7. Desire

KERRIENNE 

He leaned towards me and I hastily took a step back.  The back of my legs bumped into the bed and I fell back into an undignified heap, the shirt ended up all tangled up around my thighs.  He looked down at me with an amused expression on his face.  His gaze turned darker as it swept up my legs. 

A knock sounded on the door.  “Enter” he answered without taking his eyes off me.  I barely had enough time to pull something over my naked legs.  He kept looking down at me, his eyes taking on the hue of an overcast sky.  Just waiting to explode with thunder and lightning.  I felt my cheeks warm as he continued to stare down at me with his heated gaze. 

“It's about the prisoner laird,” the man said, looking down at me.

He turned to the newcomer.  “What about our prisoner Lars?” 

“There's an envoy at the gates demanding her immediate release, laird.” 

He looked at me over his shoulder and arched a brow at me.  “And?”  He said turning back to the soldier he’d called Lars. 

“Her father will pay your weight in precious jewels for the safe return of his daughter, his only living heir.  Provided that she has remained untouched.” 

“Untouched…”  He said as if trying out the word.  “And if I refuse to return her?”  He finished in a bored tone. 

I bristled behind his back but he ignored me. 

“Then, my daughter will have your balls.”  Lars cleared his throat.  “His exact words Laird.” 

I chuckled arrogantly behind him.  “See them into the hall.”  He said in a resigned manner. 

The man took one look at my disheveled appearance on the bed and left, bowing nervously out the door. 

He turned to me.  “I'm Emrick.”  He said by way of introduction.    

“My armor...?” 

“Sent for washing and repairs.” 

“And what am I supposed to wear in the meantime, this shirt?”  I exclaimed as I pulled on the collar. The shirt seemed to be working against me as it slipped lower down my arm. 

“My shirt..”  He replied, cocking his head to the side as he looked down at me, his eyes getting darker.  He abruptly turned and walked over to a chest in a corner of the room.  He pulled out a simple black dress trimmed in gold, my black dress.  In fact, closer inspection revealed the clothes chest to be mine as well.  

I threw him a bewildered look as he walked back towards me and handed me the dress. 

“My sword and shield?” 

He pointed to the fireplace.  My sword and shield were leaning against the wall, next to his, a little behind the chair he was previously occupying, my bow and quiver of arrows lay on the ground.  

I jumped out of the bed and ran towards them.  Though it’s a short run, my body screamed in pain and threatened to shut down on me.  Only the adrenaline pumping through my veins kept me upright.  

In my haste, I grabbed his sword instead of mine.  It's heavy as hell and I can barely lift it.  By the time I got a two handed grip on it and turned towards him, he’s looking amused again.  I pointed it at his throat and the amused look was  replaced by a warning.  I smirked at him. 

A young woman burst into the room, a bewildered look on her face as she looked from me to him and back again. 

I made the mistake of glancing her way.  The next thing I knew, he was standing behind me, holding me flush against his body, his left hand lightly grabbing my neck while his right arm was wrapped around my chest, under my breasts.  Effectively pinning my arms to my sides.  I could feel the strength in his arms. It wouldn’t take much pressure for him to squeeze the life out of me.  The thought sent shivers down my spine.

His discarded sword was laying on the bed.  I've been disarmed.  And I didn't even see him move. 

Without breaking stride, he said “Have some water brought in.” 

“Yes, your lordship.”  She said, mockingly backing out the door. 

He chuckled as he wrapped both his arms around me, effectively caging me.  My breath hitched and my pulse started racing.  He pulled me even closer to his body and I felt him growing hard against my back.  He leaned down and I could feel his breath on my bare shoulder as he ran his nose up to my neck.  He stopped just behind my ear and inhaled deeply.  He made a growling sound that sent shivers down my spine.  I stopped breathing as his hand slid up my side and came to rest right under my right breast. 

Another knock sounded on the door.  He made no move to release me but draped his arm around my waist instead and said “enter.” 

A handful of men walked in carrying buckets of water to a corner of the room, towards a huge tub I hadn't  noticed before.  He kept holding me against his body as if we were still the only two people in the room. I  felt my cheeks redden.  I tried pulling on the shirt to cover my bare arm and shoulder but failed. 

As I shuffled against him in embarrassment, he sucked in a harsh breath and I felt him growing even harder against my back.  His arm tightened around me in warning.  

“Stop fidgeting.”  He growled in my ear.  I stopped moving, my face as red as a tomato I'm sure.

“Leave us.”  He said, sending more shivers down my spine.  The men rushed out of the room but the young girl looked at us and stammered. 

“Emrick…?”  I could feel his head move as he turned to look at her. 

“Leave us Sarah.”  He all but growled.  She went scurrying out of the room like she was being chased and slammed the door shut. 

He continued to hold me, my back flush against his chest.  His hand moved up and cupped my breast.  Even as I was mortified, my body bowed of its own accord, pushing my breast more firmly into his hand.  I heard him chuckle next to my ear.  

Then I was lifted into strong arms and carried to the huge tub of water.  Nothing could've shocked me more except what he did next.  He had the shirt over my head and I was left standing stark naked in the tub before I could even think  to resist.  

I tried to awkwardly cover myself as he stood back to take in my nakedness.  In a moment of pure bravado, I let my hands drop to my sides and looked him straight in the eye.  His eyes were red once again.  He must have frightened them off.  He chuckled, giving me a crooked smile.