Chapter Seven

Erik took a deep breath and seriously considered her proposal for a moment. He did not need to do this. He had every right to refuse and take her right now without a second thought. She was in his home, under his supervision, she had given herself over to him. What on earth made her believe he should do this for her?

He groaned. "If I agreed, how would I prove myself?"

A small smile spread across her lips. "Well, you could court me."

"Court you?" His eyebrows rose in surprise.

"It is what civilized people do."

"You will soon realize, much to your delight, that I am not civilized in matters of love."

She ignored his provocative comment. "Well, you're going to have to learn if you want me to marry you."

He sighed. He did not want to court her. Courting took forever. He wanted to just have her and be done with it. Or else he'd go mad.

"I will give you three months."

He looked up in shock at those words and immediately scoffed. "No. If I must court you I don't want to elongate it. I'd prefer it be two weeks."

"Two weeks is not nearly long enough to get to know someone."

His wolfish grin was sly. "You're right. I only need about ten minutes to get to know you."

"You are going to have to stop saying remarks like those if you want me to marry you. Proper gentlemen never speak like that."

"I am not a proper gentleman."

"Well, maybe in three months you will be."

He looked at her. "Two weeks."

"Two months."

"Three weeks."

"One month," she declared. "That's my last offer."

Hmm, a month, he thought. That seemed so long right now when she looked so delectable he could throw her over his shoulder right now and just... He breathed. One month was better than three. He could control himself until then. Besides, the anticipation would be sweet, and she might even give in before then. Who was he kidding? Of course she would.

"Agreed," he said with a nod. "One month. And after that month you will marry me."

"If you prove yourself," she reminded him.

Oh, he'd prove himself, he thought. He'd prove himself and she'd be more than impressed.

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"His name is Ryder. He's calm, so do not worry. Do you feel safe? Are you comfortable?"

Christine shifted in her saddle and nodded. The horse was absolutely ginormous, but she didn't want to seem weak in front of him and then be forced to ride a tiny little mare. That would be embarrassing.

Erik nodded in approval and then swept up gracefully on top of the horse next to her, a stallion even bigger than her own. It was a monstrous beast.

"We'll ride across the grounds. I want to show you some of my favorite parts of the estate."

Christine looked up at him. "Estate? I rather thought of all this as an enchanted castle."

He chuckled. She had no idea.

They trotted on through the surrounding gardens and went into the forest where the sun streamed in through the leaves and left a golden path across the forest floor, illuminating everything with a heavenly glow. The forest was so alive here. Life bloomed and sang. It was strange. When Christine had first come here she had thought this place was forbidding and evil. Now that she was out in the sunlight, basking in the warm day among the flora and fauna, she thought this place magical, not cursed or evil. This land reminded her of the stories Father used to read to her when she was young; stories of witches and fairies and handsome princes. She had always secretly wished she could be like the heroines in those stories and experience danger and magic like they had. Now, deep within this forest, she felt like she was finally living out one of those fairy-tales.

"You like it here, don't you?"

Christine was interrupted from her thoughts and looked up to see Erik smiling at her.

"Oh, yes, I do. It's beautiful."

He smiled as if he knew a good secret.

"What? Is something amusing?"

He shook his head. "I am just pleased to see you so happy. I knew that you belonged here."

She blushed from such words. He was much better at courting than either had believed. Such flowery and sweet words would make her fall in love with him.

"How long have you lived here?"

His smile suddenly disappeared with her inquiring question. He was no longer light-hearted.

"A long time. Sometimes it seems eternity."

"Do you not want to be here?" she asked carefully.

"No, I just...I never asked to be brought here."

Never asked, she thought. That seemed strange. Was he a prisoner?

"My father was a cruel man."

That honest and open truth caught her attention. She had not even asked about his father or family. Was he opening up to her?

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

He scoffed. "For what? You didn't do anything. He was the one who..." He stopped mid-sentence.

Christine frowned. She was beginning to believe there was more to Erik than he showed. This is what she wanted to see. She wanted to know the real him. She wanted him to open up and let her in. Only then could she truly be with him.

He had surprised her today when he had suggested a horseback ride through the grounds. After their agreement yesterday he had disappeared, only appearing for dinner. Now today he was taking her horseback riding and promised a new surprise when they returned. This was all so unlike him. When she had first met him he had been crude and distasteful, offending her maidenly nature and provoking her with filthy comments. And he had been mean. Oh, the way he had infuriated her! She could barely stand him in the beginning! He had been such a brute, such a tyrant to her; forcing her to leave her home and family and live here with him. He had been insensitive, unkind, uncouth, vile, every horrible thing in this world. And yet...Now he was different. It was as if everything had changed after she had tried to run away. He was still annoyingly arrogant and sexual, constantly toying with her by saying completely inappropriate things, but he was no longer a dictator or a tyrant. He seemed to be changing. It could all be an act-she had no idea-but she was enjoying her new attitude, his new treatment of her. She no longer wanted to kill him. She just occasionally wanted to throttle him.

"Do you want to go for a swim?"

She looked up from her thoughts and saw his naughty smile. She knew what he was alluding to.

"No," she responded, rolling her eyes.

"I promise this time I won't be the only one naked."

She could feel his slick grin bearing into the back of her and ignored it. She was not going to fall for it.

"You truly are virginal, aren't you?" he laughed.

"Of course," she gasped. "It is only proper for one to save themselves for marriage."

"Maybe for a woman."

"Men should as well."

He snorted. "I dare you to find such a man."

She turned and looked him in the eye, quickly becoming annoyed. "You know, you do not have to constantly boast of your sexual prowess."

"You're right." She should have been warned by his slow grin. "I'd rather show you."

fumed with frustration. "Do you only ever think about carnal matters?"

"It's hard not to when you are around."

She tried not to be flattered and continued on trotting.

"Have you not imagined what it would be like to be with me?"

Her first instinct was to turn around and shout at him, but she controlled herself and breathed, refusing to turn around and give him any pleasure.

"No, I haven't," she lied.

"Not even after you saw me that day at the lake?"

Oh, how he goaded her! She should slap him for such impropriety!

"No," she lied again. "There was nothing remarkable about what I saw."

He laughed out loud. Oh, what a lie. He had seen the look in her eyes that day. She had been beyond intrigued by his body that day. She wasn't the first.

"I think you lie. I think you were rather affected by the sight of me nude but you would never admit that aloud."

She hated that he was right, but would never admit it. He'd have to kill her first.

"I know you're attracted to me, love. Why else would you moan with pleasure when I kiss you?"

"Are you quite finished? I am through listening to your vulgar talk!"

He smiled. "I won't be finished until I have you under me screaming my name."

She turned at that instant and fumed at him. That last comment had done it. He had driven her over the edge finally. Perfect.

Grabbing her reins tightly she rode off into the distance back toward the castle, leaving him smiling after her.