Shield's Lady

the river canyon. Gryph awakened in deep shadow. But he was stretched out on his back and when he looked straight up he could see the faint light in the strip of sky visible overhead. It was time to get moving. There was a lot of territory to cover.
    But Sariana shifted slightly against him, her rounded hips nestling closer, and Gryph had several second thoughts about the virtues of rising early. He turned on his side and slid a hand under the rheenfeather quilt. It was cozy and warm underneath the lightweight quilt and the curve of Sariana’s thigh was an invitation he couldn’t resist. He was hard with his early morning arousal and the thought of sliding into Sariana’s tight, clinging warmth was far more attractive than getting up and building a fire.
    Sariana stirred at his touch and Gryph smiled in satisfaction. She knew and responded to him even in her sleep. Stealthily he eased apart her thighs and stroked the silky interior of her leg. She shifted delightfully but didn’t waken.
    Enjoying the game, Gryph gathered her closer. Her back was still turned toward him and she fit the natural curve of his body perfectly. When he explored further with his questing fingers he discovered she was warm and full and already slightly damp. He traced the outline of her body’s entrance and she grew moister.
    Gryph waited no longer. He was ready and so was she, whether she knew it or not. This was morning, a time for action, not a slow, lingering interlude. He positioned her hips and guided himself slowly between her legs from behind. When he entered her soft, feminine channel Sariana came awake with a rush.
    “I think,” she complained sleepily, “that you have just taken advantage of me.”
    “I’m only evening the score from last night.” Gryph locked his hands ground her hips, guiding her into the rhythm he wanted. “By the Lightstorm, you feel good first thing in the morning.” He reached around to the front of her thighs and used his fingers to excite her further.
    Sariana moaned and stopped complaining.
    Lazy sensations of pleasure and gathering tension drifted in and out of Gryph ‘s mind, mingling with his own driving urge. He no longer tried to hold back his own emotions. As far as he was concerned Sariana had surrendered her right to gentlemanly restraint on his part last night. Any woman who could turn into such an imperiously demanding, exciting creature of passion deserved to be hit with the full force of the response she invoked.
    The memories of the night combined with the potent excitement of morning and Gryph’s body drove into Sariana’s one last, glorious time. His half stifled shout echoed from the canyon walls as he poured himself into her. Sariana’s cry was much softer and more breathless but her climax seemed every bit as strong as his own. He could feel it subtly rippling through him even as his own swamped his senses for a long, sweet moment.
    When it was finished Gryph inhaled deeply, feeling his natural energy rush back into him. He grinned privately and sat up. Then he ruthlessly yanked the travel quilt off Sariana and slapped her bare thigh. He was enjoying the sensation of possessiveness, he realized.
    “Up you go, woman. I’m waiting for my breakfast.”
    Sariana grabbed for the quilt and snuggled back under it.
    “What happens if I tell you to fix your own breakfast?”
    “I pick you up and drop you into the river for a refreshing early morning dip.”
    “That’s not much of a threat. I was going to bathe again this morning, anyway.”
    “Ah, but there are subtle differences between a delicate sponge bath at the shoreline using water heated over a fire and being dropped into a very chilly river,” Gryph pointed out as he reached for his pants and boots.
    “You are a cruel, heartless, ruthless man, Gryph Chassyn.” Sariana sat up slowly.
    “That’s something I think we should talk about,” Gryph announced, coming to a decision. He gazed thoughtfully at the scarlet-toe as it uncurled slowly from the depths of Sariana’s cloak and began nibbling at the small pile of leaves that Sariana had put out for its breakfast.
    Sariana followed his gaze to the scarlet-toe and then looked at Gryph questioningly. “You want to discuss your cruel, heartless and ruthless tendencies? This early in the morning?”
    “No,” said Gryph as he stepped over the side of the boat and waded toward shore. “I want to discuss the issue you raised so tactfully yesterday evening. The issue