“No, please let me—” she mumbled.

Something heavy pressed on top of her; she couldn’t move. Being pinned against a strong, hard body, her arms in the same position until they were numb, she was helpless against the strength overpowering her.

Move…a…bit, she thought through her fogged mind.

Something warm and thick pressed against her face, preventing her from breathing.

“Please,” her voice came muffled against soft material which tickled her nose. The smell of damp grass and something strong and musky was on the cloth.

Smell…strong…ugh. No…

Her mind still worked, it seemed, so she reasoned she hadn’t been drugged. He nuzzled her hair.

Writhing and contorting, she struggled for freedom before the heavily-built warrior pressed down harder onto her chest, moving the fabric in the process. He rumbled something soothing, but she couldn’t make it out.

What? Didn’t catch that.

She struggled again before her captor increased his pressure over her mouth.

Okay, okay, I won’t move, riding into the Highlands, you hold me. You just abducted me, right? What’s your name? Dun-can Douga…?

He pressed something warm onto the side of her face and neck. She winced as wet and rough suede dragged over her ear, once, twice.

Open eyes, don’t faint. Oh, I’m Lady Amelia and Lady Amelia doesn’t faint. Air.

She blinked into the darkness and made out some specks of light. Groaning, she tried to get a better view of her surroundings.

Why is it so dark? Where am I? What time is it? What happened? This is…

There it was again, that unintelligible rumble.

“Who are you? What do you want?” she mumbled. “You are heavy, you know?” She pushed against whatever was compressing her chest, desperate to fill her lungs.

“Ugh! Get off.” She gasped for air before pushing again with all her strength.

“Air!” She shoved the mass and rolled to the side.

“Better.” Muttering and gulping in the elixir of life, she finally awoke and blinked more to get a closer look at her captor.

“Boy, who feeds you?” Rolling to her side, she turned on her table lamp and reached for the alarm clock.

“4 o’clock in the morning. You have no shame, don’t you? What’s your name, hmm? Right…I’ll never leave that window open again, and just so you know, romance heroes don’t purr.”