“Yes.” He rested a hand on the molding. “Let me in.”
She nodded once, shut the door, and then opened it all the way. She wore a light teal, sheer nightgown that hit her knees, and a lightweight robe. Watching him through wide eyes, she hugged it closed as he shut the door. “What did you forget?”
“This.” He curled his hand around the back of her neck. “You.”
He hauled her close, and she let out a spurt of air. “But—”
“Did you fuck him?” he asked, his fingers tight on her robe.
“What?” She shook her head. “No. Of course not.”
Lifting her left hand, he checked out her ring finger. It was still bare. “Did you tell him you’d marry him?”
“No. He hasn’t asked, and I still haven’t decided—”
“Then I don’t give a damn about him anymore.” He ran his hands up to her shoulders, gently brushing her robe off. It hit the floor at her feet without a sound. “Until he claims you as his in every way? You’re mine. All. Fucking. Mine. Say it.”
She bit her lower lip. “I’m yours. Only yours.”
Bending his head, he kissed her, putting all his frustrations into that simple touching of their lips. She was his tonight, and that’s all that mattered. He backed her toward the couch, his lips never breaking contact with hers. She undid his shirt as they moved, her tongue curling around his as she undid each button.
When the back of her knees hit the couch, he gently pushed her onto it. She sat, her eyes wide, and her lips swollen from his kisses. “Take off your gown,” he demanded.
“Yes, sir,” she said, licking her lips.
She balled the bottom of it in her fists and lifted it over her head slowly. Seductively. She sat on the couch, her perky pink nipples begging for his touch. Naked and waiting for him. Waiting for him to make her come, repeatedly. Her bright green eyes sparkled and simmered, making his gut twist tight.
“Whatever you want, sir.”
“You’re getting good at this.” He trailed his finger down her bare shoulder, skimming over the curve of her breast. “At being a good, submissive girl.”
“Only for you,” she vowed.
And he fucking believed her.
He slid his hand lower, squeezing her nipple between his fingers. “Good.”
“May I remove your pants?” she asked, her voice breathy. “Please?”
“No.” He pinched her nipple one last time, then fisted her hair. “First, you need to be punished.”
“Punished?” Her brows lowered. “But you just said I was being good.”
“You are…right now.” He tugged her to her feet by the hair. She followed his lead without a fight. “But you went out with another man. Twice.”
She gripped his arms. “Not because I wanted to.”
“I know. And I’m okay with it, even. You’re not mine, no matter how much I wish you were.” He urged her head back, tugging on her hair gently. “But I still get to punish you for it. Don’t worry. You’ll love every second of it.”
And he would, too.
…
Isabelle sucked in a deep breath, her heart hammering against her ribcage. He was so dirty. So rough. So hot. He could be reading the newspaper out loud, but he’d find a way to make it sexy. Knowing him, by the time he got to the classifieds, she’d be begging for him to take her.
“What do you want me to do?” she asked, squeezing her thighs together to ease the ache that tried to kill her. The need to have him inside of her. “What do you want?”
“I’m going to drive you crazy, but you’re not allowed to come. Not until I let you.” He dipped his fingers between her legs, his thumb pressing against her core. Her legs shook, but she remained completely still. “And you won’t complain or make a sound the whole time. No begging. No whining. You’ll take the punishment because you deserve it. Nod if you understand.”
She bit her tongue and nodded.
“Good girl.” He rubbed his thumb in a circle, tracing a path around her aching center. “Undo my belt for me.”
Sliding her hands down his chest and over his rock hard abs, she did as told. When it was unclasped, she glanced up at him through her lashes, awaiting further instruction. It was funny that she hated having things out of her control on an every day basis, but when it came to being in bed with Gordon?
The more he bossed her around…the better.
“Take it off now,” he said, bending down and nibbling on her neck.
She pulled it out of his loops, trailing the bottom of her palm over his erection as she did so. His abs jerked at the touch, and his hand tightened in her hair in response. Leaning in, she placed a kiss over the black tattoos on his pecs. It had a bunch of numbers on it.
12.06.10
A date? Coordinates?
She wanted to ask, but she wisely kept quiet. After she had the belt off, she held it out to him, one brow up. He took it from her, his fingers brushing across her pulse, and ran the belt through his hands as he watched her with heated eyes. “Turn around, place your hands on the top of the couch, and spread your legs.”
Her breath hitched in her throat. He wanted her to do…what?
“Now,” he said, his voice hard.
She turned around immediately and then placed her hands on the couch, holding on tight. After a calming breath, she squeezed her eyes shut and spread her legs. He walked up behind her, trailing the edge of his leather belt over her bare butt, and whistled through his teeth. “Nice. You have no idea how fucking sexy this looks.”
When he dipped the belt between her thighs, and over her entry, she bit back a moan. Barely. He tsked. “I heard that. You almost slipped.” The belt retracted, and he caressed the curve of her butt. “But you didn’t.”
She opened her mouth to say something but closed it quickly.
Pressing his body against her, he cupped her breasts from behind. “I’m going to punish you now. I promise it won’t hurt…much. Nod if you’re ready.”
Her stomach twisted tight. Oh my God, yes. Yes, she was ready.
So she nodded once.
His hand dipped between her thighs, and he massaged her swollen nub. His jeans bit into her bare flesh, and she bit down on her tongue hard. Not a sound escaped.
When he pulled back, she dug her fingers into the top of the couch. She knew what was coming, and she couldn’t wait. He skimmed the belt over her lower back, a little rougher than before. Before she could even blink, the belt landed on her butt lightly. She jerked, more from pleasure than from any actual pain.
He’d been gentle.
He massaged the spot where he slapped, and heat suffused through her. The slight pain, combined with his touch, was enough to drive her wild. He moved her hair and kissed the nape of her neck. “Nod if you liked that. I’ll only ask once.”
She nodded frantically.
“Yeah?” He chuckled, the sound deep and low and incredibly sexy. “That’s my girl.”
Pulling back, he slapped her ass with the belt again, the same strength behind it as before. She bit her lip hard, swallowing down the cry of pleasure trying to escape. He rubbed the injured skin, then did it again. She gripped the couch and dropped her head down, pleasure pulsing through her body.
Dropping the belt to the ground, he knelt behind her. He kissed the last spot he’d spanked, then spread her wide. She felt exposed. Vulnerable. Decadent.
“Don’t come.”
Cursing inwardly, she nodded.
Then his mouth was on her, and he was pushing her closer and closer to the brink. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block out the pleasure, but he stuck a finger inside of her and sucked on her clitoris. There was no blocking out that. Her entire body tightened, begging for relief, but she managed to hold herself back.
After minutes of what seemed like endless torment, he pulled back. She let out a shuddery sigh of relief. “Good girl. Stay there.”
She let her body relax, but it didn’t stop the ache inside of her. The bu
rning desire to let go. He unzipped his pants, and they hit the floor. Thank God. A condom wrapper crinkled, and then he fell silent. She gripped the couch, knowing he was coming back. Knowing he was about to drive her crazy all over again.
He needed to let her come, or she’d die.
“Your ass is red where I hit it. That’s so fucking hot.” He came up behind her, his hand on her hip. “You’ve been a good girl tonight. When I fuck you, you can come. As many times as you want. And you can make noise now, too. Okay, Princess?”
She nodded, a small whimper escaping her. “Yes. Please. Do it.”
“Bend over.”
She bent over more, opening herself to him. He cupped her hips in his hands and made a small sound of appreciation, then plunged inside of her with one stroke. He’d gotten her so worked up earlier that she came immediately, all from him finally giving her what she needed so desperately.
Him.
He growled deep in his throat, his fingers digging into her butt as he moved inside of her. Hard. Fast. The pressure started building inside of her again, growing fast. He reached around the front of her and pressed two fingers against her. As he thrust in and out of her, he moved his fingers over her in unison.
“Oh my God,” she cried out.
He moved faster, their flesh hitting the only sound in the room. When he lifted her butt higher, he hit a new spot inside of her that sent her careening over the edge. She came explosively, her entire body going lax. He plunged inside her one more time, and then they both collapsed on the couch in a heap.
“Holy shit,” he said. Pushing her hair out of the way, he kissed her neck. “You’re incredible. You know that, right?”
She swallowed hard, her thoughts scrambled and garbled and pure mush. “Y-You’re the one who does that to me. I’ve never…not like that. Ever.”
“And you do the same thing to me.” He kissed her neck again. “Every time.”
She buried her face in the couch pillow, hiding her smile. “Stay with me tonight?”
“I don’t really sleep.” He hesitated. “Like, at all. And when I do…I wake up and cry out. I have nightmares, Belle. Lots of them. If I stayed, I’d probably disturb you, and I don’t want to do that.”
“That’s okay. I don’t mind,” she said, rolling over and cupping his cheek. His stubble scraped her palms, and his eyes looked even more deep this close. There were little specks of amber in his brown eyes, and they were gorgeous. Like him. “What are your nightmares about?”
“War. Dying.” He hesitated but met her eyes. “Watching my friends die. That day never leaves me alone. It’s the day I got shot. They died. I didn’t. I dream about it all the time. It wakes me up every night. They haunt me.”
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered, her eyes welling up with tears. “That’s awful. I can’t imagine what that feels like. That’s why you got Georgie?”
He nodded once. “Partly.”
“Would he be okay alone overnight?”
“Yeah, I took him out right before I left.” He flexed his jaw. “But I should go wait outside, in the hallway. I’m no good for you when I’m asleep.”
“I want you to stay anyway.”
He studied her, his mouth tipped down into a frown, but then he kissed the tip of her nose. “For you? I’ll do it. But if I wake you up, I’m leaving.”
He picked her up and carried her into the bedroom, bridal style. She smiled up at him, knowing that her real wedding night would be nothing like this.
Nothing so exciting and right.
After they settled into the bed together, she rested her hand on his heart. It pounded under her touch. Lying here like this, with him, felt right. Like it was meant to be. She’d never really believed in soul mates or love at first sight. She couldn’t even say she loved him. Love grew over time.
It took days. Months. Years, even.
But this much she could easily say… She could see herself falling impossibly in love with him. It would be so easy to love him. To need him.
Too bad she wasn’t allowed.
He played with a piece of her hair. “A penny for your thoughts?”
She smiled, an inexplicable sadness coming over her. Maybe it was because she knew she couldn’t have this—not with Gordon. She was supposed to marry George. Secure the kingdom. Help her people. Do her duty. Even if she didn’t want to.
“I was just thinking how nice this was. I wish…” A stinging longing filled her heart, making it hard to speak. She faded off, unable to finish the sentence.
He kissed her. “I know. Me, too.”
Closing her eyes, she rested her cheek on his chest. The steady beating of his heart lulled her to sleep within minutes. It was the most peaceful thing she’d ever felt.
And she was going to lose him.
Chapter Ten
The bullets came from every direction. There was no telling how many men surrounded them, or where they were hiding. It all went too fast. Too much blood. Too much pain. Too much…everything. He was going to die in this godforsaken desert, and there wasn’t a thing he could do to save himself.
Or them.
“Come this way,” his buddy, Isaac, shouted above the blasting guns. “Run!”
Gordon nodded and motioned his other surviving platoon member over. The sweat pouring down his forehead stung his eyes. Or maybe it was blood. He had no idea anymore. “Thomas, this way.”
Thomas just stood there, his eyes wide; then blood spurted out of his mouth like some sick imitation of vomit. Gordon met his eyes, the horror of what he was seeing hitting him square in the chest. Thomas was dying. Right here. Right now. In front of him. He’d never see his wife or his baby girl again. And for what?
For who?
Thomas opened his mouth one more time, then fell to the ground without a sound. Gordon would never forget the look in Thomas’s eyes before he fell. He’d known he was dying, and he’d been terrified. No one had saved him. Gordon hadn’t saved him.
“No!”
Gordon struggled to get to Thomas, but something held him back. He couldn’t move. He fought frantically. He couldn’t leave Thomas out here. Who knew what would happen to his body? It could be pulled apart. Defiled. He couldn’t let that happen.
“Gordon!” Something shook him. “Gordon, wake up!”
Gordon jerked awake with a cry, swinging his fist as he came to. He connected with someone’s arm, and then he was instantly awake. “What the…?”
“It’s just me,” Isabelle said, her voice soft and tender. “It’s okay. You’re okay.”
“Oh my God. Belle.” He grabbed her and hugged her, his body shaking. “I’m…I… Did I hurt you?”
“No, I’m fine.” She hugged him back, her arms closing around him. “Everything’s okay.”
He buried his face in her hair, drawing a deep breath. He couldn’t believe he’d been foolish enough to think he could spend the night with her and not have a fucking nightmare. They were as inescapable as death. “I should go.”
“No.” Rearing back, she cupped his face and stared deep into his eyes. Her soft blonde hair framed around her face, making her more gorgeous than ever before. “Lie back down. I’m here for you. Tell me what happened.”
Tell her? He didn’t tell people about his dreams. Didn’t snuggle until he felt better. He fucking dealt with it, and that was that. But with her…he wanted to. He wanted to tell her. Fighting his flight instinct, he laid back down. The unfamiliar desire to spill his guts almost choked him, so he swallowed hard and told her the whole dream.
Told her what he’d seen. What he saw every night when he closed his eyes. Once he started, he couldn’t stop. He told her every gory detail, holding nothing back from her.
Nothing of himself.
When he finished, she hugged him close and smoothed his hair off his forehead. “I’m here, Gordon. I’m here for you. I’m so sorry.”
He held her tight, his heart twisting painfully in his chest. He’d never understand why people
apologized for shit they had nothing to do with, but it sounded nice coming from her. Until now, Gordon had never let anyone in like this. He didn’t know why he was doing so with her, of all people. She would be leaving him in a matter of days.
What they had here, this shared understanding and friendship, would all go away the second she said yes to Prince George. She wasn’t his and never could be.
But he really fucking wanted her to be.
“Belle…”
“Shh.” She kissed him gently. “I know.”
He lay back down, cradling her in his arms. He’d never felt so at peace in another person’s arms before. So fucking happy. He’d tried to deny that the other night, when they’d first had sex. Had tried to talk himself out of the odd feeling. But there was no denying it anymore. She made him happy…
And he was going to lose her.
So he kissed her.
Later that morning, he awoke gradually. The sun crept in through the blinds, slowly teasing him into consciousness. Isabelle lay on his left side, curled up against him with her hand on his chest, and the blankets were at hip length. He lifted his lids, a content smile on his face…
Until he saw the old woman standing next to the bed, glowering at him.
Shit.
He yanked the covers up over their naked bodies, watching the woman closely. At her nod, the ambassador from lunch yesterday stepped out from the living room door, and so did her PR Rep—the one who didn’t like him. Double fucking shit.
Isabelle squirmed, her nose scrunching up adorably. “Mmm…”
“Uh…Belle?”
“Hm?” she asked, wiping her palm across her mouth. “What?”
“Open your eyes.”
Her lids drifted open, and she smiled at him sleepily. “Time for you to go?”
“I think it’s too late for that,” he said, jerking his head toward the crowd next to the bed. “We have company.”
“What?” She lifted her head and looked past him. Her eyes went wide, and she burrowed underneath the blanket. “Oh my God. What are you doing here?”
“One might ask the same of you,” the older woman said, crossing her arms.
“Oh, we already know the answer to that,” the ambassador said, his mouth held tight. “And so does everyone else. How could you jeopardize the relationship we had going with Linton? You’ve ruined everything with your car escapades.”
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