Fate's Call Read online

  Erron stared. She couldn’t help it. His body was lean, pectoral and abdominal muscles defined, yet his shoulders were broad. And he was all hers. She wanted to reach for him, but her hands remained on her lap.

  Jarek paused before shoving his breeches off his slim hips. “Are you all right?”

  “Yes,” she whispered. “I…want…to touch you.”

  “Good. I want to touch you, too.” He pushed the fine leather down, as well as his short pants and stepped out of them.

  Erection jutting to freedom, Erron suppressed a shiver and continued to study his body. He was so different than…

  No.

  This was her wedding night, and she wasn’t going to think about things in the past. They needed to stay there, never to be thought of—or feared—again. Erron was where she wanted to be. With a man she wanted to be with.

  This was not against her will.

  Erron sucked in air, opened and closed her hands. Could she…give in to what she wanted or was she not ready?

  Was she afraid?

  She wanted to…touch Jarek…there. Everywhere. Explore him, feel him against her, and then have him inside her.

  But could she take that final step tonight?

  She wasn’t afraid. She felt only…desire. She gasped.

  “Erron?” His expression was tight, worried. Those brown eyes weren’t filled with the haze of passion like when he’d kissed her. He looked fearful, too. “I’m going to leave these on.”

  Before Erron could protest, he tugged his short pants back up, over his hips and covering his arousal, he pulled the ties tight, as if that would fix a problem. His erection still jutted, tenting the material, but his concern made her heart trip.

  He’s so worried about me.

  She wasn’t afraid of his manhood, but didn’t have the words to tell him, either. Erron cleared her throat. “I’m fine. I…really am. Come to me, Jarek?”

  His motions were slow, as if he didn’t want to spook her, and he trembled when she dragged her hand down his chest, stopping at the ties on his short pants. He let her touch him, emitting some groans that warmed her even more.

  Soon, her husband sat next to her on their bed. Jarek kissed her, melting her into the heat of his bare chest as he pulled her to him. Erron kissed him back, scooting as close as she could get, arms around him, hands exploring his smooth warm skin, the muscles of his shoulders and back.

  “You’re killing me,” he whispered, parting his mouth from hers and meeting her eyes. “Can I see you? Are you ready to undress?”

  Erron nodded, allowing Jarek to undo the buttons at her neck. Lifting her arms, he pulled the gown over her head. She looked away as she was bared to him.

  She’d been naked too many times to count with a man who should have never seen her. Trembling, she banished the thoughts for the second time.

  Her father would not ruin this for her.

  Her first night with her husband would be special.

  Warm hands cupped her shoulders as he took an audible breath. “Blessed Spirit, you’re gorgeous. I can’t believe you’re mine.”

  She met his gaze, eyes blurry. Her voice was gone.

  “I love you,” Jarek said, pulling her against him.

  Erron closed her eyes as her breasts flattened into his chest. The heat of his body made her burn for his hands on her, but how far was she ready to go?

  He kissed her again, cupping her breasts with both hands. With Jarek’s thumbs teasing her nipples, a moan slipped from her lips and heat jolted downward, making the place between her legs throb. Erron wanted…ached…in a way she’d never experienced.

  Jarek pushed her back, scooting them up the bed as he settled over her. The shock of the cool bed linens was a pleasant contradiction to the heat of his skin as she lay prone, her husband following and settling into the cradle of her body.

  She froze as the shock of his weight registered in her brain. She felt his chest against her naked breasts. She could feel his erection against her pelvis, despite the linen that separated it from her tender flesh.

  A man was on top of her. Erron’s teeth chattered and she fought the urge to push him away.

  This is Jarek. My husband. My love. My man.

  She repeated the phrases in her head over and over, but her muscles didn’t loosen.

  Of course Jarek noticed when she’d gone stiff and pulled back. “Erron.”

  Their gazes collided and she was able to breathe against him. “Jarek.” Erron needed to say his name aloud.

  The barest hint of a smile curved his mouth, but worry dominated his handsome face. “Are you still with me?”

  She nodded.

  “Are you sure?” His expression shouted disbelief.

  “Aye.”

  Jarek studied her for a few more seconds. “I’m going to stop.”

  “No.” Her protest was hard and fast and made him smile, which made her body relax even more. “I’ll go slow, then. You tell me when you need a break. We’ll stop.”

  He waited for her to say yes, which was the tiniest whisper, but she meant it. She wanted to experience more.

  She had to remind herself with each touch that this was her husband touching her, kissing her, and it was more than all right. But soon the physical feelings, the desire swept her away, and she let go, melting into the bed and under his ministrations.

  Erron jumped when Jarek pressed his hand between her legs, dragging his fingers across her core, parting her pale curls.

  He groaned and she whimpered. Where he’d touched was pulsating, demanding more.

  “Do you want me to stop?” he whispered.

  “No,” she breathed.

  “What do you want, love?”

  “You inside me.”

  Jarek froze, his dark eyes wide and tender. “Let me just show you pleasure tonight. We can do things…without that.” While he didn’t say the word no, his determination was plain. He wouldn’t take her tonight.

  Was she all right with that?

  Did she feel rejected?

  Erron had meant it when she said she wanted him joined with her. Uncertainty washed over her. “I…” She pushed herself up on her elbows, staring into his eyes.

  She wanted to tell him, I want you, but perhaps she should follow his lead. For now. She’d frozen once in his arms.

  What would happen when he pushed inside her?

  “All right,” Erron whispered.

  He watched her for another long moment before flashing a tender smile. “I promise I’ll show you pleasure. I love you.”

  Her husband parted her thighs with a knee and came back to her, kissing her languorously, dragging his hands over her body.

  Erron melted into him, his touch, lifting her hips and pushing against him. Jarek was in no hurry, but she ached for whatever he was going to show her.

  “I’ll go slow,” he breathed against her mouth before giving her another drugging kiss.

  Like he had moments before, he took his kisses downward, sucked on her nipples until they were throbbing peaks, and kneading the soft flesh of her breasts.

  Erron wiggled and moaned, throwing her head back and just letting him do what he would. He’d promised pleasure and it washed over her, making her want more.

  Jarek dragged seeking fingers over her abdomen on the way to her sex, but this time it didn’t startle her when he parted her folds. He gave a groan at the first touch, and his eyes locked on to her face. “You’re so wet.”

  “Is that good?” she whispered.

  He chuckled. “Yes. It’s good. My little innocent love.”

  Erron blinked. But she wasn’t…innocent. She couldn’t tell him that, not when he was looking at her like that.

  Jarek hunkered down between her legs, pushing her thighs wider, and placing a kiss below her navel. “I’m going to taste you now.”

  “Taste? Wha—”

  She gasped, then screamed when his mouth kissed her—down there. Ecstasy was instant; jolts of energy shooting all over
her body when his tongue caressed her folds, then circled the bundle of nerves at the top of her sex. Erron’s breath was gone; she had to pant to stop the spinning in her head.

  He kissed the insides of her thighs before returning to her center. Jarek added light caresses to the magic his tongue was weaving, and then he pushed one finger inside her.

  Erron called out and jumped.

  Jarek stilled. “Are you all right? Do you want me to stop?” His voice was even, but it was still a demand.

  She tried to form words. “No…it feels…”

  “Good?”

  “More.”

  “Aye, my wife. Just breathe. And feel for me. I love you.” Jarek’s eyes glowed with his feelings.

  She relaxed back into the mattress with a slight nod, but the looseness in her muscles didn’t last. Her husband’s mouth and hands went back to work, winding her higher and tighter, with each lick and gentle thrust of his fingers inside her.

  It wasn’t enough.

  It was too much.

  When Jarek sucked her nub into his mouth, Erron screamed. Pleasure hit with a force that made her vision go black for a moment. Her sex throbbed, and more heat rushed her pelvis. She writhed and her hips lifted from the bed of their own accord, but the rest of her body, her torso, her limbs, even her fingers were tight. Erron threw her head back into his pillows, blinking so she could see again.

  Jarek stroked her stomach and legs, placing hot, wet kisses all over her belly and above her sex, down to her inner thighs again, since they were quaking. He reached to caress her arms and breasts, too, helping her breathe and come down from her first orgasm.

  “Blessed Spirit…” she breathed.

  He laughed softly when their eyes met. “I’m glad you liked.”

  Erron rushed into his chest and wrapped her arms around him. “I love you.”

  He kissed her mouth and she tasted her essence there. It didn’t bother her, only made her shiver against him and need him even more. She deepened their kiss, and it melted into something long and hot, with only a shade of urgency.

  Jarek broke the kiss and cupped her face. “I love you, too.”

  She smiled and cuddled in to him as he lay them down and reached for the sleeping furs. Erron’s gaze darted to his erection, still tenting the ivory linen of his short pants. “Jarek.”

  “Aye, love?” His lazy circles on her bare back felt wonderful, and made Erron sleepy, but she tried to fight it.

  “What about you?” She reached for his arousal, but he stopped her, grabbing her hand and lavishing kisses on her knuckles.

  “I’m fine. Tonight was about you.”

  “But…”

  “I need to hold you, Erron.”

  He dipped down and claimed her mouth with another potent, bone melting kiss. Her thoughts scattered and she could do little but give herself over to him.

  “It’s our wedding night.” She pushed the words against his lips.

  “Aye, just the beginning, love. Just our beginning.”

  Erron didn’t argue. She let Jarek gather her closer and hold her tight against his warm body. He was right. There was no rush.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Two sevendays of marriage, and Erron was in heaven.

  During the day, Jarek went to work with his father, and she went to Anais’ shop, where she was now an official apprentice of her mother-by-marriage.

  She’d found her niche, and she adored learning how to weave on Anais’ large loom, as well as the smaller one. Every day she learned more, something new, and she was excited at the prospect of making baskets, but her new mother had told her to slow down.

  One day at a time.

  Erron had been embarrassed at being admonished, but Anais had cupped her cheeks and kissed her forehead, reminding her she had to learn to walk before she could run.

  However, she praised Erron for what she called ‘raw talent’ and promised they would make beautiful things together.

  The woman was tender and loving, even in the way she taught, and Erron thrived, even though she didn’t require such a gentle hand. She wanted to show her new family, as well as her new husband, that she was strong.

  At the end of the first sevenday, she’d proudly displayed the small colorful rug she’d woven on the large loom.

  Jarek had claimed to love it, and the rug now resided on the floor next to their bed.

  Erron just grinned, ignoring the rough edges on the oval piece, as well as the flaws where the color didn’t match and the pattern wavered just a tad, because she’d accomplished something. Created something; made it hers.

  She didn’t demand to know if her husband was just being polite, either. She let his praise and love wash over her, promising him, and herself, she would only become more skilled as she went along. She wanted to be a Master Weaver, like her new mother-by-marriage.

  Erron and Anais took turns preparing meals for the four of them, and she reveled in spending the evenings with her new family, and a supper full of discussion, laughter, and love.

  Jarek claimed to love her rabbit stew more than his new mother’s—which had been his favorite for turns—and the declaration had resulted in teasing from Kirgan that had flushed Erron with embarrassment and love.

  She’d thanked the Blessed Spirit Anais wasn’t offended, too. Erron finally had parents who loved her, as well as a man who could make her heart skip with just a look.

  The nights in Jarek’s arm were about to make her combust, but he still hadn’t taken her; with as much pleasure has he’d shown her with his mouth and hands, he always wore his short pants while she was completely naked.

  Although he always rocked her body with orgasm after orgasm, she still ached for him. To be wholly his.

  Jarek had shown her how a man liked to be touched, how to bring him to release with her hands, and then, even though he’d been reluctant at first, her mouth, but it still wasn’t enough.

  She wanted more.

  She wanted her husband completely.

  Erron made the decision that morning she was going to seduce Jarek when they retired for the night. She wasn’t going to let him tell her she wasn’t ready, because she was. Had been.

  She excused herself from their small group early after supper, and bathed in a nice steamy bath in their room by the hearth.

  When she was done, Erron dried her body with a bathing sheet, drew the covers back on her marriage bed, and sat.

  Waiting. Ignoring the clean and folded sleeping chemise on the trunk at the end of the bed. She wouldn’t need it.

  She crossed one leg over the other and reclined into the soft mattress.

  Erron was already aroused at the just the memory of Jarek’s kiss and touch, so she was raring to go, her stomach fluttered with anticipation, her sex already damp, throbbing.

  She had to tell herself to relax and be patient. He wouldn’t keep her waiting too long, he never did.

  The scent of sandalwood hit her first when Jarek opened the door. He must’ve bathed out back, or at Anais’ home—which had quickly become Kirgan and Anais’, while the tanning shop’s quarters had become Erron and Jarek’s.

  Erron inhaled his clean aroma. She loved how he smelled. Always had. She wanted to wrap herself in it, and him. Soon, she would.

  Her husband closed the door and his eyes sought her. They widened when he took in her bare form. A smile played at his lips. “Erron?”

  She pushed to her feet instead of waiting for him to come to her. “I. Want. You.”

  Jarek’s hands settled on her shoulders. “You have me, love. Always.” He pressed a kiss to her mouth that wasn’t nearly enough.

  Erron crowded his body, slipped her arms around his waist. “Don’t misunderstand me, husband. I need you. I need you inside me.”

  He sucked in a breath. “You’re ready?”

  She laughed; she couldn’t help it. “I’ve been ready, Jarek,” she admitted.

  “I don’t want to push you.” Concern and desire warred in his beauti
ful eyes.

  “It’s been two sevendays. I need to belong to you.”

  Jarek smiled. “You do belong to me.”

  “Completely.”

  His eyes raked her face, but then went lower, and stayed there. Jarek licked his lips and it and a jolt of energy zinged straight to her core.

  Erron burned for him. “Get naked, husband. Join me in bed. Take me.”

  Jarek chuckled. “You’re ordering me around, love?”

  “Looks like I have to, to get what I want. What I need.” She grinned.

  He leaned down to kiss her, and it was a tender thing, but Erron pulled away before it could become more. She reached for the ties on his tunic and lifted the fabric at his waist, caressing his pectoral and abdominal muscles until he groaned.

  “I get your message,” he whispered.

  Erron stepped back, nodded and sat on their bed. She watched Jarek undress as if it was a show, her eyes devouring each familiar inch of skin he exposed.

  When his erection was finally free, she whimpered. Their gazes locked, and he stalked to the bed like a predator.

  “You didn’t like holding back, either,” she whispered.

  Her husband shook his head, making his shaggy dark locks dance. “Doesn’t matter. I will do anything for you.”

  “Good. Take me.” Erron lay back, opening her arms and legs for the man who’d claimed her heart.

  Jarek didn’t hesitate to cover her body with his.

  His kisses and touches seared her from the inside out, but this time it was different. She’d finally get everything from him. With him.

  “I love you,” he whispered between hot touches of his mouth.

  He drove her mad, until Erron was a begging writhing mess beneath him.

  She needed him inside her.

  “Now, love. Please. I need you.” Erron gripped his biceps and squeezed.

  Instead of fear at being trapped beneath his body, she was rushed with desire for his weight on her, the warmth of him, his touch…everywhere.

  “I need you, too. Yes. Aye. Now,” he panted.

  She didn’t answer, but watched Jarek guide himself to her with a shaking fingers and slowly pushed inside. Erron sucked in a breath, expecting the normal pain, but a shiver traveled down her spine as the opposite assaulted her.