"Tracy Falbe - The Rys Chronicles 1 - Union of Renegades" - читать интересную книгу автора (Falbe Tracy)

The soldier took her hand. тАЬCome sit,тАЭ he invited, prying her off the
door.
 Woodenly she moved with him and sat down on the edge of the bed. His
kindness disarmed her. He unbuckled his weaponry and slid out of his
tunic. He began to untie his shirt collar but stopped because she did not
follow his example.
тАЬI do not want to be here,тАЭ she confessed.
A puzzled expression crossed his face. Obviously he thought he had
purchased the company of a willing woman. Checking his sense of
urgency, the soldier sat next to her, and with a tenderness unfamiliar to
her, took her by the shoulders.
Softly he said, тАЬIтАФI go to war tomorrow. I go to face the Atrophane
Horde. Give me, lady, a last night of pleasure. I wonтАЩt hurt you.тАЭ
Miranda now saw the fear in his eyes that mirrored her own. In his
features she could see the boy that lingered in the man, and it saddened
her that he had to go face death. Suspecting that she may soon have to
face death as well, Miranda agreed with his request for pleasure. He at
least was going to defend the settlement and he had already shown her
more kindness and respect than Barlow ever could.
He happily embraced her and kissed her boldly. Miranda awkwardly
accepted his passion and gradually let it take hold of her. Barlow had
always forced himself on her from a young age, an ordeal she avoided as
much as possible, but this was different. She suddenly desired this
stranger, whose young body seethed with excitement.
The young soldier kissed down her neck and between her breasts,
loosening clothing as he went. A stray hand pulled away garments until he
told Miranda to finish taking off her clothes. He lay back on the bed and
removed his remaining garments. The last of the candle light danced on
their strong young bodies. Still a little voluptuous from her recent
pregnancy, Miranda fell nakedly into his arms, thrilling at the heat of his
body. They enjoyed each other several times. Miranda obliged him
willingly, thankful to know that there could be pleasures between a man
and a woman.
Very late into the night the soldier was satisfied and slipped into a
peaceful sleep. He had given her a few more coins in gratitude. Poverty
motivated her to accept, but she would have to be careful. Barlow always
beat her if he discovered her extra gifts. Miranda lingered by the soldier a
moment more to savor the glow of her ecstasy. Such a thing would
probably not happen again for a long time, if ever.
Finally she kissed him and wished that he would not die. She knew it
was time to leave. The children had been unattended much too long, and
she understood that it was not her place to stay. Despite their primal
employment of each other, he was not her lover, only a paying customer.
Miranda mostly regretted that Barlow received most of the money instead
of her.
Slipping from the bed, Miranda sorted out her clothes in the dark.
While she dressed, he did not wake, but that was fine.
What would I say anyway, she thought sadly.
The tavern had grown quiet, and she rushed down the stairs, eager to
return to her children. She almost tripped over Barlow, who had passed