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his lips as her body closed around him, welcoming him to her heated depths. He then covered her mouth with his again, withdrew himself and slowly thrust forward.

Murie kissed him back, her tongue dancing with his even as her body arched and shifted and urged him on. Aware that he was close to spilling his seed, but unwilling to do so until she'd found

her release, Balan caught her by the hips and swung away from the tree, then carried her quickly to a slanted boulder at the riverside, each step threatening his control.

Pausing at the boulder, he laid her on the higher end so that her body was at a downward angle. Without the need to hold her, he was free to touch, and he took full advantage, cupping her pale breasts in both hands and kneading briefly before sliding his hands down over her stomach, then across the crumpled material of her gown and further. One hand stopped at the core of her and began to caress, but the other continued on down to one ankle to catch and lift it before him.

Murie's eyes popped open, and she stared wide-eyed as he leaned it against his chest, then held it to help brace himself as he drove into her with more urgency. But her eyes soon closed and squeezed tight shut, her face tightening until she suddenly twisted her head to the side with a scream of pleasure.

Only then did Balan allow his seed to spill. Giving up his caresses, he clutched her leg with both hands and thrust one final time, his head falling back as he released his own shout of victory.

Chapter Nine

"Is everything all right?" Emilie asked as Murie rejoined her. The men had built a fire, and she was seated by it, enjoying its heat.

A bit chilled from the dip in the river she'd just taken, washing after the episode with her husband, Murie was grateful for the fire. She began to brush her hair, hoping to dry it more quickly.

"Aye, of course I am fine," she said with surprise. "Why would you think otherwise?"

"Oh, no reason," Emilie assured her. Then, eyes twinkling, she added, "The men were a bit concerned by the shouts and screams coming from the woods, but Reginald assured them that all was likely well and kept them from running to your rescue." Murie stared, her face flushing with embarrassment; then she scowled and wrinkled her nose. She said by way of explanation,

"I saw a snake."

"I am sure you did," Emilie said meaningfully, and Murie blushed harder.

"I did not mean - " she began, but when her friend burst into a fit of giggles, she gave up and joined her.

"I am glad that part of your marriage appears to be going well," Emilie said as their giggles died. "I imagine it could be most difficult did you not... er... find some common ground in the marital bed."

"Aye," Murie agreed, her eyes finding her husband and watching him talk to Reginald. The two men were laughing, and she had no doubt Lord Reynard had just told him that the men had thought to rescue them. His gaze found hers, and he smiled. Murie admitted, "He makes my legs weak and my body quiver."

"Aye." Emilie sighed, her eyes seeking out her own husband.

"So did Reginald."

"Did?" Murie asked with alarm.

"He has not touched me since we found I was pregnant," she admitted unhappily.

"Oh." Murie bit her lip, her gaze slipping back to the man in question. "He is most likely afraid of hurting you."

"That, or he finds me hideously unattractive now that I grow heavy with child," Emilie said with forced cheer.

"Oh, Emilie, I am sure that is not it," Murie assured her.

"Anyone can see that Reginald adores you."

"Then why does he no longer touch me?"

"He is always hugging and kissing you," Murie pointed out.

"That is not the same thing, Murie, and you know it. That is affection. I want. .." Her eyes returned to her husband, a battle of wants and needs warring there.

'You want to feel desired, not just cared for," Murie remarked with quiet understanding. She'd only been married two days and a night, but even so, she did not think she'd be very happy were Balan suddenly to stop wanting to make love to her.

Emilie heaved a sigh and waved her hand vaguely. "It will be all right. I am just huge and miserable right now. Everything will be fine once the bairn is born ... which I hope