Tested By The Night

By Maxine Mansfield

Mia Hammerstrike was always the meek, mild mannered, spare to the heir. But when her brother abdicates his position as heir to the throne of Alaria, she is faced with a decision—marry a man to rule her people or take on Queen Adrina’s Challenge so that she can someday rule the country herself. After all, why should gender decide her future? Granted, the broad shouldered, dreamy eyed barbarian sent to look after her during her quest makes her VoT glad she's of the female persuasion. Barbarian Talon Starkweather made a promise a long time ago, and now he must make good on it. He must play bodyguard to his best friend's sister, a little princess on a big mission. There are those who want her to fail, but he vows to help the barbarian princess earn the right to rule. There's only one problem—while he's protecting the stubborn and insatiably lusty female, who is going to protect Talon from the one woman trying not only his patience but also his willpower? Their journey leads to danger, passion, and a battle of wills, and both will find themselves Tested by the Night.

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
• Release date: Sep 4, 2015
• ISBN: 9781509204052

Maxine Mansfield

Hi, my name is Maxine Mansfield and I write fantasy, erotic romances. I live in the far northern state of Alaska where the summer days are long and the winter nights even longer. I have one very special man, his three equally special children, and our six delightful grandchildren in my life. Not to mention a very bossy African Grey parrot named Gabriel. Oh, and Gnomes! many, many Gnomes

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Tested by the Night

by

Maxine Mansfield

The Academy

Book Five

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

Tested by the Night

COPYRIGHT © 2015 by Maxine Mansfield

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press, Inc. except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Contact Information: [e-mail]

Cover Art by Diana Carlile

The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

PO Box 708

Adams Basin, NY 14410-0708

Visit us at www.thewilderroses.com

Publishing History

First Scarlet Rose Edition, 2015

Print ISBN 978-1-5092-0404-5

Digital ISBN 978-1-5092-0405-2

Published in the United States of America

Dedication

As always, to David Kuropkat who's wonderful imagination lends itself so well to questing. And to all the Leeky's Ladies, my Facebook street team, for cheering me on every step of the way. You guys rock. And of course to the very talented ladies of The Alaska Chapter of Romance Writers. You guys keep me sane, and I wouldn't know what to do without you.

PRAISE FOR AUTHOR

Maxine Mansfield

AND HER BOOKS

The Academy, Volume One has to be one of the best series I've read…Everything from dragons to gnomes to hot steamy sex held my attention from the first page…The characters are all amazing…I laughed a lot, and out loud. I look forward to reading more from Maxine Mansfield. A definite must add to your tbr list. Highly recommended!

~Denise Gardner

TOUCHED BY THE MAGIC

Maxine Mansfield's TOUCHED BY THE MAGIC is a book that will be unlike anything you've ever read! It's a wonderful love story between two very magic-filled beings, Half-Elf Briar Tumbleweed and Paladin Uthiel Stoutheart. If it sounds like a fairy tale, well it is. But, trust me, it isn't your normal Disney fare—by a long shot.

~Lizbeth Selvig, Contemporary Author Avon Impulse

This was quite an entertaining read full of comedy, adventure and some steaming hot loving. The plot, characters and creatures were so wonderfully thought out.

~Anna, Book-Lovin-Mommas

Touched by the Magic.

Tempted by the Storm.

Taken by the Passion…

A new love is born

Tamed by the Fire.

Tested by the Night.

Tried by the Desire…

A true love burns bright

Potion of Extraordinary Knowledge

One drop of a mother’s tears, two drops of woe, three drops of laughter, stirred four times in a row. Five drops of sunlight, six drops of dew, seven drops of moonbeams, in eight different hues. Nine drops of whirlwinds, ten drops of fire, and eleven drops of summer rain, all kissed with desire. Mixed all together, with magic, love, and lore, and a potion you will soon behold, of a knowledge that will soar.

Chapter One

Talon cringed. You want me to do what?

Why him? What on Albrath could Zander be thinking, asking his first lieutenant and very best friend to take on such a grievous, unpleasant task? He’d rather be plunged straight into the pits of fire in the Valley of Torment, before contemplating what was being asked of him. Not to mention, VoT itself would probably be a more welcoming place than where his comrade wanted him to go. Especially if King Adan got wind of his true intentions.

"You heard me. Who else would I ask? This assignment is too important to entrust to anyone but you, my friend. That is, if you’re willing?"

Though Zander Hammerstrike’s lips turned up in a smile his eyes held no hint of humor. As a matter of fact, the ex-prince, now baron, and future co-leader of the Paladin’s of Albrath had never looked more deadly, more serious.

"Like I said, I need you to go to my father’s castle in Alaria and present yourself to my sister, Mia. Escort her to the Academy and be to her what you’ve always been to me. Be her friend, her bodyguard, and her self-defense instructor for this upcoming semester. It’s not as if I don’t have need of you myself, but I’m no longer the heir to the throne of Alaria, she is.

I’d do this task myself, but with the death of Baron Fistslammer, I have no choice but travel to Halla with Kitrina and see the castle and its people put to rights, you know this.

Zander rubbed the back of his neck.

I need you and your special skills my friend, and I’m calling due that long ago promise you made me.

Talon shook his head. Now? The bloody promise now? Really? Ask anything else of me, Zander. I beg of you. You can’t be serious. You of all people know you cannot trust me in this. Remember who I am? I’m Talon Starkweather, barbarian warrior, and well-known womanizer. You can’t expect me to…to…spend time alone with your little sister and not…well, you know. Seriously?

He poked himself in the chest. "You can’t mean it. Not with my reputation. You know me all too well, Zander. I’m no governess. I’m a governess’s worst nightmare. I drink way too much. I crack open heads and flay torsos for sport. I split gullets and disembowel scoundrels on a whim. VoT, I’ve even been known to tup about any willing female who comes within a hundred yards of me, and I don’t even hesitate to flirt with the old, ugly ones. It’s a hard job, I admit. But, someone’s gotta do it.

"I’d make a really bad ladies maid.

Send Laycee to her. I have no doubt she’d be a fine companion. Didn’t you tell me once she was governess to your aunts when they were young?

Zander’s eyes gleamed with that same stubborn glare Talon had witnessed more times than he’d like to remember. "It has to be you. You’re my best friend, and I trust no other with this sensitive matter. Laycee can’t prepare Mia for what lies ahead. Laycee can’t teach her how to defend not just her body but also her heart and her soul. And Laycee won’t be able to talk sense into my little sister like you can.

Mia has gotten this…this crazy notion in her head, and she won’t let it go. I almost think she’s trying to punish me for abdicating. Just go to her and do what she asks, within reason of course. But at the same time, do the job I’m tasking you with, and do it without Mia finding out what’s really going on if at all possible.

Talon shook his head. What exactly are you tasking me with, Zander?

The ex-heir sighed. Though I’ve made the choice to never become king of the barbarians myself, I do worry about what is to become of Mia in the future. And I care very much about who she will choose to marry when the time comes, and so should you. If by chance she fails at this crazy scheme of hers, and I’m certain she will, God Draka only knows who may end up sitting upon my father’s throne. See her through this quest until she does fail, and see to it she doesn’t fall for the first fresh-faced barbarian who winks at her.

Though he wanted to, Talon didn’t argue with his friend’s logic.

One semester, right?

Zander nodded. That’s all it should take.

He could play ladies maid and personal bodyguard to a spoiled little princess for one semester, couldn’t he? After all, how hard could it be? He’d collect the little lass, escort her back to the Academy, give her pointers on self-defense, protect her pretty little ass, keep the power-hungry knaves at bay, and do whatever menial tasks she asked of him. It was just one semester.

He was curious though. Umm, Zander, just what kind of crazy quest idea has your little sister gotten into her head?

Zander coughed. "Mia’s determined to attempt Queen Adrina’s Challenge, and she must be curtailed before she gets herself killed. It’s imperative she be kept safe, Talon, even from herself if need be. Don’t let her go through with it if at any time you think she’ll come to harm. VoT, personally sabotage her if it comes to that. For her own good, of course. Put to use those irresistible talents you have when it comes to women. Trick her if you must, even lie to her if you have no other choice, and while you’re at it, gently push her in the direction of a ‘suitable’ barbarian male who’d be able to rule in her stead. A barbarian of honor, a barbarian of duty, a barbarian above reproach. It really is in her best interest.

I wouldn’t be able to go on living if Mia were hurt, or worse, because I shifted what was once my responsibility onto her young, vulnerable shoulders.

Zander took a deep breath. My little sister is a headstrong, stubborn young woman, and I love her with all my heart. But she’s no Queen Adrina. If you must make her life so difficult and miserable she gladly chooses a man over this crazy challenge, so be it. I’ll not stand idly by and see her harmed, because of my decision to abdicate.

Talon shook his head once more. I don’t know, Zander. This plan of yours sounds like a really bad idea if you ask me. I know women. And if little Mia Hammerstrike ever finds out we set out with the intention to interfere with her efforts, may God Draka have mercy on the both of us. But I do owe you a debt I can never truly repay and I did make you a promise, so I’ll do my best to see this done.

****

Princess Amelia Zoe Cassidy Hammerstrike paced the length of her dull, drab castle chamber like a caged animal. She wrung her hands. What in the VoT had possessed her, to think she could go through with this? It was practically the middle of the night, and he was late, anyway.

The three moons of Albrath, each in a different phase, shown through her floor-to-ceiling windows, casting lazy shadows across the room, as if they were trying to compete with the dozen or so candles she’d lit.

Where in the VoT was the man she’d sent for? And what could possibly be taking him so long to get here? He needed to arrive soon, he really did. He needed to reach her room, enter her door, and do what he’d been hired to do before she completely lost her mind and her nerve.

Taking a deep calming breath, Mia sat on the edge of her bed and stared at the four gray, paint-free walls of the bedchamber that had been her one true sanctuary for the last twenty-one years.

How could her brother, Zander, and his wife, Kitrina, have done this to her? How could they have laid this responsibility at her feet without a second thought as to whether she wanted to someday become Queen of the Barbarians?

Granted, they were desperately in love, and they really hadn’t had much choice after the Dragon Heart Opal chose Zander as Kitrina’s mate. But still, it wasn’t fair. They might as well have painted a target on her back with a note attached saying fresh meat, come and get it.

Mia stomped her foot. She’d been good with being the spare to the heir. Not once in her entire upbringing had she ever envied her bother his title or rightful place. And just how had her dear brother rewarded her loyalty? He’d abdicated his throne and married her very human and totally unbarbarian best friend, that’s what he’d done. And as if that wasn’t bad enough, he’d left her in a mess she wasn’t sure she could get out of.

Chewing her fingernails until they were not much more than stubs, she watched grains of sand slip, quicker than she would’ve liked through the hourglass. Where on Albrath was that dratted man?

She needed something to take the edge off the anxiety she’d been experiencing since she’d made known her decision. Zander had all but deserted her, her father wouldn’t even speak with her about it, and her mother…well, her mother broke out into a sobbing fit every time she walked into the room.

Mia lay on the bed and stared up at the ceiling. Of all the choices presented to her, Queen Adrina’s Challenge had to have been the one path least expected of her to take. But then, why would anyone in their right mind ever think it was a good idea to choose a three part, only ever successfully accomplished once quest, to earn the right to rule over simply choosing a man to do it for her? For God Draka knew barbarian woman weren’t qualified or worthy to rule over barbarian men unless they had first proven themselves.

To VoT with the lot of them!

It truly wasn’t fair. Any barbarian male, be he handsome or not, rich or poor, young or old, good or bad, smart or an idiot, as long as he was more barbarian than he was anything else and chosen by the female heir as her mate, could become king and rule Alaria with her sitting docilely at his side. All he had to do was be willing to wed her.

While she wasn’t deemed worthy to rule the land by virtue of her sex, even though she’d spent years taking diplomacy classes and watching her father rule. She cared about her people. She always had. She’d be fair. She’d be just. She’d be a good ruler. Could she be one-hundred percent certain that whichever man she someday chose would do the same? No.

She rubbed her temples and closed her eyes. Why did there have to be such a double standard within the barbarian community? If Zander hadn’t abdicated, all he would’ve had to do was chose a barbarian mate and rule over his kingdom. Why couldn’t Mia do likewise?

After all, they’d both had the same exact training in kingdom finances, serf handling, crop rotations, diplomatic practices, the procuring of good help, and sexual theory as it pertained to the procreation of the next heir. She’d even been properly deflowered at precisely the exact age she was supposed to. Not a moment before or a moment after.

She wasn’t some silly little innocent who didn’t know what went on in the world, especially when it came to what happens between a man and a woman. She’d passed all of her sexual theories and practices classes with flying colors. And if truth be told, she could more than hold her own between the sheets. None of it had mattered, though. No one had expected her to ever truly be in direct line for the throne.

It mattered now, however, and the fact that she hadn’t been important in the scheme of things before didn’t seem to be a deterrent to the hordes of sudden interest she’d received since word of Zander’s abdication leaked.

For days now, there had been a steady flow of eligible barbarian men, aspiring to someday become king, traipsing through the castle. Just hoping for a few moments of her time so they could plead their case and convince her they were the very best candidate to sit upon her throne. She couldn’t even go downstairs for a meal without getting accosted, propositioned, or bored to death.

That was one of the main reasons she’d given up on dating in the first place and had kept herself celibate for more than two years now. Barbarian men were fickle creatures, they were heartless, they were cruel, and they always had their own agendas. Barbarian men like…

She sighed and forced the memory of hair the color of spun gold, eyes the same shade as a cloudless sky, and a smile as bright, yet as fleeting, as the beams of moonlight flittering across her room this very second.

Barbarian men, they only ever showed attention when they wanted something from a woman or they wanted her in their bed. And when they didn’t get whatever they were after, they were done with her. Especially if she were no more than the spare to the heir.

That’s one of the main reasons she had religiously practiced her mystic spells over the past couple of years along with her other studies. It was important to maintain self-control at all times. She needed to be in complete charge of her faculties, and she needed to be able to discern when someone was lying to her, just in case something like this next in line to the throne business really did come to pass.

And that’s why she needed a complete stranger so badly tonight. She needed a man she didn’t have to worry was after her throne. A man from the castle’s overly abundant personal needs stock. A barbarian paid to service her.

She needed him to get here, and she needed him to get here now.

Mia glanced at the hourglass and watched as a smattering of sand grains continued to trickle through it. She pressed her legs tightly together and squirmed. Her breath quickened, her heart pounded, her palms itched, and her clit throbbed with need.

Two years had been a very long time, and God Draka help her, but after glimpsing all those oh-so-handsome barbarians running rampant throughout her castle, she really did need a good old-fashioned, but totally meaningless, fuck to get her through the night.

****

Queen Adrina’s Challenge?

What the VoT could little Mia Hammerstrike be thinking?

Talon meandered through the hallways of the huge drafty Alarian castle, trying his best to prolong his arrival at the door of the dreaded chamber. Even though it was late evening, he had promised Zander he’d present himself to his sister the moment he arrived.

God Draka, he hoped he didn’t awaken and frighten the poor little thing.

He sighed. What had possessed the lass to ever make her think she could do Queen Adrina’s Challenge? It was a VoT hard quest, concentrating on heart, diplomacy skills, and might. It had only ever been accomplished successfully by one other person in the last nine-hundred years. And that one person had been Queen Adrina herself.

Born the only child of the king of the barbarians, Adrina was ambitious, beautiful, and very smart. Knowing barbarian law declared only a male could rule, she devised a challenge and presented it before the council of dukes, earls, and barons.

All any man wishing to become her mate and possibly the ruling king had to do was sit back and wait for her to fail before presenting himself. But if she successfully completed the challenge, then whatever man she chose would not only take his seat at her side, but he’d take her name in place of his own. She’d be the one to sit upon the throne of Alaria, and she’d be the one to rule over the barbarian people. Their queen.

After Adrina agreed to make sure all of the proceedings were completely fair by having the three events witnessed by someone of the council’s choosing, the council members had unanimously sanctioned her challenge.

With his musings, the door to Mia’s chamber stood before Talon much sooner than he’d anticipated. He raised his fist, poised to knock.

He shook his head again. Little Mia Hammerstrike? Contemplating taking on something as nearly impossible as Queen Adrina’s Challenge? The barbarian princess and now heir to the throne of Alaria had obviously lost her pretty little mind. Zander was right. There was no way she could win. How in the VoT was he going to convince her to give up this crazy scheme and simply choose an acceptable male to rule in her place?

It had been at least four years since he’d last walked the halls of this castle, had last set eyes on Zander’s little sister. Back then she’d been a shy, meek, little thing, still a ways from womanhood, more pigtails and knobby knees than siren, seductress, or queen.

Yet, the vaguest memory of vibrant, ass-length candy-apple red hair, hauntingly beautiful lips and piercing eyes more gray than blue had hinted at what she would someday become. The thought invaded his mind and had his cock springing to life. Mia Hammerstrike would be no child now. She’d be twenty-one and full grown.

Down boy, he warned his cock. Full grown or not, if he were being truthful with himself, he’d have to admit he wasn’t worthy to even look upon Princess Mia’s face, let alone allow lust for the lass to enter his mind, and he’d better not forget it. For God Draka’s sake, she’d someday take her rightful place beside the next king of Alaria. She wasn’t for the likes of him.

And what of him?

Where would Talon Starkweather be those long years from now when King Adan was gone and Mia took her rightful place? Not at her side, that was for certain. Though good enough to protect and possibly even to teach a princess how to defend herself, the descendant of a well-known traitor wasn’t worthy to actually serve in any other capacity.

He shook his head, took a deep breath, and rapped three times.

Oh, yes, Talon knew exactly where he’d be. Other than the hard-earned title of trusted best friend and guardian to Zander Hammerstrike, Talon was now and would always be the too many great-greats to remember grandson of Flint Starkweather, the barbarian accused as traitor to his people and the real cause behind the Castle Kuropkat War. And as such, Talon was considered by many to be no better than a traitor himself. Blood is as blood does.

After this job was finished, he’d travel back to Castle Kuropkat where his long ago ancestor had made that fatal mistake, and he’d return the little creature who’d followed him home from there. That was, if the blasted thing even still waited for him at The Academy. And from there, he’d travel on to Halla and take his rightful place at Zander’s side, away from barbarian politics and pretty little princess. And he’d do it with his debt of honor to his friend finally paid in full.

Come in. A voice as sweet as a spring time shower beckoned from somewhere beyond the door.

Talon turned the knob and straitened his spine. He could do this. He could. After all, he’d fought giants, he’d slain enemies too numerous to count, he’d stood back to back with Zander in more arenas than he could even begin to remember. This was simply a teach-the-princess-to-defend-herself-and-keep-her-safe-while-decieving-her-and-ruining-her-chances-to-ever-rule kind of job. How hard could it be?

He swung open the door, and his heart thudded to a complete stop. His breath caught in his chest. Princess Amelia Zoe Cassidy Hammerstrike wasn’t all pigtails and knobby knees anymore. The woman standing across the room from him—right next to a huge four-poster bed—and looking anxious was mind-bogglingly, breathtakingly, the most beautiful creature he’d ever laid eyes upon.

Her hair was no longer a pair of vibrant red pigtails, but that didn’t make it any less impressive. Now, it hung loose, down past her slender waist, and it flowed in wave after wave of rich, dark cinnamon delight.

His cock sprung to life as his fingers itched to run through every single strand, to tug, to yank upon them, to use them to pull her down. And when he had her right where he wanted her? Then he’d do what he was so well known for. He’d cover her with his body, possess her, make her cry out in pleasure, and make her his own.

And her lips… God Draka help him, but her lips were even plumper, pinker, and if possible, more temptingly kissable than when he’d seen her last. And the fact she chose that very moment to slide the tip of her tiny, pink tongue out to wet both of those luscious lips had his balls aching and his cock stretching and hardening too VoT fast.

He gulped as he looked her in the eye. The same blue-gray depths that had once twinkled with innocence now burned with something much less naive and much more carnal.

He stood transfixed, awaiting with anticipation her words of greeting. Would she even remember him?

It’s about time you got here, barbarian. Get naked and be quick about it. I have a powerful need to fuck…now!

His breath left him, like a hard punch to the gut. She didn’t know who he was? How could she not remember him? He’d certainly never forgotten her.

If he were truly an honorable man, he’d turn on his heel this very moment and walk out the door. To VoT with Mia Hammerstrike and her stupid challenge to become a ruling queen someday. To VoT with the promise he’d made to Zander. And double VoT to any woman who looked at him as if he were simply a slab of meat here to service her pretty, little ass.

Talon sighed. Not that he hadn’t looked that exact same way at more women than he could even begin to remember. But being on the receiving end of that particular facial expression was harder than he’d imagined.

But God Draka help him, she was beautiful. Her body was perfectly proportioned in all the right places. Her ample breasts were high, her waist tiny, her hips just wide enough to firmly grasp while thrusting deep into what would most assuredly be an amazing pussy between those amazing legs.

He hardened even further, and for a moment, a sense of guilt flooded him.

He should tell her exactly who he was, and that his purpose in her room had nothing whatsoever to do with servicing her.

But then she tapped her cute little toe and placed her hands on her hips. Barbarian? You do realize it isn’t polite to keep your princess waiting, don’t you?

Well, Zander had told him to do whatever Mia asked. And there really was no better time than the present to begin his…task. And though perhaps not quite as nicely as he was used to, she certainly was asking for it. And after all, didn’t he first need to earn her trust before he could ever begin to shred it into a million pieces?

Before one more grain of sand had the opportunity to shift through the hourglass, his belt, sword, and kilt all clattered to the floor. He kicked free of his boots, and naked as the day God Draka made him, Talon Starkweather slowly sauntered toward the princess.

He didn’t wish to move too quickly. He was half afraid he’d scare her off and half afraid he wouldn’t.

Though he was without a doubt the direct descendant of a traitor, he knew himself to be, first and foremost, a man of honor. Even if this job he was about to undertake was one heartbeat away from honorable, in and of itself, he’d freely given his word to Zander, and undertake it he would. But he was also a fair man, and he’d give Princess Mia Hammerstrike the time it took for him to walk across the room to remember who he was, and change her mind.

But not a moment longer.

Chapter Two

Mia’s mouth went desert dry as the gloriously naked man made his way toward her. His cock swaying back and forth like a large angry cobra ready to strike and the gleam in his eyes promised that pouncing upon her was precisely what he was about to do. She shivered in anticipation.

Oh, my God Draka, where had this fine specimen of barbarian male fortitude come from? The outer providences most likely. Halla or Bane perhaps? After all, they did tend to grow slightly bigger barbarians in the higher altitudes. At least that’s what she’d been told.

One thing was for certain, though, she couldn’t remember ever seeing a barbarian this tall, this handsome, this manly anywhere else in Alaria. And if he was half as good in bed as he was to simply stand and gape at, before this night was through, she’d definitely be beholden to whoever had the forethought to hire him.

The closer he came, the more unsure of herself Mia grew. What if she couldn’t remember how to please a man? After all, it had been more than two years since she’d had carnal knowledge of…anyone. But then, did it even really matter? This was his job after all, what he was paid to do. For some reason, though, the thought of him being disappointed in her did matter…very much. She’d seen the look of regret on a man’s face once before when she hadn’t lived up to his expectations. It was a sight she hoped to never see again. Especially not in the rich, molten chocolate brown eyes gazing so intently at her now.

He touched her hand, and she jumped. Easy, princess, we have all night.

She shook her head. Na…no, we don’t. We need to do this quickly, before I lose my nerve.

He chuckled, and his eyes held as much amusement as his voice. Making love with a lass as lovely as yourself should never be a hurried event. That would be a crime. He nuzzled her neck and whispered against her skin. It’ll take at least the rest of this night and half of the morrow to do proper homage to one such as you.

Mia shuddered. I don’t want you to—to—to make love to me. That’s much too personal. I want you to simply fuck me, fast and hard. Just do it and get it over with.

This time he laughed out loud, and Mia smacked him, though her heart wasn’t really in the blow. He didn’t even seem to notice. Instead, with one hand, he unclasped the broach holding her gown together at her shoulder, and with his other, he gathered her close as the deep-blue gossamer silk slithered to the floor and pooled between them.

He nuzzled her neck again, and shivers of delight scampered up and down her spine, landing with a resounding thud right in the middle of her belly. When a starving man is set before a fine feast such as you, princess, he does not simply gobble his meal down and walk away. Oh, no, he savors every morsel of it, dines to near bursting, and thoroughly licks his plate clean afterward in appreciation.

She gulped and a heartbeat later found herself flat on her back in the middle of the soft furs covering her bed with a very large, very handsome, very sexy barbarian straddling her. Something about the way he smiled, the gleam in his eyes, suddenly seemed familiar, and the very smallest of grains of memory began to form in the back of her mind. She started to speak. She started to ask him if