War King's Captive, page 2
“We’ll camp by the falls tonight and cross in the morning. We’ll be back in the mountains in a few days. We’ll plan our battle strategy then.”
“We’re getting Rory?” Gavin asked, and Theo gave him a nod.
“Of course, we are. She’s our sister. This trip was about gathering information, which was why I came alone.” Theo glared at Gavin, hoping the emphasized word wasn’t lost on his brother. Gavin should have stayed behind as Theo had told him to. “I needed to see if he really had Rory and if so, where he kept her. I needed to know the layout of his castle, how many men he currently has.” He paused again, giving his woman’s nipple a tight pinch that had a soft mewl falling from behind the gag she wore. “Now, I have someone to get more information from. Someone who will tell me everything I want to know.”
“Are you planning to return her when we get Rory?” Gavin’s eyes twinkled with humor.
Theo met Josephine’s avid stare and shook his head. He was a sadistic bastard for enjoying the way her cheeks paled.
“She belongs to me now.”
Gavin snorted but didn’t say anything else. They rode in silence, and once Theo moved his hand from his captive’s breast, she slowly relaxed against him, surprising him when her eyes began to droop and she fell asleep in his arms. He didn’t mind, though. The wench would need her rest for what he had planned. If she thought he’d wait until they got back to his castle before he took her, then she’d be shocked at what he had planned for her once they reached the lake. He already looked forward to stripping her and slipping into the cave behind the falls with her. He’d spend the rest of the night getting her familiar with his touch. By morning, she’d be so saturated in him and the pleasure he’d provide that she’d willingly do whatever he said.
“You’ll be using the cave?” Gavin murmured as if he read Theo’s thoughts.
Theo nodded, his gaze dropping once more to the woman in his arms. If he didn’t know better, he’d fear the woman had him under some type of spell with how obsessive his thoughts were becoming where she was concerned. No woman should be so present in his mind, constantly pulling his train of thought back to her.
“I’ll make sure you don’t get disturbed.”
“Anyone who tries to interrupt will feel the steel of my axe,” Theo warned, and Gavin laughed.
“I’ll make sure no one does. The sooner you get your lust for the wench out of your system, the sooner we can turn to more important matters.”
Theo growled, disliking the way Gavin discounted Josephine’s importance then growled at himself in disgust. Gavin was right. He needed to work the woman out of his system. He’d take her as often as possible during their trip, slaking the fiery need in his blood, then he’d send her off to his room once they reached his castle. She could warm his bed until he was sated. Maybe then, he’d consider sending her back to her brother. Another growl spilled from his lips.
“Jesus, Theo, you sound like the damn bear our warriors call you. I’m riding ahead to make sure no one’s at the falls. I’ll have everything set up and ready by the time you get there.”
With those parting words, Gavin urged his horse forward. Sudden tension filled the body Theo held, and he knew his woman was awake. And afraid. He was a bastard for enjoying the tremor of fear that went through her when their gazes met. He couldn’t deny it made his manhood harder. He didn’t want her to fear him, yet a little fear was a good thing. It would keep her cooperative. Perhaps even docile.
“Would you like to speak now?” he asked softly, and when she didn’t respond, he moved his fingers back to her nipple, tugging and pinching on it, licking his lips as it grew hard under his manipulation.
She mumbled something behind the gag, and Theo reluctantly moved his gaze back to her face, enjoying the heat that filled her eyes and flushed her cheeks.
“Would you like to speak?” he asked again and grinned when she nodded so frantically her whole body shook with it, her buttocks rocking across his swollen flesh in such a carnal way that a groan rose from his chest.
“I’m going to remove the gag, but I warn you. One attempt at screaming and I’ll have you off this horse and onto your knees with something bigger and thicker stuffed in your mouth. Do I make myself clear?”
She nodded again. One quick jerk of her chin while the rest of her body remained rigid. He moved his hand up her back and made quick work of undoing the knot that held the cloth in place. She immediately moved her lips and jaw, wiggling them up and down and side to side.
“May I…” She paused, wetting her lips with a flick of her pink tongue. “May I have a drink, please?”
He reached for one of the waterskins hanging on his saddle and, opening it, brought it to her lips. He saw the spark of fury when she realized he wasn’t going to untie her and let her drink by herself. Instead, he tipped the skin, dribbling water into her mouth then purposefully spilling some, so that it ran in rivulets down her chin to splash on the bosom of her dress. Another growl from his throat and he was dipping his head, using his tongue and lips to follow the path, licking the water from her skin. She tasted glorious, better than anything he’d had in his life, and he wanted more. Much more.
“More,” she whispered, and for a moment, he thought she was echoing his thoughts. Then as her gaze moved to the waterskin, he realized what she wanted. For now. He’d change her mind quickly once he showed her the pleasure he would give her. Only him.
He lifted the waterskin again and watched her eyes narrow as he brought it to his lips. He poured the cool liquid into his mouth, gulping it down much as he wanted to do with her, then he poured in more, holding it inside. Grasping her jaw, he used his thumb and fingers to force her lips open then lowered his to hers, waiting until there were only inches between his lips and hers. Slowly, he trickled the water he held into her mouth, enjoying the way her pupils dilated, almost overwhelming the blue of her eyes. She hesitated briefly, but when the water began to flow over her lips, she quickly pressed them together and swallowed before opening for more. He wondered if she had any idea of the thoughts that filled his head at such an innately carnal display. He imagined another liquid filling her mouth, spilling down her chin.
“More.”
Her demand pulled him from what he envisioned, and he repeated the transfer of water between them. This time, when she’d taken every splash of fluid he gave her, he closed the distance and took advantage of what she unknowingly offered. His lips crushed hers, tongue driving deep to explore and conquer. He tried to rein in the brutality that never seemed far from the surface. Then she whimpered. Such a tiny sound. A needy one. It slipped down his throat, falling past his belly to pulse through the blood that filled his shaft.
“Please,” she begged when he pulled back, hand already lifting toward her plump breast. “I don’t want to lose my virginity on your horse.”
Theo paused, struggling against himself before he finally gained control over his body. She knew he was going to take her and seemed to accept her fate. He could honor her request. Giving her a nod, he continued moving his hand to her chest, unable to resist brushing his thumb over her nipple as he moved toward the ribbons holding her bodice in place.
“What are you doing?” she asked, wiggling on his lap again. He pressed up into her, and she stilled immediately at the feel of his hardened staff.
“What I want,” he muttered as he tugged until the pretty bow she’d tied came undone. “I’ve touched your breasts. Now, I want to see them. I won’t take your virgin’s veil, but I will taste you, Josephine.”
“Why are you doing this to me? Take me back! Jamie will give you what you want if you just return me.”
Theo shook his head as he continued tugging on the ribbons until they loosened enough to have the material gaping over her lush breasts.
“I don’t think he will.”
“He will!” she screamed then immediately slammed her lips shut. Theo knew she was recalling his earlier warning about what he’d do if she yelled.
“Accept your fate,” Theo ordered. “You belong to me now, and I’m not giving you back. Tonight, I’ll strip you naked and taste every inch of you. Then I’ll let you taste the part of me that’s so hard under your pert ass. I’ve heard it hurts when a woman loses her virginity, but I’ll give you pleasure, as well. Once I’ve had my fill between your legs, I’m going to turn you over and take you between your back cheeks.”
She gasped, head shaking frantically, eyes wide with fear. He hated seeing it there this time, but he wouldn’t lie to her about what would happen between them.
“Yes, wench. I’ll have you any time, anywhere, any way I want you. You’ll learn to do as I say. I’ll have your complete obedience. Every part of you belongs to me now. This exquisite body is just the start. I’ll have your mind. Your soul if I choose.”
“No.”
The whisper was fierce, tone hard as anger replaced the fear. He liked that much better. Giving the material he held a hard tug, he ripped it open, her bounty spilling free, pink nipples blushed a darker shade.
“Mine.”
Lowering his head, he took one taut bud between his lips, teasing it with teeth and tongue before hunger raged through him. He wrapped his lips around her flesh, sucking hard, taking the entire tip into his mouth and devouring her. She cried out, her body going tense for one brief moment before a low moan spilled from her lips and she pressed up into him.
He grasped the dagger from his thigh and popped off her nipple long enough to reach down and slice through the binding at her ankles. While she was still processing that, he took advantage, lifting and turning her so that she sat facing him, dress hiked high, exposing the pale flesh of her thighs as he forced her firmly onto his lap.
“Theo!”
He loved his name on her lips. He pressed his hands against her back, arching her so that her breasts lifted toward him in invitation. One he accepted. He took the other nipple in his mouth, suckling hungrily while she moaned and rocked on him wantonly. The woman might be a virgin for the moment, but there was fire in her veins. Passion. Theo couldn’t wait to taste it, to teach her all the pleasures she’d find in his arms. He also accepted that, no matter what she wanted, he’d never let her go. He’d never be sated. When she rocked her sex against his leather-clad cock again, he nipped hard on the tip of her breast.
“Ahh!”
Her cry wasn’t one of pain. Damn the wench! She was breaking his control completely.
“Be still, or I’ll break my word and take you here and now.”
Lust-drenched eyes blinked open, and Theo soaked her in. Blue eyes, dark with unquenched desire. Nipples swollen and reddened from his mouth. Dark hair loosened from her braid, tumbling around her face. Even better, wetness dripped between her thighs, soaking his leather, the scent of her rising to his nose and making his mouth water for a taste of the honey she spilled.
“I’ll make you crave me,” he vowed.
“I hate you.”
Theo grinned, licking over each nipple as he watched her face. Then he made another promise.
“I’m going to make you love me.”
Chapter Three
Jo couldn’t stop shaking. The things Theo had done to her. On horseback. The things he’d said. She knew he wasn’t lying. He’d make her crave him? She already did. With a vengeance. The touch of his fingers and lips on her body had driven her out of her mind. She’d become pure sensation, all of her other senses dominated by his touch and what it did to her.
Her breasts were so sensitive even the material he’d pulled back in place to cover her was too much. He’d suckled her. Put his mouth on her breasts and feasted. He’d licked and nipped with his teeth. And he’d blown on them until they puckered so tightly she’d whimpered.
Then he’d done the unthinkable. He’d slipped one massive hand between her widely spread thighs and brushed his fingers over her woman’s place. She’d been mortified to see them glistening when he lifted them up, drenched in the wetness she’d felt between her thighs. He’d brought them to his lips and sucked them, groaning and rocking his hips up into hers, so she couldn’t miss the blatant arousal that had another whimper spilling from her lips. He was a massive man, and that part of him she knew he meant to claim her virginity with terrified her. She didn’t have to see it to know it would be true to size with the rest of him. She felt it every time they were rocked together by the motion of the horse.
He’d confused her again when he’d carefully covered her tender breasts.
“Don’t worry,” he muttered as he made sure she’d stay inside the material he’d ripped. “I’m not done. We’re almost to where Gavin waits for us.”
He brushed his fingers down her open thighs where they draped over his. Then he lifted her, startling a cry from her that she quickly cut off at his look. She’d never forget the warning he’d given her. She couldn’t take him in her mouth.
He merely turned her and straightened the bottom of her dress, so it covered her legs before he sat her sideways across his lap again.
“When we get to the falls, you’ll obey my every order.”
He stared down at her, his gaze so hot she felt singed by it.
“Do you understand me?”
She nodded, knowing this was not the battle she wanted to pick. Not yet. She’d fight him. When it came down to it, she wouldn’t be able to do anything else. She still had her dagger hidden in her boot. If she could incapacitate him, she might have a chance of getting away. Depending on where Gavin was.
“You belong to me now, Josephine. Don’t fight me on anything, and I promise you’ll only ever feel pleasure from me.”
She almost snorted at that. He planned to defile her, taking her in unnatural ways if what he’d spoken was true. She couldn’t imagine any of it would induce pleasure.
“Disobey or challenge me in any way, and you will be punished.”
She swallowed, not even caring that her eyes probably showed the fear that swept through her. He wouldn’t be swayed by it, and she couldn’t stop feeling it.
“Don’t disappoint me,” he murmured then set his horse into a canter for the last leg of their ride.
She was still shaking when it finally dawned on her the crashing she heard wasn’t from inside her but from ahead of them. When they cleared the trees, her gaze was immediately pulled toward a waterfall. The crystal blue water at the bottom was churned up with white foam, spray seeming to saturate the very air. Theo didn’t stop until they were almost upon it. He set her on her feet, holding on to her by her braid as he dismounted behind her. Standing beside him once more was a reminder of how much larger than her he was. Her head didn’t even reach his shoulder.
His brother stepped forward, hair dripping water down his shoulders and chest.
“Glad to see you made it okay.”
Her cheeks heated as Gavin’s gaze fell to her ripped bodice then skimmed to her feet and back up as if he could see all the things his brute of a brother had done to her. He merely shook his head as if her fate had already been decided. In their heads, maybe it had, but hers said differently. Hers said blood would spill soon, and whether it was hers or theirs was up to the hands of fate.
“Everything ready?” Theo asked, not releasing his hold on her hair.
“Supplies are inside. I found a dress that should fit her. Left it by the furs.”
Inside? Where? And what dress?
“Whistle if there’s any trouble,” Theo ordered, finally releasing her to turn and jerk the bags from the back of his saddle. “Don’t try it.”
His snapped order had her freezing in place before she’d done more than think about running. How had he known? What sign had she given him that she was going to flee?
“The falls are deep,” Gavin warned, gaze bouncing between her and the water. “Around that bend, the rapids start. You’d be tossed against the rocks and torn apart if you didn’t drown first.”
Sounded like a better fate than the one Theo had planned for her.
“Here.” Theo grabbed her hands, slicing a blade through the cloth binding her wrists together.
She moaned as she tried to move them, every nerve and inch of muscle screaming at their prolonged position behind her back. Theo dropped the bags and worked his fingers over her upper arms and shoulders, massaging the tissue until she could move without prickles of pain jolting through her.
“I should have done that earlier,” he murmured, and she swore he looked remorseful for a moment. Then he spoiled it with his next comment. “I have plans for those hands of yours.”
She bet he did. Too bad her plans would take precedence. The ones that consisted of her with the hilt of a blade against her palm and his blood spilling. Theo’s eyes darkened as if he could read her thoughts.
“Remember my warning,” he commanded. “We can indulge in privacy, or my brother can watch. Your choice.”
She growled, shaking her arms and fisting her hands.
“I hate you. I hope my brother severs your head from your body while I watch.”
Gavin gasped. Theo laughed.
“Blood thirsty wench,” Gavin muttered. “Sure you want to risk her teeth and claws, brother?”
“I’m looking forward to it,” Theo murmured.
“Bastard,” Jo snapped.
“I almost envy you.”
Jo’s gaze snapped to Gavin’s, unsure she’d heard him correctly. His smile said she had. What the hell was wrong with them? She was beginning to think their sister had been lucky they hadn’t been around. Rory’s father had been a cold-hearted, brutal bastard. It appeared his sons were no different.
