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Part of me wanted to keep egging her on. But I was ready for a long nap after the last forty-eight hours. “Got it.”

“Stay away from her,” my aunt warned.

There was more to the matter than propriety. It was the way her eyes flicked over the left side of my face. A quick glance, so fast it was nearly imperceptible, and then she busied herself with her bread.

But I saw it.

I knew in my heart what she wouldn’t say out loud. While the others were used to my hideous visage, a stranger would be terrified. Dorothea was old-fashioned and held traditional values, but that was just the front for the real problem.

No woman in her right mind would seek me out.

The food turned sour in my belly as I pushed from the door.

That was why if I wanted a bride, I would have to take one. Yet even after I kidnapped my Russian, she wouldn’t willingly come to my bed. No...I would have to coax her. Give her space and time. Maybe years.

Maybe never.

But first things first. If I wanted a wife, one with power and status, I would have to take one.

I slid into the tree line, cutting a direct path to the sand. I’d had no intention of sleeping in the cottage. Last night I was too busy with work to rest my eyes. But tonight, I would nap on the sand as the sea sang her mournful lullaby.

Hinges creaked.

I stopped short, rounding on the cottage.

Veiled by the darkness, a whisp slipped from the front door. She paused only to look about before darting to the same trees where I hid.

The air under the boughs seemed to thicken. My pulse thrummed in my veins.

Where are you going, little one?

The muscles in my body coiled tight, ready to spring. But I let my prey think she was doing it, let her think escape was within her grasp. It would make catching her all the sweeter.

Serena didn’t head for the road. The path that led from the village was densely covered by oaks and pines. It would be a hard trek out of here on foot. No, she was sprinting to the shore.

She passed close enough that I could reach out from where I stood and touch her shoulder. Her long hair fluttered, tempting me to brush the golden strands. Gone were the clothes she’d arrived in. A black tank top hung from her shoulders, a size too big. But it allowed me a look at her smooth skin.

So pretty...so very pretty.

Hunger stirred deep in my belly.

When she was a few paces ahead, I took a tentative step. But the caution was unnecessary. She moved like an elephant, stomping and lumbering over the earth, finding every stray twig to step on while her feet shuffled over leaves.

I stalked after her, gaze pinned on her body. Those curves beckoned me. My gaze dipped to her ass, concealed by the cotton shorts, but barely.

My aunt was right to warn me off.

Serena was any man’s dream.

I stayed in the trees as she raced to the water, hair streaming behind her in a wild veil. Was she going to swim? I frowned. The waves were strong tonight, and it would be a challenge to round the peninsula we called Shark’s Fin. After that, it was another thirty minutes by boat to the next vestige of humanity.

Just before I shouted for her to stop, Serena dropped onto the sand. She waited, reaching slowly out as the surf rushed to shore. The moment was pure. Moonlight lit her enthralled features. There was an innocent, childlike delight in the prospect.

I stood transfixed, fascinated—entranced.

The reverence on her face was otherworldly.

The desire to capture her face between my hands, to taste the awe from her lips was strong. I struggled to remain hidden, forcing my breaths to quiet. My best effort didn’t stop my dick from twitching.