Free Highlander the Dark Dragon by Donna Fletcher Page A

his hand falling off her as she went. “I could easily make an excuse that would satisfy you, but as I have said, it is important to me that we be truthful with each other. I had not thought of seeking you out—”
    “You are that adverse to my presence?”
    Did she imagine a hint of concern in his voice or again was it simply wishful thinking? She smiled as she said, “Surprisingly, I am not as adverse to your company as I thought I would be, though there are times I still fear you.”
    “And well you should?”
    “Why?” Heather shook her head. “Why would you want your wife to fear you?”
    “So that she will obey me without question.”
    “You must give me time to adapt,” she said softly.
    He stepped toward her. “You do not command here, I do.”
    She stared at his handsome face, though it was his lips her eyes settled on and oddly, she got the overwhelming urge to kiss him. So much so that she stepped forward, went up on her toes and pressed her lips to his.
    Her innocent, sweet kiss felt more like passionate hunger to Rhys and his body reacted—he grew aroused. His arms went around her and drew her closer as her lips continued to tempt his. He took over then, his tongue playing across her lips, urging them apart and slipping in so that their tongues could mate.
    Passion caught and spiraled through Heather and when Rhys placed his hand on her backside and urged her against him, she found herself complying most willingly. She settled against him, his hardness poking at her, letting her know how much he wanted her. And she could not quite grasp why, but she wanted him.
    Heather was shocked and disappointed when he brought their kiss to an end and stepped away from her.
    “I have things that require my attention,” he said and turned toward the door.
    “Why?”
    Rhys turned back around and asked with a brusque tone. “Why what?”
    “Why did you not wake me last night when you came to bed?”
    He walked over to her and grabbed hold of her chin. “When I want... I will bed you.”
    Heather wondered how many times she would watch the door close behind him and be left feeling perplexed. He had wanted her. She had felt his need. So why did he not seal their vows? He was becoming ever more curious to her, making her want to know more about him. And she would start her search on the upper floor.
    With light footfalls, she made her way to the upper floor, stopping every now and then to listen and hear if anyone else was about. When she reached the top floor, she peered around to make sure no one was there.
    Darkness greeted her, the lone torch sconce that had gone out last night still not lit. She went and retrieved the torch from one of the sconces along the stairway and made her way back to the unlit torch, intimidated by the shadows that danced around her. It was as if they were eager to reach out and capture her.
    She thought to light the torch in the sconce, but then thought better of it. No one was permitted up here and if she lit the torch, Rhys would know someone had been here and, not wanting a servant punished for her misdeed, she left the torch unlit.
    When she was a few feet from the door, she stopped abruptly, shocked to see that the door had been bolted with a heavy metal lock. Disappointment filled her. Now she would never find out what secrets the room harbored nor would she? There had to be a way to find out.
    She turned to leave, more determined than ever to find a way into the room, and stopped when she thought she heard a noise. She listened and sure enough she heard it again and it came from the locked room.
    With her stomach tightening in knots, she took a step closer to the door and listened. She jumped back when she thought she heard someone cry out and when the latch on the door began to rattle, her heart almost stopped beating.
    Was someone trying to get out?
    Now she had no choice. She had to find out what was in the room and if necessary set whoever was inside free.

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