"Yes." He gazed at her, as if awaiting a refusal. She couldn't determine if she'd won this round or not.
"You seem too busy," she said.
"I will make time for you."
"No, no. I'm not … I know you're waging a war. Don't overextend yourself for me," she said, her face warm once again.
"I was unaware you wished to see me."
Once again, there was too much behind his simple statement for her to address. Worse, she could think of nothing to say in response that wouldn't get her in more trouble.
"You are not so bold in person," he said, raising an eyebrow in challenge.
She looked at him hard. Anger flared at the tone of his voice. How could he say such a thing after all he had put her through?
"You kidnap me, trick me into marrying you, dump me here alone without Evelyn or even a pad of paper, with instructions for your sisters to give me behavioral training, and run off to fight some battle somewhere else. I'm not allowed to talk to anyone or do anything! You have some nerve to do all that and make fun of me for trying to fit in or ignore me when you do return! I am so angry at you, and if you were half an inch smaller, I'd whip your hide, dhjan or not!"
The flurry of words left before she could temper them. She neared him as she spoke until she was toe-to-toe with the massive man and glaring up at him.
"I will make amends," he said, his gaze taking in her features.
It was better than an apology. Being so close rattled her senses, and she thought again of the kiss they had shared over a month before. She focused on his eyes as much as she wished to focus on his warm lips. He smelled of pure, primal man, his own scent mixed with sweat.
"I am pleased to learn I was wrong," he said in a quiet voice. He made no move to close the distance between them. Instead, he stepped away and strode toward the door.
She watched him go, his touch branded on her skin and her emotions muddled. She cursed herself, aware she had accomplished little as far as advancing her rights but managed to draw the guaranteed attention of a man she was not certain she wanted to notice her. The short time together had been enough to remind her just how strong the bond was between them.