Rose clung to Thayer as he gripped her by the hips, moving her over the length of his cock. She closed her eyes, concentrating on how he filled her so perfectly.
She'd gone to him willingly that night, knowing this would be her only chance to experience this ecstasy before she returned to her village. She wanted Thayer to think that if she were accepting him now, he would trust her, thus making her escape easier.
She felt him swell inside of her as he quickened his thrusts. She stiffened as everything shattered inside of her. Thayer grinded his hips to hers as he emptied himself in her the second time that night.
"Ah, my Rose." He murmured, cuddling her into his arms as he closed his eyes. He brought her back to his chest as he nuzzled her neck. She took a deep breath, taking in his sandalwood scent mixed with the musk of their lovemaking. "I love the way your body is flushed after my loving."
"Hmm..." One of hands strayed down to her flat stomach, caressing lightly in circles over her belly button.
"I cannot wait to see your stomach swell with my son." He whispered, rubbing the palm of his hand over her belly. The desire he was igniting mingled with the realization of his words. She turned her head to him.
"Son?"
He smiled lazily. "You do not think that there wouldn't be a child after what we've done?"
"But, I -- " Of course there would be a babe, how silly of her to overlook this fact. Maybe she will be lucky and not get pregnant. "Is that all I'm good for? A breeder?" She asked dryly. He chuckled into her hair.
"Among other things." She started to get up, struggling from his hold, but he was too strong.
"I am only teasing, Rose. We value our mates for more than their ability to give us babes." He kissed her temple, moving his lips down to her jaw line, raining kisses down the smooth line of her neck and shoulders. Rose couldn't help but let out a sigh as one of his hands slid over her damp body, the other kneading her thighs apart.
"I like the way you are kind to everyone you meet." He nibbled on her shoulder, sending shivers up her spine. "I like how you sigh my name..." One hand cupped her breast, teasing the nipple until it hardened under his calloused palm. "I adore the way you throw your head back when you come."
As he said this, the hand that was kneading her thighs slipped up to the thatch of hair between her legs. Damp from a moment ago, he parted the blond curls. He teased her mound until it opened for him, wetting his fingers as he explored the delicate folds.
"I want you to come on my hand." He said huskily. She lay her head on his chest, her hands clutching the arms that kept her tightly against him.
"Oh, Thayer..." She moaned, thrusting her hips toward him as a thick finger slid into her. "Yes..."
"You're always so wet for me, my love." Another finger joined the first. He moved his hand steadily, the pull and sucking sound filling her ears, as did Thayer's heavy breathing against her ear.
Timidly, she reached behind her and touched his arousal. He sucked in a breath as her small hand wrapped around him, exploring the size of him, the velvet skin. "That's it, my love." He urged, as her hand touched the base of him, pulling up to run over the swollen head of his staff. He continued his ministrations, thumbing her clit, as he pumped his hand into her.
Thayer shuddered as she too touched him eagerly. They brought each other over the peak together, muffling their cries with a heated kiss.
"Sleep, my love." He said. Rose was too exhausted to protest.
***
She woke in the middle of the night. The fire had died down to a small blaze, causing the shadows to dance over the walls of the longhouse. Beside her, Thayer was fast asleep, his face relaxed and sated from their passion.
Ever so slowly, Rose slipped from his arms and glanced back to see if he had awakened. She grabbed her dress and tiptoed to the shelf where she hid one of his daggers. If she was going to escape, there would be no time to don the dress until after she was well out of the camp's perimeters.
Rose glanced back one more time at the sleeping figure on the cushions. She couldn't deny that Thayer gave her intense pleasure. But she wasn't meant for a life here. As she slipped out of the longhouse, she tried to push away the feeling of guilt and sadness.
She ducked behind the longhouse as she spotted one of the centaurs on night guard. She searched the camp for the best way to leave. Several torches were kept lit throughout the night, a small blessing, Rose thought. Otherwise it would have taken a long time to adjust to such darkness.
Her heart pounded as she avoided the guards. A small thrill shot through her as she ran from the camp, hiding herself in the edge of the thick forest.
"Ow!" She nearly fell forward. In the moonlight, she lifted her foot. She must have stepped on a sharp rock. She berated herself for not remembering slippers. With the sole of her foot throbbing, she donned the dress, clutching the dagger. She prayed there were no wolves or coyotes about. As if on cue, an eerie howl sounded from the distance. "Please, no wolves." She whispered.
She looked at the forest ahead of her, dark and so quiet. The fear of the unknown heightened her senses, and as her heart continued to pound, she found herself hesitating. She turned to look at the camp one last time, lit by torches. She wondered if Thayer had noticed her absence yet. If he did, she'd need to leave now.
Forcing her legs to move, she rushed into the forest. She kept a straight path, her footsteps making soft crunching noises on fallen leaves and cool grass. A loud rustle in a bush nearby made her stop. She lifted the dagger in alarm.
"Who's there?"
Another rustle, this time from behind. She whirled around, yet saw nothing. The trees grew thicker here, so the moonlight was barely there to offer guidance. She kept going, repeating to herself there was nothing to fear. Then she felt something flutter over her bare ankle.
