Beauty's Beast - By Jenna Kernan Page 0,11
gasped for the air she lacked.
She bucked and he shook his head in disapproval. Did he expect her to surrender just because she was beaten? She writhed in a vain effort to dislodge him. He tilted his head to study her, his expression confused.
It took only another moment to recognize that she had found a man who was stronger than she. Her brother, Blake, could pin her on a good day, as could her father. But she had never met an outsider with the strength of a bear who was not a bear. Her body went cold and her stomach cramped at the realization. She was dead.
She strained her arms, twisting, but his easy grip did not yield.
“Stop. You’re hurting yourself.”
Why didn’t he move to finish her?
The dread ebbed against a groundswell of anger. This was not some game, at least not to her. Finally, she laid her head back, gritting her teeth against the fury of her defeat. Samantha went still, but her muscles remained taut, ready for any opportunity.
He was a Halfling, but like none she’d ever known. Born of Nagi. Born of a living ghost.
He gave her a pleased smile. To her absolute shock, she felt a flash of heat in response. Gradually she became aware of the fit of his strong legs on her hips and that weird hum of sensation where he touched her wrists.
Was this why he pursued her? Was he after her body, or was it that the idea of killing excited him? She shivered, wondering exactly what kind of a monster this might be.
He dropped to his elbows, pressing his chest to hers. She waited for the heaving revulsion she expected. But to her dismay the sensation of his warm chest pressing her to the earth set off a tingle of excitement that rippled over her skin, making her breasts sensitive.
No, no, she could not be aroused by this spawn of her enemy. She squeezed her eyes closed against the horror. When she opened them it was to find his clear blue eyes staring down into hers.
Why was he so perfectly made? This was some cruel trick of nature.
His smile made her stomach twitch. He nestled his hips against hers as if they were lovers, instead of enemies, and her body responded, becoming wet and tight in preparation. She prayed he did not have the acute sense of smell that she did, for then her humiliation would be complete.
“Kill me or let me up,” she ordered.
“Neither. I’m not trying to kill you, little shifter. I am trying to keep you from killing yourself. So we’ll just wait until your heart rate returns to normal.”
Her brow furrowed. That would never happen. Not with his big male body blanketing her while his intoxicating scent played havoc with her senses. This was more shameful than her capture. Nothing had ever outrun her before.
She let her head drop to the earth and accepted defeat. Spots danced before her eyes and her chest ached from her exertions.
“That’s better. Rest. You were running yourself to death. I stopped you.”
She didn’t try to hide her annoyance. “If you were so concerned, why didn’t you just let me go?”
He shook his head, his expression somber as if he was sorry.
“No, it’s not safe in these woods.”
“I was born in the woods. I can defend myself.”
“These woods are not like the ones you have known.” He glanced about, scanning their surroundings. “Not at all.”
She shivered at the edge in his voice and the terror his words evoked. What was here that could be more dangerous than he was?
Now Samantha did not know if she should try to escape him, or ask for his protection.
Nothing could ever catch her when she ran. Nothing and no one, until today. She had finally met her match, and he could do anything he liked to her. The realization filled her belly with terror and her heart with a thrill of anticipation.
She bucked again. His attention fixed back to her.
“Let me up,” she demanded.
He shook his head, sending his white-blond hair cascading over his forehead. How could a man this appealing have been spawned by something as repulsive as Nagi?
“Not until you are rested.”
“Let me up!”
He shook his head. “If I do, you’ll run again. Won’t you, rabbit? You’re a good runner. I wonder what would happen if you ever turned to fight?”
He was right again. Her entire life had been one long game of hide-and-seek against Nagi and his ghosts.
Alon’s attention strayed from her eyes,