Ella’s fingers twined behind his neck into the soft waves of his wheat-colored hair. Ye are rather a mystery to me. Let Cain be surprised by her courage and prowess even though she was a maiden. She wanted to be someone whom he could not easily predict. She wasn’t a chess piece, despite his trying to dictate her moves in their game of war.

A small step closed the gap between their bodies, and she boosted onto the toes of her borrowed slippers. The movement brought her into direct contact with his hard body. His thighs were solid tree trunks, and she could feel the largeness of his cod against her. She stiffened, but with an inhale, she tried to relax into the role of seducer, lifting her face up toward his to meet his uniquely beautiful blue eyes. She tugged against his neck. Lord, why must Cain be so handsome? The small white lines where he’d been nicked in battle showed how close he had come to a mortal’s death, yet he thwarted his enemy every time, his strength and power so commanding. But right now, she must be in command.

“Once again, you are not making this easy,” she said when he didn’t tip his head down. “Must I stand on the chair?”

He inhaled, his nostrils flaring slightly, reminding her of a stallion about to charge a mare in season. The thought made her heart pound. His only answer was to slide his hands down her back until he reached the curve of her hips, lifting her slightly. She held her breath as he bent his face to hers, their bodies touching in the most intimate way two could be with their clothes still on. A flush poured through her, making her lips part to draw in breath.

Nose to nose, he stared at her, until she realized he wasn’t going to kiss her. It had to be initiated by her to be his prize for winning. His arms were corded limbs of strength on either side of her as he held her there. Ella could feel the whisper of his breath against her lips, the won kiss hanging motionless in the air between them, waiting to be given and taken. The bulge below seemed to grow larger, and the fact that merely holding her had stolen his wry grin fired her confidence.

Ella raised her hands to cup his jaw, the short beard covering his hard jawline rough beneath her palms. She leaned into him and closed her eyes as she pressed, slanting her face so that their mouths slid against each other. His lips were firm yet soft compared to the rest of him. The shape of his mouth fit perfectly against the shape of hers, and her world began to tilt.