Page 26 of A Touch So Wicked

Damian glowered at her stiff back. Bloody hell. What was wrong with him? Elissa made him feel as if his world were tilting on edge. His steely control wavered dangerously whenever he was alone with her. He wanted her; that much was clear to him. Even the rigid line of her back appealed to him. His eyes narrowed. Perhaps he should slake his thirst for the little vixen before his intended bride arrived.

He touched her shoulder. She jerked as if he burned her and shied away from him. “Don’t touch me.”

“Are you afraid of me?”

“Should I be?”

“I’ve never deliberately hurt a woman.”

She whirled to face him. “I donna like that look on your face.”

“What look?”

“As if you…want to kiss me.”

He scowled darkly. Was he that transparent? “Would kissing me be so terrible?”

“’Tisna decent! A gentleman wouldna take advantage of my position.”

“I thought you’d have realized by now that I am no gentleman. I am a skilled soldier and ruthless defender of England. They call me the Demon Knight; that should tell you something about me.”

“You are trying to frighten me.”

“Perhaps.” He reached for her, bringing her hard against him. “You must know I want you.”

“I know you enjoy tormenting me. What have I ever done to you?”

“You entice me, lady. You tantalize and seduce me with your tempting body and sultry green eyes. I won’t have it, do you hear me? I refuse to be beguiled.”

“I do nothing of the sort!” Elissa defended.

Damian knew he was being unreasonable, but Elissa seemed to affect him in ways that drove him crazy. She tempted him, enticed him, provoked him. He wanted to toss her on her back and drive himself to a thundering climax inside her. What in the hell was wrong with him?

Damian had always prided himself on his control. Even when he’d been without a woman for a long time he could direct his passion as he saw fit. He stared at her lips for a long, tense moment before he turned away.

“Dermot and Lachlan can carry my terms for your freedom to the village. Meanwhile, go down to the kitchen and see what you can do about feeding my men. We brought no cooks with us from London and the culinary attempts of my men are inedible.”

“How do you know I willna poison them?” Elissa charged.

His eyes turned hard, uncompromising. “Because you value the lives of your mother and sister.” Then he spun on his heel and walked away.

Damian muttered dark imprecations as he descended the stairs. He wasn’t supposed to be attracted to the Maiden of Misterly. He wasn’t supposed to feel compassion for members of her family. He should have obeyed the king and sent them all to the convent, and his conscience be damned. The Demon Knight wasn’t supposed to have a conscience. What in bloody hell was he going to do now that he’d found one?

Sir Richard hailed Damian as he entered the hall. “Why the dour look, Damian?”

“I’m glad you’re here, Dickon,” Damian said as he sat down at the table and filled a tankard of ale from a pitcher. “Would you fetch Dermot and Lachlan for me?”

“They’re not in the castle.”

“Find them,” Damian growled.

“Of course, I’ll leave immediately. Do you want to tell me what this is all about?”

“I’ve promised to release Lady Elissa from the tower if her kinsmen return to their duties. I need Dermot and Lachlan to spread the word to the villagers. Elissa’s fate is in their hands. ’Tis up to them to decide what is important.”

“What are your plans for Lady Elissa’s future?”

“I truthfully don’t know,” Damian said, scowling into his ale. “For the time being, she’s to help out in the kitchen.”