Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 99206 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 496(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99206 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 496(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
She tried to tell him, but he would not free her lips. It was as if he needed her breath to survive, the very essence of her soul to help ease his anguish.
She grasped his arm and dug her fingers into his flesh as hard as she could, his taut muscles making it difficult to penetrate the skin, and she wrenched and pulled her mouth from his until finally she was free.
“I can . . . not . . . breathe,” she said, pushing at his chest.
He tore away from her and she fell to the ground, her breath labored and her heart beating madly. She placed a hand to her chest, feeling as though her heart was ready to burst.
He reached down in haste, and she instinctively drew back away from him, needing a chance to breathe.
He bent down beside her, his clenched hands remaining at his sides. “I will not hurt you.”
Tears pooled in her eyes. She hesitated, and then she reached out to him.
He scooped her up into his arms and held her tight as he walked with strong strides out of the confining room.
She was relieved and grateful that they left the tower room, and she was not surprised or upset when he took her to his bedchamber. He shut the door behind them with a shove of his boot and sat on the end of the bed with her in his lap, cradling her in his strong arms.
He touched her face so gently that it almost seemed he thought she would break. “You are pale; are you all right?” Before she could answer, he rested his forehead to hers. “Good God, Ree, I am so sorry; can you ever forgive me?”
Her heart continued to pound madly in her chest, but she looked into his dark eyes. His anger was gone, replaced by despair, and she suddenly realized he needed her concern, her gentleness and, most of all, her love.
She placed a tender hand to his face. “There is nothing to forgive. You suffered a hurt so shocking—”
He placed a finger to her lips. “I had no right, no matter what I suffered I had no right to abuse you.”
She took hold of his hand and kissed his palm. “Your anger took hold.”
“A fatal mistake to any man or warrior. Sound reason is a better weapon.”
“Pain, hurt and revenge blind many, and in the end it is the innocent ones who suffer the most.”
He closed his eyes a moment and Reena thought that he battled tears, but when he opened them not a tear shone in his eyes. He had won the battle—or had he?
“My mother was an innocent. I thought she had endured misery beyond reason, but this . . .” He shook his head. “I do not know how she retained her sanity.”
“She had you to protect, the son of the man she loved with all her heart and always would.”
He remained silent, heavy in thought, and Reena rested a gentle hand on his shoulder, letting him know she was there and would remain by his side always.
“My mother taught me about love. She spoke about how love would find me when I least expected it, for she insisted love was unpredictable and could strike at the strangest times. She told me not to have any expectations but to accept the love that was sent to me and cherish it and never ever do it harm.”
Thoughts of the anguish and pain his mother had endured choked the breath from her, and she sighed, hoping to ease her troubled emotions. To think that his mother had been forced to be intimate with the man who had killed her loving husband was incomprehensible. Her courage to endure such torture was remarkable, and to survive it all and encourage her son to love was even more remarkable.
“Your mother is a special woman, strong and courageous, and she taught you well of love, for I know you would never harm me.”
Anguish surfaced in his dark eyes, and she knew he regretted his actions and that no apology would ease his regret. But she would not have him suffer, for he had suffered enough, now it was time for him to love.
“I—”
Reena pressed a firm finger to his lips. “Love you with my whole heart and soul. And did I ever tell you how handsome I think you are?” She rubbed her nose to his. “And how I love when you kiss me. Nibbles, I especially love nibbles, and touches, the slow lazy kind.” She pretended to shiver. “Mmm, you make me tingle.”
She faintly traced his lips as they slowly spread in a smile. “I am so very glad I found you to love.”
“It is I who am grateful to have found you,” he said and nibbled the tip of her finger.