Page 148 of My Dark Horse Prince

“But compared to you? They looked. . .insubstantial.” I smile. “And I like my men to be substantial.”

He frowns. “That sounds vaguely like an insult.”

“You’re the best-looking man I’ve ever met,” I say. “I realized earlier that you’re a tiger, and I never should have been insisting that I should be able to leash a tiger. Now that my sister’s in danger, I want you to attack.”

His gaze becomes almost predatory. “A tiger?” He chuckles. “I prefer to be called a big bad wolf.”

“What?” I ask. “Why?”

“Have you ever heard the story of the three little pigs?” He lifts one hand and papers from the top of the armoire blow around the room. “Do you recall what the big bad wolf threatened to do?”

“Huff, and puff, and blow the house down.” I can’t help laughing. “You’re saying that’s you?”

“Our family crest is a wolf,” he says. “It seems ridiculous, because we’re horse lords, but in reality—”

“It totally fits you,” I say. “You could blow any house down, and on top of that, you’re not a tiger.” I lift just one finger and run it over the line of his upper lip. “You’re a wolf.” I drop my voice to a whisper. “My wolf.”

He actually growls.

I laugh. “I’m glad you’re my wolf.”

“Now that you’ve admitted it, you have to promise me something.” He looks so intense, so sincere, that I know he means it. It’s not just a joke.

“I will,” I say. “Anything.”

“From now on, you will value your life more than you did when you called your sister. And you’ll have more faith in me, too, to keep you safe.”

“But—”

He presses his finger to my mouth. “No. No buts. You will have faith in me and my ability to protect you, and you’ll value yourself enough that you’ll never again think of making such a stupidly noble sacrifice.”

“Any way you look at it,” I say, “Kristiana—”

He kisses me then. Not a gentle, take-care-of-this-girl kiss. No, it’s the predatory kiss of a wolf, claiming me as his. I forget where I am, what I’m doing, and why I’m doing it. There’s only his massive strength and my limitless yearning.

Until he pulls away.

I can’t help my whimper.

“Tell me.” His voice is low and urgent. “Tell me you will never again undervalue yourself.”

“Grigoriy,” I say. “You’re—”

“That’s not the answer I need.” And he kisses me again. Short, urgent, demanding.

My hands grab his collar, dragging him closer.

And he finally releases me. His eyes are intent on mine. “You’re beautiful. The most beautiful woman I’ve ever met. You’re smart, and doggedly determined, and loyal, and you’re kind. And you love unconditionally, including caring for people who have let you down repeatedly. The world doesn’t deserve to have a Mirdza Strelkova. I don’t deserve her, but I’ve convinced her that she’s mine, so I need her to say it.” He looks at me expectantly, his beautiful eyes unwavering.

“I’m valuable?”

“Is that a question?” He quirks one eyebrow. “Because—”

I shake my head. “No. It’s not. Don’t kiss me again, as much as I like it, because you have to go help them find my sister.”

He smiles, and it’s not a friendly, boy-next-door smile. It’s a wolfish, gloating, predatory, possessive smile. “You’re worth more than one thousand Brigitas. And as much as I admire Kristiana, you’re worth a dozen of her.”

I can’t help rolling my eyes.

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