But he took her by surprise. As quick as a snake, he lifted her under her knees, into his arms. Katherine began to struggle wildly when she saw that he strode to the bed. This was happening much too fast!
He sank down on the plush mattress, Katherine still in his arms. “Sssh,” he said. “Be still. I am only going to kiss you.”
He lied of course, and even if he did not, Katherine had no intention of obeying him. She jerked her head back, so his lips found the soft underside of her throat instead of her mouth. Instantly she knew that had been a grave mistake.
Unruly sensations that were hardly unpleasant swept her as he nibbled and kissed the sensitive skin on her neck. Katherine fought a gasp. She heard him chuckle, thenfroze as his hand swept over her breast. Immediately her nipple peaked. Katherine cried out, trying to pull his wrist away.
He ignored her efforts to dislodge him much as he might ignore a buzzing fly, and shifted her onto her back upon the bed, leaning over her, his mouth claiming hers before she could move or protest. Katherine struggled even more, digging her fingernails into his collarbone to keep him away. He did not seem to notice. He was vastly patient. His mouth was exceedingly soft and undemanding, stroking her lips lightly, feathering them, teasing them. How expert he was. Unbeknownst to Katherine, her gyrations slowed, then ceased. Her fingers uncurled, her body becoming increasingly pliant. His mouth firmed, taking advantage instantly, the tip of his tongue darting against hers. Unwittingly Katherine’s lips parted.
Liam growled low in his throat, the sound distinctly erotic. Katherine heard a funny, mewling sound escape her as he shifted his heavy male weight on top of her, while deepening his kiss. Katherine was aflame, the fire spreading from her heavy limbs to her throbbing loins. Her body was aching now, her blood pounding, insistent, while her mind did not want to function.
He understood. He laughed against her mouth, the sound sensual, thick, raw. He began to rotate his hips languidly, slowly, caressing her with his shaft. Katherine flung her head back, tearing her mouth from his, crying out. He pressed himself against her far more urgently, far more dangerously.
“Katherine,” he whispered. “Sweetheart.” His hand had insinuated itself under her skirts and petticoats, caressing her thigh through the thin linen of her crotchless drawers. And then his palm swept upward dangerously high, brushing the soft, swollen flesh at the apex there.
Katherine was dazed, but his caress was shocking her back to her senses. Dear God. His thumb was stroking the seam of her lips now, tracing the heavy outline, touching her bare skin.
One coherent thought seized her. She must resist. If she did not resist now, he would do far more than stroke herwhere no one had ever trespassed before—he would steal her virtue before she even knew what he was about.
He tore his mouth from hers, gasping her name again. “Katherine.”
Katherine inhaled, forced herself to action. She pounded both fists against his broad shoulders. “No!”
Startled, he froze. His smoky gaze was somewhat unfocused and puzzled as it met hers.
Katherine heaved at his body, and when that failed to dislodge him, she aimed her knee at his bulging groin. He understood her intention at that precise instant, shifting his hips just in time to avoid her attack. In doing so, he was off-balance. Katherine pushed against him hard and rolled and then scrambled away from him, sliding off the side of the bed to the floor.
She herself was dazed and out of breath. She paused only for a moment, but it was a moment too long. As she crouched, about to lunge to her feet, he reached down and gripped a chunk of hair at her nape. Katherine cried out.
He leaned over the bed, his face close to hers, using her hair like a leash. His eyes were wide, incredulous, furious. His mouth was drawn into a tight, angry scowl. Katherine’s lips curled in an answering snarl—but tears filled her gaze.
And as the tears began to fall, unwanted, an affront to her pride, his grip eased. His expression changed. He cursed savagely and released her. Katherine sagged to the floor.
She heard him slide to his feet. She fought for her self-control and finally found it. Hugging herself, she lifted her gaze upward. A mistake. It was impossible not to notice how enlarged he was. Katherine flushed, looked anywhere but at that, wishing she could forget the excitement he had somehow engendered in her own body, wishing she could ignore the unfamiliar and unsteady pounding of her pulse now. “I hate you,” she said raggedly.
“You did not hate me a moment ago.”
The anger and the tension in his tone forced her to meet his gaze. The gray fire in his eyes frightened her. Katherine had never witnessed such stark hunger before. Sheshrank back against the leg of the bed. For a moment she could not look away. And because something she was resolved to ignore flared to life inside her, something strong and heated, she cried, “I hated you then just as I hate you now, O’Neill!”
An unpleasant smile formed on his lips. “You are turning a pleasant seduction into something far worse.”
“Apleasantseduction?”
“Aye—a seduction pleasant for both of us.” His gaze darkened visibly. “Do not try to deny it.”
Fear stabbed at her as she finally comprehended his entire meaning. “What do you mean, something far worse? Do you threaten me with rape?”
His nostrils flared. “Someladieshappen to enjoy a modicum of force. Perhaps you are of that persuasion.”
Katherine’s eyes widened.
“Do not look so surprised. But then I am forgetting that you have been locked away in a convent for six years.” His smile was twisted. “However, before you succumb to hysterics, let me tell you that I do not rape. Not before, not now, not ever. Not even if provoked.”
She did not believe him and she meant to laugh scornfully, but instead, she emitted a choked, pitiful sound. “You just said you were happy to oblige those women who…” She could not continue. She was still shocked to think that some women actually liked it when a man was forceful, brutal. Images assaulted her, images of this golden pirate ravishing a faceless woman who was feverish and eager.
“I can be rough, or I can be gentle. If you but tell me what it is you want.” His eyes held hers.
“I…I want you…to leave me alone.”
