Excerpt Copyright @ 2019 Kara Griffin
They were alone. Nerves got the better of her,
but she had to say something before he too retreated inside and she missed the
opportunity to make amends. She rushed forward and threw herself into his body.
With her arms around his waist, she felt his body stiffen. He didn’t return the
embrace. His hands fisted by his sides and he kept his gaze on the cave entrance.
Dallis sighed wearily, knowing his acceptance would
be difficult. He grabbed her hand and pulled her along until he reached the
nearby pines. The scent heavy from recent rains
infiltrated her nose and she sneezed. Their location was private and the surrounding
land hilly. She understood why they resided in the caves and had heard mention
of their hiding from the king. Although, she was hesitant to ask too many
questions what they’d done to warrant their banishment.
Dallis had to defuse the situation. He was
angry. There’d be no forgiveness from him if he stayed ireful. She did the only
thing she could think of to mollify the situation. She kissed him.
Her lips touched his and she pressed against
his hard body, hoping to allay him. With all her heart, she hoped he’d respond.
At the slightest movement of his lips, she moaned in joy. She pulled back and
took a breath. The kiss was that of a modest nature and not at all sensual.
Yet, the thought of kissing him brought forth a rush of delight and assuredly a
brush of crimson to her cheeks.
He didn’t give her time to collect herself
before he yanked her hard against him and took possession of her mouth. Dallis hadn’t
expected such a show of passion, but when his tongue lashed at hers, the kiss
became more than tumultuous. She tensed at his forthright manner and her
insides fluttered madly. Fear forced her to draw away.
Brodin wasn’t being adoring or romantic. He
used his aggressiveness to frighten her. She contritely admitted his plan
worked. His brashness was somewhat punishment, she supposed.
“Why did you kiss me?”
Dallis stepped back. His voice hardened yet had
a lyrical sound to it akin to a soft touch. He didn’t sound displeased which
lightened her. “Whenever my mother upset my da, she would kiss him until he
forgave her.”
His gaze pierced her. “I am not so easily won
over as your da.”
“Why did you kiss me back?” Dallis couldn’t
look at him when she asked. His silent glare caused a shiver to trembler her
insides. “If you meant to frighten me … You don’t have to answer—”
“Because your kiss wasn’t praiseworthy. I
wanted you to ken what a proper kiss—”
“Please, we shall just agree that the kiss was
of no consequence.”
“The hell it wasn’t.”
She took a breath and decided not to argue with
him. It was best to keep him amiable. “I wanted to explain … my reasons for …”
Brodin sighed and his chest tightened the thin
fabric of his tunic. “You deceived me.”
“Aye and I’m sorry for it. I wish I didn’t have
to …”
He fisted his hands at his side and his usually
bright eyes darkened. “I almost killed the last lass
who deceived me. Tell me why I shouldn’t kill you?”
As much as she tried to keep calm, a bristle of
panic stiffened her back. Dallis took a step back to put a wee bit of space
between them. And if she needed to run, it would be easier to turn and flee if
he wasn’t standing so close. With his long legs, he’d likely catch up to her
right quick. The thought of fleeing him was pitiful. She thought his question absurd.
“Do you honestly expect me to answer that?”
“Aye.” He folded his arms over his stomach in
wait. “Give me one sound reason why I shouldn’t.”
She
ruminated for at least a minute. The silence betwixt them discomforting her to
the point that sweat formed on her forehead. “If you wish to slay me, then do
so. I couldn’t stop you and have not the strength to defend myself.Don't miss Undeniable Heart
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