"No, please do not," Ian held his hand out. "Come, Ailios, I need you."

She inched forward not able to withstand the pull of him, and took his hand to allow him to tug her forward.

He held her against him in a tight embrace. It was endearing when he nuzzled into her hair.

"Are you unwell?" She had to ask by the way he held her, as if he needed something more than the physical from her.

"I am not ill Ailios." He spoke against her ear. "Yet I am at the most horrible place in my life. At the same time, holding you makes me stronger."

She looked into his darkened eyes, her gaze moving to his lips. "I am so sorry. Do you wish to talk?"

"No." Ian's mouth took hers. Ailios reveled in the hardness of his body pressed against her softer one and she pushed into him, needing to become one, to meld into him.

"I hoped you would come willingly to me, but didn't dare dream it would be." His voice was husky with desire and melted over her like a warm rain. Ailios let out a sigh.

The savagery of his kiss spoke of hunger, of need and desperation, and Ailios had no doubts how much Ian wanted her. The man trembled, his entire body quaking as he continued to kiss her, his hands sliding down her body.

He cupped her bottom and lifted her from the floor until she wrapped her legs around his slender waist.

Sensations like she'd never felt before filled her. Her head became light, and she clung to him. How she wished the night to never end. With so many wonderful new sensations and emotions, Ailios needed more time. Her world would not be the same after this night. On a deep level she understood it and part of her already mourned the loss of Ian once he married.

Any further thinking left when he lowered her and his darkened eyes met hers. "I must have you. See all of you."

His lips were swollen from her kisses, a sense of propriety within her made Ailios smile. Ian slid her simple blouse off her shoulders exposing her breasts to him, his hands slid down her arms until the clothing fell about her waist. "Beautiful."

When his mouth took the tip of her breast while his other hand cupped the opposite one, Ailios threw her head back and pressed her lips together to keep from crying out. She drew her fingers through his silken hair urging him to continue and Ian complied suckling at her breast then pulling back and flicking his tongue over the hardened tip.

Her legs threatened to fold under her. She held onto his strong shoulders forcing her unstable knees to remain in place. A moan escaped when he moved to the other breast, his hot mouth closing over it, and then took as much as he could. "Oh!" Her breathy voice sounded deeper.

Ian straightened and walked her backward toward the edge of his bed while pushing her skirts down past her hips onto the floor. Her shift quickly followed until she was completely bare.

"I can't wait to join with you." Ian lifted her and placed her on the soft bedding. Totally bare while he was still fully dressed, Ailios felt as if she'd drank too much ale, dizzy with desire and want.

"You are most handsome," Ailios told him, her eyes raking over his still dressed form. "Are you removing your clothing?"

"Not yet." His lips curved and he tugged her to the edge of the bed and kneeled between her legs. She was about to ask what he did when his tongue flicked onto her inner thigh, licking a wicked trail toward her throbbing center.

"Oh!" She cried grabbing onto the bedding unable to stop from lifting her hips when his mouth fell over her most sensitive nub. Sensations surged when Ian began to kiss her in a place so intimate, she could barely withstand it. He continued licking over the same spot until she was nearly coming undone. "Laird," Ailios gasped, "Oh!"

He lifted his head and peered up at her, a wicked curve to his lips. "Call me Ian."

A finger pushed into her at the same time he took her back into his mouth and she lost all control and cried out as her body fragmented into pieces.

When she stopped shaking, she opened her eyes to a most wonderful sight of Ian undressing.

Even more beautiful than in her dreams, the man before her was breathtaking. His skin was taut and tanned from the sun. His wide shoulders beckoned Ailios's eyes to wander down his well-formed broad chest and on past to his flat stomach and slender hips. His arms were muscular, well honed from lifting the heavy swords and daily exercising with the other warriors.

He never stopped looking at her as he pushed his breeches down freeing his thick cock. It jutted up hard and proud.

Fully nude, he climbed over her and took her mouth again. He tasted salty and smelled of her. Ailios took his tongue with greed when he pushed it into her mouth.

She reached for his hardness and she wrapped her fingers around it gliding it down his length enjoying his grunts of pleasure. She continued to stroke him while suckling at his tongue, at the same time her other hand roamed over his taut rear.

The feel of him was like nothing she'd ever experienced. Her husband had been old and their joining was a short and not quite enjoyable occasion.

With Ian she was completely enthralled. In that instant Ailios vowed to make this night unforgettable. She'd be in his bed only once, but the memories would be hers for a lifetime.

"Guide me into you, lass," Ian panted into her ear.

His cock was sizeable. Fully erect, it stood straight out. Ailios could hardly wait to join with him. Lifting her hips, she helped him to find her entrance and he nudged at it. With slow gentleness Ian slid into her and she took his mouth to keep from crying out in pleasure. Inch by inch he dove in, taking his time to ensure she could adjust to his large size.

When he stopped, he was so fully seated she could feel his sack against her. Ian began to move, pumping into her with measured movements. He placed his hands beside her shoulders and straightened his arms while continuing to thrust in a steady tempo.

He maintained eye contact while pulling out almost completely before driving in fully. Ailios arched up to him and his lips curved. "Anxious are you? Let me enjoy this. I wish to prolong our climax as much as possible."

She slid her hands over his chest. His skin was soft over the hardness of his muscles.

Her fingers brushed over his nipples and he closed his eyes. "Aye, that feels good." Ailios continued circling his now tight tips while he continued his unhurried movements.

Ian pushed completely into her and lowered his mouth taking hers in a hungry kiss and she responded wrapping her arms around his neck, enjoying the moment of total union.

He broke the kiss and looked down at her. "I've wanted you since first seeing you. What is it about you that draws me so strongly?" Darkened eyes met hers and she could only look into them as words evaded. He studied her, his brows drawn. "I fear what I already feel for you, Ailios."

The tenderness of the moment ended when he began to move again, his hips plunging and withdrawing and she wrapped her legs about his waist while holding onto his shoulders to give him space to move.

Ian thrust repeatedly, his cock touching a deep spot. The gracefulness of the muscular male hypnotized her, the friction of his skin and hair between his legs bringing unbelievable sensations when sliding against hers.

Ailios felt empty when he pulled out completely, she looked to see what he did. He rose to his knees and guided her to lie on her side. Then he lifted her leg and placed it over his shoulder. He slid back into her and she sighed at being joined with him once more. The lightness was short-lived as the position gave him more access to fondle her while sliding in and out of her. At the same time as his cock slid, his fingers danced over her center. Within moments, she was lost in the wonderful assault and started to cry out, only to bite her lip. "You can be as loud as you wish, Ailios, no one will hear you. My chamber is the only occupied one on this side." Ian assured her, huffing.

He watched her the entire time until she cried out, his gaze boring into her as she lost control and fell into an abyss of clouds and darkness. Her entire body shook and she grabbed at bedding in a futile attempt to gain control again.

In the fog of passion, her leg fell to the bed and once again Ian took her. With hard even movements, he thrust into her over and again. Mouth agape and eyes glazed over, Ian raced toward his own completion.

Ailios gripped the bedding, screamed and flayed under his continued drives, not sure she could remain conscious. The music of flesh slapping against flesh filled her every sense.

Ian growled finally finding release, his entire body quaking. He continued plunging into her, without rhythm as his heated seed spilled.

They held onto each other waiting for their breathing to normalize and it occurred to her that there was another reason for how hard they clung. Something very distinct occurred between them. It was as if finding a long lost treasure.

Ailios caressed his face. "It has never been like this for me. I didn't realize lovemaking could be so wonderful. I will treasure this moment with you."

Ian's lazy gaze met hers. "Honestly, neither did I." He pulled her close to his side.

"Tell me about your life before coming here."