He appeared to be almost twice his size and yet he could move with surprising agility when crossing fallen branches or dodging any obstacle.
This was undoubtedly a tremendous injustice because she had already tripped several times, almost falling. Was huge and scowling and grumpy. Weren't all his miseries enough? She was in love with a more brooding man than she could like. God! hopelessly in love. It was not fair.
Anger grew. She had dreamed about him for years and just then...
Cassie stumbled again, almost falling over, and bit back her complaint. Every time he reached out to support her, the touch was too strong and unnecessary. She was getting ruined by the bruises that would appear on her fair skin.
Stopped to catch her breath as she closed her eyes and saw her arm once more caught in the strong hand.
-You're hurting me like this! - Cassie complained.
-What are you saying, woman? - Richard looked at her without understanding.
-You'll be able to leave me all marked like that! I'm going to be all purple like this.
Even aware of the way, he tried to ease the pressure on her arm and pushed her forward again at a relentless pace. Ah, he was a muscle-bound, insensitive giant. He was a boorish brute who was constantly spouting off a list of enviable words. At least he didn't look violent.
Cassie started walking in front of him listening to his incomprehensible mutters.
Rick sighed impatiently with her rhythm. He was starting to feel disconcerted, to be honest. He pushed her again to make her walk faster. Problem was, he was watching her hips sway as she walked. Curse. The sight of those hips moving back and forth as she walked had his nerves on fire. They were still far from the cave. The demon of the short skirt of the dress... There wasn't much to the imagination. His eyes searched for any other distraction and got lost on her legs. She didn't even notice any twigs that got caught in her red hair. With two strides, the loose branch managed to catch him squarely in the face.
-Damn the devil! -he barked with an enraged snarling boar.
-What happened? - She stopped in surprise. -Well, didn't you see the branch?
With you showing off those legs because of the ripped skirt? Guess! No. Do you need the damn skirt that short?
He swore another not-so-gentle curse, rubbing his scratched face and gripping her arm, practically dragging her along as he touched the scratch left by the branches.
-You ran away! - he exploded in bewilderment. Do you want to tell me how you managed to get this far? If you are once again doing your spells...
She stumbled again.
- It was clear he was running away! - the defence was outraged. - I'm not going back to Scarlet with you. I do not trust you.
He scratched his head at the edge of patience. It was clear that the girl would return with him.
-But of course, you will! You are my wife! - The explanation seemed even more natural as he marched back firmly and decisively.
The silence between them lasted an eternity until they finally reached the edge of the pond. almost two hours later with her slow pace. Richard was seething with rage.
-Are you listening to this? she asked looking around startled.
It had rained the day before.
The day couldn't get any worse, could it? Oh, Cassie hated frogs. Without fur or scales, they were animals that terrified him.
"It doesn't just have to be frogs, sir!"
-Looks...
-It rained during the night. The pond is full. They're just frogs. You'll find these animals in damp places like streams and ponds and swamps, girl.
Cassie's eyes widened, looking around intently with goosebumps.
How about frogs?
And he spoke like that so naturally?
-Can't we go the other way? - suggested.
She gasped, breathing too fast. Her gaze was heartbreaking.
-It's the fastest way, what's the problem?
For the first time, Rick noticed that she was swallowing a groan. Her mouth twisted fiercely. She had run away, hadn't she?
-Very well, madam. Considering we're here on your own... I don't need to remind you that Chabone wasn't quite my idea.
She glared at him. stunned. This was an outrage.
-You are neither a gentleman nor a ...
-When you decide to commute like a young lady in trouble... -Ah, she wasn't worried about that before, working in the tavern.
-And what did you expect? It's none of your business...
- Absolutely none of my business. You are still my wife. If hadn't just disappeared, there would have been no confusion on the Council. And I have to explain myself to the authorities.
-I didn't do it and...
-It's never your fault! Your people...
-I didn't!- Richard crunched the words.
-No?
-Heavens! You've got a sharp tongue, girl. Do you have an answer for everything? She could scream in the height of frustration. Cassie was irritatingly stubborn. Come on, there's nothing around here. Besides, of course from the forest dwellers. But if you're so angry... I can let you take care of yourself... Alone!
-H-How?
Richard shrugged, hiding his smile. He was going to make her behave like any woman.
-Well, that being so... since I'm in the way so much... I'll leave you. Have a good night.
He turned on his heel and started to walk away. Deliberately slowly She was going to call him. It was a matter of patience.
Cassie looked at him dumbfounded. Intractable! Unbearable! That place... It would be full of frogs. Clothes are miserably torn. He didn't mean to leave her like this. The soulless...
-Wait...
And as Richard didn't stop his march, he found himself running after him.
-Hang on! Stop. Can not...
Richard turned triumphantly. Eyebrows raised and looked very pleased to have chosen that path.
-Yea?
-Do you just go away? I can't go back...
-Yeah. It seems that you have a problem. Have a great night.
-Oh, but you're miserable. How do you wait...?
-Why, now you want my miserable company? Madame is so kind. I think will refuse.
"You can't..." Cassie sighed still running after him.
She could argue and rant for the rest of the night… Except the plans were different… She groaned once more. They were unmistakable croaking sounds. And that meant frogs.
-You can't leave me here and...
"There are frogs! Can you hear the noise? I don't like frogs!"
-An honourable gentleman would never leave a lady...
-Show me the lady and... My love, you've already made it very clear that I...
-All right. Did you manage to satisfy your ego by insulting me?
-I?! ME? But I haven't started. Were you!
Saw the girl recoil in such horror suddenly that it caught my eye. There was a huge frog and the girl... she screamed maybe as scared as the animal jumped towards her. And she slipped on the bank. It sank into the cold waters of the lagoon.
-God! It's just a frog... I don't believe it- Richard sighed.
Amazing. She'd had the gall to face Garro and Philip and… And was she afraid of frogs? he didn't say anything; just entered the pond and mentally cursed. The girl coughed and spat water. It's her...
She blinked back the damn tears. She refused to cry about it. She was torn, hungry and cold and the place was infested with frogs.
-For God's sake, girl ....is just a frog... -She wasn't running before when asked for a pistol...- he commented perplexed.
Cassie aimed for the most miserable shore of all. Wasn't going to budge from there. Nothing would make her leave with the shore full of frogs.
-I'm not afraid of frogs!
-That's great. There's one right behind you, stuck in your hair.
Nor had he anticipated her reaction.
The girl was terrified of frogs. He rolled his eyes. Hadn't it been easy? in an instant, the girl was in his arms and her body was close to his.
Richard swore again, and this time out loud. Rays. It was a man! that tempting body rubbing against each other and pressing just right. He was aroused like a wretch after withdrawal.
-I thought heard: I'm not afraid of frogs!"?
Slower he contained the smile lifting her into his arms.
-I'm not afraid. I just don't like it and... There's a big difference and...
- Well...
Cassie screamed again. Wasn't he going to throw her in the water? Her arms slid around his neck with great desperation.
-I thought you didn't want to be near me...
-Well, that was before!- And there was all possible logic
-When there were no frogs?
Finally, the tears came out. She hated frogs!
And Richard looked at her pityingly. there was all the discomfort of a man facing a weeping woman.
- It's not that bad and...
-Yes it is! Horrible indeed!
- It's not also a tragedy!
-You have no idea how...
He was walking towards dry land and his withering gaze looked at the shore full of frogs.
Where had so many suddenly come from? He was trying to deflect his foot to get a place to step.
-They always appear from everywhere. You have no idea how they jump on our feet and...
-Where did you think you were going? - he roared.
Her startled gaze reached him like lightning. Why did he put off the decision to sate his desire? She was his wife.
-I need... I need privacy. Sir. - Her voice was angry and brought a smile to the male mouth. - If you'll excuse me, captain...
-Why? You can change. You don't need to walk away. When we get to the cave... Don't get out of my sight until you solve this castle mess you decided to arrange. I want details of the damn story.
She concluded that it would be useless with the large hand that held her arm. Ever since she'd met him, she'd been putting up with too much to explode with rage. He kept on walking again without stopping.
-Are you insinuating that I do it here? She faced him with a jerk fueled by outrage. You are a scoundrel! Enjoyer and ... and...
Richard stared at her and his expression was far from funny or pleased.
-I? Rude? I saved your life with this one already three times. By God, you are the same amazing. A little rest wouldn't hurt. Didn't seem to be complaining last night. Quite the opposite. And in the pond, she was very pleased...
The expression of the girl with her hands on her hips was furious and her eyes were flashing. He didn't even budge.
-This is all your fault! You are not a gentleman!
-You're not going anywhere. Will stay here. You can wash and change your clothes normally when we get to the shelter.
Cassie rolled her eyes as lifted her leg and lowered it with all her might on his foot and grunted at the pain that shot through her heel. God! The man looked like stone.
His grimace was followed by another curse as he shook her by the arms.
-Do you have any sense of danger? Those men weren't just intending to have fun or leave her lying around for dead. Do you have any idea how I felt seeing you in the hands of the hunters, woman?
She swallowed hard.
-No, I don't know. Richard Morgan! - the answer came sour.
-You will stop with this imprudence and return to Scarlet with me.
-No!
For the first time, Rick's face frightened her. Compassion! She was going to end up being assaulted!
- Be sensible and reasonable. You can't stay here alone in Chabone.
Morgan swore so loud and violent that she recoiled.
-God! Your father? You bet I'm looking forward to meeting you, honey. I already told you that I had no part in the Council's betrayal. What does it take to convince her?
-Same? Your lackeys offered me money. They thought my presence was outrage in her castle. I was treated like a simple harlot. She was screaming, pressing her finger up against his broad, formidable chest. - You have no idea how I feel. It was just... just a birthday present the unfortunate dress. Just that. And look what you've done with my life?
Richard's astonishment was genuine.
Birthday?
Faith hadn't said. He swallowed very awkwardly. The dress was like any young woman who was going to debut at her first ball. That's why she had never seen her before. Seventeen years? Ah!! Was she about fifteen? The girl walked away, but she didn't make it to the second step after the blocked path again.
God! How was he so agile? Cassie was startled.
-Not really, my lady. - He was unyielding. - You can change the torn dress if that's the problem. I'm sorry about your birthday.
She stopped, gaping.
-But...but...- It was a horror, but Cassie knew was blushing.
His lips curved into a sly smile. Was there a more stubborn man?
-You can't be wanting to...
Rick approached resolutely.
-You bet I want to. Believe me, you've forgotten the little detail that I'm a wolf. You have my mark on your body. And is my wife.
Her face was no longer just flushed, it burned with shame.
"I thought you... thought you were a gentleman to treat a lady in trouble like that."
He laughed out loud.
-Girl. You are the danger. You'll need to convince me of your words, honey. I don't see any lady in trouble.