held her close, one hand absently stroking her hair as he thought about finding Ava standing at the Elder Knight’s side. To say he’d been surprised to find her there was an understatement. He’d known from reading her letter to Callie that Ava had been married to a Knight decades ago, but he’d had no idea the man had been the Elder Knight’s son, or that she was still involved with the Brotherhood. How had that even come about? Knights were forbidden to marry. Had the Elder Knight been unaware of John’s marriage? Or had he turned a blind eye to it rather than lose his son and the Knights’ witch?
With a shake of his head, he closed his eyes. Nothing mattered now, he thought, nothing but the woman sleeping peacefully and trustingly beside him. He loved her beyond doubt, beyond reason. Soon, she would be his wife, and he would give her the world if she asked for it.
* * *
Callie stirred, wondering what had awakened her. Turning her head to the side, she saw Quill sleeping beside her. For a moment, she was content just to look at him. He was such an incredibly handsome man with his long, dark hair and well-defined features. Even asleep, she could feel the power that clung to him, a constant warning to others to beware.
Moving carefully, she pulled the sheet down, her fingertips lightly tracing the scars on his chest, lingering on the newest one left by the Elder Knight’s sword. It amazed her that this man, this supernatural being who could crush her with a thought, was in love with her.
And she with him.
She remembered watching him battle the Elder Knight. He had moved with such confidence, such grace, that had it not been such a deadly conflict, it would have been a beautiful thing to see.
She trailed her fingertips down the narrow line of hair that led to his waist, her hand stilling when she realized he was awake.
Awake and watching her. “Don’t stop on my account,” he drawled.
Cheeks flaming, Callie met his amused gaze.
For an endless moment, their gazes met. And then he was reaching for her, lifting her body on top of his, his hand cupping her nape, drawing her head down to claim her lips with his own. Desire flamed between them, a need so great it would not be denied.
With a low groan, Quill slipped his hand under her sleep shirt, his fingers sliding restlessly up and down her back as his mouth claimed hers in a long, searing kiss that set her blood on fire and made her whole body throb with longing.
Holding her close, he rolled over and tucked her beneath him. Lifting his head, he looked at her, a question burning in his eyes.
At her nod, his sweatpants and shorts vanished, as did her PJs, and they were locked in each other’s arms, mouths fused together, hands caressing, eagerly exploring, until, with one deep thrust, he swept her over the edge into a world of sensual pleasure where nothing mattered but his lips on hers, his voice whispering that he loved her, would always love her, as their bodies moved together in a mating dance as old as time....
* * *
Callie drifted back to reality slowly, overcome with a sense of love and contentment unlike anything she had ever imagined. Her body still tingled from his touch. The air was sweet with the scent of their love-making.
When she opened her eyes, she found Quill gazing down at her, a worried look on his face. “What’s wrong?” she asked.
“Nothing, love. I just like looking at you.” He paused a moment then asked, “No regrets?”
She ran her hands over his chest, loving the feel of his bare skin beneath her palms. “How can you even ask such a thing?”
He shrugged. “I never want to do anything to hurt you.”
Tugging his head down, she kissed him. “I guess you’ll really have to marry me now.”
“I guess so,” he said, smiling. “Shall I see if I can get that minister back here again tonight?”
“I don’t mind being a fallen woman for another week,” she said. “My dress will be ready then.”
“Okay, love.” His gaze moved to her throat; then he looked at her again, one brow raised.
With a nod, she brushed the hair away from her neck. When he bit her, she sighed as another wave of warm, sensual pleasure washed over her. He was hers now, she thought as she drifted off to sleep, and