Dream of Me/Believe in Me

relief. The tumult of the storm was growing ever stronger. A sudden clatter of wind smashing against the wood-plank walls drove her deeper within. Water dripped from her gown. She bent over to wring out the hem just as a bolt of lightning rent the sky, bringing with it a crack so loud as to deafen her momentarily. A mere glimpse of the finger of fire caught through a shutter torn from its hinge was so bright as to be almost blinding. Dazed, uncertain what to do, she looked around in all directions. The whinnying ofa horse and the deep-voiced response of a man drew her toward the far end of the stables. She thought to remain out of sight, comforted merely by the presence of another, but such was not to be. Just as she neared, the man turned. She saw his features in the glow of yet another bolt of lightning, like harshly beautiful stone.
    “God's blood.” It sounded like a plea for deliverance.
    “I'm sorry, I was caught in the storm. The women's hall was too far.”
    The words tumbled over each other. The air seemed to crackle with a strange smell that made the fine hairs at the back of Krysta's neck rise. Hawk stepped away from the stallion he had been steadying. What was the point of trying to calm the horse when he couldn't calm himself? All day, he had stayed away from this woman, driving himself and his men on the training field and at the hunt. When despite all that she remained steadfast in his mind, he had made the decision to send her to his dear brother-in-law with proper escort and a message inquiring as to the whereabouts of his absent bride. The whole sorry business was the result of Wolf's conniving, let him sort it out. Now here she was, right in front of him, tempting as a draft of cool water to a parched man, dangerous as the storm that had thrown them together … again.
    Wolf would say it was Loki's doing. The god of mischief delighted in tormenting hapless humans. Hawk supposed it was as good an explanation as any.
    “Come here.”
    “No.” She spoke without hesitation, clearly and unmistakably. Something stirred within him, the suspicion that it was an odd sort of servant who would reject an order so readily. A moment more and the thought was gone, burned out by the driving need to compel her obedience.
    “No?” He smiled. “You are a woman, are you not? And a servant? And on my lands? How then do you tell me no?”
    Her chin lifted. “You are not my lord.” It was a weak excuse and they both knew it.
    His smile deepened. “You have nothing to fear. I merely wish to confirm what I already know.”
    She had been afraid the moment he spoke but now a bolt of true dread shot through her. What he already knew? Did that mean he had seen through her masquerade? Yet he had called her servant as though she were a thrall unable to gainsay her master.
    “I am a freewoman, lord, and unwed. I can say no to any man. Unless …” Her eyes narrowed, surveying him. “Unless you care not what a woman says.” The curl of her lip made it clear what she thought of that.
    “I care,” he said and she relaxed just a little. “And I have told you, you have nothing to fear. Now come here.”
    “I would rather not.”
    It was the work of an instant to reach out and take her. He knew she could not possibly resist him. He was a warrior, honed to battle, and a natural hunter. Beside him, she was helpless. Or was she? Somehow, he could not imagine hurting her.
    “You know what is between us. I have seen that in your eyes.”
    His bluntness took her unprepared. Was he truly saying that he desired her … her, the servant of his betrothed? Did he have no care for what that would mean to her … his betrothed? Were the feelings of his wife-to-be of no concern to him?
    “I will not lie with you.” The wind chose that moment to die away. Her voice sounded unnaturally loud in the sudden stillness.
    “I did not ask you to.”
    Her cheeks flamed. She assumed she had mistaken the situation and was humiliated. “I thought … Never mind.” She turned to go, thinking to escape while the storm was at an ebb. Hawk thought otherwise. His handlashed out, grasping her arm. Before she could react, he drew her to him.
    “You are a woman, like any other. I have only to convince myself of that and this foolishness will end.”
    She had time to draw a breath, just one, before his mouth was on hers. Her first, instantaneous response was shock. She had never been kissed, although truth be told she had imagined it from time