Dancing With the Dangerous Prince Read Online Free PDF Page B

she’d make it. 
    That night, she stood on the edge of the tree line, trembling because he wasn’t there.  “Zoran!” she called out a second time, her eyes filling with tears when she realized that he really wasn’t there. 
    She slumped down onto a log, the same log they’d sat upon the first night when they’d talked for hours.  She hadn’t realized how uncomfortable it was without Zoran with her to distract her from the strange, unfamiliar night sounds.
    After thirty minutes, she accepted that he really wasn’t going to show up.  She couldn’t stop the tears that started flowing or the pain of loss in her heart.  She wanted him so desperately and he’d simply abandoned her!  How could he?! 
     
    Zoran watched from the shadows as she sat there, her eyes scanning the darkness for any sign of him.  But she wouldn’t see him.  He’d watched her all day long, was proud of her skill with the bow and arrow, impressed with her rifle skills even though it was just a small, kids’ toy.  But she was accurate and patient with the other kids. 
    He couldn’t go out there.  For the first time in his life, he was trying to be noble with a woman because there could be no future with Ciara.  The other woman in his past knew the rules, understood the temporary nature of any liaison with him.  Ciara was different.  He felt differently towards her.  He would return home at the end of this week and would marry the bride his father was choosing for him.  He had no idea who it was, nor did he care.  He would do his duty and marry whichever woman, but he would always treasure these moments with Ciara. 
    His resolve lasted only until he saw the tears on her cheeks.  Women had tried tears on him many times in the past, several of them calling him a cold-hearted bastard for the way he remained unmoved, irritated even, by their overflowing emotions. 
    Some of those tears had probably been genuine and others just a futile attempt to manipulate him.  But Ciara’s tears tore at him, stabbed him with each drop that fell to her soft cheeks. 
    When he accepted that he couldn’t take it any longer, he stepped into the area, lifting her into his arms.  “Don’t cry, love,” he told her, his voice rough as he sat back down with her on his lap. 
    “You’re here!” she sobbed, wrapping her arms around his neck.  “I didn’t think you’d show up.  But you’re here!”
    “I’m here,” he told her, kissing her tenderly, and when he felt her lips tremble under his and then respond to his kiss, he deepened the caress, forcing her lips open so that his tongue could move inside, soothe her in the only way he knew how. 
    “Stop!” she said when his hands moved underneath her tee-shirt.
    “What’s wrong?” he asked but his hands stilled.
    Ciara shook her head and stood up.  “Come with me,” she told him.  She was nervous but also determined.  This was her man.  Zoran was hers and she intended to show him tonight. 
    Zoran wasn’t sure what she was going to do but he took her hand and followed her.  It was only when they were almost at her cabin that he stopped, pulling her to a stop.
    “No, Zoran.  You’re coming with me,” she told him firmly, her fingers pulling at his arm futilely.  The man was big and strong and stubborn.  If he didn’t want to go somewhere, he wasn’t going. 
    “This isn’t right, Ciara.  You should…”
    She moved in closer, pressing her body against his in an effort to convey her message more clearly.  “No.  Stop talking.  I’m in charge tonight,” she told him.  “You had your way with me last night.  Tonight, it is my turn.”
    He chuckled that such a little thing was going to try and overpower him.  “Think so?” he teased.
    She pulled back when his hands reached out for her.  “I know so.  Now march,” she ordered, tangling her fingers with his.
    Zoran laughed softly, aware that others might be close by.  He didn’t want her to get into