Page 46 of Trapped By Vengeance

“Why don’t we just finish this? Then we never have to suffer each other’s company again.”

Valda’s grip tightens possessively, her fingers digging into my sore muscles in a way that somehow relieves the stress there. “What if I don’t want to be free of your company forevermore?”

I crane my head again, this time being careful not to accidentally kiss her hand. It is the wrong move, though, because her gaze is liquid night and I want nothing more in this moment than to be lost in that darkness forever. “What are you trying to say, Valda?”

One of her hands creeps up to the side of my face and slowly caresses it, playing with my stubble. “Kiss me, Konrad.”

Her words almost lure me the rest of the way, but then they shock me away.

Stiffening, I pull back so that I smell a little less of her never-fading floral scent. “Lady Valda!” My tone sounds so disapproving, like I’mherfather. “You cannot go around kissing the men who’ve kidnapped you. It simply isn’t done!”

“But you’re so much more than the man who kidnapped me.” Valda leans forward, resting her temple where my shoulder blades meet. “You were also my hero with those pirates.”

I snort and pull free of her before turning to face her. “I am also the one who put you in that dangerous position to begin with. You need to raise your standards.”

Valda lifts her face, and I’m lost again in the endless night of her eyes. “You took such good care of me on the island . . .”

“Because you’re a valuable asset. And once I return you to your father, my investment will pay off.”

She leans closer so that I have to keep leaning backward to avoid her touching me. If we’re not careful, I’m going to fall into the ocean— or worse, onto Eloise. That would be hard to explain. (“Oh, I’m sorry, pup, but Lady Valda really felt likekissing me again this morning for some strange reason, and I’m trying to be the most gentlemanly captor she’s ever had.”)

Valda stops leaning, but one finger pokes me in the chest. “I can be so much more than an asset, wolfman. And you are more than just my villainous captor. You’re capable, I’m bored, and my father is wealthy. We could come to an agreement. You can be my protector while I explore Constantinium— ensure no oneelseabducts me.”

I stare at her blankly. “Do you even hear what you’re saying? Because none of it makes sense.”

“Maybe I don’t want to make sense.” Her fingers walk up my chest to grab the collar of my shirt. “Maybe we’ll never make sense together, but I’d like to find out one way or another.”

“One way or another?”

She rolls her eyes dramatically. “Just kiss me. Make ityourchoice this time. Just this once.”

“This is part of your vengeance, isn’t it?”

“My vengeance is for you to beg me, not vice versa. It looks like you won.”

“Won what?”

“My affections.”

I nearly fall into the ocean. “You surely don’t mean that.”

Valda crosses her arms over her chest. “I certainly wish I didn’t. Now kiss me.”

I glance back at Eloise, still sleeping soundly. Then I turn back to the most perplexing bounty I’ve ever had the misfortune of abducting. “I know you’re used to getting what you want—”

“And making you like it? I know you have the same feelings for me. I can read you like a book.”

Inhaling sharply, I turn back to her.

Valda lowers her face. Then she looks up at me from beneath her long lashes and from under her hood that does nothing to conceal her beauty. “Just kiss me . . . Please?”

That simple word shatters what little self-control I have left.

Clutching Valda’s chin, I duck my head and claim her lips with mine.

I know I should pull back— or, barring that, at least conceal some of the pent-up emotions I certainly shouldn’t have let myself start to feel.

But this doesn’t seem to be the morning for good decisions, because as she returns my kiss, I cannot make myself pull away.

---