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 rationalside 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 hislips, 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.
