“I don’t like fighting with you,” she said at last. “I used to be able to talk with you about anything. After all that’s happened, I don’t want to lose that.” She reached out to take his hand, and his rough palm was warm against hers.
His expression remained dark and stoic. “You don’t want a man like me, Elena.”
From deep inside, she found a courage she’d never expected. “But you want a woman like me. Don’t you?” It wasn’t a true question. She kept her eyes locked upon him, daring him to walk away.
Ragnar stepped forward, backing her against the wall. Instead of feeling cornered, she felt as if she’d fallen under his possession.
She didn’t understand the power Ragnar held over her, but she couldn’t tear her gaze away from him. Once again, the sudden ripple of awareness slid over her body, making her wonder what was happening between them.
“I’ve always wanted a woman like you,” he murmured. “But you deserve better.”
“I think you’re afraid of me.” Another breathless flood of warmth passed over her. She didn’t understand the stormy feelings, but she didn’t want him to walk away now.
“You don’t owe me anything, Elena.”
She stared at him, realizing that he was trying to push her away. He didn’t want or need her opinions.
But this time, his words fired up more anger. Shedidcare about what happened to him, whether he believed it or not. “I owe you my life,” she said. “You guarded me when we were both stranded and you saved me from the men who tried to attack me.”
She took a step forward, adding, “Fighting to save lives is one matter. Fighting for profit is too grave a risk.” She softened her tone, trying to make him see. “I don’t want anything to happen to you, Ragnar. You’re—” She struggled to find the right words. “You’re important to me.”
“No.” He pulled her hands away from him, holding them fast. “You’re only hurting after losing your husband. You want someone to take his place.”
Did he truly believe that? Elena frowned, because she didn’t want another husband. She simply wanted Ragnar to be safe after all that they’d endured together. “That’s not true.”
“What about the other night when you came to me?” His gaze locked upon hers. “Did you think I wouldn’t guess why you were there?”
His fury was seething and she’d had enough of his suspicions. “I came to you for comfort.” She stood up to him, adding, “I thought we were friends.”
“I’m not your friend, Elena.” His voice cracked against the silence like a roll of thunder.
“No,” she whispered.You’re more than that.
Anticipation heightened within her, the memories of his touch compelling her. He said nothing and she leaned back to look into his dark green eyes.
“I feel as if I don’t even know you,” she admitted. “Not the way I thought I did.”
“You know exactly who I am.” His body tightened with tension. “And you know what I’ve done in the past.”
“What happened to your father wasn’t your fault.” Elena reached up to frame his face in her hands. “I don’t blame you for it.”
Ragnar strode away from her, as if he didn’t want her touch. He tossed his weapons, one by one, on the table before he crossed over to her. “Don’t make the mistake of believing I’m safe, Elena. When Styr was between us, honor kept my hands off you.” Slowly, he took her hand in his, leading her toward the bed. He pressed her back on the mattress, trapping her wrists with his hands until she lay beneath him. “I can’t make that promise now.”
Her heartbeat slammed within her chest as she felt the evidence of his arousal pressed close. Her body responded instantly, flaring with needs she couldn’t name. “You’re trying to frighten me.” When he held her imprisoned in this way, she felt like a conquest of battle, about to be taken. But she was not afraid. Not of the man who would die before harming her.
Ragnar’s eyes were like stone, his mouth a firm slash. He moved lower until she felt the weight of his body against her.
She knew he was waiting for her to push him away. He was trying to provoke her into hatred and she could not name the reason. But she saw through his actions to the man who believed that he was worth nothing.
“Tell me to leave you alone,” he demanded, while his mouth descended to the softness of her throat. A thousand shiversbroke forth. Though she knew she should speak, no man save Ragnar had ever made her feel this way.
He was reaching past the years of hurt, pushing back the boundaries until she was made new again. She was weary of being made to feel that her body was only meant for childbearing and that she was a failure. She closed her eyes, savoring the sensation of his mouth.
“It’s too soon for this,” he said against her skin. He moved his hand up the hem of her skirt until his palm touched her bare skin. “If you let me touch you, you’ll hate me for it.”
In spite of his dark anger, the merest pressure of his fingers sent her body into shock. He drew his hand between her thighs, his knuckles brushing against her intimate opening.
She was wet already, almost ashamed at how fast he’d made her respond. His expression was unyielding and she forced herself not to move. Ragnar fumbled with the ties of his leggings and, a moment later, she felt his arousal pressed against her.
