4 - We Are Gathered Read Online Free PDF Page B

sessions.”
    “Really? Why?”
    “Blood.”
    Rori made a face. “Oh.”
    A strange buzz permeated the air. He grabbed for his pocket, moving muscle all over his bared chest. Her tongue flicked out to her lip over it. And then she reached and stopped his hand before he reached the pocket.
    “I should get that.”
    “You’re off tonight. Isn’t that what you said?”
    “It’s not work.”
    “No?”
    “He’s offering advice.”
    “Advice?”
    Rori pulled back and studied him until two spots of color appeared at the tops of his cheeks. Everything about him enthralled and fascinated and bewitched her. She cocked her head to one side and waited. He moved his eyes to some of the stone view above and behind her.
    “Yeah. Advice.”
    “On what? Me?”
    “No. Yes. Well…not specifically, but…yes. I mean, no.”
    He flicked a glance to her and returned to studying the wall, while everything flushed on him, even his torso. She knew. She watched it happen.
    “Okay. Let’s say it’s a maybe. What advice might he give you?”
    “Uh…I’m a knight.”
    “I already heard. Looks like you trained plenty hard and over a long time, too. That would explain all this…”
    Her fingers did the journey for her, showing what she didn’t put in words. It wouldn’t have mattered. He knew what she was referring to. His trousers weren’t hiding much of it. The whiff of air against her hand held a groan; a lengthy one she didn’t have any trouble deciphering.
    “You don’t understand. I’m a Knight…Hospitaler.”
    “You were a Crusader Knight? A Hospitaler? Okay. If my history is correct, they built and manned the Krak des Chevalier , isn’t that right?”
    “Yes.”
    “It’s a truly stunning piece of architecture. The most beautiful castle in the world. Or so I’ve heard. I’ve never actually seen it. Did you have a hand in its construction?”
    He nodded. And then he gulped. It had something to do with how she’d gone from touching him with just her fingertips, to roaming her entire hands all about his chest, and then lower belly, watching and enjoying every shiver, every gasp, and especially the size of his groin as it filled his fly to a straining level.
    “How old are you, Tristan?”
    “Uh…twenty-two.”
    “In real years.”
    “I can’t…recall. Seven hundred. No. Eight. And then sixty-three. Uh…”
    Rori moved closer, grazing her abdomen against him, and thoroughly enjoyed the jump he made back from her. And then she knew. Her movements stopped, her palms fully settled about his waist, while his words sunk in. Her eyes went wide as she stared up at him. Tristan wasn’t looking at her. He had his eyes scrunched shut, while every muscle on him seemed locked to a coil pitch.
    “Oh no. You didn’t make a vow of chastity, did you?”
    He nodded.
    “And…you still honor it?”
    He shook his head.
    “Truly?”
    “That life died with me.”
    Relief washed through her, sending warmth back to her fingers, and that made them even more ultra-sensitive to the flesh beneath them. The man was sending vibrations right to her very core, and they were getting answered with little lurches against him.
    “I…don’t understand the issue, then. Don’t you want me?”
    It was stupid to ask when the answer was poking against her waist, but she wanted to see him acknowledge it. He pulled in a deep shuddering breath, licked his lips, which just put razor sharp fangs on display and looked down at her, enveloping her in a cavern of warm and wonder with just the touch of his exhaled breath. Rori’s mouth gapped open to let the slightest moan escape.
    “Yes.”
    “Well…what, then?”
    “I need your acquiescence.”
    “Surely you’re joking. You can’t tell?”
    His hands were around her waist, lifting her and holding her against him, so she could feel every shudder, every dip of his knees, each quivering breath. The response was immediate and harsh as her reaction ratchet to a truly primordial level. Her