Chapter Three #3
She had no time to respond for he stretched out above her, taking her hands and drawing her arms above her head.
He parted her legs with his and the panic returned at the helpless position.
Her squirming did nothing to loosen his hold.
He switched both her hands to one and used the other to land a light slap to her thigh.
"Be still. I wish to... inspect you."
Stunned by his callous words, she froze, then began to struggle against him once more. "You insult me again. Why should I obey, you insufferable oaf?"
He slapped her leg again. "You are my wife now, and under the law, mine to do with as I please. And now, I wish to see what my wife offers."
"As if I'm no more than livestock to be bought or sold?"
"'Twould be very unlucky for you if you tempt me to sell you."
She let out a snarl of anger and fought to free herself.
He caught her face with his free hand and devoured her mouth, swallowing her protests with his lips and tongue.
He gave her no respite, drawing the very breath from her lungs and replacing it with a fire that threatened to reduce her to cinders.
Forgotten were the angry words of moments ago.
Now desire took their place, and Gillian's struggles ceased as passion surged.
***
Royce thought he could never get enough of Gillian.
He glutted himself on her mouth, finally releasing his hold on her jaw to slide his hand to her breasts.
Her struggles changed and now she undulated against him, driving her hot wet pussy against his cock.
Did she not realize how she tormented him?
He would have to tie her down so he could take his enjoyment without fear of going mad.
Just the recollection of her seeking touch on his cock made him nearly come.
He drew away, panting, staring down into her heavy-lidded eyes.
The smile ghosting her mouth cooled his desire.
He'd seen that look before, usually prior to being begged for some boon or favor, a pretty dress or jewels.
He'd long ago vowed not to be taken in by a woman's wiles and he would hold to that oath.
His wife would learn that lesson right now.
The thought of binding her to the bed arose again. 'Twould certainly help drive his point home. She would be helpless to his whims and as he imagined the ways he might torment her, his desire flared once more.
Yes, this was how he'd tame his wife. He released his hold and stood. His squire had unpacked everything, but Royce hadn't had time to ask the boy where his belongings were. He opened the wardrobe and spied what he needed. Grabbing the belt, he turned back to the bed.
Gillian raised herself up on her elbows.
His mouth watered at the sight. Her long dark hair fell over her shoulders, curling around the pale skin of her tempting breasts.
Hard pink nipples poked through the ebony cloud.
He ground his teeth against the uproar that left him near breathless.
His gaze moved down her body, settling on the dark curls covering her secrets.
Ere the sun rose, he'd uncover many, if not all, of her secrets.
"What are you doing with that?"
The waver in her voice revealed her apprehension. The sight of worry in her violet eyes set his lust to raging once more.
"Since you seem to be unable to obey, I will make sure you do. You were to be waiting here for me naked, and yet, you were not. I told you to remain still and yet you refuse. Now you will have no choice."
She leapt from the bed and took up a position on the other side. "I will not be beaten again!" He doubled the leather belt and slapped it across his palm. "I wasn't planning on beating you again, but if you don't get back into the bed, I will."
She shook her head, her dark hair floating in a wild cloud about her face. "Why must you mistreat me? I've done nothing to warrant it!"
"You haven't? I can list several reasons. You struck me last night. I found you in the company of another man, not once, but twice. You refuse to obey even the simplest orders."
She opened her mouth as if to respond, then closed it again. Pressing her lips together, she lifted her chin and folded her arms. The position pushed her breasts up further and the sight sent another powerful surge of desire to his cock.
He pointed to the bed. "Lay down as I ordered, or I will put you there myself."
"If you can."
He found he rather enjoyed her resistance. Her defiance enticed him nearly as much as her delectable body. His fingers itched to touch her again and his rational side quickly ceded to the ever-growing hunger.
"Don't try my patience further." He took a few steps toward the end of the bed, anticipating what move she might make to evade him again. He didn't plan to give her the chance.
"You are trying my patience, my lord."
The heavy sarcasm in her last words drove him past any semblance of control. He made one more step toward the end of the bed, and as he anticipated, she moved to climb over. He turned and lunged at the same time, catching her about the waist.
Her flesh against his added a whole new riot of sensation. She fought him, hitting and kicking, until he shoved her to the mattress, covering her with his body. Still, she fought on. "Bastard! I won't be treated this way!"
"Damned wildcat! Be still!"
He shifted just in time to avoid her knee as she aimed for his cock.
He managed to stay her dangerous legs and caught her wrist a moment before her fist caught the side of his head.
He squeezed hard. Her cries changed in tone, pain taking the place of fury.
Her other fist came at him and he caught it easily.
Holding them together, he wrapped the leather around them, then secured it to the bedrail above her.
***
Stunned by the way he'd bound her; Gillian fell still, staring up at her husband. What in all that was holy had she done to deserve such treatment? Ere the wedding, if she'd had any idea he would treat her this way, she would have given in to her urges to flee.
He leaned back, panting hard from their tussle. Even as disbelief consumed a portion of her thoughts, the sight of his heaving chest left her mouth dry with a sensual thirst she'd never known. Or was that fear? She turned away, unable to look on him further.
"Now, you have no choice but to endure whatever I choose to do with you."
Her eyes snapped to his. A hint of a smile curled his lips, heat darkening his eyes to a burnished amber.
Something in his words hinted at dark pleasures.
How could she possibly be anticipating this?
He was a brute who mistreated her and she was trapped.
Wed to him on orders of the king. Was this what her life would be like from now on?
She closed her eyes to ease the sting of tears.
For several seconds, she remained thus, waiting for his next move. Would he spank her again? At the thought, the warmth in her still tender bottom seemed to blossom anew. She resisted the urge to squirm.
At the feel of fingers sliding along her breast, she sucked in a deep breath. Still, she refused to open her eyes, afraid to see his mocking face. The fingers stroked her lightly, seeking out every bit of her flesh. Her breathing came hard now, her eyes squeezed tight.
"Gillian, look at me."
She found no desire or will to resist the order. Her eyes fluttered open, her vision blurred for several seconds. His hand, still moving along her breast, curled around and gently squeezed.
Her back arched and a strangled cry escaped her parched throat. He spiraled his fingers around her nipple. She met his stare, eagerly anticipating. Too eager. She shouldn't like this fire licking at her, making her sex swell and grow slick. She should be fighting him.
When his grip tightened again, another cry escaped her and he grinned.
"I like knowing you've passion in you. 'Twill make this marriage much more tolerable." Once again, her anger sparked, but not nearly as intense this time. The riot in her body surpassed any annoyance at his arrogant mocking.
"Well, hurry up and do what you will then."
His hand tightened on her breast. The discomfort of the harsh grip somehow enhanced the ever-growing arousal.
"Don't rush me. I plan to spend the next hours learning about you. And you will have to submit."
"I've no choice, since you bound me as though I am nothing more than captive."
Another squeeze and she bit hard on her lip to prevent the moan from escaping.
Was she mad to like the way he touched her?
No one had ever spoken to her of the pleasure to be found with more than the simplest explanations.
Most of her knowledge had been learned in secret.
Nothing had prepared her for how utterly delightful this could be.
He cupped her other breast and the tumult nearly stole her wits. She panted as he caressed and stroked, every so often pinching her nipples.
"I think you enjoy being my captive."
His husked words floated through the haze. Not a single word formed to deny his. His gaze remained locked on hers. He lowered his hands along her sides. She panted as he tickled his fingers along her ribs, drawing a hoarse giggle. His pleased smile unleashed still more yearning.
When he slipped over her hips to her thighs. Gillian found herself straining toward him. He chuckled and pushed her legs apart. The heat from his hands nearly scorched. He inhaled sharply and grinned.
"You cannot hide the proof of your desire now."
He carefully positioned her legs, spreading her wider and wider. He knelt between her knees, using his own to keep her open. Heat flamed in her face.
His hands still rested on her thighs, not moving while he studied her. Through the embarrassment, his scrutiny sent waves of passion hurtling in her veins. God's teeth, she wished he would do something already, instead of keeping her in the half-maddening purgatory.