"You are enjoying yourself, aren't you, Wildcat?"
Her gaze cleared and locked on his. She couldn't find her voice to ask what he meant, why he called her that. He grinned and the turmoil in her body intensified.
"Your body seeks my touch; your cries tell me of your need. Wild and untamed." His stare pierced, pinning her more surely than his body. "I will tame you."
He plunged two fingers into her and for a moment, tenderness left her squirming for another reason. But a few moments later, the heated pleasure returned as he pumped within her, a finger circling her clit. The heat rose, until she felt as though she breathed fire, but she didn't care. Her body sang with delight, craved the inevitable explosion she knew awaited her.
He paused then, pulling his hand from her sex. He leaned in close.
"You will beg me for your pleasure."
She gave her head a shake, but when he resumed stroking her pussy, she understood. Damn him! He may be her husband, but she wouldn't beg. Let him have his way, she would give no satisfaction to his desires, even if theflames licking her body charred her to a crisp.
He continued to toy with her, each stroke maddening and delightful. He alternated his gentle stroking with sharp pinches to her nipples and light slaps to her breast. Each time, her body quivered, her hips rising to try to force his hand deeper within.
He drew back. Her breath came in harsh pants. For several seconds, he merely stared at her. With a suddenness she didn't anticipate, he lowered his head and took her mouth in a bruising kiss. She responded eagerly, desperate for any touch he gave. His tongue found every deep corner in her mouth and the onslaught left her feeling as though the bed spun.
He paused. "What do you want, wife?"
"I want you to... please, I need..." She couldn't find the words to explain, and choked on a sob.
He brushed the hair from her face. "You want to come?"
"Yes, yes, please."
He chuckled, but she didn't care that she'd given in. She had to come, ached for it so badly, she licked her lips.
"Are you begging me?"
Another sob and she closed her eyes for an instant, trying somehow to steady herself. When she met his gaze, she nodded.
"Aye. I am begging you. Take pity on me. Make me come."
He gave her a wolfish grin and rose above her. She spread her legs in invitation. She wanted that hard shaft filling her, claiming her completely.
He obliged her with one thrust, and she wrapped her legs around his waist to keep him there. He chuckled and began to move inside of her. The pain of their first coupling had faded, lost in the riot of desire clouding her thoughts.
She wanted to hold onto him, but since she couldn't, she arched her hips, allowing him to drive even deeper. Her eyes rolled, her head thrashed, as he propelled her higher and higher, closer and closer.
The feel his fingers finding and stroking her clit made her vision go red, then white, and fire erupted inside her. She felt as if she jumped from the highest cliff, her body twirling and spinning in the wind while inside, she exploded into a fiery shower of stars. From what seemed a distance, she heard Royce's guttural shout a moment before his hot seed bathed her sex. He continued to thrust, spurring the most pleasurable tremors.
When he rolled away, she almost asked him to stay, but remained silent when he freed her wrists. He pulled her close, settling her against him. He picked up her hand and studied the red marks on her wrist.
"Have that seen to in the morn."
His brusque manner left her confused and shredded the vestiges of sated drowsiness. His mood changes happened so fast, she wondered if she'd ever have warning.
Then he squeezed her a little tighter, and somehow, the gesture soothed her. So many questions danced on her tongue, but she found she possessed no strength to ask them yet. She closed her eyes. Just for a moment.
Chapter Five
Gillian awoke alone, cold and shivering in the large bed. At first she'd thought to find her husband in the chamber, but it appeared he'd already left. Chimes from the chapel marked the end of the morning meal. Jesu, she'd been abed way past anyone else! She threw back the bedcovers and went to the door, calling for her maid.
"Edith, you should have awakened me long ere now!" She scolded the girl as she tended her ablutions.
"Yes, my lady, but your husband said you were not to be disturbed."
Gillian paused while splashing water over her face. "He said that?"
