The Reluctant Knight Read online

  Even with all these reasons to give in to his desires, Mycroft made no advance on her, instead letting his gaze wander to the fire.

  Since he'd got back he'd found himself busy with little management details. He'd had a message from the palace. It congratulated him on achieving his goal without doing anything particularly problematic, but they also suggested he report on the entire incident. Even he knew their suggestion was a command. If he wanted to remain on good standing with the royal family he'd have to obey it within the next few days.

  Until then, he intended to take some time to let his body rest. There would be some fallout from his actions to deal with. He needed a new car, but it could at least wait until the morning.

  While Mycroft thought, the pair sat in a comfortable silence, until Amelia yawned.

  “Are you ready to sleep?” he asked.

  “I don't know,” she replied and kept her attention away from him.

  He stole another glance at the way her figure looked underneath his shirt and felt his groin stir. When she turned her head back to face him he deliberately didn't look away very quickly.

  “I'm not sure I'd sleep very well alone,” she added and tilted her head to the side. “You didn't have to go to all the effort you did to rescue me. I think, if it's something you want, that I'd enjoy showing you my gratitude.”

  Very slowly and deliberately, Amelia got up, giving him a good look at her long, bare legs. He took his time in admiring the view before getting up and taking her hand in his. Neither of them spoke as he walked her up the stairs and into his bedroom.

  By the time they reached the bed their fingers had undone the shirt she wore and it had fallen to the floor. He gently kissed the bruise on her face, and then a scratch on her neck, working his way down, placing kisses on every little part of her that looked like it might hurt, and a few places on the way that just looked good to kiss.

  Once he was done, her eyes were hazy and her pulse was rapid, yet she still stood, waiting for him to take what he wanted from her. It only made him want her more.

  Being careful not to hurt her, he eased her down onto the bed and positioned himself on top. When she moved her hand to see if he needed assistance he pushed it away, back towards the pillow. She submitted to his gesture and lifted the other to sit beside her head, making it very clear she was giving him full control of the situation. It wasn't something he had to have to enjoy a woman, but he knew they'd both find more pleasure from the act if she let him do the work. He'd always found women as easy to read in bed as out.

  Seeing the hunger in her eyes, he unzipped himself and wasted no more time before pushing deep into her. She arched her back a little, taking the pressure off it and allowing him to go deeper at the same time. As he thrust in for a second time he placed a hand underneath her to help give her the support to sustain the position. He wanted this to last.

  Before long her eyes were closed in bliss as he gently brought them closer and closer to their peak with each deep push into her. Even after doing his best to take his time, they soon moaned in time to each other, and he let her take his weight for a moment, his body spent inside her.

  Finally, she lifted her arm and ran one finger down his side, caressing his skin in a manner more comforting than a turn on, her eyes fixed on his face. He understood the unspoken question and deftly eased to one side of her, rolling her onto her side as he did.

  When his body was curled up against hers and his arm was draped protectively over her torso she let out a small sigh and closed her eyes.

  “This isn't a permanent arrangement,” he whispered as he slid his hand up a little further to cup her breasts.

  “I know,” she replied. “But you can have me whenever you want me. I don't mind.”

  “Most women don't wish for that sort of arrangement.”

  “I'm not like most women.”

  Mycroft chuckled. No, Amelia was nothing like most women; she was so much better.

  ***

  Amelia woke with a gasp, her mind still filled with the memory of the Russian she'd stabbed. She shuddered and felt Myron's fingers shift as it made him stir.

  Hoping not to wake him further, she tried to calm her breathing but her body betrayed her emotions and a few seconds later he kissed the back of her neck.

  “Nightmare?” he whispered, shifting so her whole body was cradled up against him.

  “Yes. I... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you.”

  “I wasn't asleep.”

  He nuzzled his head into the back of her head, smelling her skin. Within seconds she felt more relaxed, but it still plagued her mind.

  “I stabbed someone,” she said a few seconds later. A sigh escaped Myron's lips and it made her wonder if she shouldn't have said anything. “He was trying to stab me, and I managed to disarm him. I didn't even think. I just used the knife once it was in my hands.”

  “Good,” Myron replied and ran his fingers lightly down her side. “If you hadn't you'd probably be dead now, Amelia. Don't feel guilt for doing what you needed to do in order to stay alive. He made the choice to enter into that fight. It was his choice to face the possibility of death at your hands.”

  “I know what's logical. But I guess it will take time for my memory of it to fade.”

  “Let me help,” he said and hooked his arm around her to turn her towards him. It only took a few seconds for her body to respond to his caresses, and then she abandoned herself to him. At least for a little while she could feel perfectly safe.

  ~

  Thank you for reading The Reluctant Knight. The sequel, The Ambitious Orphan, will be available on July 17th 2016 to buy, and will be up for pre-order shortly. While you wait you might also like to try my fantasy works beginning with a free short, Wandering to Belong.

  If you would like to subscribe to the new release email to be notified of the next publication by Jess Mountifield (or Amelia Price) you can do so here.

  For a complete list of all works by the author and her pen name, separated by genre, please continue. If you have enjoyed the book you just read and would like to let the author know you can email her via [email protected] or alternatively leave a review at your place of purchase.

  Books by Jess Mountifield

  Already published

  Historical Adventure:

  With Proud Humility (#1 in the Hearts of the Seas series)

  Chains of Freedom (#4 in the Hearts of the Seas series)

  Fantasy (Tales of Ethanar):

  Wandering to Belong (Tale 1)

  Innocent Hearts (Tale 2 & 3)

  For Such a Time as This (Tale 4)

  A Fire's Sacrifice (Tale 5)

  The Hope of Winter (A short story in the anthology 'Flights of Fantasy' - Tale 6.05)

  Sci-Fi:

  Sherdan's Prophecy (#1 in the Sherdan series)

  Sherdan's Legacy (#2 in the Sherdan series)

  Sherdan's Country (#3 in the Sherdan series)

  Sherdan's Road (A short story in the anthology 'The End of the Road')

  The Slave Who'd Never Been Kissed (A novella in the anthology 'The Kiss')

  Find Purchase links here

  Coming soon

  Historical Adventure:

  Victorious Ruin (#2 in the Hearts of the Seas series)

  Fantasy (Tales of Ethanar):

  The Fire of Winter (#1 in the Winter series, Tale 6.1)

  The Tales of Ethanar anthology - containing:

  The Tales of Ethanar 1-6.05

  A Brief History of Ethanar

  Maps of Ethanar

  A Note on Dragons

  A Note on the Humanoid Races of Ethanar

  Fantasy (other):

  Angel of the Sands

  Books under Amelia Price

  Already Published

  The Hundred Year Wait (#1 in the Mycroft Holmes Adventures)

  The Boy Next Door (A short story in the anthology 'The Bitten')

  The Unexpected Coincidence (#2 in the Mycroft Holmes Adven
tures)

  The Invisible Amateur (#3 in the Mycroft Holmes Adventures)

  The Female Charm (#4 in the Mycroft Holmes Adventures)

  The Reluctant Knight (#5 in the Mycroft Holmes Adventures)

  Coming soon

  The Ambitious Orphan (#6 in the Mycroft Holmes Adventures)

  About the Author

  Jess was born in the quaint village of Woodbridge in the UK, has spent some of her childhood in the States and now resides near the beautiful Roman city of Bath. She lives with her husband, Phil, and her very dapsy cat, Pleaides.

  During her still relatively short life Jess has displayed an innate curiosity for learning new things and has therefore studied many subjects, from maths and the sciences, to history and drama. Jess now works full time as a writer, incorporating many of the subjects she has an interest in within her plots and characters.

  When she's not working she can often be found with friends, enjoying a vast array of films, ice skating or trekking all over the English countryside.

  You can find out more about the author and her upcoming projects by following her on twitter or her fanpage on facebook or at her blog www.jessmountifield.co.uk