You Belong To Me

Brenna sighed softly as he took another step back. Apparently, he was not nearly as intrigued by her as she was by him. And she was most definitely intrigued by him. She'd never seen a man as tall, or as broad, as Tony. Charles was a short, slight man--looking very much as though a strong wind would blow him off his feet. Even her adored father was not a large man. Seamus had been tall, but reed-thin.

Tony was the exact opposite--strong and solid--and he was, without a doubt, the handsomest man she'd ever seen. The thought of his walking out of her life as quickly as he'd stepped into it lay heavily on her mind.

"My lady?"

She forced herself back to the present. "I'm-I'm sorry. I did not hear you."

"I asked if you were always so shy. You seem almost afraid of me. I've told you, no harm will come to you. You are perfectly safe in my company."

"I am not afraid." She turned away, unable to hold his gaze.

"You may claim to feel no fear, my lady," he pointed out, lowering his voice to a near-whisper. "But you cower as if you expect me to raise a hand to you. Is that how your father treats you?"

She jerked back towards him, anger flashing through her gut. "I told you, he is not my father."

"Have I struck a nerve?"

"Please, leave me be. I-I do not wish to speak of it."

He touched her cheek. "Is it?"

She jerked away, surprised by the motion, by the gentleness of his touch. "Nay."

"Nay what?" He closed the gap between them once more.

"Do not touch me..."