Passion's Twins (3 page)

She made little mewing sounds in her throat then cried out,
“Oh. Oh. Ohhhh!”

Her entire body shook. Then she seemed to swoon in his arms.

“Edina? Are you all right?”

“I have never felt so perfectly right in my entire life.”
She opened her eyes and smiled up at him. “If I stroke your nipples, will you
find equal pleasure?”

“Perhaps. But not just now.”

“Will you kiss me again? Please?”

“As you wish, Edina.” With more gentleness than he thought
himself capable of, he pressed his lips to hers. Like a rose opening beneath
the warm sun, her lips parted to his inquisitive tongue. He tasted her mouth.
Once more he drank in strawberries and rich, clotted cream. Her taste nearly
drove his goal from his mind. His aching shaft reminded him.

He continued to kiss her while his fingers inched her kirtle
up her slender, parting legs. Her nether curls felt as silky as those on her
head. He stroked them, probing deeper until he found her pleasure nub.

She moaned. Arched into his questing hand. Spread her thighs
wider. Sighed and moaned again.

“Sweet, sweet… Oh Gerard. ‘Tis happening again.”

He slid a single finger into her hot moisture. And nearly
came in his breeches when her queynte spasmed again and again. And again until
he could bear no more.

He rolled her to her back. Tore open his breeches. Plunged
into her. She cried out once. Then—miracle of miracles—she matched his lunges
and retreats as if born to bring him this exquisite pleasure.

Her release sucked him deeper. His name on her lips brought
him to his own.

Panting still, sweat dripping from his forehead onto hers,
he smiled down at her. She blinked up at him, her eyes shimmering with unshed
tears.

Guilt washed over him. “I did not mean to hurt you,” he
muttered, kissing her gently.

“These are tears of joy, Gerard. But…”

“But?” he repeated, the anguish in his voice surprising him.

She giggled. “I think we must brave the frigid water,
m’lord. I can smell my perfume on your skin. Your scent on my own.”

“Next time,” he muttered in her ear.

“Next time, m’lord?” Her eyebrows added invitation to the
flirtatious question.

“Next time we’ll bring soap.”

Edina searched his eyes. Expecting to find regret or
recrimination, her heart took wing at the tenderness she saw. Her
lady-in-waiting had warned both Edina and her sister that once a man had a
woman he lost respect for her. She knew she should have made Gerard wait. But
the minute she felt his hands on her skin, her flesh began to heat. She’d
wanted him so badly all she could think about was how wonderful his lightest
touch made her feel. How right it felt to have him, his cock inside her. And
she blessed every maid whose gossip led her to believe swiving could feel so
exquisite.

“Gerard?” she murmured, stroking perspiration from his bushy
eyebrows.

Rolling to his back, his arms still around her, he smoothed
a skein of hair off her face. “I’ll need a few minutes to recover, sweet
Edina.”

“Oh! I did not mean… ‘Tis only that…I would like to see you
naked.”

“I believe I can accommodate you, Edina.” He sat up, taking
her with him. Tugging her rochet over her head, he cupped her breasts.

Giggling, she slapped his hands away. “I want to see
you
naked.”

Spreading his arms and grinning, he playfully demanded,
“Have at me then. I promise I’ll do nothing to impede you.”

“You could help.”

“All right.” He pulled off his boots and once more held out
his arms.

Shooting him an exasperated look, she tugged his shirt out
of his loosened breeches “Well?”

“Perhaps you should come nearer. That way you can reach me
more easily.”

She rose to her knees, scooting toward him. In a nonce, she
stripped off his shirt and sat back on her heels to admire him.

Between his flat nipples, silky-looking golden curls formed
a light pelt across his massive chest. Unable to resist, she slid her fingers
into those curls and sighed when they felt as soft as she’d imagined. Following
the springy locks down his muscled belly, she eased her hand into his breeches,
curling her fingers around his cock.

His breath hissed.

“Did I hurt you?” Looking up, she found his teeth clenched,
his eyes slitted as if he were in agony.

“Only in the most pleasant way.”

She eased his breeches down his powerful thighs. “Oh my,”
she sighed, circling his cock, stroking up and down, smiling when it surged in
her hand. “You are very large, Gerard.”

“Aye. ‘Tis why I hurt you. I should have—”

“Done exactly as you did. I think it would have hurt more
had you tarried. I believe ‘twas your size that…um… Please remove your
breeches.”

“Only if you remove your kirtle.”

Standing, she quickly obeyed. He also stood, his cock extending
out from his body like an axe handle. When it snapped upward to pulse against
his belly, her breath whooshed out. “A truly hard spear.”

“That wants inside you again, Edina.” Drawing her into his
arms, he lowered them both to the ground. “Sit on my lap and I’ll take us both
to heaven.”

Straddling him, she felt his cock slide between her nether
lips, building the fire within her. He cupped her breasts, his fingers teasing
her nipples to rigid, aching peaks.

“Suckle me, Gerard.”

He did, thrusting his hips so his cock rubbed her little nub
until she cried out in need.

“Tell me what you want, Edina.”

“In me. I…want you in me.”

He found her channel, thrust deep into her, waiting until
her muscles relaxed. Pushing her breasts together, he flicked his tongue over
each nipple. Fire flashed between those aching points and her quim.

“I must move,” she whimpered.

“Then move,” he muttered, sucking harder. “Ride me, Edina.
Ride me hard.”

The little ache his rigid size caused vanished as she glided
faster and faster up and down it. “Good. So good.” Her breath came in rapid
pants as she felt her body gather for that bliss, that heaven he had promised.
He bit her nipples. Ecstasy roared through her. Stars danced beneath her
eyelids and she screamed her joy.

Flipping her on her back, Gerard demanded, “Look at me,
Edina. I want to see your eyes when I take you to heaven again.”

“C-Can’t…again.”

“Can and will.”

His slow withdrawal and even slower descent wrenched cries
of need from her. “Ohmigod. Oh my… Good God!”

His gasps matched hers as he drove deeper. Her spasms took
him over the edge of the Earth, and he erupted deep inside. She saw his eyes
glaze before her own closed and she sighed contentment.

“Can and did,” he announced unnecessarily, collapsing
against her chest.

* * * * *

Aida’s Tower Guest Quarters

Late the next afternoon, Edina gazed dreamily out the solar
window. Fascinated, she watched Gerard and Edgar strip to their waists to grapple
like bears trying to maul each other to death. Perspiration and fury apparently
prevented their attaining a firm grip.

The outer door crashed against the wall then slammed closed
so hard Edina feared the hinges would shatter.

“What the devil did you do yesterday, Edina?” Rowena shouted
as she strode across their shared solar. Her face flushed, her eyes blazing
fiercely, she glowered at her twin.

“I? You know Gerard and I took nuncheon by the river.”

“Did you eat before or after,” she shook Edina, furiously
adding, “you bedded him?”

Shrugging Rowena’s hands off her shoulders, Edina took a few
steps beyond slapping distance. “Not that I’m admitting anything—”

“Of course not!”

Edina grinned at her fuming twin. “What makes you think
Gerard and I bedded?”

“Bartholomew’s balls!” Rowena borrowed one of Yvonne’s
favorite curses. “Gerard practically attacked me! He came at me like…like flies
on a pile of manure.”

“And Edgar did the same to me! What did you and he do
yesterday?”

“We kissed, nothing more.” Her sigh sounded regretful. “Not
that I did not want more. Nor could he hide his desire for me but,” she
shrugged, “for once I took the cautious path.”

“While I rushed precipitously over the cliff.”

“Which is quite unusual for either of us,” Rowena observed,
rubbing the frown from her forehead. “What is there to laugh about, Edina?”

“I thought
you
laughed.”

As if expecting Queen Kerrie or some other ghost to appear,
each glanced around the solar.

“What was it like?” Rowena asked, dispelling her fanciful
imaginings. Kerrie,
may she rest in peace
, was dead.

Edina sighed. “Contrary to what Joan told us, it hurt only
for a moment. Probably because he drove me wild before he…before we did it.”

“Did you enjoy Edgar’s kisses?”

“No. He bruised my lips, he kissed so roughly.” She shivered
then asked, “Did you like Gerard’s kisses?”

“No! He…felt like a fish. Yes, exactly like a fish with its
mouth sucking for air.”

“Imagine that! I never knew you had kissed a fish.”

“Lots of fishes.” Rowena winked.

“Do you think Gerard realizes he kissed a…a stranger?”

“In truth, I cannot say yea or nay. He gazed at me so long I
believe he saw through my—our—rochet. Then he drew the strings around my
neckline tighter and suggested we return to the castle.” She drew a deep
breath, blurting, “Do you think Edgar knew?”

“I made excuses. Told him my flux had arrived.”

“What?” Rowena screeched.

Edina backed away from her sister’s hands. When Rowena
slapped, she slapped hard.

“I did not say
flux
, Row. I said the bright sun had
given me a headache.”

“I suppose you revealed my—
your
condition—while
standing in the orchard.”

“Y-Yes.”

“In the
shady
orchard?”

“Y-Yes. But the walk was sunny.”

“So! While you and Gerard rut like rabbits, Edgar and I must
suffer—through no one’s fault save yours—abstinence.”

“You’ll not suffer alone. M-My flux arrived this afternoon.”

“God does exist!” Rowena crowed.

* * * * *

Marchon Castle Training Field

Their fingers clenched around sweat-slicked biceps, Gerard
and Edgar glared at each other. The brothers grappled for firmer holds. To no
avail. Sweat made their hands slide. Marchon knights and men-at-arms cheered
them on, but booed when Edgar raised his hands and managed to slip from
Gerard’s sweaty grasp.

“We need to talk,” Edgar panted.

“Aye? Before or after I kill you?”

Edgar grinned. “I would prefer to talk before
I
kill
you
.”

Gerard slung an arm around Edgar’s neck then squeezed lightly.

“’Tis fortunate,” Yvonne called out as she strode toward
them, “that Gareth is with his men.”

Her own men grinned at her, but quickly retrieved their
weapons and resumed trying to kill each other.

“I’ve half a mind to shove you both into the oubliette. But
then I would have to explain why. No doubt Gareth would banish you both to some
hideous place outside Marchon and Puttupon.”

Sliding her chain mail hauberk off her head, Yvonne’s green
eyes flashed anger up at them.

“How can you wear armor in this heat?” Edgar wondered aloud.

“Wars rage in summer. And do not attempt to distract me! Go!
Cool off in the river. Talk about those odious females. Then thank God their
parents left Marchonland. And do not try to drown each other!” She stalked
away.

“Whew!” Gerard muttered. “I am glad Gareth won her. I’d not
wish to face Yvonne in full fury.”

Retrieving their shirts, wiping their sweaty faces, they
headed for the river.

“We should have talked last night.”

Gerard nodded. “Should have. But Gareth insisted he and I meet
with Captain Cheney. Sometimes, little brother, I envy you.”

“For being left out? Gareth still views me as an infant.”

“And thinks me a dunderhead. That I must hear every plan
thrice for it to sink in.”

They continued to the river in companionable silence. Only
after they swam did they talk.

“What happened yesterday?” Gerard used his shirt as a towel.

“As we expected, the other twin came to me at the
farrier’s.” Edgar grinned. “I’ll give her credit, Gerard, for pegging you a
dandy. She said you’d forgotten an appointment with your clothier.”

Gerard chuckled.

“She has a melodious laugh, sweet as robin’s song.”

“While Edina—if it
was
her with me—giggles. Which
sounds to me like a brook babbling over rocks. Somehow I find that pleasant.
What else?”

“She has calluses—on all her fingertips.”

Gerard grunted.

“What happened with Edina?” Seeing Gerard flush—fair skin
put him at a disadvantage when he felt embarrassed—Edgar added, “That you can
tell me about.”

“Edina has a birthmark on her left shoulder. ‘Tis shaped
like a butterfly.”

Edgar’s eyebrows raced toward his hairline. “You’ve seen her
naked? Already?”

“Her neckline kept slipping.”

Gerard’s sideways glance gave lie to the statement and made
Edgar certain more had happened. But he respected Gerard’s reticence to kiss
and tell. “Uh-huh.”

“What happened with
your
lady?” Gerard looked
menacing.

Prepared to defend himself, Edgar cocked his fist, rushing
to finish. “My twin wants me to call her Rowena.”

“Ah-ha! We have them then,” Gerard crowed.

“Insofar as names are concerned. We still cannot physically
tell them apart.”

“I think we can. You see…”

“Tell me or I’ll beat you to a pulp.”

“Rowena’s birthmark—that little butterfly I told you about—”

“So you’ve seen them both naked. By damn, I
will
kill
you!”