Original Sin

by Lydia Michaels

  He let out a long breath. “So be it.” Lifting the clothing off the haystack, he shook it out. “You need to dress.” As he tried to touch her she jerked back. “Annalise.”

  There was no way she was putting that stuff on. She swatted the bonnet out of his hand.

  He muttered something in another language and bent to pick up bonnet. “Is this how it shall be between us then, a struggle at every turn?”

  How else could it be? She was there against her will. “I want to go home.”

  “This is your home, now.”

  “No, this is a barn. And you are insane if you think I’ll make this easy for you. I’m not staying here, so I suggest you show me the way to the closest—”

  “That won’t be happening.” His words were gentle, but firm.

  “You can’t just kidnap people!”

  “There’s more to our situation than you understand. Dress, and I’ll explain it to you.”

  She shoved the clothes out of his hands. “I’m not changing! Aren’t you listening to me? You have no right to hold me here—”

  “I have every right.” His eyes flashed in the shadows of the barn, appearing almost inhuman for a split second. Scrubbing a hand over his face, he bent and scooped up the clothes. “You’re making this very difficult.”

  “Me?”

  “Yes, you. I’m trying to help you and you refuse to cooperate.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry. Perhaps you’d like to drug me again.”

  “I did not give you any drugs. You were exhausted to the point of weakening your immune system. I only helped you settle your mind long enough to sleep.”

  She frowned. “No—”

  “Yes. And I refuse to bicker over what’s been done. This is where we are and we need to move forward. There isn’t much time.”

  She frowned. “Time for what?”

  “Dress and I’ll answer your questions.”

  She gritted her teeth. “Fine.” She snatched the clothes out of his hand. “Give me the damn bonnet.”

  “It’s called a kapp.”

  Like she cared. Step one was getting out of this barn. Step two was finding a phone. If dressing like Hester Prynne helped that happen, fine.

  She yanked the dress into place. There was no give and little shape to it. The sleeves puffed at the shoulder, but the rest just hung like a sad maroon sack.

  “Your cape and apron.”

  She eyed the white items. “I’m sorry, am I baking something?”

  His jaw ticked. “They’re part of the attire.”

  For who, Miss Muffet? She scoffed and took the pieces, turning them this way and that. The apron made sense, but the other thing... “What is this?”

  “A cape. It goes over your shoulders. Then it’s pinned in place with the apron.”

  She shoved her head through the hole and tied the apron around her waist, knowing the garment wasn’t on properly but not caring either. “Where are my shoes?”

  “You don’t need shoes. It’s summer.”

  “What’s that have to do with it? I want my shoes.” Without shoes she’d never be able to get far on foot.

  “The women go barefoot this time of year.”

  And she bet a good portion of them were pregnant, too. “Whatever. I’m dressed. Now, tell me what we’re late for.”

  He brushed a hand over his face and sighed. “Anna, you need to trust me. I brought you here, not to disrupt your life, but to save you from the life you knew. I told you I was on a mission to collect something that belonged to me. Well, I’ve found her. I was searching for you.”

  “Um...” She didn’t know what was more disturbing, the words coming from his mouth or the look of absolute conviction in his eyes. “Yeah, but you did disrupt my life, so I’m gonna have to decline.”

  “Decline?”

  “Yeah. That’s a big no for me. But I’m flattered.” She edged toward the hole that seemed the only exit.

  “You misunderstand. Things will be better for you here. You’ll be happier. I’ll take care of you and build us a house. I’ll allow you to decorate as you wish. It will be an adjustment, yes, but you will adapt and perhaps even come to prefer our slower pace to the violent tempo of life you’re used to. Perhaps even come to like me.”

  She blinked up at him. Even her emotions seemed incapable of responding to such nonsense. She coughed out a laugh. “Will you, dear? Will you truly allow me to decorate?” Her tone dripped with sugared sarcasm.

  “If that would make you happy.”

  Oh, God, he thought she was serious. Her scowl returned. “When will you get it? I’m not yours! I don’t want to be here! And I will never like you after what you’ve done!”

  Shoving past him, she ran to the hole in the floor, but climbing onto the ladder in a dress proved awkward and he caught her. She screamed as he yanked her back to his front his hand clamped over her mouth.

  “You mustn’t scream, ainsicht.”

  Her breath punched through her nose where his fingers crowded. His strength seeped through the grip he had on her arm, telling her he could hold her much tighter, but this hold would be more than enough to keep her there.

  She whimpered, her heartbeat ripping through her chest with the force of a machine gun. Her eyes closed as his mouth pressed to her hair, and he breathed her in.

  “I’m sorry this is not what you want,” he whispered. “It will be different for you, I know. If you behave, you’ll see that I can be generous. But first there must be trust between us. I am not your enemy, ainsicht. You must abide by the rules. It will make this transition easier for both of us.”

  She sank her teeth into his finger, biting hard enough to break skin. He stiffened but didn’t pull away. Blood touched her lips and she jerked back, spitting and wiping her lips on her shoulder.

  “What is wrong with you? Why are you doing this? I’m not who you think. Please, listen to me. I’m not your ainsicht. My name is Annalise and I have a job and a life and a...” No family. “People will miss me. I can’t stay here.”

  When he didn’t answer, she shifted to look at him. He kept hold of her arm, but allowed her to twist to face him.

  She expected a fight, but as her gaze met his, she didn’t find anger. On the contrary, he looked ... excited.

  His chest lifted with heavy breaths as he brought his finger to his mouth and sucked away the blood. “I don’t know how to react to a woman like you.”

  “Just let me go,” she pleaded.

  “It is not my goal to upset you.” Her breath hitched and she stilled as he brushed a tear away from her cheek. “But I cannot let you go, Annalise.”

  “Why?”

  She watched his glance drop to her breasts. If he let go of her, she’d fall. Her balance became a new worry, but her first concern was getting through to him.

  “Why can’t you let me go, Adam?” she asked again, begging him with her eyes to reconsider his decision.

  A soft rumble hummed from his chest as he drew his focus back to her face. “Because you’re mine.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Her emotions were palpable, wedging an agonized ache into his chest. This was not how he intended this to go and seeing her eyes once again glaze with tears had him reconsidering the value of his life. Her overwhelming bewilderment suffocated him to a point that he’d do almost anything to ease her upset.

  But as he held her to him, suspended by his arms, her body pressing closely to his, his desire to possess her clouded his thoughts. He could take her here, in the barn, and put an end to all debate, but such haste would sentence him to a lifetime of her resentment.

  If only she would listen to him, but before she could listen, she needed to calm her emotions, or nothing would penetrate her fear and anger.

  “Hush now, Annalise. Promise you will not run from me and we can talk.”

  Her lips, so full and pink, quivered. He sensed her dishonesty before she answered. “I won’t run.”

  “If you do, I’ll catch you.” H
e wasn’t worried about her getting away. He was worried about his body’s response to the chase. But trust had to start somewhere, so he let her go.

  Her eyes darted toward the trapdoor of the loft, then to the hay chute. He frowned. If she jumped, she’d injure herself. “We must be able to trust each other. You said you wouldn’t run from me.”

  Her gaze cut to him and narrowed. From afar, she might pass as Amish, but there remained an English edge to her no amount of proper clothing would cover. Perhaps it was the carnal knowledge of what she wore underneath that haunted him. Or the fiery color of her hair that seemed to capture sunshine in each thread.

  He retrieved the kapp from the floor and turned her, so he could affix it to her head. “The women will show you how to properly pin your hair.” He removed her elastic band and untangled her hair, though half had already fallen free. “Elastic is forbidden. Straight pins are used to secure capes and aprons. Women are not permitted jewelry of any kind, or makeup.”

  She jerked her shoulders away as he traced a finger over her exposed neck. “Don’t touch me.”

  “It’s my duty to teach and protect you.” It was his right to touch her. “The modest clothing is for your safety. It will allow you more freedom to explore.”

  She shook her head, her frustration pelting him. “I’m probably going to fail my midterm because of you. Do you know how long I’ve prepared for that exam? I have to get home by morning.” She swatted the kapp ribbons away from her ear

  The motion seemed so feminine it stole his attention. Then her words sank in. “I’m sorry about your exam.”

  “Don’t apologize. Let me go. Then there will be nothing to apologize for. You can still fix this.”

  She didn’t realize the day. “I’m sorry, because it is already Monday evening.”

  Her eyes went wide. “Goddamn it, Adam!”

  His fingers quickly covered her mouth. “You cannot say such things here, ainsicht.”

  “Stop calling me that!” She shoved his hand away. “You made me miss my fucking exam!”

  “You must be more thoughtful about your words, Annalise! I demand it.”

  Her head drew back. “You demand it? Screw you! Do you have any idea how much you’re messing up my life? I might not graduate now!”

  “Do you know the material?”

  She paced, her feet kicking up dust and sending motes floating into the sunlight where it cut through the wood slats. “Yes! I was prepared. For once in my life, I had a shot at actually getting an A and you ruined that! How am I going to explain this?”

  “If you successfully learned what you set out to learn, and you’re confident you would have passed the exam, what does the test matter? An exam cannot strip you of knowledge any more than it can provide it.”

  “It matters because I can’t graduate without taking my finals!”

  Her degree would be useless here. But her knowledge might have a place. She’d realize that eventually.

  She dropped to the haystack, an overwhelming sense of helplessness radiating from her and calling to his protective nature.

  “You have no idea what you’ve done.” Her voice tightened around her words. “My loans, my books, my time... Everything I worked towards... You just took it all away.”

  He sat beside her and she didn’t lean away. Her face angled to the floor where she stared.

  “But it’s still there, inside of you. Wisdom is the one thing no one can steal from you, Annalise.”

  She shook her head. “You don’t get it.”

  Perhaps he didn’t. But as a tear fell into her lap, a part of him wanted to understand more than he wanted his next breath. “I’m sorry.”

  “No, you’re not.”

  “I am. And in time, perhaps I can make it up to you. But right now we have more pressing matters. I need your help.”

  Her eyes welled with unshed tears as she stared at him with a mix of shock and anger. “I’m not helping you.”

  His jaw ticked. She could so easily infuriate him. “Tell me what you need to get past this.”

  “I need to email my professor.”

  “I can find paper and postage for you.”

  “Paper and postage?” Her eyes narrowed. “Where’s my phone?”

  “I’m afraid it didn’t make the journey.”

  “Great.” She huffed out a humorless laugh. “Then let me leave so I can find one. I need to get in touch with my professor.”

  There were hundreds of reasons why this small complication wouldn’t matter in a day or two, but everything about her fragile emotions told him those excuses would bring her no comfort now. Spoiling her, giving in to her request, would only bring more complications, but he couldn’t stand the sight of her tears. Each one seemed a drop of acid burning through his heart.

  Defeated, he stood and reached for her hand. She eyed him suspiciously.

  “Let us leave this barn and find a solution.” When she still didn’t take his offered hand, he said, “Perhaps the others know a way to reach your professor.”

  The offer formed a tentative truce and she slowly placed her hand in his. The first sign of trust between them, though thinner than a silken cobweb, would be the start of an intricate masterpiece. So long as he didn’t break it.

  She stood, her eyes cautiously watching him. He nudged her to turn and made a quick inspection of her dress. The cape hung sloppily over her chest and back, not properly pinned inside the apron. He tried to tuck it in for her, but she flinched away from his touch.

  He sighed. Perhaps Grace and his mother could assist in this department.

  She stopped speaking the moment they left the barn and he found himself distractingly curious of her thoughts. The sight of her in Amish attire had an erotic effect on him, which made his own conversation difficult, so he accepted the silence.

  His father had been disappointed to learn that he’d yet to complete the bond. His soul, and his mate, remained in danger until the bond was complete. His behavior over the past twenty-four hours had been dangerously spontaneous.

  Even now, his thoughts fired off with sparks shooting in every which direction. His teeth ached. His eyes burned. His skin prickled. His gut hungered. And his blood throbbed, gathering and swelling in his veins, awakening desires that left him hard and longing for relief.

  He could feel his rational self slipping away. The beast inside crept closer to the surface with every passing minute, putting his mate in proximate danger, but he could not rush this. His instincts commanded he jump to the end, but his heart demanded patience. The internal war ripped him to shreds, filled him with screams he dared not utter, and took him to a mental place that seemed wholly indulgent and cruel.

  But he kept control and silence won in the end.

  He’d fed from her two more times on the journey home, suppressing his appetite enough to keep his speed and ensure their connection. So long as her blood remained in his system, he’d have no trouble tracking her—should she try to escape. But his gluttony had cost her.

  Her weakness, which beat at him, was his first priority. Although an unholy side of himself beckoned he complete the bonding and seal their fate, he needed to see that she had a proper meal. Then he would see to her concerns about the exam.

  He pointed to an open field. “Beyond that field and those trees, that is where I’ll build our home.”

  A wave of anger struck him like a slap. Lowering his hand, he continued escorting her.

  The sun had set, and lanterns burned in every window of his parents’ home. They were expecting them, and he could sense his mother’s anticipation from several yards away. He could only hope their friendly reception would be reciprocated.

  He held the gate open for Annalise to pass. “My parents are eager to meet you. You’ve already met my younger sister Grace. My brother Cain lives here as well. I’ll introduce you to my older sister, Larissa, another day. She no longer lives here.”

  “Did she choose to leave, or did someone just steal her out of
bed one night and claim her like property?”

  He grimaced at the venom of her words. “You may mock me, but not our traditions. Larissa has made an honorable marriage to a man named Silus. That’s all you need to know.”

  “I bet she tells it a different way.”

  He caught her hand and forced her to stop walking. “Marriage is private business between man and wife. You must never speak about such things to mated or married couples.”

  She frowned. “Mated?”

  “Mating is different from marriage. It’s ... more involved, more significant. My sister is only married to Silus as my mother is married to my father. What mates share is quite different. You’ll see.”

  “Goody. Can’t wait.”

  Her derision concerned him. “Anna, finding one’s mate is an immeasurable gift.”

  “Well, maybe one day I’ll find mine.” She yanked her hand free and smirked cruelly.

  He drew in a deep breath, forcing his temper to quell. “It’s not wise to joke of such things. I’m your mate. While you might not accept that as true, I’ll not have you implying you’re a better match for someone else.”

  Their eyes locked in challenge and her body shook with the anger he sensed. “Do me a fucking favor and stop assuming you have some sort of control over my future. It only makes me hate you more.” She pivoted away and continued walking.

  He rocked back, her words flung so carelessly, so cruelly, that he needed a moment to recover. He should throttle her for speaking to him that way. Part of him wanted to inform her that she could hate him all she wanted. It wouldn’t negate their fated tie to an eternal life together.

  Doubling his pace he caught up to her and stepped ahead of her on the path. “I never imagined such a filthy mouth on such a beautiful woman,” he muttered.

  “Get used to it, dickhead.”

  He ground his teeth and heaved another breath. She’d learn. Eventually she’d learn to control her speech and her temper, just as he controlled his.

  She followed him up the porch steps and he took a fortifying breath. His vulnerability showed like the tender underbelly of a babe when he looked back at her. He hadn’t expected her to have such an effect on him. “Please,” he said softly. “My mother is recovering from a tragedy. I beg you not to upset her.”