Candy laughed. There was a whole lot of shock, mingled with humor. It registered on her face, clear as day. “Are you telling me that there is a way out of this, that we’re not technically bound together?”

Torrent shook his head. “We are bound female. I told you that I consider you to be mine. All that is left is to claim you.”

“What you are saying is that the whole ceremony hasn’t been completed. It’s not done yet. We can still back out.”

Torrent felt anger course through him. The need to throw her down on the bed and to make her his rode him hard. He knew that he could have her begging him to take her and in no time, but he couldn’t do such a thing. Candy would regret it. She would grow to hate him.

“We openly chose one another. According to our lores, the bond between us has begun to take hold. I know that you can feel it. It is only a matter of time before we can no longer resist one another.” He had to smile. “A matter of time before you give in to me. You won’t be able to help it. Even if I were to take you home, your body would crave mine, just as mine craves yours.”

Her eyes darkened up for a second and she pulled her lower lip into her mouth. Then she snorted. “You’re so full of it.”

He couldn’t understand her aversion to him or her statement for that matter. His words were true. It was that simple. “You are attracted to me and we are bonded. It is only a matter of time before things progress naturally.”

“This changes things. If we’re not already mated then take me home, I’ll take my chances with the whole craving you thing.”

He shook his head. “I can’t do that. You need to give this a chance. You agreed.”

“That was before I knew the facts.”

“This doesn’t change anything.”

Her eyes widened and a look of horror appeared on her face. “It changes everything.”

“You are staying right here. I agreed to your terms and you agreed to mine. You stay here, in this chamber until I have officially claimed you. I’m sorry but you cannot leave before then.”

Her chest began to heave and her fists balled in her lap. “That’s bullshit! You’re essentially keeping me prisoner until I agree to have sex. That’s wrong on so many levels. You realize that, don’t you?” Her eyes glistened with unshed tears.