Page 72 of The Forsaken
Instead, she said; “He is charming.”
“Not as charming as me.”
The grouse in his voice snatched a laugh from her.
His cold implacable features didn’t budge.
Andromena’s lips twitched. “He is a graceful dancer—”
“If one finds lurching bears graceful.”
“He is very handso—” Her words died on a gasp.
Edgar seized her shoulders, his grip tightening with a bruising intensity as his composure shattered. “You go too far, madam!” he hissed, his frame vibrating with unbridled fury. “I will not allow Kilmartin.”
Allow?
Welcome rage sizzled in her veins. “And I will not be ordered about by you or any man, you clod-pate.”
Kerr bared gleaming white teeth. “I bet you don’t call Kilmartin a clod-pate.”
“Kilmartin doesn’t give me any reason to!”
Her chest rose and fell wildly.
Kerr’s gaze dropped to her neckline, to the pink and clear crystals glittering above the swell of her breasts.
Andromena knew that fierce sound of his breathing. She had learned its meaning from him. It meant he wanted to pull her close, pin her against the wall, and take her mouth with his. And she would gladly let him.
His gaze snapped back to hers.
Andromena’s throat went dry as she stared at him. Something tightened around his mouth.
He brought his other arm around, his hold gentler. “You don’t hunger for him. Not the way you do me. I see how you look at me. How you respond to me whenever I am near. You, Andromena, respond with passion, no matter if you are boxing my ears or marveling at my praise of your art.”
What had she done? She had committed the greatest misstep. She had miscalculated his fierce pride. Edgar did not love her, but he would also never bow and let one of Tremaine’s men claim her.
Panic clawed at her throat. She darted a frantic look around the grotto. Edgar’s relentless questions had to stop and so did the deep bond he acted like he never shared.
Andromena melted into his embrace, her cheek resting over the heavy thrum of his heart. She squeezed her eyes shut. Please. Let me protect you.
Edgar must have seen something in her eyes.
“Tell me you love Kilmartin.”
“That would be easier,” she said, her chest struggling with each rise and fall.
“Easier than what?”
Loving you…
Did he want to hear it? What if she said the words? And what if he loved her back?
She tried one more time. “I don’t want to see you anymore, Edgar.”
He drew back. “That’s why you’ve avoided me all week.”
Andromena gave a small nod.
