“Who cares about proper?” Crow grinned at Penelope as she freed her hair from the twine that tied it. “I think this is much more fun.” Her mischievous grin caught him by surprise just before she flipped him onto his back so she was on top. The bed beneath them let out a low groan with the shift in weight, and he smirked to himself, thankful for the stone walls around them that would help to keep the sounds from escaping the knight’s bedchamber. He just hoped no one would happen to hear them through the door.

As she met his lips again, he gripped her by her thighs, enjoying the sudden spontaneity. His eyes tracked her movement when she pulled back again, following her hands as she lifted her dress over her head. It had been weeks since the last time he’d seen her naked, so the sight of her completely bare, straddling his hips with her legs, was intoxicating. He trailed his fingers over her skin, slower this time as he simply enjoyed the view before him.

His arms snaked around her back when she leaned into him a second time, and he returned her kiss with equal desire. “Maybe next time, we’ll switch,” he teased, touching his lips to her cheek. “You wear the tunic, and I’ll wear the dress. Then we’ll be even.” He winked at her jokingly and pressed in to kiss her again, letting her slip off his shirt while he ran his hand over her sensuously.

Clothing fell to the floor in a haphazard heap, and temperatures rose despite the chill in the room. Crow lost his sense of time as he and Penelope closed what little distance remained between them, tangled together in the throes of passion. When it was over, he laid on his side, panting lightly as he held her in his arms. He had pulled the blanket over them to keep the cold air at bay, but now its warmth was tempting him to drift off. He closed his eyes and buried his face into her hair, pulling her to his chest in an embrace.

“I’m going to sleep soundly tonight,” he yawned, smiling dreamily as he nuzzled her neck with his cheek. “I just wish I could sleep right here.”