She couldn’t help herself.
Christian’s eyes glittered cruelly, piercing her heart.
Her brows collided, the ache in her heart nearly strangling her. “Amos was right,” she spat, wanting to hurt him as he’d hurt her, “you are the lowest of low! A filthy, rotten scoundrel!” Blinded by unwanted tears, Jessie bolted past him, wrapping her cloak more securely about her as she fled the cabin.
He caught her in the corridor, seizing her by the arm and wrenching her about, dragging her in the opposite direction from which she’d intended to go. “Release me!” she demanded, struggling against him.
“I don’t think so, my love; you’re in no condition to go anywhere.”
“Unhand me!” she insisted, struggling in vain against his merciless grip.
Kicking open the door at the end of the passage, he dragged her within his cabin.
To Jessie’s shock, this room was immense, disorienting her momentarily. Beautifully furnished, it came complete with window dressings and exquisite paintings. The curtains were drawn over what appeared to be an enormous window, keeping all trace of sunlight from the room and leaving them bathed in shadows. The bed itself was a massive canopied platform, ornately carved with beautiful rice blooms and steps beside it. Dark blue silks, nearly black, cascaded from the canopy, fluttering wildly as he slammed the door behind them.
His face a mask of fury, he led her toward the monstrous bed, thrusting her down; the mattress was soft, cushioning her fall. She settled deep within it, parting her lips for a scream. He held his hand up abruptly, silencing her, for she thought he meant to strike her. He didn’t; he merely stood, glaring instead.
“Damn you,” he warned, “I don’t want to hear another bloody word from you!” Towering over her as he was, he suddenly appeared nothing like the man she’d come to love in England. She saw him in that instant for what he was: a ruthless outlaw against the Crown. How could she not have known before? All the signs... only she had been too blind and too stupid to recognize them all. His hair, his dress, his manner—everything about him!
Wide-eyed, Jessie scooted backward across the bed, glaring wrathfully at him, her anger making her bold, despite her fear. “Of course not,” she taunted, “Hawk! Heaven forbid that you should hear the truth about yourself. Lord knows, I should have listened to my brother! God’s truth, even Lord St. John would have been a better man to love than you! God, I loathe you!”
“Do you?” His expression turned suddenly colder. His eyes glittering, he bent over the bed and said, “Do you truly,ma pauvre petite?”
He reached out, snatching the cloak from her body. Jessie gasped as he hurled it across the room. Without warning, he caught her by the leg, jerking her down to the end of the bed, and then he leaned over her fully, trapping her between his arms, beneath him. He hovered above her, his breath ragged with anger, and his body taut. Panicked by the savage look in his eyes, she tried to wriggle free; he descended upon her at once, pinning her beneath his weight.
He caught her by the neck, his fingers tangling in her hair, his eyes glittering coldly as he tilted her face to meet his smoldering gaze.
“Do you truly despise me?” he asked softly, menacingly. He didn’t wait for her to respond; his lips descended swiftly—hot, branding, stifling in their intensity. Lord help her, but she couldn’t breathe—she thought she’d suffocate, his kiss was so unrelenting.
Her fingers grasped wildly at his back, closing about his queue. Tugging desperately, she tried to draw him away, twist free of his kiss, if only to catch her breath, but the uncompromising hand at the back of her neck prevented it. He squeezed her nape and she released his hair. She was well and duly trapped, yet even as she acknowledged the fact, she was suddenly so very desperate to hold him close to her.
It was like nothing Jessie had ever experienced. Gone was the gentle coercion Christian had exercised before. His lips were hard and punishing as they moved over hers, yet intoxicating nevertheless. She whimpered as his tongue masterfully pillaged her mouth. She struggled to rid herself of the warm, silky intrusion in her mouth, but his kiss only deepened in response.
He groaned, suddenly softening in his response to her as his other hand sought her breast. She was startled by the gentleness of his fingers as they caressed her. Her heart leapt, and she fought her treacherous body as it reacted to his touch. Gasping at the incredible sensations his shocking touch aroused, she tried to will herself to breathe. Her heartbeat quickened and her breath became more labored still.
She was mortified that he could affect her so, even as angry as she was, but she couldn’t help it, she sank into the mattress, reaching out to clutch him to her, returning his caresses; her fingers stroked his back.
Good God... she couldn’t help herself...
He jerked away suddenly, his look satisfied, yet furious still... so very furious. Jessie’s breath came in labored gasps as she stared numbly up at him.
“Now,” he said through clenched teeth, “tell me again how much you despise me, Jess.”
Jessie was struck dumb, unable to think clearly, much less open her mouth to speak. Her hand went to her throat as she gasped for breath.
“I didn’t think so,” he said smugly, and spun on his heels, leaving her so dazed that she had to wonder what it was he’d even said. Always he had to have the last word! When it finally dawned on her what he’d said to her, her cheeks flamed in anger.
“Blackguard!” she screamed. She reached back and seized the first thing she encountered—a pillow—hurling it at his back. It bounced off him to the floor, and he halted in midstride.
His hand clenching at his sides, he addressed her with controlled deliberation. “I suggest you get some rest, lest you desire more of what I have to offer.” He turned to face her then, his blue eyes glinting dangerously, letting her see the evidence of his arousal.
Her eyes widened.
“I see we understand one another,” he said sharply, pivoting once more. “I’ll send McCarney to Charlestown for your possessions in the meantime.” He opened the door and stepped out.
“Nay—wait, please!” He hesitated in closing the door, and Jessie scrambled from the bed after him. “Ben...”
He turned to face her, and his anger seemed to flare at the mention of her cousin. She forced herself to speak, stepping forward, clutching her gown together.
