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thought, but she had become their captive by their authority. No stranger to imprisonment, she learned everything possible from men who forced her to abide by their will—knowledge enabled escape.
    Robert came up behind her, blocking the unrelenting wind, and placed his hands on her shoulders. He led her to a gargantuan pine with twin trunks that sprouted from the ground, and he turned, pulling her shoulders to his chest as he leaned back against one of the trunks.
    The shock of being as close to Robert as they’d been on horseback—without necessity—sent her heart racing. She tried to pull away, but his hands gripped her upper arms, holding her tight.
    His silken hair brushed against her cheek as his lips pressed down on the top of her head. “You needn’t fight me, Susanna. Nothin’ will happen between us.”
    His statement surprised her. “Nothin’ will happen?”
    He dropped his head, soft lips barely touching the top of her ear. Hot breath fanned down across her ear and neck, and its heat flowed straight into her veins, settling down between her legs. She shifted at the sudden discomfort, but the sensation only intensified with her movement.
    “I’ve never taken from a woman what she didn’t offer. I’ll not start now.” He dipped his head further and placed a kiss beneath her ear that set her skin on fire. “Anythin’ you want me to have, you’ll offer. If I have my way, you will beg me to take it.”
    She couldn’t catch her breath. A throbbing pulse pounded between her thighs, and some wild part of her wanted to offer, wanted to beg. She had no idea what to beg for, but everything about the man holding her close—touching her more intimately than she’d ever imagined a man doing—made her want.
    An ingrained resolve shattered the bone-melting sensual haze. Her survival depended on her keeping a clear head. “I’ll do neither,” she scoffed.
    His rich laughter boomed out, wrapping itself around her like a warm embrace. “Aye, lass. I think you’ll do both. Soon...and often. I’m verra fond of the fight in you though.”
    Robert loosened his hold, as if making good on his promise. She relaxed on a slow sigh, but the panicked pressure in her head eased faster than the disconcerting throb in the most intimate of places.
    The quiet minutes unnerved her as she stood within his embrace, his hold so slight she had to shift to feel his arms. His dark eyes remained steadfastly focused on the horizon beyond the trees, his gaze shifting back and forth as he scanned their surroundings.
    A snowflake danced before her face. Another flew by. The wind kicked up as the snowfall increased, sending swirls of white spinning amid the dark greenery of the forest. She stuck her tongue out, catching a few on the tip.
    Robert chuckled.
    “What? You doona ever have fun?” she asked.
    Robert pulled his arms away, and she turned around. He settled against the tree’s scarred bark once again, folding his hands behind his lower back and propping the heel of a boot flat on the trunk. His gaze drifted beyond her and out of focus. “Aye, I have a bit of fun when time allows.”
    “What do you do for fun?” she asked.
    Robert dropped a smoldering gaze to her. “Besides takin’ what pleasures women offer me?” An unreadable emotion flashed across his face after the scandalous intimation, but then instantly disappeared, his eyes narrowing.
    Her cheeks flushed hot. “Aye, besides that.”
    “Weel...I do love to hunt,” he said.
    “You’re not huntin’ now. ’Tis because I’m here?” she asked.
    He tilted his head, the corners of his mouth twitching. “Not all prey are four-legged.” He winked at her.
    She laughed, shaking her head.
    “Och, lass. You’re verra bonnie when you smile.”
    Uncomfortable with his flattery, she lowered her gaze and unexpectedly caught the glint of an object. In the cuff of his boot was the hilt of a dagger.
    Her dagger.
    The smile fell from her face as her gaze drifted back up,