Page 120 of Forbidden

“I love both of you,” Amber said. “If you fought one another—nay! It must never happen!”

Duncan closed the distance between himself and his bride with a swiftness that was startling. He stood so near that he could smell the unique fragrance of resin and roses that was hers alone.

“What did you say?” he asked in a deep voice.

“If you fought—”

“No,” Duncan interrupted. “Before that.”

“I love both of you.”

“Closer, but not quite.”

For an instant Amber was confused. Then she understood.

“I love Erik,” she said, hiding her smile.

Duncan grunted.

“And,” she whispered, “I love you, dark warrior. I love you so much I am full to overflowing with it.”

The smile Duncan gave Amber made her knees weaken. He lifted her up in his arms, hugging her close. The relief that swept through her was her own and his combined.

But the surprise her words had caused was Duncan’s alone.

Amber pulled back far enough to see his eyes. “Why are you surprised?”

“I didn’t think an innocent maid could love a man who was so clumsy with her body,” Duncan said.

“You aren’t clumsy.”

“I was a rut—”

Whatever he had meant to say was lost in the sudden pressure of Amber’s mouth over his.

The fierce, unschooled kiss sent a torrent of fire through Duncan. For a hungry instant he permitted the sweet taste of Amber to fill his senses. Then he gently, implacably, separated his mouth from hers.

“Duncan?” Amber asked. “Don’t you want me?”

He let out a harsh breath.

“You’re touching me,” Duncan said ironically. “You tell me. Do I want you?”

Amber closed her eyes as she felt the desire in him drench her senses.

“Aye,” she whispered. “It is a river of fire pouring through me.”

Duncan’s eyes closed as a shudder of response shot through his whole body.

“Yes,” he said roughly. “A river of fire.”

His eyes opened, but even before Amber saw their darkness, she felt his icy restraint freezing the hot flames of desire.

“And you,” Duncan said, “are a delicate amber fairy who hasn’t even healed from the first time I held you down and ripped through your maidenhead.”

“It wasn’t like that!” Amber protested. “You didn’t force me to—”

“I know what I did and didn’t do,” Duncan interrupted ruthlessly. “God’s blood, my palms can still feel the heat and softness of your thighs as I spread them and thrust into you as though you were an enemy to be killed.”