She shivered at the sound of her name coming in his rich baritone and settled onto the hassock as he took his chair. She immediately grabbed her spoon and stabbed a potted pie—anything to turn her attention from his massive body and the musky scent of his warm skin. The ale beside her pie was almost too much temptation. She feared she’d down the goblet quickly to ease her nerves, he’d have his way with her, and she’d never remember whether she’d enjoyed the experience or not. Worse, she might act like a fool and launch herself at his body.

  The rich beef pastry sat like a stone at the pit of her stomach before she chanced the ale.

  “You look as though you’re partaking of your last meal.”

  She swallowed another bite that tasted like sawdust to her tongue. “I have a hearty appetite,” she muttered around the mouthful.

  “One can hope you have an appetite for more than one sort of meal.”

  She rolled her eyes and set down her spoon. “You needn’t circle me with innuendo, sire. I find honest talk less work.”

  “You would prefer I speak openly about what I desire from you?”

  She nodded and took a gulp of ale.

  “What of the game? The hunt?”

  “You would prefer that I not spoil the illusion you are going to seduce me? When we both know I’m here by your command, not by my choice?”

  “Am I so unattractive to you?” he asked, his voice a silky slide.

  “You’re still playing with me. You must know you’re beyond handsome.”

  His brows rose high. “You flatter me. I’m an old warhorse, full of scars and imperfections.”

  “Old warhorse? You would have me believe you aren’t aware of your great appeal to women?”

  “Most women fear me. Some wish to be conquered by the warrior. They relish my scars only because they fantasize their own—”

  “Rape? I can assure you,” she said her tone low and scathing, “I do not grow hot from the thought of you taking me like a captive.”

  “You’ve never wanted to be overwhelmed?”

  “You only have to breathe to do that. You don’t have to physically restrain me to show me your strength.” At the rise of his eyebrows, she snapped her jaw shut. Had she really admitted her desire so clearly?

  “I only have to breathe?” he said softly.

  “Your chest is quite broad.” Her breath grew choppy. “It’s a pity you stopped at the tunic. I would not have minded you dispensing with the undershirt as well.” Lord, what truth elixir had he laced into the ale?

  “I do not wish to disappoint.” He reached for the hem of the shirt and quickly pulled it over his head.

  His broad chest was everything she’d imagined. The curves of his shoulders were round and pronounced. His muscled chest and abdomen looked as though they were chiseled from stone. An enticing smattering of hair stretched across his chest and trailed down his belly to disappear into the top of his chausses.

  “Would you like me to remove the rest of my clothing?” he murmured, his deep breaths raising and lowering his massively appealing chest.

  Oh, yes!

  At the hard glitter in his eyes, she realized she must have blurted her wish out loud.

  He rose and toed off his soft boots and untied the knot at his waist to loosen his garment. Then without any perceivable embarrassment, he pushed them down his thick thighs and calves and stepped out of them.

  She tried very hard not to stare at the part of his anatomy that rose like a blunted pole. The skin stretched tightly around his shaft gleamed in the firelight, shadows darkened the upper sides of the veins that traversed his cock.

  She licked her lips and wondered whether the skin was as soft as it appeared and the shaft as hard as it must be to rise so high against his body.

  “I am yours tonight, Gisele,” he said, reaching to tip her chin and raise her gaze to his. His jaw tightened and his eyes glittered with dark, sensual intent. “There need be no rules for what passes between us. You may lead me wherever you prefer. You may touch me however you wish.”

  Chapter Three

  She’d thought this night would be all about his wishes, his desires. Wasn’t that how most men saw sexual congress with women? Even the sheriff had thought first of his own pleasure. “And what if I prefer you do the taking? At least the first time?”

  His eyes blinked and his lips curved. “You have great faith in my prowess.”

  She drew a deep, steadying breath, reaching for courage to answer the challenge in his gaze. “There are many things I wish to learn this night, milord, but I find that my body pleads for immediate satisfaction.” Her cheeks grew hot. “I’m quite wet.”

  His hand curved around her jaw and his thumb stroked her lips. “I think I like this plain speaking.”

  She closed her eyes and kissed his thumb, moaning when it slipped inside her mouth. Her tongue licked it once then she drew back and opened her eyes. “Are you always so slow to act upon a woman’s request? ‘Tis no surprise you must force women to your bed.” But she gave him a small, teasing smile when she delivered the cut, wondering where the courage came for her to join his game.

  “I mustn’t let you destroy my reputation for ruthless ravishment,” he growled and reached down to tug her to her feet. Then he gathered her gown and undertunic in his hands and slid them up her body, his hands cupping, kneading as he swept over her.

  When her garments cleared her head, she stood in only her thick stockings and shoes. Her breath was jagged, so nervous was she standing nearly nude beneath his interested gaze.

  She should have waited until the ale was gone. “I hadn’t planned on sharing milord’s bed when I dressed this morning. I would have worn more clothing.” A gasp escaped her lips when he knelt to slide her stockings down her legs and removed her shoes.

  He stood quickly and placed his hands on his hips, his expression taut and wickedly foreboding. “Climb onto the bed,” he rasped.

  She’d told him she wished to be taken—and she’d meant it. Her chin rose and she issued him a challenge he could not misinterpret.

  His eyelids dipped and his gaze raked over her. Suddenly, he bent and shoved his shoulder into her belly, causing her to fold over him. Before she could catch her breath, she was on her back in the middle of his great bed with his body anchoring every limb to the mattress.

  The feel of his hulking body pressing her deep into the down was overpowering to her senses. He surrounded her. His hands pressed hers high above her head. His chest mashed her breasts. His ankles hooked hers so that his legs rode her outer thighs. His cock nestled between, the blunt head already burrowing between her folds.

  “Shall I slow my assault, mistress?”

  She tilted her head. “Can you?”

  He issued a masculine snort. “No.”

  “Since you’ve been frank, I’ll be the same. Take me. Do it now!” She closed her eyes tight, expecting him to drive his manhood deep inside her, but she blinked when he let go of her hands and backed off her body. The moan that broke from her betrayed her disappointment. Her arms reached out to pull him close again.

  He thrust a knee between her legs and pressed them open. Then he knelt between her splayed thighs and hooked his arms beneath her knees, lifting them from the bed, raising her higher until her bottom also left the mattress.

  Gisele wasn’t at all sure she liked this position. She was open, vulnerable—her movements controlled by him. But her body reacted fiercely, her nipples drawing painfully tight, her cunt clasping—the ache deep inside her tightening.

  Rocking his hips forward, he found her entrance and pushed the crown of his cock between her cunt lips. His eyes gleamed with triumph.

  The pressure brought her down to earth with a thud. Gisele’s breath caught. She was exactly where he’d wanted her all along. He’d played with her, letting her think she was the one directing this game—until she’d given over the reins. He liked being in command of everything.

  As he pushed inward, stretching her, she found she didn’t care whether he’d won or not. She wanted him. Wanted to be filled, to find the ecstasy—even if it lasted only a moment. She bit her lip to hold back her cry as he thrust forward, burrowing deeper inside her body.

  Dear God, his cock was endless! It tunneled deep inside her, leaving no room for breath or thoughts beyond the need to wriggle and help him settle deeper still.

  “Don’t move,” he said, his eyes squeezing tight, perspiration gathering above his lips and on his broad forehead.

  “Why?” she asked, surprised she had enough wits about her to ask.

  “Because I’m going to hurt you. I have to move, woman.”

  “Please,” she said, her voice rising as he withdrew and thrust back inside, this time dragging against her inner walls. “It isn’t as though I haven’t done this before—”

  Not like I didn’t do this last night!

  Liquid melted from inside her, surrounding him in heat, lubricating his motions as he rocked forward and back, jerking slightly each time he delved toward her womb.

  “You’re too small,” he said, gritting his teeth.

  “Nonsense,” she said, reaching out to grasp the bedding in her fists, feeling as though she needed to hold on to something lest she be swept away by the gathering storm. “I’m just not accustomed to this. Pray continue.”

  A gust of laughter was followed by another harsh forward thrust, then another, deeper, harder, until she lost track of his movements. She only knew the heat within her channel was increasing, the ache intensifying.

  Gradually, her hips joined his rhythm, her breath gusting in time with his. They danced against each other, thrusting, melting, thighs tensing. Gisele’s belly quivered and tension built deep inside her core.

  When he began a circular movement that screwed his cock in and out of her, her back arched off the bed and she cried out.

  He slammed forward and back, faster, harder—deeper than she thought possible for her body to accept, yet still she wanted more. “Please,” she begged. “Oh please, more!”

  A deep growling roar tore from him as he hammered faster. Sweat gleamed on his chest and abdomen. The sight of him, straining and fierce, ignited a womanly pride she hadn’t known she possessed. She’d inspired this ferocity!

  The bed rocked beneath her back and his harsh strokes drove the breath from her, and then suddenly that elusive dark wave of ecstasy swept over her, tightening her feminine muscles around his thick cock and thrusting her over the edge.

  He shouted as liquid spurted, bathing her womb and channel with his essence.

  Gisele fell back to earth to find the dark lord’s head nestled in the corner of her shoulder, his arms still hooked beneath her thighs and his breath rasping loudly.

  Filled to the brim once again with the moist evidence of a man’s attraction and his still-throbbing cock, she wondered why she’d denied herself this joy for so long and whether she could coax him into repeating the act soon.

  * * * * *

  The woman’s snores woke him. They were soft and her mouth opened with each breath. He almost laughed, but was sure she wouldn’t appreciate his amusement at her expense. She was a prickly little thing.

  Her “prickles” were what had drawn his interest in the first place. Accustomed to women fawning over him, her resistance incited a powerful desire. Memory of her lusty sensuality had him prodding her sex with his engorged cock. Would she even waken before he thrust into her from behind?

  Her cunt moistened his crown and he snuggled his thighs flush with the backs of her slender ones and flexed his hips to enter her.

  “Milord!” she exclaimed, coming fully awake, her hand reaching behind to grasp his thigh.

  But she didn’t push him away, instead her bottom nestled closer and her thighs parted to aid his entry.

  Suddenly, he wanted more—deeper penetration, more ease of movement—and to unsettle her once again.

  He withdrew and rolled her to her stomach, grabbing pillows to shove beneath her belly.

  Gisele gasped and tried to rise on her hands and knees and crawl forward to escape him, but he hooked an arm around her belly and added a second pillow. When he was done, he arranged her squirming body until it was draped over the mound of pillows and her buttocks lifted high.

  Perfect for what he had in mind.

  “This isn’t comfortable,” she muttered.

  “Of course, it is. I’m saving you the strain of supporting me when I fuck you hard.”

  “I don’t like it this way,” she said, her voice muffled against the bedding. “I’m not a dog.”

  “Yes, you do. Your lovely cunt already weeps with pleasure,” he said, tracing her quivering nether lips and drawing moisture on his fingertip.

  “You shouldn’t say things like that. It’s crude,” she said, her tone tart, but her knees widened on the mattress.

  Glad he’d lit fresh candles, he watched her sex gleam with fresh excitement and her thighs tremble. “But it’s to the point, is it not? I thought you preferred plain speaking.”

  “I prefer seeing what’s coming my way,” she said, her voice softer, more tentative this time.

  “Don’t you like surprises?” he drawled and caressed her buttocks, kneading them deeply, parting them for an even better view of her sweet openings.

  “Are you going to keep teasing me or get on with it?”

  “Such impatience. Were you so demanding with Tibor, I wonder?”

  “Tibor?”

  “The sheriff. My friend.”

  She jerked away from his hands, trying to close her legs, but his knees kept her open. “He told you? Leave it to a man to brag of his conquests.”

  Geoffrey came over her back, trapping her beneath him. “He didn’t have to say anything,” he whispered into the wildly curling hair beside her ear. “With the scathing looks you gave him, I knew he’d given you pleasure.”

  She turned her face away, her breath becoming choppy. “I gave you the same look, but I hadn’t intimate knowledge of you yet. You’re squeezing the breath from me!”

  “Liar!” But he eased a bit of his weight from her and glided his cock between her thighs, rubbing her wet sex. “When you looked at me, you trembled. When you looked at him, your gaze held no fear, only the look of a woman who knows him well.”

  Her breath caught and she gave a tiny moan that she no doubt tried to hold back. “I’m not surprised he elicits scorn from all women.”

  “Of course he does not. Many find his brash manner attractive. But from you, there could only be scorn because he did not fully claim you.” He pressed a kiss to the corner of her shoulder, then opened his jaws to clasp her with his teeth.

  A shudder racked her body. “I…don’t understand.”

  He released her and nuzzled her shoulder and neck. “Your prickly mien protects a wild heart. You need taming, a bit of breaking to harness.”

  Her hands fisted in the bedding and she reared up against him. “I’m not a horse! And I assure you the last thing I want is ‘breaking’—to harness or to a man’s will!”

  “But you do, my dear,” he said, easily restraining her. “The thought of my mastery is enough to make your sex swell and your juices to flow like nectar. Shall I prove it to you?”

  Her lack of reply only hardened his resolve. He’d make her admit she wanted a master. He rose behind her going to his knees, prepared when she lunged forward to attempt an escape. He grabbed her bottom, digging his fingers in hard enough to bruise and keep her in place.

  “That hurts! Let me go!”

  “You wished to be taken.”

  “Last night, when I thought I still might like you. I know now that I do not!”

  “Then I’ll have to strive harder.” Holding her firm, he bent over her sex and lapped her from the bottom to the top of her quivering cunt.

  “Sweet Jesus!” she moaned, but bucked once more—likely to remind him to continue the “taking”.

  He firmed his jaw and leaned closer, suckling hard on her swollen lips, causing her to wriggle and squirm. Fresh cream seeped from inside her and he licked that up too.

  She reached behind her, pushing at the top of his head, but when he pointed his tongue and sank into her cunt, her fingers twisted in his hair to hold him closer.

  “Like that, sweetheart? Now, if you’d promise not to bolt, I’d give you more.”

  “What choice have I?” she said, her voice small.

  He grinned and let go of her ass, not the least surprised when she lay acquiescent, even widening her knees and raising her bottom higher.

  With his hands free to ravage, he traced her slit then rimmed her opening before thrusting two fingers inside her. Her inner muscles clamped hard around him and her hips undulated. He wanted to explore her—fully—but knew she’d bolt if he didn’t arouse her beyond embarrassment first. So he played inside her cunt, thrusting, swirling, adding another finger and fucking her slowly, so that her hips dipped and rose at his command, faster and faster. When he judged her ready he bent close and bit her bottom, causing her to jerk and her channel to flood again.

  With his fingers swimming in her cream, he licked between her buttocks, finding the small exquisitely sensitive opening and licked her with the tip of his tongue.

  She mewled like a kitten, then gasped when he lingered. “What are you doing to me?”

  “Whatever I please,” he murmured and pressed fingers on either side of the opening to spread it wider to dip deeper inside.

  “That pleases you?” she asked, her voice strained and high-pitched, her only resistance—her hips reared back, begging for more.

  One day, he’d take this tiny hole. Drill deep and feel the pinch of the strong muscle that guarded her entrance. For now, he’d tease her with a hint of what he would do. He’d unsettle her so deeply she’d be ashamed for days of her own body’s response, but cream at just a knowing glance from him.

  Quickly, his own body grew so inflamed he couldn’t wait any longer to feel her heat around his cock. Looking down at her, her back jerking with her jagged breaths, her hair a wild tangle from her thrashing head, he felt a deep satisfaction—a dark, primitive thrill at having “taken” her so thoroughly. He grasped his cock and stroked it hard within his palm, then placed it against her plump, dripping cunt and squeezed her bottom hard as he plunged forward.

 

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