FROM THE HEART WITH GINI RIFKIN: Romancing the 8 December 2014 BLOG TOUR

From IRON HEART: (a Medieval road-trip)

His tawny brown hair was in wild disarray. He raked it back from his face with both hands, leaving the mane of a lion to surround his green tiger-eyes.

“Do it and be done with it,” she sobbed, staring up at the ceiling.

“Do it?” He gave a bark of laughter. “The women I make love to do not have snot running out there noses, nor do they shriek with terror. They often moan with pleasure, of course, but that is a different matter altogether.”

She wiped one hand across her nose and mouth. What was wrong with him? Was this his first time marauding? Did he not know the rewards due the conquering hero? “You are not going to beat me and have your way with me?”

“It would be poor repayment for your saving my life, even if you were compelled to do so out of greed.”

“Then you are different from every other man,” she accused, still not believing him. She drew the covers up to her chin as if they would protect her should he change his mind.

“I war only with men,” he said scornfully. “And I have yet to find it necessary to force myself upon a woman. They generally come to me quite willingly.” His crooked smile revealed even white teeth, and a touch of pride mingled with his last words. “But I do not favor being tied up,” he added, the ferocity returning to his features. “And I will not tolerate being questioned and ordered about. You have nothing to fear from me as long as you tell me the truth.”

With a shuddering breath Leanora tried to quiet her pounding heart. The truth was the last thing he would wring from her.