The Dark Knight’s Appetites
By Layla Skylar
Smashwords Edition
Copyright 2011 Layla Skylar
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The Dark Knight’s Appetites
Gillian swayed to avoid the back of a patron’s chair as she delivered drinks in her parents’ inn in the tiny village of Sailaway. Her skirts swished to touch the arm of another man, Desmond, who reached out to playfully pat her bottom. She squirmed out of reach before he could give her the pinch she knew was coming.
Men.
A dime a dozen in this joint, and every one of them wanting a piece of her. Some nights they were a welcome diversion, but other times she just wanted some peace. It didn’t look like she’d be getting any of that tonight. It was a full house. Locals had come out to see a visiting musician, and he’d brought his own entourage. The new faces were welcome. A couple of them were downright handsome.
The dogs barked out front. Gillian had just brought the musician a small pitcher of water and a plate of food. She wiped her hands on her apron and looked out the front window, expecting to see another local come to indulge in music and drink in lonely Sailaway. Instead, her stomach dropped as she recognized the big black horse, and the big man in black who had just dismounted, his sword hanging straight at his side.
The Dark Knight of Lightloss.
Gillian’s heart thumped erratically. She’d been waiting for just such an opportunity.
She glanced down at the worn blue dress she’d put on for the evening. She looked around and thought maybe she had a second to slip out and change. She ducked into her room at the end of the hall, shoving the door with her foot, but forgetting to latch it. She tore off the worn dress, rummaging in her chest for a suitable replacement.
Suddenly, she heard the door close and a single footstep. Then she felt his hands on her hips, and his hard cock pressed against her slit through her underclothes. She looked up from the chest to find the intruder. Although she’d let him intrude on a number of occasions, so she didn’t exactly blame him for trying. “Not now, Lewis. I’m changing. I have a lot of work to do.” Lewis was a decent lover, and a good man, but not the sort she wanted all the time. He was also no comparison for the Dark Knight of Lightloss, who would any second be entering their establishment. She’d be damned if she let her mother be the one to show him to a table.
“Later, then. You’re making me so hot for you, just feel this.” Lewis grabbed Gillian’s hand and guided it to his cock. She took a moment to appreciate the erection with the attention it deserved, stroking his hard, hot member and making him moan.
“I don’t know what I’ll be doing later.”
“Who, you mean?”
She flashed him a cheerful smile. “That’s exactly what I mean.”
He slumped from the room at her insistent push, and she latched the door behind him with a sigh.
She put on her green dress, much newer than the former, and left her chamber for the front of the house. Her mother clucked in her direction as Gillian looked past her to see the Dark Knight of Lightloss standing just inside the door, surveying the room with intense dark eyes. His beard had grown in enough that she assumed he’d been on the road a few days. He appeared rugged, sexy as the devil himself, and altogether worn out.
Gillian swept past her mother and gave the Dark Knight a welcoming smile. “This way, sir.” She led him to a table nearer the hearth than the stage, assuming he’d more a mind for a replenishing meal than entertainment. He took in the stage, and the roaring fire, and smiled his appreciation, a dimple showing on one cheek – making him look more boyish than an armed and famed knight ought to. She realized she was staring and waved at the seat.
He pulled it out and sat. “Do you have a room for the night, miss?”
“I’m Gillian. I’ll check with my father. In the meantime, do you want the lamb stew and ale? We have a fresh baked bread to go with that.” He nodded, and watched her in a way that made her cheeks heat. “What?”
“You’re a redhead. I’ve known few redheads in my time.”
Gillian smiled. The way he said “known” told her he wasn’t talking about making an acquaintance. He was talking carnal knowledge. She’d be happy to let him know her, but first she’d see him fed.
Desmond scooted his chair in front of her as she went to walk by. “Seriously, Gillian? The man’s been with more women than any other in the realm. What would you want with him?”
“Are you kidding me? I’ve seen all the cocks in this one-inn town, you mongrel. If I want him, I’ll have the Dark Knight in me before the rooster crows. Do you care to place a wager?”
“You’re gonna go take all the fun out of the night, Gilli?”
“Your fun, maybe. I’ll be having mine.” She smirked at him and went by.
Her father glared at her from behind the bar. “Don’t get yourself in trouble, girl. You might be able to handle the men in Sailaway with a deft hand, but don’t think of handling that one.” The old man gestured to the knight, who’d taken a dirk from the scabbard at his side and was cleaning his nails, and watching her from across the room. He gave her a lazy grin that sent her heart into cartwheels.
Good lord, she was going to be ravaged by a real knight, this evening. And not just any knight – the Dark Knight of Lightloss, who’d graced the realm from a far off land and won every joust since handily, and those were just the conquests of his sword. The conquests of his body were rumored to be more numerous by far. His work and his reputation provided plenty of opportunities for conquest, and the Dark Knight was rumored to be a man of hearty appetites.
Gillian loaded a plate with bread and a big bowl of stew. She grabbed the ale from her still-scowling father, and made for the Dark Knight’s table. He watched her the entire way, and she could only be thankful she didn’t trip or drop anything. His gaze penetrated, telling her exactly what was on his mind. And it wasn’t the food he was craving most.
“Oh, how could I forget about that room?” she asked as she set down his food. She backtracked to her father at the bar.
“He wants a room?” the old man asked.
“Sounds like just for tonight.”
“Don’t sound so disappointed.” Her father growled, his dark look of displeasure once again finding the knight across the room. The infernal man just smiled a lazy smile and ate his stew.
“Gillian, serve the room. Quick, girl. We don’t have all night. The music is about to begin.” Gillian’s mother descended on her like a powerful wind, blowing aside all thought of pleasure. She got down to business and made her rounds in the large front room of the inn. The musician was setting about tuning his stringed instrument – she couldn’t remember which one that was – and decided to tell a story while he did. His voice was a deep baritone, and the story he told a ribald one of a girl taken by the fairy folk. On another night, Gillian would have been rapt with the rest of the crowd. Tonight, she was just glad the musician was distracting the crowd.
After seeing everyone served and getting a nod from the musician that said he had everything he needed, Gillian circled back around to the Dark Knight’s table. She had felt his eyes on her the entire time. His plate was pushed aside, the generous helpings devoured.
“The food was delicious. My thanks.”
“I’ll pass your thanks to my mother. My skills do not lie in the kitchen.”
The Dark Knight chuckled, the sound sending a whisper of pleasure through Gillian’s nerves. “That room now, Gillian?”
“Yes. Follow me.” She led the way to the stairs, and let her hips sway luxuriously as she ascended the steps in front of him. Did he know she was hell bent on having him inside her, sooner rather than later?
Instead of stopping outside his room, she swept inside, looking around to make sure all was in order. “Would you like a bath, sir knight?”
“A bath would be most welcome, as would a maid to share it with.” That lazy smile stretched across his features again, and he crossed the room to her. He circled behind her and moved his hands coarsely across her belly and thighs, making her lean into him for the touch she craved. He didn’t give it to her. Instead, he held her prisoner with one arm across her chest, and his other hand in her hair. He kissed her neck, sending trails of pleasure dashing down her spine. He nipped her shoulder, and a liquid heat flooded her sex.
She pushed away from him, reluctantly. “Shall I order the water for that bath? I’ll be back to see that…all is ready for you.” She left hastily, knowing she had to not only order the boy to fill the Dark Knight’s bath, she had to serve another round of drinks before she could possibly slip away long enough to see to that lustful man’s carnal urges, and her own.
The front room downstairs surged with the beat. Several tables were already vacated and shoved back to form the dance floor, which was crowded with rowdy locals. Desmond tried to grab her again, but she glared at him and pushed away. “I’m busy, if you can’t see that.” She moved off into the crowd. She served drinks more rapidly than she would have thought possible, completely ignored her father’s nasty mood, and darted back up the stairs at the first opportunity.
“Enter,” the Dark Knight said in response to her knock. Her belly dropped at the sight of him when she did as he demanded. He stood naked in the middle of the inn’s largest tub, which wasn’t large enough, by far. “You call this a bath?” he sneered.
She circled him. She wasn’t a shy woman, and figured he’d be more offended by her pretending than anything else. “Sorry. Obviously we don’t get men of your stature in here a lot. Better than a sponge bath, though, isn’t it?”
“That depends on who is wielding the sponge.” He gave her a rakish grin, and she noticed his cock had begun to harden between her glances. Well endowed in all ways. No wonder the man was a legend.
“I have some experience, sir knight. Shall I try my hand?”
“Please. Don’t be shy.” It was practically a whisper, and Gillian felt herself grow wetter at the promise in those words. She took up a rag and started at his hip, that space next to his growing cock. She teased him there with the washrag and then slipped her hand around to soap his muscular ass. She gripped him through the rag, and ran her other hand up his belly at the same time. His cock jumped against his flat, taut stomach, and her fingers itched for it. She ached to take it in her hand, in her mouth, everywhere she could get him.
Giving in, she reached for him, and he sighed as her soapy palm touched his rigid flesh. She stroked him a few times, testing in the weight of him in her hand, and then moved on with the charade of a bath, teasing him. He growled, but let her continue her ministrations, his cock bobbing in front of her, begging for attention.
She suddenly realized she’d wasted precious minutes here – and soon she’d be needed back downstairs. In a bit of panic, she told him, “I don’t have much time. I’m the only girl – I need to serve the room.”
“You have a few minutes yet. I’ve in mind a bath of a different nature.” He pressed her toward his groin. “Would you consider it?”
“Consider it, and welcome it,” she breathed against his erection. Slowly, she licked the head of his cock. It was so large it stretched her lips when she took him inside her mouth. She slid her mouth down his length, as much as she could take there, pressing warm fingertips against his hips to encourage him to fuck her mouth. He groaned, and moved to the rhythm she set. His manhood was a piece of perfection, soft, smooth skin and a long, thick rod, nestled in a soft bed of curls. His skin held the pungent scent of the soap he’d just bathed with. She could only give him a minute, but she had no doubt he’d wait for her return. His dark eyes, hooded with lust, told her as much. He was in a fine state for the next stage of her plan.