Page 41 of The Highlander Steals a Virgin
“See. I thought ye dinnae ken.Yersituation is thatyeare the enemy to every single person in this clan. Ye reckon that last night was the worst it would get? Ye arecompletelyandtotallyreliant on me for protection.”
The weight of his words drenched her in ice cold realization. She of course knew all of these things, but Rhys was the one person who she least expected to hit her with the harsh reality of her situation.
Forsaken by her own clan and that the mercy of her father’s enemy.
“Ye dragged me here and expect me to sit silent and grateful for yer hospitality?”
“I brought ye here for yer safety, nae to meddle in me household.”
“Ye mean yer daughter’s life?”
Rhys’s eyes flashed.
“She came to me, Rhys. I dinnae seek her out. I’m here as yer guest, as ye have made so very clear to everyone, so forgive me if I daenae sit meekly and wait for instructions like one of yer hounds or guards.”
His jaw tightened. “Ye should have stayed away from her.”
“Well, perhaps ye should have warned her to stay away from me, then.”
“I did.”
Amara stepped forward now, furious. “Then mayhap ye should take better care of yer child if ye are so terrified someone might shower her an ounce of affection that isnae ye.”
Rhys’s expression darkened like thunder. “Daenae presume to ken what me daughter needs.”
“And daenae presume to pretend that I came here without a fight. Ye kidnapped me, failed at tradin’ me back to me faither, and then brought me back here. And ye really wish to speak about protection? Then what in hell’s name happened last night in the dining hall? I was alone. Left to fend for meself in the den of yer wolves.”
“I corrected that!”
“It should have never happened!”
“I’ve nay time to entertain yer guilt games, Amara.”
“Then daenae!” Her voice cracked with anger. “But daenae dare pretend thatanyof this is about Daisy.”
His nostrils flared. “Watch yer tongue.”
“Or what?” she hissed. “Ye’ll lock me in me room like arealprisoner? Shove me into the dungeon even? Kiss me again and pretend it never happened like a coward?”
That did it.
Rhys grabbed her arm with a firm but reckless grip, and backed her against the wall. Her head hit the back of his other hand instead of the stone she had anticipated, but it was cold against her spine. He loomed over her, his breath warm and ragged.
“Ye think this is easy for me?” he growled. “Ye think I can just look at ye and nae want —”
His mouth stopped inches from hers. His voice dropped low. Dangerous.
“Ye drive me absolutely mad.”
Her breath hitched.
“I cannae have ye in this castle as me guest, or sleepin’ next to me chambers as meguest.”
His hips pressed forward, and she felt it. All of him. Hard and throbbing against her stomach. Her breath caught in her throat.
She searched his eyes, fingers trembling.
Was this it? Was this really happening again?
