Chapter Twenty-Two #2
“Tell me, Wylder. Or else leave my room and never speak to me again.” Emily’s tone was so icy cold that she could hardly believe the words came from her.
The tears had dried on her cheeks, leaving salty tracks behind.
Wylder bent his head, his tongue tracing the paths on first one cheek then the other.
Emily stood frozen, held prisoner by the unexpected tenderness, even as her heart was shattering into a thousand pieces with his continued silence.
Wylder let out a shuddering breath, then abruptly dropped to his knees before her. His muscled arms wrapped around Emily’s waist, his breath warm on her stomach through the thin muslin of her nightgown.
“Emily… my little minx. You insist on uncovering my secrets… then so be it,” he muttered, his dark, shaggy head tilting back so he could stare up into her eyes.
“The things I’ve done to you thus far are mundane when compared to what I truly desire.
If you were completely mine, I would bind you in ropes, securing you to various structures and rendering you immobile.
I would have certain… implements… ready at my fingertips to use upon your tender skin.
” He rose to his feet as he confessed his darkest desires, his hands gripping hers as he loomed over her smaller form.
“Riding crops, whips, birches. I would use the bite of pain to bring you to the heights of pleasure. I would use you as I see fit because every inch of you would belong to me. I would enjoy watching you crawl for me, your body bare to my gaze. I would bend you over any piece of furniture I fancied, and I would take you hard and fast with your hands bound behind your back, delighting in your tears. I would fuck your mouth. Your tight little quim. Your plump arse. My hands would wrap around your neck, and you would need my permission to breathe as I impaled you on my cock. I would command your complete submission and own every soft, silky part of you, Emily. And when morning came, you would despise me for every minute that I claimed you as mine.”
A nearly inaudible whimper escaped Emily’s throat as he spoke.
The salacious images his words produced in her mind were shocking.
But rather than being repulsed, her insides trembled with jolts of arousal and her knees wobbled beneath her weight.
What on earth was wrong with her that she wanted to experience these acts that Wylder described?
How was it logical that she was willing to give herself over to him for even a small taste of cruel paradise at this man’s hands?
Wylder’s words were a low growl, rumbling in his chest as silence fell between them. “That’s the kind of man… the kind of monster… I am, Emily. Now, do you understand?”
Emily swallowed hard. “You’ve done these things with other women, Wylder?”
Jaw clenched tight, Wylder’s eyes glittered as his gaze traced her features. “That and so much more.”
“And you want to do those things to me?” Her body trembled at the thought, but still, she pressed on.
“Yes. But that would only be the beginning, minx. Which is why I cannot claim you as mine.”
“But if you were to marry, you would do these acts with your wife?” Emily frowned. “I don’t understand. Are you saying these… acts… are things that only loose women… can enjoy with a man?”
“I would not subject my wife to such acts of depravity. It wouldn’t be right,” Wylder swore vehemently.
Emily could not comprehend the reasoning behind his words. Did ladies like herself not find pleasure in this type of sexual activity? “I am assuming Ashcroft has similar interests? Dear Lord, I suppose that includes my brother, as abhorrent as I find it to even dwell on the subject.”
His eyebrows lowered, pinching together. “Without saying more, your assumptions are correct.”
“Does Ashcroft seek his pleasure with others rather than his own wife?” she inquired with guileless innocence.
The obvious love and affection she had witnessed between Lucien and Charlotte indicated a level of intimacy to be envied.
She could not imagine the earl keeping a mistress or visiting brothels when he had a beautiful bride hanging on his every word.
“He does not.” The admission was almost a snarl.
“Then…. could you not do the same with your own wife?” Emily pressed, wondering why the question seemed to upset Wylder so.
She bit her bottom lip then shyly confessed, “I enjoyed it when you spanked me before. And when I pleasured you with my mouth…” She blushed, her face so hot that she wondered if she would go up in flames.
“I was aroused when you took control of me… the way you commanded my movements was something I never expected to like. I want to explore and experience all things that bring you pleasure, Wylder.”
Wylder let her go, rubbing his hand over his heart as he scowled. “You’ve granted me permission to enjoy your body, Emily. We can go no further than that. We will not go any further than that.”
“Is that because you care more about your estates and your titles and cannot give up my brother’s assistance?
Is it because Simon would demand my honor be avenged with your death at his hands?
Or is it because you believe you are not worthy of being with me, nor I with you?
” Emily ground her teeth at his stubborn silence, her chin tilting as she regarded him.
It felt as though her heart was bursting with pain and disgust. “I want you to leave now, Wylder. Please go.”
Wylder raked his hands through his thick, dark hair, the strands falling over his brow. Emily wanted to brush the locks back so badly. She clenched her hands to keep from reaching for him.
“Emily…”
“Go away, Wylder.” Her voice quivered, but she concealed the weakness by clearing her throat.
In that moment, it felt like the earth was spinning too quickly while she floated in place.
Anchored there by the savage heat of his eyes.
“Before I begin screaming and bring everyone in this house running to this room.”
“We both know I can make you scream for other reasons, Emily,” he grunted in annoyance.
“And that would prove nothing.” Taking a deep breath, she gave him a sad smile.
“Unless you are brave enough to declare yourself publicly, this is where it ends. It ends now. Tonight. Right here. It ends with me wanting more than you can give.” She wiped the tears from her cheeks and turned her back to him, her spine stiff and unyielding.
“Please go. I don’t want to see you anymore. ”