Providing an Escape

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

Looking around at the City, which seemed once again subdued and meek, I rode Noche to Leyna's house and dismounted one I was inside the gates, handing the reins to a waiting stableboy and then being let in to wait for Leyna is a sitting room. I knew she'd been sad, and I thought a ride in the country would be just the thing to get her mind cleared, as well as giving her a chance to talk or think as she chose.

[Leyna de Somerville]

It had been awful when I returned home. Having to spread the news, not only here but sending letters to my parents, had been unexplainably taxing. I had sought solace in a bath and sleep with Shylah pressed close.

I had just gotten dressed when Anne told me Nic was here. I smiled, thinking just how wonderful he was. I tied my hair back and went down to see him, Shylah by my side.

"Nic!" I said, smiling and throwing my arms around him.

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

Smiling, I hugged her close for a second, then kissed her on the cheek. She looked emotionally drained from sorrow and having to give others sad news as well, though the smile made he light up and glow in the same way as usual. "Leyna, it's good to see you," I said with a grin, eyes flashing. "How are you doing?" Looking over at Shylah, I asked, "Is she still in a bad mood with you being gone for so long?"

[Leyna de Somerville]

"I'm better now," I said, softly caressing his cheek.

I looked down at Shylah, who was now standing beside us, tail wagging madly.

"No, she's forgiven me, she's amazing that way," I told him.

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

Nodding in agreement I ran a hand over Shylah's back. "How about we take Noche and Soir out for a little run?" I asked as I continued to pet the dog's fur. "I think fresh air would help you clear your head a good deal." My eyes were on hers, waiting for her answer.

[Leyna de Somerville]

I smiled and , not caring if anyone saw, leaned in and kissed him.

"Thank you," I said, still smiling. "I think that is a wonderful idea."

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

Smiling against her lips, I said, "You're most welcome. Will you be warm enough dressed like that or do you want to put on something else?" I wanted to teasingly ask her if she needed any help getting into whatever else she wanted to wear, but I figured that would be crossing the line. Besides, no use making her blush already, no matter how much it made her eyes sparkle.

[Leyna de Somerville]

I had put on something meant for hours spent indoors in front of roaring fires, it most definitely was not warm enough for going out riding.

"I need to change," I said, grinning and taking his hand.

"Come up and help me pick something out," I said, holding his hand tight and pulling him up to my room.

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

Biting my lip to keep from grinning madly I let her lead me up the stairs and to her room, where I looked around for a moment. "Your room suits you, I think," I said with a low laugh as I turned and closed the door softly to lean against it. "Now, where are those dresses I'm supposed to choose from?"

[Leyna de Somerville]

Shylah had bounded into the room ahead of us and she ran straight out to the balcony, to her favorite spot in the sun I assumed.

I leaned my body against Nic's, running my lips over his neck.

"Dresses?" I asked, innocently.

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

Closing my eyes at the sensations I held in a moan even as my arms went compulsively around her. "Or not.." I said as I ran my hands down her back. "You've led me up here under false pretenses and I am quite happily at your mercy."

[Leyna de Somerville]

Grinning, I wriggled away from him and went to my armoire. I opened the doors and showed him the array of dresses it held.

"We can look at dresses if you'd prefer," I said, sitting on the end of my bed.

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

"Oh, I think you should narrow down the selection first- I have no idea what you would wear to stay warm in this weather," I said with a grin. Her teasing meant that she was indeed in a better mood, though whether or not it had to do with me was anyone's guess. I assumed she had just reverted to her naturally good-natured self. Still, I walked over to stand in front of her and hold out my hand to help her up. My pulse was started to race simply from being so close to her and behind a closed door.

[Leyna de Somerville]

I took his hand, but instead of getting up I pulled him closer to me.

"I want to see what you pick, what you think would look best," I said, smiling up at him. I let go of his hand and pulled the he of his shirt of. I leaned in and began placing soft, wet kisses on the taut flesh of his stomach.

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

"Leyna," I said in a slightly breathless voice, "You make it very hard for me to want to move. Besides, if I picked how I think you look best, you would be wearing nothing at all." I ran a hand through her hair. "Maybe if your gown were off I could see what would best suit your figure."

[Leyna de Somerville]

Mouth still pressed to him, I looked up, the angle letting me look straight up his body.

"You don't remember what I look like without my dress on?" I asked teasingly.

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

"One can never get too many looks at a work of art," I said with a grin as I felt the blood moving to the surface of my skin at her teasing. With a slightly teasing glimmer in my eyes I said, "Usted es hermoso, mi amante."

[Leyna de Somerville]

A low moan rose from me and I felt a flush of desire color my skin.

"No fair," I said, smiling as I leaned back slightly but still looking up at him. "You have a secret weapon to make me weak at the knees and wanting you so much it hurts…. I don't have anything like that."

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

"Oh, yes you do," I said in a low voice. "The sight of you, the way you smell, the taste and feel of your skin- it all makes me a little mad for you. All of them together are almost more than any man could stand."

Leaning down, I brushed my lips across hers. "You have no idea what you do to me, amante."

[Leyna de Somerville]

Just that quick all teasing and play was gone. I wanted him… I needed him. I needed to know.

"Show me," I whispered, kissing him passionately.

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

With a moan I pressed my lips more firmly to hers, passion coursing through me. Her name came out of my throat in a low growl, muffled against her lips as my hands went to cradle her face, stroking her cheeks as I moved to sit next to her.

Once I was seated at the edge of the bed I drew her closer to me and my hands went to her back, where I tried to fumble with the ties of her gown, which were a little more complicated than the ones on the other gowns she had worn. Part of me wanted to forget control, to rip the dress from her body so she would be in contact with my skin. "Help me with this, Leyna, amante, please," I said hoarsely as my mouth moved over what skin I could reach.

[Leyna de Somerville]

Silently cursing myself for having gotten dressed at all today, I stood and undid the ties, letting the dress puddle on the floor.

I sat back on the bed, a sudden wave of shyness coming over me. for some reason the thought of us in my bed seemed like such a bigger thing than having shared his bed. I blushed and looked down at my hands.

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

In the space of a moment she was all modesty and hesitation and it stopped me cold. Ignoring the throbbing of my desires I simply caught her up in my arms and held her, not understanding what had brought this about but not needing to- she wasn't completely happy and that was no way to continue with such a thing as this. Some people had things that bothered them more than others and I wouldn't ask if she wasn't willing to give.

[Leyna de Somerville]

As quickly as it had come, the feel of his arms around me banished my shyness. I drew a deep breath and looked up at him.

"Forgive me… it suddenly struck me that you are the first… man in my bed," I told him.

I kissed him, pressing my body to his.

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

With another low moan against her mouth I was lost for a moment in the feeling of her lips on mine, her warm skin so close, it's softness under my hands. Still, I didn't want to continue if she had any misgivings. Cradling her face in my hands, caressing her soft cheek with my sword and rein-calloused hands, I asked, "Are you sure this is alright? I don't want you to have guilt, or regret."

[Leyna de Somerville]

I banished that voice that told me to stop, now before this went further, that is was a big deal. I listened only to the part of me that wanted him.

"I'm sure," I told him. "Show me what it is I do to you."

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

Picking up one of her hands I pressed her fingers to my neck, where my pulse pounded. "You make my blood race. You make my skin flush." Moving her hand to my face, I continued, "You make me only see, smell, taste, hear and touch you, even when I shouldn't." My hand went to her face, tracing the soft lines of her face. "You make me think only of what is in your best interest."

Slowly and softly I moved to press my lips to hers, then to her cheek and to her ear. "You make me never want to leave." Softly but deeply I pressed my lips to hers again, trying to make her understand that things didn't have to go any further if she didn't wish.

[Leyna de Somerville]

I moaned into his kiss, wrapping my arms around him and holding him tight. Then, not breaking the kiss, I began pulling his shirt up, needing to feel his skin against mine.

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

The last bastion of thought I had fled as I felt her pulling up my shirt and I quickly removed it, the kiss broken for only a moment before I returned to it. If this is what she wanted from me, so be it- I could do it. Thoughts were for later. My arms went around her as I pressed her skin close to mine, her taut nipples grazing over the skin of my chest. Her passion and need ignited my own and I felt a little breathless with it.

[Leyna de Somerville]

I broke the kiss and moved up on the bed, breathing fast and little moans rising from me.

All my life I had felt loved and adored, but never had I felt wanted the way Nic made me feel. It was intoxicating and addictive.

And I needed him to.

I moaned his name, reaching for him.