted to his lovemaking, but that did not equate with love. But someday, she would love him, and that he vowed to make his sole purpose—after this journey commenced.