Page 110 of Dark Rival

Allie cringed. “How can you not trust me?”

“Ye have the kindest heart—an’ the most reckless soul. I’ll turn my back an’ ye’ll think to heal, to fight, God only will ken. An’ when I turn back, ye’ll be hurt, or dead.”

He only wanted to protect her. “As long as you are reasonable,” she began.

He strode to her, eyes ablaze. “Nay! I may be reasonable, but we both ken ye’ll think me medieval, aye? Mr. Medieval? Nay. Whatever I command, ye’ll obey, be it reasonable to ye or not.”

“That is not fair,” Allie said harshly.

“If Elasaid is alive an’ in Moffat’s control, that’s unfair, as well.”

That took away her hesitation, fast. “Okay. You have my word. I won’t disobey you.”

Hard satisfaction covered his features. His tone softened. “Come here.”

Allie hesitated, then walked to him and was surprised when he pulled her into his arms. He held her tightly against his big body and her heart dropped with sickening force as she realized what he intended. “Now?” Dread began.

He laid his cheek against her hair and held her more closely. She felt the strong, steady beat of his powerful heart. “Remember, the pain will end. It seems to last forever, but it’s just a moment.”

Allie closed her eyes. “I was really hoping to avoid this, somehow.”

“Aye.” He kissed her hair. “I willna let ye go, lass.”

Allie turned to look up at him and he covered her mouth with his.

And in spite of what was about to happen, her heart exploded with sudden, impossible excitement. Too late, as they were flung with the speed of light through the hall, she knew it had been a distraction.

His mouth moved to her cheek, resting there; she screamed.

PANIC MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE to breathe as they were hurled through space. She saw the stars, shockingly close, stunningly bright. She saw moons and more than one sun. Her stomach, her other organs, even her heart were jamming against her muscles and bones. Allie wept and wept, sure that this time her insides would be torn from her body by the velocity necessary for time travel. This time, her brain would be scrambled like eggs.

His grasp somehow tightened. As she sobbed, he did not make a sound.

They landed.

Pain exploded in her head. The stars and moons blinded her. Finally Royce grunted.

She couldn’t breathe. But the excruciating torment of traveling at the speed of light was rapidly lessening, leaving only the terrible stabbing pain in her head. Allie wondered if they had landed on concrete.

Royce gasped thickly, “T’will soon pass.”

Hot tears staining her cold face, Allie realized they lay on wet ground. But now, she began to breathe, rapidly and shallowly, frightened. As she did so, Allie became aware of Royce’s huge body enveloping her.

His powerful arms enclosed her, holding her tightly to his broad, hard chest, and one of his rocklike thighs was thrown over hers. And the moment she became aware of him, her senses fired wildly.

His pulse drummed, hot and male, through his entire body, and she realized how swollen he was. Dazed, she could not begin to imagine how such pain could bring such lust. But her body began to throb and ache in response.

His large hand tipped up her face. His eyes were blazing and he smiled so seductively at her that her heart stopped.

I need ye.

He hadn’t spoken but she heard him, soft and seductive, a murmur of his thoughts. It crossed the back of her mind that something unknown and different was happening. He nudged her thighs apart, sliding one massive leg between hers. She felt him ease up her denim skirt, high over her buttocks. The broad head of his shaft found the silk covering her sex. Allie gasped, their gazes locking.

Ye need me now.

Yes, Allie thought.

Royce grasped her bare buttocks, moving her higher. Allie gasped as he drove past the thong, easily brushing it aside with his slick, hot flesh. Allie wrapped her thighs around his waist. Looking at her, he lowered her slowly onto him.