CHAPTER FOUR
The sight of Thora walking toward him, head held high, set fire raging in Ari's veins.
The tease over the last hours had only inflamed his senses and his lust neared its breaking point.
Control lay in frayed threads around him.
He needed to slow down. While he anticipated his domination of her, he didn't want her to truly fear him.
Well, maybe he did, just a little. Still, ensuring her loyalty to him when the time came to reveal the truth before the council was another facet of his revenge that he must not forget.
Yet, somehow, something about this woman screamed that his life would be forever changed once he possessed her. At the moment, he didn't care. In the morning, he would ensure his control and dominance over her. But now, tonight, he wanted nothing more than to sate himself with her body.
She paused a few steps away and her shoulders lifted with a sharp breath. His gaze was immediately drawn to her full high breasts, the pink tips hard. His fingers itched with the need to touch her. He moved toward her at the same moment she took another step closer, bringing them mere inches apart.
He placed his hand on her shoulder, savoring the way she quivered beneath his touch.
She possessed a deep passion, one which had likely never been tapped, judging from her reactions.
His hands on her breasts alone had brought a fiery climax he'd not expected, and clearly, neither had she.
What would happen when he finally explored the depths of her body?
Anticipation of the eruption of Thora's deepest passion also held a warning, one he heeded by composing his thoughts.
For the coming hours, nothing mattered but the physical connection. The rest would follow.
He drew her near, pressing a kiss against her full lips, his cock hard and seeking her damp heat. Her eager response spurred him to slide his hands along her hips, fingers drifting lower to find the soft tangle of curls hiding her secrets. Secrets he meant to uncover, and claim for his own.
Beneath his touch, her body tightened. In pleasure or fear?
He paused in his exploration, using his tongue and his lips along hers to once more soften the muscles in her shoulders and arms. When he slid his fingers along her pussy, she gave a little moan and leaned heavily into him.
Her slick flesh near scorched his hand and the heavy sweet scent of her arousal surrounded him, overtaking his senses.
Each tremble of her body echoed within him and the need to possess her, now, took over his thoughts.
He drew away, sucking in his breath at the way her heavy-lidded eyes fluttered open, revealing her need.
Pride that he'd been the one to cause such passion gave him the strength to hold back.
He wanted to hear her beg, plead for her release.
He wouldn't oblige her, not until he was deep within the warm depths of her body and he could watch and feel her come undone when he drove her over the edge.
Stepping away, he took her hand. "Come."
She followed quietly when he drew her down to the furs.
Easing her to her back, he stretched out beside her, propping his head up on one arm.
Her dark eyes remained fixed on him and he had the errant thought he could drown in their depths.
Leaning over, he pressed a soft kiss to her lips, then trailed his mouth along her cheek down to her neck.
A soft sigh escaped her, but to Ari's ears, it sounded like a roar.
He slid his hand across her breast, relishing the way she arched against him, as if seeking greater contact.
He held back a grin and continued the teasing caresses, finally catching her nipple in his fingers.
She moaned, reaching for him. He grabbed her wrist, halting her, enchanted by her confused gaze.
"I want to touch you."
Her husky words shivered through him. If he allowed that, he feared he might not last long enough to be inside her when he came. He shook his head.
"No."
"Why?"
Some of her bewilderment faded, replaced with a hint of hurt. The need to assuage it rose up swift and sharp.
"If you do…" Telling her he feared losing control and acting like an untrained lad seemed somehow a weakness. "I want no distractions while I take my pleasure."
A sharp intake of breath accompanied the tensing of her body. "And what of my pleasure?" Anger sharpened her tone and she tugged against his restraining hand.
"You'll receive plenty of pleasure, ástin minn, I promise. But my pleasure comes before yours."
Sparks of annoyance flared in her eyes and she pulled her wrist free, sitting up.
Ari placed his hand on her chest and pushed her back down, straddling her.
He barely had time to duck the hand flying toward his face before again catching her arm.
Her cry of frustration accompanied another attempt to hit him, but once more, he stopped her, pinning her arms above her head with one hand.
She bucked against him in an attempt to dislodge him, but he leaned heavily atop her, holding back his groan when his cock came up against her damp sex.
Her eyes widened as she also realized the position they now held and she stilled beneath him.
"Release me," she demanded.
Heart racing with excitement, Ari shook his head, grinning at her cry of outrage.
"I agreed to repay the debt as you wanted, but I'll not be treated like a lowly thrall!"
Her full lips, still swollen from his kisses, drew his focus and he lowered his mouth to hers. When he slid his tongue along her lips, a sharp nip sent him reeling back. She'd bitten him! He held back a laugh. This feisty hellion promised him great satisfaction.
"I like your fire. Taming you will be a delight." He spoke slowly, watching her eyes closely for her reaction. She didn't disappoint.
Fury flashed in her dark gaze and she again tried to buck him off. He held firm.
"I am not an animal to be broken! Let me go!"
Again he shook his head. "You owe me, remember? And I set the terms."
She looked past him. Toward the wolves. Would they attack if she called them? He dared a glance over his shoulder.
Both animals remained where they were, the female still weak from her wounds, the male hovering protectively over her. But Ari knew Kati watched them. He turned back to Thora.
"Don't. You will regret it."
"I already regret agreeing to this madness. Let me go!"
He shifted his hips, his cock achingly hard against her wet pussy. The movement drew a sharp gasp.
"You don't want me to let you go."
She closed her eyes and looked away, a clear refusal to admit what he already knew.
With his free hand, he reached for his discarded belt and wrapped it around one of her wrists.
The moment she realized his intention, her eyes snapped open, her shout echoing in the clearing.
Before she had a chance to break free, he secured the belt firm around both her wrists.
He leaned back, his cock still hard against her damp heat.
He pulled on the trailing end of the belt.
She swung her bound hands toward him but he tugged, halting her movement and drawing her flush against him.
"Until your debt is fully paid, you belong to me, and I will make the decisions. You agreed, but insist on fighting me. So be it."
"I should have known you are no better than those foul outlaws you "saved" me from."
He ran a hand over her hair, not surprised when she jerked away. His cock grew harder than ever and he knew he had to be inside her soon. But first he wanted to remind her of the passion that existed between them.
He reached for her breast, cupping it, his finger rolling lightly over her nipple.
A shudder rippled through her, but she clenched her jaw.
He smiled. Her resistance would soon crumble.
He pinched the hardened tip and smiled at her sharp intake of breath.
When he repeated the motion, a low moan escaped.
"You see, Thora, what I can do to you?"
The husk in his voice betrayed his own lust, and he noted the awareness glowing in her gaze.
A hint of a smug smile hovered on her lips.
He longed to kiss her again, but decided against it for now.
As it was, she'd earned a punishment for her earlier bite, but he wouldn't bring that to her attention just yet.
He gave her breast another squeeze, delighted at how her mouth opened to suck in a ragged breath.
With a quick movement, he shifted away from her.
She stared defiantly at him, once more tugging against the belt binding her wrists.
He wrapped the end tighter around his hand.
Without giving her any warning, he yanked her forward and across his lap, face down.
For a moment, she remained motionless and silent before erupting in fury.
"You vile bastard! What in Hel's name are you doing?"
She bucked and writhed, trying to escape his hold, but he caught her flailing legs between his. She gave another shriek when he pinned her bound wrists to the ground. With his other hand, he stroked the sensuous curves of her ass, drawing another outraged yell.
"You bit me," he reminded her in a casual tone. "I warned you what would happen if you didn't obey."
"How dare you!" She heaved against his hold once more, her movement further tormenting his aching cock. He pinched her trembling flesh, holding back a chuckle at the strangled cry that escaped her.