He started to argue, then backed off. “Nearly. I need to get you back to the inn.”

“Too soon.”

“I’d hold back the sun if I could.” He squeezed her once more, then rose to get their clothes.

Cuddled under the blanket, Shannon watched him and felt the little tingles of desire begin to spark again. She sat up, let the blanket pool to her waist. “Murphy?” When he glanced back, she had the satisfaction of seeing his eyes go dark and cloudy. “Make love with me.”

“There’s nothing I’d like better, but my family’s at the house, and there’s no telling when one of them . . .” He trailed off when she rose, slim and beautifully naked. The clothes slipped out of his hands as she walked toward him.

“Make love with me,” she said again and twined her arms around his neck. “Fast and desperate. Like it was the last time.”

There was a witch in her. He’d known it the first time he’d looked in her eyes. The power of it glowed out of them now, confident and challenging. Though her breath hissed out when he dragged her head back by her hair, the look never wavered.

“Like this then.” His voice was rough as he dragged her around. He braced her back against the king stone and, cupping her hips, lifted her off her feet.

She clamped herself around him, willing and eager. The power burst when he thrust into her, battering them both with the speed and desperation she’d demanded.

They were eye to eye, each violent stroke heating the gasping breaths they took. Her nails dug into his shoulders, her lips curved in triumph as their bodies convulsed together.

His legs went weak, and his palms had gone so damp he feared he’d lose his hold on her and drop her. He could hear his own breath panting out like a dog’s.

“Jesus.” He blinked stinging sweat out of his eyes. “Sweet Jesus Christ.”

Slumped against his shoulder she began to laugh. It bubbled up through her, full of joy and fascination. He could only struggle to get back his breath and balance her as she threw her arms into the air.

“Oh, I feel so alive.”

A grin tugged at his mouth as he managed to keep her from tumbling both of them. “You’re alive all right. But you damned near killed me.” He kissed her hard, then set her firmly on her feet. “Get your clothes on, woman, before you finish me off.”

“I wish we could go running buck naked through the fields.”

He blew out a breath and bent to pick up her bra. “Oh, my sainted mother would love that, if she happened to take a turn around the yard and look out.”

Amused, Shannon slipped into her bra and plucked her panties out of the grass. “I bet your sainted mother knows just what you’ve been up to, since you didn’t come home last night.”

“Knowing and getting a first-hand look’s two different matters.” He gave her bottom a friendly pat when she bent over to pick up her shirt. “You look sexy in men’s clothes. I meant to tell you.”