With his hands, Gunnar loosened the tie that bound her braid, bringing her hair to spill over her shoulders. "I want to know what sort of spell you"ve cast over me. Why my blood rises at the sight of you." He leaned in, his mouth grazing hers in another kiss. "I want to know the woman who was standing in front of me all these months, the woman I was too blind to see. I"m not going to let anyone take you away."

The need to claim her, to mark her as his, was rising hard within him. He invaded her mouth with his tongue, leaving her with no doubt of how much he wanted her.

Something about Auder had captivated him. When he"d seen her starting to surrender herself to the Normans, a primitive urge had taken him with no warning. He didn"t understand what it was, but this night, he intended to use every means to change her mind. Even seduction.

Breaking free of her kiss, he demanded, "If you tell me no, I"ll take you back to the others this very moment." His hands rested at her waist, waiting for some sign. When she didn"t move, his hands moved up to cradle her face. "Or I"m going to touch you the way I"ve wanted to since the day you returned to Glen Ocham."

Her lips were wet, her eyes wild as she stared at him. It had happened so fast, she could hardly breathe. Gunnar"s gray eyes were the color of smoke, his shadowed face fierce with s.e.xual need. Tonight, there would be far more than a single kiss, if she allowed it.

Did she dare? Though her feelings ran deep, she knew what had to happen in the morning. She couldn"t abandon this alliance, despite her personal misgivings. She stared back at the torches outlining the cashel. Tomorrow, she would offer herself to protect her friends and family.

But tonight belonged to her.

She could stay with Gunnar, letting him do as he wished. Already she sensed that it would be different with him, that she would not disappoint him as she had her previous lover. The aching need and desire ran deep. She admitted to herself that Gunnar was the man she wanted more than any other, the man she"d dreamed of. She might never again have this chance.

She"d always felt so awkward and clumsy around men, never knowing how to behave. Reaching up to his face, she ran her fingers from his temple down his jaw. "I should say no to you."

"But you"re not going to. You know this was meant to happen between us."

Beneath her fingertips, she felt his pulse flaring. And when she leaned in to kiss him, it was as if she"d unleashed a storm. He devoured her mouth, cupping her bottom and nestling her hips close to his. The length of his desire rested between them, and she shivered at the thought of joining with him.

"I want to stay with you," she whispered. "Even though I know it"s wrong."

The air was growing cooler, and Gunnar held her close, warming her with the heat of his skin. "Come with me while I get a horse."

"Why? Where are you taking me?"

"Far away from everyone else," he swore. "Tonight, I want no one to interrupt us."

The long ride was dangerous in the darkness, but Gunnar used the moonlit river to guide them. He brought her to a grove of trees, several miles south of the cashel, and far from the place where the Norman soldiers had made camp. "I"m going to build a fire," he told her.

He removed his cloak and spread it on the ground. Auder helped him gather branches and within another half hour, he had a warm fire licking at the wood.

Against the flames, his silhouette reminded her of a conqueror, bold and demanding. She understood that the time for changing her mind was long past. This was a man who intended to claim her, and a surge of desire held her unable to grasp the threads of reason.

Gunnar knelt before her, guiding her to sit with him. Auder brought her hands to rest upon his chest, and the old fears brimmed up inside her, though she tried to push them away.

Was it so wrong to want a memory for herself? She deserved at least that much, didn"t she? And though it might break her heart to leave him in the morning, she would have this night as her own.

Gunnar moved his hands to the brooches at her shoulders and unpinned them. Auder reached up to help remove the ap.r.o.n that covered her dark green gown.

As he took away each layer, baring her skin, he kissed her, sending ripples of intense pleasure rising up. His mouth moved to the softness of her throat, while his hands reached to fill up with her b.r.e.a.s.t.s.

"You weaken me, Auder," he said, and with his thumbs, he caressed her erect nipples.

The pleasure rocked through her, and she touched the scar that ran down his neck, needing to reach his skin. Gunnar removed his tunic, baring his warrior"s body. A strange sh.e.l.l hung from a leather cord, and he set it aside. "It belonged to my mother," was all he would say.

He wove his hands into her hair, sliding it down her b.r.e.a.s.t.s to cover the nipples. He used the glossy strands to arouse her, and she shuddered as her body grew warm with desire. "Ever since I kissed you yesterday, I"ve been wanting to do this." He bent down to kiss each nipple lightly, his tongue sliding across the hard nubs.

He drew her mouth to his, and Auder clung to him while he struggled to remove the rest of their clothing. The heat of his skin seemed to brand hers, and she welcomed his weight atop her, even though she shouldn"t.

"Gunnar," she said softly, her voice breaking slightly. "I"m not good at this. I"m sorry if I displease you."

"You couldn"t displease me if you wanted to." He claimed her mouth in a rough kiss while he rolled onto his back, bringing her atop him. The motion brought her into full contact with his shaft, and she couldn"t stop the shudder of need that pulsed inside. She was wet, ready for him to claim her. Parting her legs, she straddled his waist, kissing him deeply. In response, Gunnar moved his hips, lifting her body against his erection to caress her.

"This is your last chance, Auder," he breathed against her throat. "If you want me to leave you untouched, I will. Or..." He ran his hand down her throat to the generous curve of her breast. The nipple tightened instantly, and she felt his thick length nudging at her opening.

"Or what?" she whispered.

"You"re going to be my captive. And I"m going to touch you until you scream with pleasure."

Chapter Three.

Her heart was beating so fast, she could hardly speak. It was both terrifying and exhilarating, watching Gunnar"s face transform with harsh need. "I don"t want you to stop," she admitted.

"You told me that you"d taken a lover before. And that you didn"t enjoy it."

She shook her head slowly. "I thought I"d done what I was supposed to do. I lay beneath him and let him join with me." Her face was burning with shame. "Afterward, he left without saying a word. What else was I to think?"

"He was a selfish b.a.s.t.a.r.d," Gunnar said. He laid her down gently upon his cloak and reached for her shift. Made of the softest linen, she wondered if he meant to put it back on her. Perhaps he"d changed his mind after all.

Instead, he took her wrists and bound her hands together. "Tonight, I promise you"ll enjoy every moment."

The wool of his cloak was rough against her bare back, and the sensation of being bound was unexpectedly arousing. Though she wanted to touch him, he lifted her wrists above her head, trapping her in place.

"You"re a beautiful woman, Auder. And tonight, you"re mine to claim."

With that, he took her nipple into his mouth, his tongue moving over the hardened tip. She was helpless to stop him, and he sucked gently, tantalizing her. Between her thighs, she could feel his length, and she grew wet simply imagining him inside. His mouth caressed and nibbled at her skin, and she couldn"t stop herself from arching against him, wishing he would release her hands.

"I"m going to take your body and sheathe myself inside you," he said against her navel, and his tongue swirled against it, make her shiver. He let go of her bound hands and spread her legs apart, forcing her to bend her knees. His mouth was dangerously close, and she didn"t think- Sweet G.o.d above. His tongue slid over her woman"s flesh, and she couldn"t stop the cry that broke free. Her nipples were tight, and she couldn"t stop the trembling when he licked her intimately. He used his tongue to ma.s.sage the hooded flesh above her opening, and the sensations brought even more wetness surging.

"Let go," he demanded. "Give yourself to me." He sucked against her, his tongue caressing her, while his hands filled up with her swollen b.r.e.a.s.t.s. Her hips arched, the rigid need rising higher, achingly close.

When he pulled back, she nearly sobbed with frustration, until he started again with the torment. His mouth devoured her secret flesh, and he used one thumb to enter her body. Perspiration broke over her skin as he stimulated her with his thumb, entering her in a gentle rhythm while his tongue lapped at her most sensitive place.

"Gunnar," she cried out, trying to reach for him.

In answer, he used his strength to keep her bound hands trapped while he raked his teeth and tongue over her. When he entered her again with his fingers, his stroking rhythm finally pushed her over the edge. A sudden release broke over her, and Auder pulsed against his hand, shattering with the melting pleasure.

When she met his eyes, no longer was he the kind man she"d fallen for. He"d become a ruthless invader, intent upon taking her. She bit her lip, waiting for the moment when he would press himself inside.

Instead, he sat, guiding her bound hands around his neck. It forced her b.r.e.a.s.t.s against his hardened chest, and her wet folds came into contact with his manhood. He teased her, lifting her hips to graze his length. "Did you like that?" he murmured, taking her breast into his mouth once more.

Her breath caught at the savage pleasure of him suckling at her breast. It was as if she felt an echo within her womb, and she rose up, trying to slide his length within her opening.

"I want you inside me," she pleaded.

"Not yet." He lifted her until his erection was positioned against her entrance. He lavished attention upon her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, caressing the hard nub of one, while he took the other in his mouth. His arm gripped her tight, keeping only the head of his manhood inside.

She was shaking hard as he moved her against him, using his erection to tease and torment her. "Please," she begged him. "Finish this."

"I want to watch you come apart again," he murmured. And then he pushed himself all the way inside. She could feel him filling her, stretching her, until he was buried inside her. The sensation of fullness was so much better than she"d expected, and she rose up a little, adjusting to his size. Her body was so wet, she shuddered when he filled her again.

"Your turn," he said. "You"re going to ride me."

Auder shivered, but understood that he was giving her the power to do what she wanted. She rose up on her knees, sliding up until only the tip of him remained inside, before she lowered herself down again. The deep pressure of his flesh within hers was shocking, and she struggled to find a rhythm.

It was unbearable, feeling how hard he was inside, and her body gripped him tightly, wet against his length.

"Faster," he commanded, taking her hips and surging against her. Her breath came out in quick gasps, but she obeyed. Moving wildly against him, she felt the tremors once again. His length became more aroused, like an iron rod inside her.

Gunnar"s eyes burned into hers as he met her thrusts, driving her past the point of reason. She surged against him, another release breaking over her, and he forced her onto her back once more, never breaking contact.

In that moment, she did scream, as he filled her. Gunnar never stopped his rhythm, thrusting inside her over and over again. She was shaking so hard, she wrapped her legs around him, shattering once more as he joined his body with hers. The madness swirled inside as he penetrated, until at last Gunnar let out his own groan of pleasure, filling her up with his seed.

Auder trembled beneath him, her arms still trapped around his neck. Gunnar used his tongue to tease her nipples, gently biting the tips and causing her to shudder.

"You belong to me, Auder," he murmured against her skin.

She didn"t speak, hardly able to find the words. He had shown her the immense power that could happen between a man and a woman. And in this moment, it was as if he"d reached inside and captured her heart.

Right now, she wanted to weep. She clung tightly to him, wishing to G.o.d she didn"t have to leave him. But somehow there had to be peace between the Normans and her clan. How could she refuse the marriage when it might save their lives?

Beside them, the fire had begun to die down. Gunnar extricated himself from her body and untied her before he stoked the fire up again. In the light, his body gleamed golden. He was staring at the flames, as if he didn"t know what to say. Neither did she.

Though she wanted to know what was bothering him, Auder didn"t ask. She"d wanted a night like this with Gunnar, more than anything. But instead of being able to confess how much she cared for him, she held back the words. It didn"t matter what she felt inside, for her fate was unavoidable. All she had was this last night.

She saw the nick upon his temple where the soldiers had barely missed his head. He could have been killed this morning. Without a word, she pulled him close, resting her head beneath his chin. Against her cheek, she heard his heartbeat, and she vowed that no matter what lay ahead, she would do whatever was necessary to keep safe those she loved.

Gunnar reached out for Auder before the sun had risen. He"d made love to her twice more that night. She"d climaxed with his shaft buried deep, and the feeling of her body squeezing him, wet with her arousal, had sent him into his own shuddering release. He"d experienced an undeniable physical pleasure, but somehow he"d sensed her holding back from him.

Now that he"d taken her for his own, he would stop at nothing to keep her at his side. His hand touched the empty cloak and he sat up, a cold fear suddenly dawning. The horse was gone, along with her clothing, making it clear that she"d left long ago.

d.a.m.n her for this. She"d gone, no doubt intending to give herself over to the Norman baron. Gunnar threw on his clothing, taking off in a fast run. Even so, it wouldn"t be enough to overtake her on horseback.

His legs burned as he tore across the fields, his mind raging. Just imagining the baron touching her, much less claiming Auder with his body, made him want to hack the man to pieces with his battleaxe. He wasn"t about to let Auder-shy, beautiful, and with a heart too big for her own good-make the worst mistake of her life.

He ran until his chest was about to crack open, sweat pouring over his skin. The physical exhaustion didn"t matter-only reaching her in time. The morning sun beat down on him, burning his eyes as he kept up the punishing pace.

When he reached the cashel, he stumbled inside, praying he wasn"t too late. When he saw Morren speaking with Auder"s mother, he knew the worst had already happened. She was gone.

"You let her go, didn"t you?" he demanded.

Morren"s face revealed her worry. "Trahern took her to meet with Lord Maraloch early this morning."

Gunnar let out a foul curse and barked out an order for a horse to be readied. "How long ago?"

Morren shook her head. "More than an hour, at least." She rubbed at her stomach, as if to soothe the unborn child. "Gunnar, she seemed determined to make this marriage. It was her choice."

Her choice to leave him, to run away. He couldn"t accept that, not after the night they"d shared together. Had he frightened her? From the way she"d fallen asleep in his arms, he couldn"t believe it was true. Whatever had happened between them, he needed to confront her.

"I"m going after her." He started to approach the stables when Halma o Reilly moved to stop him.

"Wait," she said quietly. "There"s something you should know first."

The matron looked first at Morren, then at him. "Auder is trying to protect all of us," she whispered. "Especially after what her father did, when he was chieftain. And though I"ve tried to tell her that she does not have to wed the baron, she won"t listen."

He didn"t speak, but a hardness gathered inside. "What did her father do?"

Halma"s face saddened. "My husband...had a weakness for young girls. He was not well liked among our people." A shiver crossed over her, and she clutched her hands together. "Then I saw him looking at our daughter one day."

A sickening feeling sent Gunnar"s stomach falling. He exchanged a look with Morren who paled, closing her eyes. "He didn"t try to-"

"No. I kept her away from him." Shame darkened the matron"s cheeks, and she let out a sigh. "It"s why I sent her away, year after year. But Auder knew why I wouldn"t let her return home. And ever since her father died, she"s tried to take care of me."

Halma took a breath, adding, "If you can stop her from marrying Lord Maraloch, I would be grateful. Perhaps she"ll listen to you."

"I"ll do everything I can," Gunnar swore. His mind began to center upon the true problem-the alliance between the o Reilly clan and the Normans. There had to be another alternative, something they hadn"t considered before. Auder would never abandon the marriage unless she believed her family and friends would be safe.

"I need to speak with Clar," he said suddenly. His idea was a rough one, at best, but it was all he had.

Morren frowned. "She"s with her son at home. But why-?"

Gunnar ignored the question and began to run toward the widow"s hut. If the baron wanted an alliance, there were other ways to achieve it. He only hoped Clar would agree.

In the late afternoon, a maid helped Auder dress in the gown given to her by Lord Miles de Corlaine of Maraloch. A wedding gift, he"d said. The cloth was a stunning blue color, and she found herself examining the silk closer, trying to determine whether or not woad had been used for the dye.

As she ran her fingers over the finery, her eyes welled up. Though she"d tried to push away the memories, it was as if Gunnar had branded himself upon her skin. She could remember every last touch of his hands and the way he"d made her feel. And though it broke her heart to leave him, she knew there was no other choice.

The safety of her clan-and Gunnar-was more important than her personal feelings. Now that she"d met the baron, he didn"t frighten her as much as she"d thought he would. He was an older man with gray hair and vivid blue eyes. The lines upon his face revealed a person of strength and power.

Lord Maraloch had apologized for the soldiers" invasion, explaining that they had acted against his authority and had been punished. He"d also granted Trahern the gift of several horses as rest.i.tution.

Though his actions should have made her feel better, Auder couldn"t abandon her disappointment. She"d been hoping Lord Maraloch would be cruel, thus giving her a reason to back out of the agreement. But Miles de Corlaine had been kind, even introducing her to his seven-year-old son. The lad was bright with a cheerful smile, a boy easy to love.

There was no reason not to go through with this marriage. She might have given her heart to Gunnar, but she"d given her betrothal vow to the baron. And...Gunnar had not once spoken of his own feelings. He didn"t want her to wed the Norman, but neither had he offered for her himself.

She didn"t want to be cast aside, or worse, pitied. She couldn"t bear to see that upon his face.

Her heart was frozen inside, as if she could close off the feelings she didn"t want to feel. Auder reached around her neck for the leather cord she"d taken from Gunnar early this morn. The seash.e.l.l rested against her heart, as though she could claim this small part of him. Something to keep.