Lydia gasped for air, feeling as if her heart might leap out of her chest.
"You scoundrel, what gives you the right to treat me like this?"
As she questioned him, Lydia tried to steady her erratic heartbeat. Her angry little face and fiery eyes only deepened Merrick's confusion.
"No one has ever dared to hit me. You've made an unforgivable mistake."
The slap had sent Merrick's anger skyrocketing. He transformed his inexplicable feelings into rage, believing it was the only way he could continue to punish her.
With a voice as cold as ice, Merrick once again captured Lydia's lips. But this time, having learned from the slap, he was much smarter.
Lydia's hands were now pinned against the tree trunk, making it nearly impossible for her to push Merrick away. But why was she, a woman who had been married and had a child, so awkward and stiff when it came to kissing?
