Beautiful Torment *Book One of the Beautiful series*

42) Unexpected Visitors

*Sexual content. Readers be advised*

It was nearly dusk by the time camp was set up and they felt it safe enough to start a fire, knowing the darkness would shield their smoke from unwanted eyes. Lucy stared into the shifting logs, crackling with heat and sending orange sparks into the air. Over top it, Hunter slowly rotated the fat, skinned hares until they were cooked almost black-the crisp and smokey flavor all three enjoyed. They ate their fill before settling into the bed rolls that bordered the dying embers giving off just enough heat to keep them comfortable.

Alexander pulled her in close, nuzzling his nose in the hollow behind her ear and taking in a deep breath. His release of air tickled the back of her neck and Lucy had to stifle her building giggles so that she did not disturb Hunter on the other side of the fire. He had fallen asleep rather quickly, but she found that he was very sensitive to sound and that, even more eerie, he could sense her emotions–particularly the strong ones, be them good or bad.

Blushing, she noted Alexander's hard length poking into her backside. It had been difficult to find a moment alone these last two days and she was aching for him. Quite obviously, he felt a similar way. Lucy moaned softly when his imploring hand found its way under the neckline of her shift. His fingers cupped and rolled her breasts and he pressed his hips into her, an insistent need wafting off of him. Smirking into the dark, Lucy reached down to drag the edge of her shift up her thighs until it bunched around her waist, leaving her completely exposed. She wiggled her bare backside against him tauntingly.

With a deep chuckle, he blindly guided himself into her. She felt, rather than heard, his shuttering gasp when he pushed fully inside. She had to cup her own sound of pleasure trying to escape her lips. Trailing down, his hand met with the inner side of her thigh, squeezing and lifting it so that he could press further in before retracting completely. She whined and clawed at the skin of his hips, desperately trying to force his reentry. With a soft growl against her neck, he was within her once more. Slowly, he built the pace. Lucy arched back to meet every thrust, hungry for him. His fingers moved from her thigh to the sensitive nub just above her tender opening. There, he began rubbing vigorous circles in tempo with each buck.

A light scream forced itself out of her throat and passed her clamping hand. She was certain the sound woke Hunter but found that in the moment, she really did not care. Her mind and body whirled with wild pleasure. She knew what came next. The shaking in her legs had already started, followed by the heavy breathing. Her nipples peaked, chafing against the thin material of her underclothes. With a final sharp plunge from him, the mounting sensation exploded. Her blood sang within her veins and the ground beneath her seemed to shift away. She was falling. Every fiber screamed with bliss as she pressed back into him and her tight entrance contracted around him. He pinched her little nub, fueling the waves of pleasure rushing through her.

It was not long before he followed, emptying all he had to offer deep inside her with a sharp moan of his own. They both panted, slick sweat forming between their bodies like the dew that clings to grass in early morning. Lucy closed her eyes, coming down from the high that their lovemaking always brought her. The back of her head rested gently against Alexander's heaving chest. He pulled her in close, kissing her neck and jawline, and held her until the trembling stopped and they both fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

By the time Lucy stirred in the morning, camp was mostly packed away. Remnants of the fire gone along with any trace of their dinner. Hunter moved quickly, rolling, tucking, and finally strapping things into place on their saddle packs. Lucy noted that only two of their three horses were here.

"Where is Alexander?" She asked sleepily, her mouth dry and shoulders stiff.

Hunter did not look at her when he answered, still moving hastily about to pack up their small camp. "He rode ahead into the city. Wanted to make sure there is no trap or traces of Queen Mary's guard lurking anywhere."