Chapter Ten #3
She shook her head. He sensed she battled her own desires, determining whether or not to give him the words he sought. The worry in her violet eyes confused him, for he somehow knew it had nothing to do with his actions now.
"I have done nothing wrong!"
He shook his head. "I cannot believe you. Not without proof."
"My word should be enough for you. I am your wife."
"'Tis not enough and you know it. Since the day I arrived, you've kept secrets from me. We both know that and we both know you still hold secrets. I will uncover them. I will not be cuckolded."
He lowered his head, swiping his tongue along her pussy, held open by his fingers. Another low wail escaped her. He drew back.
"Tell me of your lover."
"I have no lover! I was pure when we wed."
"As you know, there are other ways. Did your guard not teach you?" He stroked his fingers along her sex and caught her clit between his thumb and forefinger, squeezing gently. The sensitive flesh swelled and quivered in his grip.
Her reaction thrummed through him, her body tightening and arching toward him. He loosened his grip, waited several heartbeats and did it again. And again. Her head thrashed against the bed, her hips bucking frantically toward him, seeking more.
"Mayhap you enjoy this too much. Mayhap I should try something else."
He squeezed a little harder this time and she cried out, a desperate wail of frustration washed over him, making his cock harder than ever.
"Nay! Stop! No more. Please, I cannot bear it."
He paused for a moment, then grinned. He caught her chin with his free hand, forcing her to look at him. Her breath came in heavy pants and a hint of madness lingered in her eyes.
***
Gillian held her husband's gaze, trying to silently tell him he'd won without giving him the satisfaction of saying the words aloud.
She had no choice anymore; he would truly drive her to madness if she let him continue.
The brief thought of Simon's lifeless body dumped at her feet brought a momentary surge of strength she didn't think she possessed. It passed near as quick as it arose.
"Now, I will hear your confession."
The gentle squeeze of her clit accompanying his demand almost set her over the edge, but he eased back. The frustration screeched out of her.
"Please, Royce. I can't bear any more."
"You will tell me, or you will bear a lot more than this."
She nodded, a choked sob escaping. "Very well! I will tell you!"
She took several calming breaths, her body raging.
The desperation had reached its breaking point and gone beyond what she could bear.
Her hesitation drew another swirl and squeeze of her clit and she arched, the release so close, she tasted it upon her tongue.
As quickly as it began, it stopped when he drew away.
He bit lightly on her nipple, keeping her on the slicing edge of pleasure. 'Twas delightful, too delightful, and bordered on a delicious pain. She near forgot what she must do. Ah, yes. Simon. She prayed he would forgive her.
Another tightening of his teeth on her nipple, another stroke and press of her clit and her vision seemed to fade, the room darkening around her.
"He's my brother!"
He stilled then and she groaned in frustration. She squirmed, urging him to continue, but he stubbornly remained motionless. Her sight slowly restored itself and she met his questioning gaze.
"Your brother?"
"Aye." She barely had the strength to speak.
"But William had no sons."
She panted, forcing the words past her parched lips. "He's a bastard. Never acknowledged. Please, Royce, take pity on me. I've given you what you wanted."
He studied her for what seemed an eternity.
She held her breath, her body trembling and squirming without any conscious effort.
Finally, he nodded. He rose above her and she gave an excited gasp to see his erect cock pointing straight at her sex.
Her hips lurched upward. He stroked himself a few times then filled her with one deep thrust. Her back arched and almost immediately, her release overtook her.
When he began to pump within her, the pleasure continued, soaring higher, curling her toes.
Her senses tumbled through the riot of carnal bliss.
Over and over, the waves of rapture claimed her, leaving her gasping and panting and trying to right her upended wits. Still, he moved within her, his rhythm keeping her spinning in pleasure she thought might never end.
It seemed hours before she calmed, her body quivering rhythmically around his. He pulled free of her body, and she barely had the awareness that he freed her bonds and pulled her close.
She might have dozed, she couldn't say, but slowly, she became aware of her surroundings.
Royce held her firmly against him, and beneath her ear, his heart thumped.
As her thoughts cleared, she recalled what she'd told him.
Fear for her brother's safety gave her a sudden burst of vigor, fueled by worry.
"Royce, do you believe me?"
His tawny eyes seemed to probe right into her thoughts. He nodded.
"Aye. It all makes sense. But why didn't you tell me sooner?"
She averted her eyes and snuggled closer. "He, that is, we, feared he might be sent away.
My father never claimed him as son, though he saw to his training and well-being. No one knows. Except..."
He slid his fingers under her chin and forced her to look at him. "Except who?"
"Myself and Simon, of course, and mayhap Edward."
Royce's brow furrowed. "If Edward knew, he would have told me."
"A letter was sent. I don't know if it reached him. And I can't say for sure what it said. I didn't see it."
"I will discuss it with the king in the morn."
"Royce, what will you do to Simon?" She had to know. Fear her husband might send Simon away, or worse, took over.
"Do to him? What do you mean?"
"He is a threat to your holding." She tried to turn away again, but her husband didn't release her chin.
"He is no threat. He can make no claims on Lyndon."
She heaved a sigh. "So you will not kill him?"
He gave her the oddest look, as if he thought her daft. "Of course not!"
"Or banish him?" She still held half a breath.
He shook his head, chuckling. "Nay, I will not send him away. You ask the oddest questions, Wildcat."
"I feared, that is, we both worried you might see him as a threat."
"Nay. In fact, now that I know, I feel he can help us."
For the first time in hours, Gillian's breathing came steady. "How?"
"He is knowledgeable about Lyndon and the surrounding lands. He can aid us in our search."
"I can as well –"
"You will not! You will do nothing except tend to matters of the household."
"But I know the lands as well as any here. I can help you!"
Frustration grew again, this time with her husband's pigheadedness.
"If I must lock you in again, I will. You will not join us in our search."
"But –"
"That is an order. To disobey will get you punished. And you won't like that one."
The shiver passing along her body told her otherwise.