“You think it humorous that I should feel fortunate?” he said giving teasing pokes to her ribs.
She raised her hands to ward off his playful attack and cringed from the pain that shot through her.
“Damn,” Cree mumbled. “I forgot about your wound.”
And of course a yawn had to attack her just then, since she was feeling more relaxed than she had in hours.
Cree shook his head. “And you’re tired and need rest. That’s it. No more talk, it’s time to sleep.”
Dawn had no intentions of arguing with him. He helped her stretch out and then eased her against him when he stretched out beside her, making certain that her wound was left undisturbed.
Another yawn hit Dawn and she was prepared for sleep to claim her fast. The problem started when she felt Cree harden against her backside. Fatigue never kept her body from responding to his and now wasn’t any difference.
She wiggled against him as if adjusting her position, which she was, though it was to fit more snuggly against his growing hardness. After all, a quick joining would surely help her sleep soundly.
His hand pressed against her stomach, as if wanting to prevent her from moving, then he must have thought better of it, thinking he would disturb the tiny babe inside her and he moved his hand down further.
A definite mistake.
She didn’t wait; she placed her hand over his and guided it between her legs.
“You are too tired and do you forget you were wounded?” he whispered, though she could hear desire thick in his voice.
She shook her head and encouraged his hand to delve and explore.
His growling groan in her ear fired her passion even more and she pressed her backside hard against his bulging groin.
“Damn it,” he mumbled and retaliated by slipping his finger inside her.
She pressed her finger against his arm, once, twice, three times.
“You like that do you?” he whispered in her ear.
She shivered, his warm breath tickling her ear and nodded vigorously.
“You will not lift a finger and disturb your wound. Tonight I do all the work.” He chuckled and nuzzled her neck. “Though this work I thoroughly enjoy doing.”
There were times Cree was gentle with her, but tonight he showed her a gentleness she hadn’t known existed. He lavished her body with kisses, teased her with gentle touches and when he was ready to enter her, he slipped one arm beneath her back to easily lift her while he placed a pillow behind her head, and then carefully laid her down.
She silently sighed with his tender thoughtfulness. And then he moved down between her legs to ease them apart with his hands, taking his time to stroke her legs and tell her…
“You are so beautiful and so soft.” And with that he leaned over her and entered her slowly as he braced both arms on the sides of her shoulders and lowered his head to capture her lips with his.
He moved then, picking up speed and rhythm and she grabbed his arms without thinking of her wound and cringed, her eyes shutting tight against the pain.
He stopped abruptly and her eyes shot open and she shook her head adamantly.
“Do not move,” he ordered sharply.
She nodded, fearful he would not finish what he started and that she could not bear.
“I told you that I will do all the work.”
And he did.
Dawn climaxed hard not once but twice, Cree joining her in the second one. And no soon as they finished and he wrapped her in his arms, then her eyes closed and she fell asleep.
Chapter Twenty-two
Cree woke at sunrise, though was quite content to remain abed with Dawn in his arms. She had fallen asleep instantly after he had made love to her and had slept peacefully. He had worried that her wound would wake her but her fatigue had been more powerful than her pain and he was glad she had gotten to rest.
He was still a bit shocked over the news that he was to be a father. He was also shocked at the joy that had seized him when he learned about the babe. He had never known such a wonderful feeling, though perhaps it was that he had never known such happiness. And since Dawn had entered his life he had known endless happiness along with a substantial amount of worry and fear.
That worry and fear had gripped him soon after learning of the babe and the thought that he could lose them both, if he failed to protect her, had filled him with immense anger. Once he had left the cottage, he was more determined than ever to make certain that he made Dawn his wife. He would not let his child be born a bastard.
He also knew that once Kirk learned the news, he would insist that Dawn wed his friend and that would never happen. Besides with what Kirk had told him, it had made it possible for him to petition the King to negate the present marriage agreement between him and Lucerne and arrange one between him and Dawn. But first there were secrets to uncover and identities to be confirmed and when he had all the proof he needed, then he could contact the King. The only thing he feared was that the King would want concessions so that everyone would be appeased. And he wondered what they would be.