He leaned back. "You have defied, disobeyed and lied to me at every turn. You've earned every punishment you've received. And you still deceive me. After tonight, you will think twice about doing so again."
She tugged against the bonds, but they held fast, leaving her helpless. Again. Yet, her pussy swelled, her nipples hard as pebbles. She couldn't hide her body's reaction to her vulnerability. Heat in his eyes revealed he saw it as well. He reached out and cupped her breast, caressing gently.
She fought against the urge to rise up, to seek more contact with his slowly moving hand. God's blood, he would kill her if he continued. Was that his intention? To kill her, slowly and exquisitely, with this maddening pleasure? Damn him to hell and back, she would survive whatever he did.
"'Twould seem you are enjoying this."
She shook her head. "You are daft to think so. My lord." She deliberately injected venom into her tone, hopingto hide some of her reckless yearning.
He chuckled then caught her other breast, now stroking and squeezing them both. Gillian gritted her teeth, desperate not to cry out. But the heat licking through her veins left her clinging to barely a thread of control. She squeezed her eyes shut in concentration.
When he stopped, the sigh of relief escaped her before she had the presence of mind to stop it. Another chuckle forced her heavy lids to open.
"I shall enjoy tormenting you tonight. By the morn, I will know all of your secrets."
A brief thought of Simon arose, but she pushed it away. Yet, somehow, she knew much of this had to do with her brother. Why didn't he just say what he meant instead of the vague insinuations? Too much confused her and with her body already aching for more of the depraved pleasure her husband wrought, she couldn't think clearly. Barely enough to deny any of his claims, even if she knew 'twas only a matter of time before he had her sharing every secret she'd ever possessed since childhood.
"I have no secrets."
"Again, you lie. But I will soon know all."
"There is nothing to know. Why won't you believe me?"
"I trust my eyes. I always will. And always before I'll ever trust a word from you."
His words hurt, and she resisted the burn of tears. He was cruel, this man she'd been given to. Would nothing change that?
"You are mistaken."
"I saw you! You and your guard passing silent messages during the meal."
Was that all? She wanted to laugh, but didn't dare. Besides, he'd shifted his hands and was now leisurely stroking her sides and belly. The fire he left in his wake seared through every logical thought.
"You are a fool to think that!"
"Then tell me why you met behind the outer buildingstoday?"
She gaped at him. He did know! No wonder he thought... again the urge to laugh came over her, but she wasn't stupid. She held it back.
"Let me explain."
He shook his head. "Nay, you will say nothing. At least, not until I am ready to hear it."
"But –"
He covered her lips with his hand. "I will silence you however possible if you don't remain quiet."
He took his hand away.
"But –"
He replaced it again. "No excuses. You will suffer your punishment. Mayhap when 'tis all over, I will wish to hear your apologies and the truth."
He removed his hand and ripped a length of fabric from his tunic.
"You must listen! Simon is –"
"I don't want to hear his name." Her husband growled the words out a moment before he slid the cloth into her mouth and tied it behind her head.
