-Let me go now! she demanded as she bit his palm. She found herself indignant with her hands pinned above her head.
Michael took a deep breath. It couldn't be her. It wasn't even her. That woman was probably running away from some man who exploited her services on the docks. Only she was perfect, small and slender under him, and every muscle and sense of hers was reacting to her closeness. Her body contracted and now malleable under hers made him burn with delirium. He swore loudly again, shielding himself from another attempt at a knee to the groin, ripping the damn cap off her head, stopping in astonishment.
It was... It was her. The golden hair covered part of his face in the frantic struggle to flee and the woman hadn't even recognized him in genuine panic.
-Chris! Stop woman! hells! Where did she learn so many low blows like that? - He gasped with an elbow, rolling back on top of her and a very low groan of pain reached his ears.
-No! Do not touch me.
- Damn it, woman! It's impossible not to recognize me! - he complained
Christina couldn't hear anything he was saying as she struggled and struggled. Her breath was quick and laboured between her parted lips as his hand gripped the hairs on the back of her neck as he held her face. Before Michael could think of anything else, her mouth was descending over her rosy lips in an unexpected and urgent assault.
She tensed. There was something delicious and familiar about the way his mouth sought hers, his tongue invading, tasting and tasting; her light fingers caressing the knuckle of her ear. He smelled of the sea, of freedom. Incredulous and shocked, Christina was reacting to his kiss. She responded to the caress as passionately as he kissed her. Her kiss was desperate and overwhelming and intense and left her completely breathless.
Mike?
She was so used to Valerius taunting her when he complained that she was a cold, unattractive woman that her reaction was pure amazement. Without realizing it, she was no longer fighting him. His now untied hands sank into her wet hair, her body acting on its own accord as she savoured unbelievable sensations in the muscles of her belly.
"You crazy! What you are doing?"
Startled, Christina stiffened and found herself for a moment released as she almost managed to hit him again. She tried to stand on wobbly legs and her body refused to react. That time, Valerius had brutally left bruises all over her body when she refused to share his bed on their wedding night. She was panting and despairing. She wouldn't be able to run.
"Hell!" Michael crunched the word, his blood hot. - You'll cripple me like this.
The furious tone of voice echoed in her ears and Christina blinked in shock and unresponsiveness as she sighed slowly through her lungs aching. Maybe she had broken some ribs after all. Maybe some of the cuts left by the horsewhip on her legs had become inflamed and she had a fever. Her blue eyes were wide and fixed on the man in front of her and all the air in her lungs was gone.
He was dead! He had been killed in an attack aboard the Black Coral. Philip had assured her that... She had cried for days over that news.
-You? Her voice came out in a faint groan.
His smile was devastating as he faced her. Christina was perplexed at his boldness. Philip had told her that Mike was dead. But he appeared in front of her four years later as if nothing had happened, so well disposed and in such health that something seemed to break in her chest. She had blushed at the death of that man and their son. In the aftermath of the loss of the baby, Christina had never known the meaning of peace or tranquillity.
Michael wouldn't have expected smiles or hugs, but her cold reaction was frustrating. It was damnation. He could have complained about the woman not waiting for him to come back as he'd promised. For three weeks, no one believed he would survive, but as soon as he managed to keep himself on his feet he had gone in search of the woman. He had faced the earl in surprise to learn that Christina had agreed to a marriage out of interest to secure her land inheritance and the title of viscountess. He had found it hard to believe, but all attempts to find the woman at court were frustrating. The rumours circulating in the court regarding the girl and her lovers were common knowledge and were running rampant.
- I missed you too, Your Highness. - Michael spoke dryly as he passed his hand across his forehead and pushed back his hair.
Did you miss me? Was it just that? Almost 3 years? The voice was missing. It was revolting. He had abandoned her along with their unborn child. It hurt and tore and tore inside like a sword cutting the heart to pieces. Tears filled her eyes with humiliation and indignation. She had returned his kiss like a fool. Where was her unhappy pride?
-Excellent! She spoke slowly, lowering her head. She tried unsuccessfully to get to her feet and vision dimmed for a moment.
It was impossible, but after the confrontation of bodies, everything seemed to hurt even more.
She was leaving. Michael realized with annoyance.
"Say anything. Do not let her go...".