Debating Forcing Her

Her chest heaved with emotion.

“You look like ice. But there’s fire in you.” He added. Watching her carefully. “I wonder if your passion runs as hot?”

“Do you enjoy tormenting my days?”

So much.

“I enjoy everything that has anything to do with you.” He murmured. So close he nearly spoke against her lips.

Thus, why I’m down here now.

“Is it even possible to get it through your thick head that a woman may not want you?”

Yes. Just not you. Your desire is written all over you.

Her hands braced on his chest.

As if she could really push me off if I decided to take her right here. On these stairs...

“It’s unlikely to ever happen, but yes it’d be possible. However, if you speak of yourself. You’d have to stop flushing every time I get close to you, stop the racing of your heart-I can hear every beat. Control the sheen of goosebumps rising on your skin at the touch of my fingertips. Cease your heaving breaths.” He gestured to her rising bosom.

Making her flush deeper.

“And stop leaning toward me when I’m near.”

Her eyes flicked to the meager distance between them, eyes widening as she realized he was right. She leaned toward him. Only a couple inches now separating them. She was drawn like a magnet. Her face upturned and lips nearly pressed to his.

“You’re a devious, rogue.” Her face hardened.

When I’m with you.

“Aye.” He nodded with a lopsided grin as he caressed her chin. “That I am.”

She pushed past him.

He turned his body to let her by. Eyeing where her hair had exposed the spot atop her shoulder. Near the curve of her neck. It looks delicious.

I could mark her. Right here and now. Make her mine forever.

Possess her as mine. He contemplated it. Tossing around the idea of forcing her to be his mate despite all her objections.

I could wear her down.

But half of Elsabet’s charm was in the fact that she didn’t succumb to him the way every swooning maid before her had.

I want her on her terms.

Begging for me.

She put a hand to his chest to keep him at a distance on the narrow stair, hissing at the touch.

He smiled, reflexively pinning her hand to him with his palm. Tempted to slide her palm down his flat stomach. But he refrained. Somehow. His eyes probed her face at such close quarters.

“It’s amazing I even found my way down here.” She sputtered quickly trying to fill the silence.

You do all the time. But it’s cute you think I don’t know…

“This castle is endless rooms and passageways.” She added quickly. Eyes flicking to her escape route.

The doorway upstairs.

“You’ve found those, have you?”

She gave him a quick look.

“I don’t care if you explore.” He shrugged. “I can smell you anywhere in this stronghold.” He breathed in her hair. “You can’t hide from me. Go where you wish.”

“Who built this thing?” She gestured in frustration as she jerked her hand free and slid past him. Turning stormy blue eyes on him.

“Me.”

To protect The Fallen.

“Of course, you did.” She tossed over her shoulder.

His chuckle chased her down the hall. “Run, Harpie, Run. Get away from the big. Dangerous. Animal.”