Cameron Unbound, page 11
“This room was almost empty when I left,” Cameron marveled. “It looks like my friends have been busy.”
The well-equipped kitchen was in a separate room. There was also another small room Bronwin could use for her loom. Across from the door was a stairway leading to a second floor. At the top, she found two bedrooms. The smaller one was empty. The larger one was furnished with a wide bed, tables, a chest and an armoire and had a small dressing room attached. When Bronwin looked inside, she saw a collection of gowns hanging next to Cameron’s jackets.
Again, he looked bemused. “They are starting us off on our married life in style.”
“Our married life,” she repeated, the reality sinking in. She looked at Cameron and said, “You are my husband. I never thought I would say those words. It is hard to believe.”
“I will do my best to convince you,” he said, reaching for her.
She came into his arms gladly. When he brought his mouth down on hers, they shared a long, deep kiss. As they both pulled back to catch their breaths, he asked, “And what would you like to do now?”
She gave him a cocky grin. “I would like to show you what I have learned from you.”
“Such as?”
“Let me start this way,” she said, reaching for the buttons at the front of his shirt. One by one she began to open them, pausing after each to slip her fingers and then her hand inside and play with the crisp hairs on his chest, hearing his indrawn breath.
When she had the shirt undone, she spread the sides apart, so that she could find his male nipples and brush her fingers across them, feeling the nubs tighten.
“You like that,” she whispered.
“You know I do.”
“And this,” she added, sliding her hand down the front of his britches to press against the bulge she found there. This time he sucked in a sharp breath.
“Finish undressing and lie down,” she said.
He gave her a smoldering look as he turned down the covers and lay on the bed, and she saw his cock was standing at stiff attention.
She didn’t need to read his thoughts to know what he wanted, and she tried to close her mind from his for this small bit of time.
Pleased with herself, she smiled at him and began to divest herself of her own clothing, working slowly, revealing her secrets. His whole body was tense now, and his palms were pressed flat against the mattress as though he were trying to prevent himself from leaping up and reaching for her.
When she was standing in front of him wearing only her chemise and pantaloons, she slowly pulled the latter off, watching his eager expression as she tossed the garment away. so that she retained only the lacy upper garment.
He licked his lips as she pulled down the front of the chemise so that her breasts were cradled by the fabric below them.
“Come here,” he begged in a hoarse voice.
“Not yet,” she answered, still keeping her mind closed to him as she began to play with her breasts, circling the nipple, then plucking at them. Her own touch aroused her, as did her knowledge of what she was doing to him.
Bronwin saw him clench his teeth as she approached. “Stay where you are,” she commanded as she leaned over to brush her breasts in his face before seating herself beside him and leaning down to circle the head of his cock with her tongue.
Cameron made a pleading noise, but he kept his hands flattened against the mattress.
Even without entering his mind, she knew she was exciting him almost beyond endurance, because that was what she was doing to herself.
Again, she returned to his cock, working her mouth over the head and down the shaft before sucking strongly.
“Stop,” he gasped. “The first time I come with my wife, I wish it to be inside her cunny.”
The words sent a jolt of need through her, and she opened her mind to his, letting him know that she would not give up her position of dominance.
She straddled him, hovering above him and watching his eyes roam over her body before she positioned his cock so that she could come down on it in a swift stroke. They both gasped with relief at the joining. She sat astride him, not moving for a moment, simply enjoying the way he stretched and filled her. She could feel tremors going through him as he struggled not to thrust upward.
Please, he begged, and she answered his plea by raising her hips and coming down on him again. That was the last moment of her control because the intimacy made her need rise to a boiling point, and she felt his similar urgency. She began to move rapidly, leaning forward so that she could press her clit against him.
She came in a burst of pleasure that she knew excited him too, as he quickly followed. Breathing hard, she collapsed against him, her breasts flattened against his chest.
His arms came up to circle her back, holding her in place against him.
You minx, he silently whispered. I believe you learn quickly.
I hope so.
He held her to him for long moments until she eased away so that she could come down beside him and roll to her back.
They lay for a time with their hands clasped until he turned and kissed her. This time I am the one who will take charge, he silently assured her.
Epilogue
After their night of lovemaking, Bronwin woke late. When she stirred, Cameron reached for her hand under the covers and squeezed. “Wife,” he said in a sleepy voice. “I love you.”
“Husband,” she answered dreamily. “I love you as well.” The warm mood was cut off when she remembered she had a mission today.
“What?”
“We have to go to the palace. I have never seen a palace, much less been in one.”
“Prince Gawain wants your help.”
“What if I can’t do what he needs?” she asked in a shaky voice.
I think you can.
I hope so. I must make myself ready.
We have plenty of time. Let me bring in some water. One of the town wells is very close by. Cameron got up and pulled on his britches and boots.
While he was gone, Bronwin pulled on an everyday gown and went down to inspect the kitchen. She found fresh-baked bread and a bowl of apples on the table. Inspecting the shelves along one wall she found plates, bowls, and cutlery.
They ate a simple meal of the bread and apples after which she kept her mind off the prince by inspecting Cameron’s meager larder and making notes about what she would need.
“I take it you didn’t cook much,” Bronwin observed.
“There is a good tavern nearby where I took most of my meals.”
Finally, it was time to wash and do her hair and put on one of the gowns the women had left for her. When they came downstairs again, a coach was waiting in the street. Bronwin’s eyes widened, but she let Cameron usher her inside. They rode out of the town and up a steep hill, crowned by the castle.
When they got out, Steffan, who headed the king’s guards, was there to greet them. He led them through a grand hall that seemed to stretch forever and into a small, comfortable chamber where Prince Gawain and Princess Catrin were seated with a tall man. He had dark skin, a thin face, and a mottled beard, and he was wearing an opulent orange and blue robe and some sort of covering that wound around his head. The tips of his shoes curved up into points.
The prince and his guest stood. “Ah, you have arrived. Syid Pardogian, I am pleased to introduce you to two of our residents, Cameron and Bronwin Flint. Cameron is an officer in my guards and Bronwin is a talented weaver.”
“Pleased to meet you,” Pardogian said, although Bronwin knew from his thoughts that he considered her below his notice.
“Sit down,” Gawain said, gesturing to two empty chairs. “Syid Pardogian has come all the way from Tamparis.”
When Bronwin’s brow wrinkled, Gawain said, “It is a far country, where the climate can support foodstuffs we cannot grow here. Syid is proposing to sell us spices and other products from Tamparis which would enliven our tables. Cinnamon, ginger root, nutmeg, preserved lemons and oranges and date sugar. We have already tasted his flavorings, and I told him I would invite two of our distinguished citizens to try them as well.” He gestured toward a wide metal plate on the table with sweetmeats cut into small pieces. “Please try some.”
Bronwin and Cameron each took a small piece. She tasted cautiously and found she liked the unfamiliar flavor.
“That one has ginger,” Pardogian said. “Do you like it?”
“Aye,” Bronwin answered.
Cameron had picked up a different one and was eating with enthusiasm. “Cinnamon and cloves,” the strangely dressed man said.
“Tasty,” Cameron confirmed.
“So you think it would be worth importing these flavorings to Glencarn?” Gawain asked.
Bronwin could tell Pardogian was waiting tensely for their answer.
“Aye,” they both said.
The envoy relaxed, and Bronwin caught his thoughts about how much his wealth would increase when he quoted a price far above what it would actually cost to buy and ship these flavorings to Glencarn.
She and Cameron tried several more of the samples until Gawain thanked them for their help.
“I will be back soon,” he said to the merchant before he escorted the visitors out of the room. Instead of heading for the front entrance, Gawain led them into another small chamber. Turning to Bronwin he said, “Well?”
“He has quoted you prices double what it will cost him to buy and ship these flavorings from Tamparis.”
“I thought as much,” the prince said. “But I had no way to prove it. You have saved me a considerable amount of coin. With this order and those I may make in the future with him or other traders from his region.”
Bronwin nodded and looked down at her hands.
“I sense that you have gleaned more,” Gawain said.
“I…”
“You need to tell me,” Gawain said firmly.
She swallowed hard then plunged ahead. “He… thinks you are young and naive. He thinks he can take advantage of you.”
“Thank you for being honest with me. I know it was hard to speak those words to a prince.”
“Aye.”
“You have done well. I would like to call upon you again for similar services.”
“Of course,” she answered. “I never thought my… talent would be useful. It was always a problem for me.”
“No more,” Gawain said, then pulled out a small bag of coins and handed them to Bronwin. “For a job well done.”
She felt overwhelmed as she accepted the purse. “But that is not all,” Gawain continued. “I am building several larger houses within the town. I would like to offer one of them to you when it’s ready.”
Bronwin could hardly believe what she was hearing. “I don’t know what to say.”
Cameron cleared his throat. “Thank the prince for his generosity.”
“Aye, thank you.”
Gawain turned to Cameron. “And while you were away, one of the other men I sent out came back with several wild horses, but he had considerable problem handling them. I would like you to take over their training. That way you will not need to be away from home while you settle into married life.”
Cameron’s face shone with gratitude. “Thank you, sire,” he said.
“Take the next few days off. Then report to Steffan.”
“Aye, thank you.”
“I believe your transportation is waiting to take you back home.”
They left quickly, and once they were in the coach, Cameron reached for Bronwin and drew her close.
She laid her head on his shoulder, her happiness overflowing. “I never imagined this life for myself,” she whispered.
“Nor did I imagine that I would meet a woman such as you. The best thing that ever happened to me was being knocked off Storm Chaser.”
“A strange thing to say.”
“But true,” he answered as he brought his mouth to hers for a long, passionate kiss.
Rebecca York
New York Times and USA Today Best-Selling Author Rebecca York began her career as a journalist writing articles for newspapers and magazines, but after several years decided to try writing fiction. She’s a highly successful author of over 50 romantic suspense and paranormal novels and is the head of the Columbia Writers Workshop. Her many awards include two Rita finalist books. She has two Career Achievement awards from Romantic Times: for Series Romantic Suspense and for Series Romantic Mystery. Her Peregrine Connection series won a Lifetime Achievement Award for Romantic Suspense Series. She collects rocks, and enjoys cooking, walking, reading, gardening, travel, and Mozart operas.
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