Chapter Three #2
"I think you know exactly what I meant. Mayhap you should be punished for disobeying my orders."
"Nay! You cannot! I did nothing wrong!"
With shaking fingers, she reached for the laces of the chemise and pulled, letting the garment slide down. Baring her before his hungry gaze. She shivered, but not from cold.
He grinned, the wolfish expression sending an oleo of excitement and need, along with a healthy portion of apprehension, slithering along her spine to settle with a low hum deep inside.
He said nothing more, merely grabbed her wrist and hauled her against him. Her naked breasts smashed against him, the fabric of his tunic stimulating her sensitive nipples further. His arms wrapped around her, holding her still while his mouth crashed onto hers.
His fingers swept through her hair, combing it back from her face as he ravaged her mouth, his tongue parting her lips and sweeping inside with hungry urgency. The intimate contact weakened her knees. She leaned into him to keep from falling even as she responded to the heat in his kiss.
Her fingers curled into his shoulders and he shuddered beneath her touch.
His tongue tantalized her, made her light-headed.
Forgotten were all the conflicting emotions he stirred.
All that mattered was the promise of pleasure so intense, she could almost taste it.
When he tore his mouth from hers with a groan, a primal satisfaction at knowing he was as affected as she grew within.
"We must slow down, lest this is over before it has begun."
His hoarse voice sparked another set of odd fluttery sensations gliding along her spine. She leaned her face against his chest. Her heart pounded, each breath rasping through her lungs like a hot wind. His fingers lifted her chin, forcing her to face the hunger in his tawny eyes.
"You're such a tiny thing. I fear if I'm too hasty I'll break you in two." His mouth curved in a sensual smile. "I must remember to take care."
She swallowed past the lump of apprehension.
His hands, now resting on her waist, almost completely spanned her, reminding her once more of her nudity.
The feel of his clothing against her bare skin gave her a strange feeling of helplessness.
Somehow, the sensation only added to the uproar tearing through her.
She shouldn't like feeling overpowered this way, yet she did.
She had little success in forcing the weak emotions aside.
Her hands rested on his chest, covered by his black tunic and hard as the steel used to forge his sword.
Her sex pressed against him. It didn't take long to recognize his heated bulge.
A momentary panic overtook her and she pushed against his shoulders.
His grip tightened, preventing her from escaping his embrace.
"I will not let you go."
His vow sparked another tremor. His hands slid along her body, scorching her flesh wherever he touched. He cupped her bottom, pressing her more fully against his still-concealed shaft.
She met his gaze, oddly pained by the suspicion she read in his eyes. He still harbored thoughts she was unfaithful. And with Simon, no less! She almost blurted the truth then, but held back.
"What troubles you, wife?"
Something about the way he pronounced her his left her unable to think of an adequate answer.
If she spoke the truth of Simon's relationship to Lyndon, her brother could be banished, or worse.
Yet, if her husband believed Simon to be her lover, he faced the same fate.
An answer would not be found tonight. If they thought him any threat, 'twas better Simon appeared as nothing more than a besotted guard.
Someone with a claim to Lyndon ran the risk of disappearing for good.
"Tell me, what are you thinking about?"
She met his gaze, and gave a small shake before lowering her head. He tilted her chin up. "Do not keep secrets from me. 'Twill go badly for you."
She stiffened and tried to ignore the burst of panic. "I keep no secrets."
Proud of her steady voice, she boldly held his stare.
"I'm not so sure. But I don't wish to think on that now. First is the matter of your punishment."
"What? I've done nothing to warrant it!"
"Ah, but you have. Do you not recall striking me last night?"
Heat scorched her cheeks. God's blood, she had hit him. It had led to the beguiling brutal and tender kisses they'd shared. A shiver slid through her veins.
"You insulted me."
"There was no need for you to strike."
He set her away from him and a chill drifted over her. Barely a moment later, he caught her wrists in one hand. She had no time to resist as he sat on the bed and hauled her across his lap.
She kicked and twisted, trying to free herself. "You bastard, let me go! I will not be treated this way."
He said nothing while he caught her legs between his, imprisoning her further. She tugged against his hold on her wrists, but 'twas like pulling against rock.
She screamed her outrage, but his grip only tightened. With his free hand, he stroked her arse and she gave another furious screech.
"Unhand me, you beast!"
His reply was to bring his hand down hard on her bottom. She stiffened in shock, the sting of the blow not truly painful. When the second strike landed much more harshly, she began to struggle once more.
"You cruel monster!"
"I expect to be respected and obeyed. You did neither."
Another blow, and another, and another. Fire bloomed in her arse and she squirmed against his hold.
Tears escaped her squeezed eyelids, but she held back her sobs, refusing to let him see any weakness.
After several more strikes, however, the pain oddly seemed to fade, replaced with a heat that near matched what he'd stirred with his kisses.
She stopped fighting, falling limp against his lap and waited for the next strike.
When it came, she rolled her hips toward him.
The next blow seemed to take longer to come, but she anticipated it by counting the seconds between. This time, he didn't hit hard, he lightly stroked her burning skin. A moan escaped to feel the fire spark still hotter at the gentle touch.
"Your skin turns a lovely shade of pink. I find myself hoping you will disobey often so I may enjoy the sight."
His words, spoken in a gruff tone, added another dimension to the riot of thrills that took over her thoughts. And, 'twould seem, her body. What had the man done to her?
She found herself suddenly upright, her sore bottom pressed onto his leg. Burying her face into his shoulder, she whimpered at the fresh burst of pain. Oddly, her nipples remained rock hard and eager. For what? The heat and wetness coating her sex left her unable to take a steady breath.
His hand slid along her breasts and she looked up into his face. His tawny eyes caught hers for a moment, before lowering to watch while his fingers rolled her nipple between them.
Flames erupted and she made no effort to conceal the moan of delight. His touch was unlike any pleasure she'd ever known. Her heart seemed to beat in time to the throb in the heated flesh of her bottom. Her husband continued to pinch and pull at her nipple, now turning his attentions to the other.
The wanton sensations flooding her left her quivering. To her horror, she pressed her breast into his hand, wanting more caresses. A husky chuckle accompanied a sharp pinch.
"I see you enjoyed my punishment. I don't think you'll like what I have in mind next."
Before she could respond, he stood, scooping her against his chest before laying her out on the bed. The feel of the feather tick against her sore arse made her attempt to rise, but he held her down with one hand on her chest.
"Stay."
She didn't dare defy him. She had no desire to be spanked again, though truthfully, right now, she might not have minded, noting the delightful languid feeling in her arms and legs.
He peeled off his tunic and Gillian found herself unable to look away as he removed his shirt then his hose. In moments, he stood bared before her. She held his gaze and detected a hint of humor there. Did he realize how hard she tried not to look at him... there?
He reached down and took her hand. She used all of her will to hold his stare as he guided her hand to his shaft and curled her fingers around it. She froze, her eyes widening to realize how very large his cock was.
She was no fool, innocent she may be. She knew what passed between a man and woman. But now she realized just how little she knew. How on God's earth would he fit that inside her? "You are afraid?"
His voice cut into the ramble of her thoughts and she gave a nod.
Finally, she dared look at the hard and warm flesh she held.
Her hand, surrounded by his, barely covered half the length, and her fingers only just fit fully around.
Royce began to move, sliding her along his cock.
After a few moments, she shrugged him off and shifted closer, still stroking.
He gave a low groan and she lightened her grip, worried she had hurt him.
When she ran her fingers over the shiny tip, a sharp hiss escaped him.
She looked up and found the most intense concentration lined into his face.
His eyes had closed and his lips were tight, yet parted, allowing him to suck in air. The sight set her body burning anew.
He liked her touch. Pride and anticipation dimmed her apprehension. She took her time exploring him, leaning up and using her other hand to find his balls. Another groan and he pulled her hand away.
"Enough! Lay down."
The sudden change in his tone alarmed her. At her hesitation, he leaned over and pushed her back against the pillows.
"I see you'll need instruction on how to properly obey."