Living with Christina was proving to be a very difficult experience. The girl didn't trust him. During the whole mess with Cassie, Cassie had been receptive to her presence in choosing herbs for medicine, only Michael wanted more. It was frustrating to watch her hesitation every time she approached her.
He'd already searched the entire camp and hadn't found the woman. It wasn't that difficult! They were just orders! He'd explained that he didn't want the woman away from them without any protection.
Michael gritted his teeth in anger and sighed. He didn't want the woman who would be his wife at all without a guard to keep him safe. There were Thalagar, James and Valerius lurking. And thinking about Philip made her shiver.
The girl wasn't as reckless as Kassuim but she still worried him. When they got back to the ship, Giles would have plenty of hours to enjoy in the crow's nest. The man would surely learn to take care of women more carefully and not listen to excuses. It was getting dark and Christina still hadn't come back.
Patience, patience, patience.
His was starting to wear off. He was acting like a perfect gentleman to please the infernal woman. He knew their separation had put their relationship to the test, but Michael was willing to start over.
He watched his brother care for his wife as he admired the woman himself. He noticed her silent gaze every time she approached her. He remembered the first hunt with his father. The hunted gaze of the hunted before he fired the arrow. It was the same look he saw on Christina every time she walked away.
He finally found her near the pond and stopped still. It was hell how the women seemed to have enjoyed it there. He stopped motionless. The dry throat made him swallow hard, admiring the feminine curves as she swam. It had only been a few days since she arrived at the camp but her improvement had been quite rapid. Her movements were firmer, heating her body with unbearable desire. He was always amazed at how that girl managed to arouse his desire.
Christina emerged from the waters and it took her a few seconds to notice her presence. The woman stared at him with the same startled look. And something else. Fear? Was it fear she felt of him? And then the expression relaxed with indifference to her presence.
Hell, what did he need to do or say to make her believe he hadn't abandoned her?
-You know you have orders not to leave the camp alone. You disobeyed... - He tried not to get irritated.
She blinked in hurt.
-Am I now also your prisoner?-She complained.
He bridged the distance that separated them, breathing in her scent enchanted from the edge of the pond. It was not her intention to argue. After taking her vows before a priest, she was legally his wife while still in Madame Lili's tavern. Michael despite her protests had cut the inside of his wrist to display the bloodstained handkerchiefs as the pack demanded by tradition and introduce her to the wolves as their mate. He was being patient despite a hellish desire to enjoy the charms she had to offer. Trying to court her.
He watched with a smirk as she climbed out of the water, averting her face from his gaze, walking indifferently to trees where the rest of her clothes were.
His hand touched her arm, forcing her to stop and his gaze fell possessive on her. He intended to take the opportunity to talk, only her hands stopped on her delicate face, while he sought his mouth.
Christina stopped in bewilderment, trying to pull away as she felt his arms tighten around her as the man deepened her kiss, coaxing her lips to part. Slowly, hands that had been pushing against her chest now slid down her strong arms in exhilarating agony until they came to rest in his arms.
She closed her eyes, surrendering with abandon, savouring his mouth as he explored her, and sighed as she was pressed against his body. Valerius never wasted time on such initiatives. Discovering that the young betrothed was no longer a virgin had made Christina's life a nightmare with this man. That was for honest women like he liked to tease her. Usually, the man was brutal.
He was very fond of satisfying her desires using the thin leather whip that had left the young woman with marks on her legs. Christina had learned to hate those moments. It was not advisable to provoke Valerius when he drank until the wee hours of the morning. The drink further stoked his cruel and sadistic temper as he sought satisfaction for his sexual desire. Involuntarily, Christina tensed, realizing that Michael was aroused by the apprehensive caress.
-Mike, I... It's better not! She tried to get away.
"Shh…" he whispered in her ear, as he brushed against her body.
Michael knew he shouldn't have even started. He wasn't going to be able to stop.
Christina's breathing quickened and it wasn't from desire. At first, the kiss dragged her without her being able to put a stop to that situation. It was the heat of his body, the scent of him, the way he teased her with kisses on her neck that made her shiver in anticipation.
God! He wasn't going to settle for just a few kisses. He had some experience to tell by the way he was aroused, by the husky moans of pleasure. She imagined his reaction to how his body had been scarred by Valerius's whip. Twice her hateful and cruel whims had nearly killed her. If there was one thing that turned this man on, it was hearing her screams of pain as he forced her to experience his power. Christina could have sworn the damn man orgasmed from hurting and hurting a woman.
Only Michael… she could hear the man sigh in satisfaction as he snuggled her against him, surprising herself. Her strong hands began a slow, sensual exploration of her skin, making her body heat up.
Christina gasped. Was it going to happen there? The realization of it made her wince. Between the most ardent and warm kisses, she recoils. Suddenly she couldn't respond to the caresses anymore. Disgusted, she closed her eyes, assuring herself that she was capable. Like any woman. Only the sound of her linen shirt being ripped made her shudder even more rigid and paralyzed.
Michael was immediately aware of the woman stiffening in his arms and stopped still. He looked up in a silent, curious question at her reaction. He saw Christina pale and stiff and icy. A terrible fear welled in her eyes. Her look of despair alerted Michael that there were many things he didn't know. Tears bathed her cheeks, flowing down softly.
He tried to breathe. He was aroused and his manhood rigid, eager to taste the woman's body. The first time it had been impossible, for they had been taken by surprise. He rolled his eyes as he frowned, experiencing unfamiliar terrain.
-Your Highness...
It was a curse. He wasn't being hasty. It was just a kiss. Well, maybe he'd lost control a little and let himself be carried away by the pleasure. She seemed to respond to his caresses with great satisfaction.
Christina backed away and backed away as silently as she could, unable to face him. She desperately wanted clothes from her before he saw the marks...
-God! – Michael spoke softly and his trembling hands ran through his hair as he admired her legs.