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Everyone thinks I’m a gentle, delicate flower, and aye, I am that. I love the color pink, soft kittens, and dewy meadow mornings.
But I’m something else as well.
There’s a flower dotting our island’s shore that blooms for only one day. Called Strawberry Grass, it’s strong, with stems thick like that of a pussywillow or a cattail—a weed taking over every inch of the land it chooses to claim. That strong, beautiful, mysterious flower keeps you guessing, never knowing when its ripe red head will bloom. Like me.
As I said, I’d lay in bed at night and wonder what it would be like to be touched…
But not gently.
Candles, roses, light kisses.
Yes.
They have a place in my little virgin heart.
But there’s something darker that hides inside me. Something that makes my heart beat a little faster each time Callum whispers a naughty tease, his breath warm against my skin, or tugs the end of my braid, sending tingles down the back of my neck.
I want to be touched by a man like him. One who has hands rough from working our lands and the spirit of a Viking to claim what is his. But curiosity killed the cat. Don’t think I don’t know that.
And don’t think as much as I feel the thrum of desire…
That I don’t feel the fear.
Somehow, the idea of being his bride had me momentarily shellshocked, staying in place, not immediately tearing off at a run. I guess I somehow thought I’d figure that part out, but the imminent threat of shame, of humiliation, finally registered with me and…I’m terrified.
That fear has me dashing past him, flying toward those doors.
“Freya!” I cry out, hoping she’s still within earshot and that she’ll hear my pleas. That she’ll come running. But my words are cut off along with my breath as a strong arm buries itself across my midsection. “Ooh!”
“Now, where would you be going, lass? We’ve only just begun our little chat.”
I look over my shoulder at him. “We’ve got nothing to discuss. I’m leaving. I’m going back to the island. I’ll find another way to get your money to ye.”
His muscular chest covers my back, a wall of heat and muscle. His breath is hot on my skin as he murmurs in my ear. “I can think of plenty of ways for you to pay off those debts. Dirty, filthy ways that would make your body tremble. But I’ll wait to have those pretty things. I want them from you as my wife.”
Wriggling against him, I stutter, “I—I can’t be your wife. And I can’t let you do anything to me.”
“You don’t need to let me. I’ve told you. I take what I want. And what I want is you, Fiona.”
Grabbing my shoulders, he forces me to face him. He holds me there, staring at me for a beat, the tension between us a thick wire of electricity. He pulls that wire tight, closing the gap between us, his mouth coming down hard and fast, covering mine in a punishing kiss.
My first kiss… My mind goes hazy as I stand there, processing what is happening. This is nothing like what I imagined my first kiss to be; I’d pictured it sweet, soft, slow. Gentle. This is a devouring kiss, with heat, passion, and possession.
I refuse to move my lips against him.
Finally, the shock dissipates, and I come to. Pulling my face away from his, I cry, “No!” I push against his chest, trying to break free from his unyielding hold. “Stop!” I try to scream, but he muffles any sound with the return of his aggressive kiss. His lips are rough and demanding, his touch possessive.
His hands roam over my body…
Panic rises within me. I have to stop this. I have to stop him.
It’s just a kiss, but his hands, his hot, heavy hands, grab my ass, telling me he wants more. How far will he go? How much is he willing to take? He’s already stolen my first kiss.
I need to fight. Wriggling against his hold, I manage to kick his shin sharply, causing him to momentarily loosen his grip. I take the chance to push him away and stumble back, my chest heaving as I finally manage to put some distance between us.
My hand grips the edge of the back of a chair. “You can’t do this,” I gasp, my voice quivering with fear and anger. “This is not how you win someone over.”
“Win? I’ve already won.” He straightens up slowly, the dark glint in his eyes giving me shivers. “You have no idea what I’m capable of, Fiona. You will be mine, one way or another. And you will obey me.”
