The Treasure_ A Novel - Iris Johansen [5]
“Then why do you want it?”
Because she wanted to be close to him. She had wanted that closeness since she had met him all those years ago, and now she saw a way to gain it. “Why do any of your lemans wish it?”
“But you’re not like anyone else.”
“Ware and Thea need not know. I could meet you in the hills and—”
“You think I wouldn’t bed you because of my friendship with Ware and Thea?” He shook his head. “You don’t know me as well as I thought. If I decided it was right for us, nothing in this world would stop me.”
Hope leaped high within her. “It is right. You’ll see.”
“Ah, how I wish it was.”
“Then stop wishing and do something.” She took his other hand and plopped it on her shoulder. “Now.”
He chuckled. “You lack a certain subtlety. Should I drag you down on these stones?”
“If you like.” She was losing him, she realized in despair. Lust was fading, and amusement and tenderness were taking its place. She was probably doing this all wrong. She slid one of his hands down to cover her breast. “Anything you like.”
His smile disappeared. “Selene . . .” His hand tightened on her breast and he squeezed gently, sensuously.
She lost her breath and felt a twisting in the pit of her stomach. Her eyes widened in shock.
“You didn’t expect that?” He squeezed again, watching her expression. “What a delight it will be to teach you pleasure.”
She swayed toward him. “Then stop talking and do it. . . .”
He bent and brushed his lips in the hollow of her throat. She shuddered as a wave of heat went through her.
“But not now,” he whispered. “You’re not ready. Go back to the hall, Selene.”
She felt as if he’d doused her with cold water. Shock turned to anger. She shoved him away. “Ready? I’m tired of that word. If it’s not now, then it will be never. I won’t wait on your convenience. I’ll go away. I’ll marry Lord Douglas or Kenneth or—” She turned on her heel. “I hate you, Kadar.”
“No, you don’t.”
No, she didn’t. She wished she could hate him, but the bond of years was too strong. Her eyes were glittering with tears as she looked at him over her shoulder. “Wait and see. I’ll learn to hate you.”
He smiled sadly. “But that would break my heart.”
“Nothing could break your heart.”
“You could. That’s why I have to have patience.”
“May heaven curse your patience.”
“Actually, heaven applauds it. It’s not often a sinner embraces such a virtue.”
“It makes no sense. Why?”
“Trust. You don’t trust me. I find I have a great hunger for your trust.”
“I do trust you.”
He shook his head. “You don’t trust anyone. Except perhaps Thea. You make a pretense of trust to the rest of us.”
“You’re wrong.”
“I’m right. You learned hard lessons in the House of Nicholas. One of them was lack of trust.” He smiled and said gently, “But I deserve your trust. I’ve devoted a number of agonizing years to earning it. After the life I’ve lived, it stuns me that I would care this much about your complete faith in me. But I want every part of you, Selene. I won’t accept less.”
She glared at him. “And I’m supposed to wait until you decide I deserve you?”
“You’re supposed to let time teach you what a fine bedrock of a man I am.” His voice lowered to silky menace. “But I’ll tell you what you’re not to do. You’re not to smile at any of those poor lads inside. It annoys me exceedingly. And if you let one of them touch you again, I won’t be as lenient as I was to Lord Douglas.”
“You’ll not give me orders. I’ll do what I wish.” She whirled and ran up the steps and into the hall.
She stopped behind a pillar as waves of pain washed over her. Damn him. She had tried so hard and it had all come to nothing. Why wouldn’t he—
“Selene?” Thea was beside her. “Are you well?”
No, she wasn’t well. She was angry and frustrated and felt as if everything inside her was hurting. She tried to smile. “Of course I’m well. Why would you think otherwise?”
“It could be the tears that are running down your cheeks,” Thea said dryly.
“Nonsense. I never cry.” But