“Only pleasure,” she whispered and taking a shuddering breath, she turned around.

  Chapter Nine

  Jo was sure she’d lost her mind. Despite what Theo said, there was no way his maleness would fit where he planned to put it. Yes, she’d lost her mind. He’d made her lose it.

  “Move farther up,” Theo ordered as the bed shifted behind her, and the heat radiating off him warmed her as he crowded close to her hips.

  His hands were rough as they stroked over her buttocks, and Jo shuddered, her heart beating like a drum in her chest.

  “Lower your chest to the furs.”

  Another order. One she followed just as she had the others. Fear thrummed through her veins, but there was something else there, as well. Curiosity. She wanted to feel the pleasure he promised. Wanted to drown in it the way she had before. No man had ever made her want to experience the things Theo did to her, but with him, she found herself desiring more. She looked at him and longed to touch, to explore. God, she wanted to taste him on her tongue the way he had her. She’d been moments away from leaning in and licking over the heavy crown of his sex when he’d told her to turn around. She’d had to force herself to turn and deny herself the taste she craved.

  Theo growled, his hand moving between her thighs and stroking over her.

  “So wet for me,” he whispered as his hand disappeared.

  She shuddered when she heard him sucking his fingers. That shouldn’t be as enticing as it was. Then they were back. This time, he did more than trail over her skin. He rubbed them along her entrance then thrust them inside, pulling a breathy cry from her lips.

  “Ahh!”

  “So tight,” he purred as he worked his fingers inside her, rubbing a spot that had her panting and tossing her head back and forth.

  “Oh, god.”

  “Do you want my cock? Do you want me to fuck this tight sheath until you scream my name?”

  His words were dark and dirty, and the place he touched grew slicker as her body responded.

  “Or do you enjoy my fingers?”

  He leaned over her, his chest pressing into her back like a thick blanket. His breath caressed her neck then her ear.

  “Or maybe, you want to ride my tongue,” he murmured.

  “Oh my god,” she moaned, grateful she was almost prone on the bed. She didn’t think she had the strength left to hold up her body.

  “Your choice, my sweet bride. Tell me what you want for your pleasure.”

  “Theo, please.”

  “Fingers.”

  He reminded her exactly where those wonderful digits were buried.

  “Cock.”

  She felt he brush of his hard shaft along her hip.

  “Tongue.”

  He licked over her shoulder then nipped her softly with his teeth before sucking against her skin.

  “Yes,” she breathed out and heard the rumble of Theo’s low laugh.

  “Shall I choose for you?”

  She nodded, not trusting her mouth to cooperate. His fingers tugged free, moving up between the cheeks of her bottom, rubbing the moisture from between her thighs over her rear entrance. Again and again, he repeated the action while crooning naughty things into her ear.

  “I’m going to ride you with my cock. Hard. Deep. While my finger takes you here.”

  He tapped where he was spreading her wetness and another shudder rocked her.

  “I’m going to drown you with pleasure. Pour it over you until you’re begging me to do whatever I want to you.”

  Wasn’t she already doing that? Telling him to do what he wanted. To pick what he wanted and just give it to her.

  “Please,” she whimpered. She should be ashamed of that needy sound, but she wasn’t. She wanted everything he promised and more.

  He nipped her ear, tugging the lobe before he pushed off her. His hands moved, cupping her hips and lifting her higher, spreading her knees wider, adjusting her until he had her positioned exactly how he wanted. She bit back the next please that wanted to tumble from her lips as she felt his gaze burning over her, seeing everything that was exposed to him.

  His manhood was a heavy weight as he pushed it between her thighs, holding it against her as he rubbed between the lips of her sex. Each stroke had the broad tip tapping the hard kernel of her pleasure. It had her licking over dry lips as her breath became trapped somewhere between her chest and throat while she waited for the heavy crest to slide lower until it lodged and filled her.

  “Pl—”

  The word died on her tongue as he drove into her. Hard. Deep. Just as he’d promised. She was so consumed with his shaft moving inside her that she was caught by surprise when his finger breached her. It burned as he forced it deeper, but the pleasure he gave her between her thighs spread until the brief moment of pain faded. He moved the finger in the same rhythm as he rode her sex, until it was hard for her to distinguish one from the other. Until all she felt was pleasure.

  “I swear you were made for me,” Theo proclaimed with a groan. “Your body was made for me and me alone. You belong to me, Josephine. Every inch of you. No parts hidden from me.”

  He slammed into her, grinding his hips against her with every hard thrust, pressing impossibly deeper.

  “Say it,” he commanded. “Tell me who you belong to. Who this lush body belongs to.”

  She shook her head. Biting back the words that wanted to escape.

  “Tell me,” he ordered.

  Another shake of her head and his low chuckle filled the air again. There was pressure between her bottom cheeks, then he filled her with two fingers, spearing her, stretching her and reawakening the burn she’d felt when he’d first breached her there. Her breath lodged in her throat then burst free as his other hand trailed along her belly until his thumb pressed against the swollen bud at the top of her folds.

  “Theo!”

  The scream tore from her throat as her belly tightened, her legs threatening to give way beneath her. It was too much. If the feelings rising inside her reached the pinnacle it seemed to be building toward, she wasn’t sure she’d survive it.

  “Tell me who owns your pleasure,” Theo demanded. “Whose cock owns this tight sheath. Whose fingers are buried in your ass. Tell me, Josephine.”

  He kept her on the edge, going slowly then speeding up only to slow once more. And each time, he took her higher then even higher. She was sobbing, shuddering, begging.

  “Please! Oh, god! Please, Theo. Please!”

  “Tell me.”

  She broke with a hard cry.

  “You! I belong to you! Every inch of me. Yours. I’m all yours.”

  He growled as he took her higher again. Only, this time, he didn’t stop. He rode her until every wave of promised passion crashed over her, tugging her under the rising tide until she was consumed by it. Until it was all she was. Pure sensation. She collapsed to the bed, and Theo followed her down. She knew he was still moving, still thrusting into her as he chased his own release. She was still riding the waves of pleasure when she felt the loss of him inside her. Then he tugged free his fingers and replaced them with the part of him that was so much bigger.

  She gasped, but he pressed in before she could even tense, filling her, stretching her, adding a brush of pain to the sensation flowing through her that still held her in its warm embrace. Theo growled against her. His thrusts were slow and erratic then fast, only to pause, pressing deep briefly before another slow drive. A fast plunge and retreat then he pushed deep once more and held. His shaft jerked inside her as his bellow filled the air.

  He collapsed against her, and Jo moaned. She loved the heavy weight of him, the way their sweat-slicked skin slid together. The way his hairy thighs caged her smoother ones, his arms braced beside her head as he struggled to keep some portion of himself off her. The way his breath huffed by her ear, each ragged inhale echoing hers. Then he moved, shoving himself off her so that he landed at her side, pulling a whimper from her as he tugged free of her bottom.

  He’d done what he’d said. He’d taken her there, and she’d felt pleasure while he had. It shouldn’t have been possible, but she was learning when it came to the joys of the flesh, or at least of her flesh, Theo was a master.

  She turned her head as another thought filled her mind, one that had a growl rumbling from her throat. She fisted his hair, tugging his head until he met her gaze with narrowed eyes.

  “You belong to me, too,” she informed him. “Every inch of you. Mine. If you even think of bedding another woman, I’ll—”

  Her threat was cut off by his kiss. She’d briefly caught the wicked gleam in his eyes.

  “There will be no other women,” he vowed as he tugged her closer until she was draped across his chest. “My needs are yours to satisfy, as yours are mine.”

  He brushed his hand over her hair, tugging it out of her face then running the backs of his fingers along her cheek.

  “Rest while you can,” he murmured. “I have a feeling it won’t be long until I reach for you again.”

  Jo shivered, already anticipating the moment he did.

  Chapter Ten

  Theo had to force himself to leave the comfortable bed and the warm, naked woman sleeping in it. He’d exhausted her, reaching for her more times than he should have the night before. She’d met his passion every time. She’d been emboldened the last time, using her mouth to bring him to pleasure. She’d very nearly driven him insane.

  They’d both passed out shortly afterward, and he’d woken with her draped across his chest, his cock, hard and thick where it lay along her inner thigh. He’d wanted her again, but he’d noted how she never moved or even batted an eyelid when he shifted her from his chest to the bed. He wouldn’t wake her. Besides, there were things he needed to take care of.

  His first stop was to make sure his message had gone out. It had, which meant Josephine’s brother would most likely be heading their way soon. He’d purposely chosen the village that belonged to no king. It was as neutral of a territory as he’d be able to find, though he couldn’t discount that many of the people living there were loyal to him. He planned to use that to his advantage if Jamie thought to take Theo’s wife from him.

  His next stop was to check on Isabel and the little girl, Alice. Josephine had wanted to revisit the girl yesterday, but he’d had other plans. Plus, Isabel had the girl. The woman was past ready for grandchildren and quick to tell anyone who might talk to her son. Alice couldn’t be in better hands.

  When he pushed open the door, he heard the chatter of a young voice. He’d forgotten how old Josephine had said Alice was.

  “My King,” Isabel said, and the chatter stopped as a pair of wide eyes stared up at him from a young face.

  He remembered the hair looking as if someone had hacked at it, but Isabel had worked on it. Though it was shorter than most little girls wore their hair, it curled softly around her small face. Somehow, it made her look fragile.

  “Morning,” he called.

  The girl blinked several times then glanced behind him. He knew who she searched for.

  “My wife is still sleeping.”

  Isabel gasped.

  “You married? When? I haven’t had a chance to bring a dress for your Jo.”

  “The priest came last night. We’re married,” Theo stated.

  Isabel opened her mouth several times, but something about Theo’s expression must have had her changing her mind. Still, she gave him a glare he interpreted as her unhappiness at not being included.

  “I came to check on Alice this morning.”

  “Me?” the little girl asked, pressing a palm against her chest.

  “You,” Theo agreed. “What can you tell me about your father?”

  “He’s big but not big as you,” Alice answered. “He’s gone a lot. Fighting for the king.”

  “Which king?” Theo asked.

  “The one my dad fights for,” Alice said, with a look that told him that should be obvious.

  “Have you ever seen your dad with the king?”

  She nodded. “He’s big like you, but he carries two swords.”

  Two swords? Theo knew who that was. Another of the kings who’d claimed part of the Dread Lands. Geoffrey Lyons, called King Geoffrey by the people he protected, referred to as the Lion by those who’d battled with him or tried to stand against him.

  “What did your father call your king?” Theo asked to be sure.

  “The Lion,” Alice whispered. “But Mama called him King Geoffrey.”

  The girl’s father was one of the Lion’s men. They were quite a way from his lands. The men who’d taken Alice had traveled farther than Theo had thought. Still, Theo would take the time to return Alice to her home or at least, return her to her king’s care. The Lion would know who her father was and, be better equipped to find the man. It was the right thing to do. The young girl had seen enough violence in her young life. Whatever had happened to her mother, the child had witnessed it. Then she’d been taken by the men. Men who’d hacked off her hair and tried to pass her off as a boy. Men who’d put their hands on Josephine. Alice had witnessed that also. Not just the way they’d treated Josephine but his reaction to it. His very violent reaction.

  “We’ll make arrangements to get you back to your father. When my men get here, I’ll have you escorted to King Geoffrey’s lands,” Theo promised.

  “Why don’t we send word to King Geoffrey?” Isabel suggested, and Theo noticed she suddenly seemed a bit nervous which was very uncharacteristic of Isabel. “We’ll give Alice’s name and say what happened. Then her father can come here and get her.”

  Theo saw the need in the woman’s gaze as she watched the little girl. Isabel was hungry for a child to love. Maybe, he should say something to Miles, to encourage him to give his mother a grandchild or two.

  Theo nodded. “What do you think, Alice? Would you like to stay here with Isabel while we wait for your father to come get you?”

  Alice bobbed her head. “Yes! I want to stay here with Mama Isabel. Can I? Please?”

  “I’ll send one of my men to take a message.”

  “Why don’t you go into the kitchen and see if the cookies have cooled?” Isabel suggested, and Alice took off.

  “She seems to have recovered from everything,” Theo murmured, but when Isabel gazed at him again, her eyes were heavy.

  “She didn’t sleep. Every time she tried, she woke screaming within minutes. She tries to shut out everything when she’s awake. I finally gave up trying to get her to rest early this morning. We came down and baked cookies, instead. Jacob left at first light with a few others to take a message to King Geoffrey. Poor thing has lived through a nightmare. What those men did to her mother… God knows what they’d planned to do with little Alice.”

  Theo gave Isabel a hug as a shudder went through her.

  “She survived,” he reminded her. “They can’t hurt her anymore.”

  “Thanks to you.” She gave him another squeeze. “I didn’t even notice the child was here. If Jo hadn’t seen her and taken an interest…”

  “She did, so no more worrying on what could have happened,” Theo ordered. “Also, you could have told me you already knew where she was from when I started questioning her. As well as the fact you’d already sent a message to King Geoffrey.”

  “Sorry,” Isabel said with a shrug. “My brain’s not as sharp without sleep.”

  “I can take Alice to Josephine if you’d like to rest for a bit longer.”

  He was sure Josephine would want to see Alice when she woke up anyway.

  “No, I enjoy having her here. And don’t think I’m not upset that you had your wedding without me. What did Jo wear?”

  His face flamed with heat. Isabel merely stared at him.

  “We made do,” he offered. No way was he sharing with her that his bride had worn his cloak with nothing under it. Josephine would be mortified.

  “Well, you’ll both come to dinner tonight, and I want no excuses why you can’t. A bride deserves the wedding of her dreams, followed by a feast of celebration. Your bride didn’t even have a clean gown for her wedding. You’ll let me make a feast, simple though it may be, along with a nice cake to celebrate. Alice can help.”

  Isabel’s words hit Theo hard. He hadn’t thought about what type of wedding Josephine might have wanted. Hadn’t even considered waiting. When the priest had shown up at the door of the cottage, Theo had pulled him inside, and he and Josephine had been married. Then he’d hurried out the poor man, so they could bathe and he could take his bride skin-to-skin again.

  The door opened behind him, and two men ducked inside. These, Theo knew. Both lived in the small village, often doing odd jobs for Isabel and her husband.

  “My King.”

  They bowed their heads toward Theo then stood. One was wringing his hands so hard the skin was turning red.

  “Spit it out,” Theo ordered.

  “Your brother, King Gavin, has been spotted with a group of men. He should be here soon.”

  “There’s no need to worry about that. He brings my men. We’ll stay briefly then head out,” Theo said.

  “That’s not what’s concerning,” the other man offered with a glance at his friend, who took over.

  “There’s another group of men headed this way. Looks like at least twenty or thirty. Heavily armed and dressed like warriors.”

  “Could be about the message I sent,” Theo offered, wondering if Jamie would have left that quickly. It would have been late when Theo’s message arrived.

  He wasn’t surprised Gavin had rushed to get back as quickly as he could. Hell, he’d probably be struck stupid when he learned Theo had married Josephine. Neither of them had seen marriage anywhere in their futures. Yet, some part of Theo had known Josephine was his from the moment he’d caught sight of her slipping between the trees with her bow. It was why he’d taken her. It had nothing to do with who her brother was, and everything to do with the woman herself.

  “It might be King Geoffrey,” Isabel interjected. “Was Jacob with them?”

  “Too far to see just yet,” the man replied. “I wanted to alert our king in case there was trouble.”

 

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