Page 44 of Bold Angel
“That is enough!” Ral shoved back his chair, the grating sound muffled by strains of zither and lute. Hegripped Caryn’s arm and forced her up too, then hauled her to the edge of the dais.
“I would know what plagues you, lady. I would discover how it is you accept my kisses with such fire then refuse me the simplest of courtesies.” He jerked her toward the stairs, knights and servants making way as Caryn hurried to keep up without falling.
Sweet God, she shouldn’t have pushed him so far. Mother Mary, what would he do? Trying to calm the wildly beating rhythm of her heart, Caryn clung to him as he dragged her along the passage, opened the door to their chamber, and shoved her into the room.
He followed her in and slammed the door. “You will tell me what this is about.”
Caryn straightened, more than a little uneasy. “I do not know what you mean.”
“You have been rude and ill-mannered. You have goaded and insulted me at every turn since the moment I returned to the keep. Do you dare to deny it?”
“I am sorry if I have displeased you.”
“You ask for trouble, Caryn. I would know why.”
Because it is safer to face your anger than your passion. Better to be beaten than seduced.“I told you, I do not know what you mean.”
“Do you not? I think you do. I think we both do.”
A shiver touched her spine, but she did not speak.
“This is about what happened in the forest, is it not?”
“Nay, of course not.”
“’Tis because I kissed you and you liked it. Because I touched you and you did not push me away.”
“Nay, ’tis not so.”
Ral stepped closer. “’Tis truth and you know it. You desired me, just as I did you. Shall I prove it, Cara? Shall I make you desire me again?”
“Nay!” But already he was moving forward, his muscled forearm sliding around her waist as he hauled her against him. He gripped her chin with his hand, forcedher head back, and his mouth came down hard over hers.
For a moment Caryn struggled, determined to fight him, to ignore the heat that shimmered through her body. Then his hard kiss gentled, his thumb grazed the side of her jaw, coaxing her lips apart, and his tongue slid warmly into her mouth.
Caryn groaned at the heat of it, at the feel of his powerful body pressing the length of hers, at the muscles that bunched across his shoulders. She found herself kissing him back, gripping the front of his tunic and swaying against him, her blood pumping, her tongue meeting his in a silent plea for more.
It was Ral who ended the kiss, steadying her, kissing her cheek as he gently eased her away. “That you desire me is not a sin, Cara. I am your husband. ’Tis only as it should be.”
She looked at him, so tall and strong, felt the pull of his presence and a powerful yearning to press herself against him. Her bottom lip trembled and she had to glance away.
“Is it so hard for you to see? ’Tis not right that I should desire you—not after what you have done.” There was pain in her eyes as she looked back at him. “I cannot forget that night three years past.” Tears spilled over her lashes and down her cheeks. “I cannot forget—and I cannot forgive.” She tried to turn away, but he caught her arm.
“I am sorry about your sister. That night has haunted me just as it has you. Your sister was a rare and beautiful creature. I knew it from the moment I saw her. Had I to do it over, I would take far better care.”
“Better care?” she repeated, the horror of that night stabbing at her insides, dredging up the memories as if they had just occurred. “You force rapine upon my sister and you say you would take better care?”
“Rapine?” The hand on her arm grew taut and hiseyes swung to her face. “Is that what you believe? That I was among the men who took your sister?”
“But you were! I was there—I saw you. If I live for a thousand years, I will always remember.”
Concern etched his features, his thick black brows drawing together, narrow lines marring his forehead. “’Tis not a question of what you remember,cherie,but of what you may have forgotten.”
“Forgotten? I-I do not understand.”
“Think you back to that night three years past. Do you remember naught besides your sister’s rape and the beating you suffered? Have you no memory of the men who came to your aid, of someone holding you and keeping you safe?”
Caryn wet her lips. Therewassuch a memory. Always it lingered at the edge of her mind, but it had never truly surfaced. Until this moment, she believed she had imagined the words of comfort, the strong arms enfolding her battered, pain-racked body.
