Page 38

38

Rupert

Rupert exited the old tennis building, and his gaze landed on Franny, tearing toward the woods up ahead. The organ in his chest vibrated, and he took off at a full sprint. She glanced over her shoulder, her stare clashing with his. Like it had so many times in the past. Catch me if you can . His pulse thrummed in anticipation. Oh, this time he would.

Franny’s slight form disappeared into the woods, a flash of white and fawn breeches between the trees. The hectic crunch of brush and snapping twigs surrounded him, muted by the blood rushing in his ears. His lips curled up. He knew where she was going.

The ruins.

His pulse picked up, and so did his pace. It was fitting, having her in the ruins. Storming a castle, slaughtering the men, carrying off Franny as his bounty. It was an archaic thought. And it fueled the heat coursing through him. His heart pounded against his ribs like a warrior’s fist against armor.

He was nearly on her now. She burst into the meadow. He was only a few paces behind. She flew through the archway and chanced a look back. Mistake. She tripped, stumbled. Her arms windmilled, tried to right herself, but it was no use. In a flurry of curse words, she crashed to the ground. She immediately started crawling, shuffling forward on her forearms.

A heady thrill navigated its way up his spine, and he lunged, his hand snaking around her calf. He yanked her feet from under her. She collapsed back to the ground with a whoosh. Her hands scrambled for purchase in the grass as he pulled her toward him. But she found nothing. Blood rushed to his cock.

Mine.

He jerked her over to her back. Breaths exploded from her, her breasts straining the fabric of her thin lawn shirt. His gaze fell to her hips, to her core. His tongue slid across his lips, and she squirmed beneath him, like she could feel the movement between her legs.

Want.

Franny kicked at him, but he dragged her toward him, under him, pinning her to the ground. She shoved at his chest, and he laughed at her ineffectualness. Her eyes flashed fire, and excitement flew through his veins. Bracing for the fight. Because he knew his woman. And now she would need to prove to him he couldn’t dominate her.

She growled and bared her teeth. “Get off me, you brute!”

Ah, there she was.

She spit curses at him, hissed and clawed at him, her body jerking and thrusting as she frantically tried to make her escape. She bucked hard, and a bolt of lust shot through his groin. A groan rumbled from his chest, and he pressed her thrashing form harder into the ground.

And then she made a subtle movement, barely discernable. But he knew her too well, knew what she was going to do before she even moved. She lunged for him, ready to latch onto him with her teeth. But he gripped her hair, wrenching her neck back, and she froze, her rough breaths puffing over his skin.

“Color,” he murmured against the shell of her ear, drawing it into his mouth and giving a small tug.

“Gr-reen,” she said on a hitched breath.

He fell on her with a groan, burying his head in her neck. He ground his aching length into her, into the center of her. Her whimper floated around them. Oh, now that was a pretty sound.

He trailed his mouth down the column of her neck, and her pulse beat erratic against his lips and tongue. She was all sweet sweat and woman. Raw. His free hand slid up her body, cupping her breast. She ceased in her struggle, her body going rigid. Like she realized her fight was fruitless.

“W-what are you going to do to me?” she whispered, her words shaking. Her body trembled beneath him.

Fuck. He knew he’d love her fight. But he hadn’t realized how much he’d like the fear. The knowledge she was at his mercy. Helpless.

His.

And then he was met with a face full of wet earth and grass. He sputtered. Franny drove her hips upward, and he toppled sideways. She scurried backward, a victorious glint shining in her wicked green eyes. The little termagant! He let out a roar and hurled himself at her, grabbed onto her boots. Stare never leaving hers, he spat out a chunk of loamy, gritty dirt. She would pay for that.

The venom reflected at him was palpable. She flaunted an arched brow, then wrenched her legs back. Her feet popped free of her boots with a sharp tug. He blinked, shock sweeping over him, and before he could fully register what had happened, she sprang to her feet and bolted.

Rupert lurched to his feet and took off after her. She didn’t stand a chance, even with those long legs of hers. He caught up to her at the cylindrical tower, and his arm latched around her wrist, tugging her so she collapsed back into his chest, a grunt falling from her. He threw her into the tower, and she fell to the dirt on hands and knees. Franny hurriedly flipped over and scrambled back, pressing against the stone wall.

Their coarse breaths exploded around them, echoing sharply off the grey stone, as they watched each other. Her warily. He anticipatory. She couldn’t escape him here.

He ran his tongue over his teeth, gritty earth scraping against his gums. She was good. He’d give her that. “You’re going to answer for that little stunt you pulled.”

Her lips flattened, and her knuckles went white where she dug her fingers into the ground. He could feel her glare, the sting of the disdain for her captor. His captive. Oh, he liked that. A devilish grin split his face.

Rupert advanced on her. She was oddly still. Like she’d given up. His footsteps faltered a few inches from her, disappointment settling in his gut. Then she shot up and darted around him. A snarl ripped from him, and his hand shot out, grabbing a fistful of her hair. She rebounded back into his grip. Her cry filled the small tower, music to his ears.

He trapped her against the wall with his body, holding her neck stretched. Her hands scrabbled, pushing, shoving, nails digging into him. His cock throbbed as her nails scored him even through his lawn shirt. His low groan echoed around them, surrounding them as he pressed harder into her, trapping her hands between them, leaving her only able to rock futilely against him.

His hand snuck up to her chin, and he softly caressed her neck. Bloody hell, she had a beautiful neck. It made his mouth wet with want. He inhaled, slow and deep. Inhaled his desire, his fantasy, his Franny.

“Well, well, well, what do we have here? A raven-haired beauty…” His thumb coasted just below her bottom lip. “A cherry ripe for the picking.”

He slowly brushed over her plump lip, and she tried to jerk away, but his fist in her hair still held her immobile. His dark chuckle rang around them, harsh and sinister. The fantasy seared the blood in his veins, lust burning hot within him. He leaned forward and trailed the tip of his tongue over the expanse of her neck to her shoulder. She sucked in a breath, her entire body trembling.

“I find I have an appetite for cherries.”

He bit down gently, and she let out a low moan. He dug his teeth into her. A cry tore from her throat. Christ . His cock throbbed.

He quickly stepped back and gripped the collar of her lawn shirt with both hands, then rent it down the middle. A loud rip cut through the small space of the tower. Franny glanced down, blinking at her exposed chest. Her short stays were the only thing keeping her from being completely bare to him. His finger traced over the swells of her breasts. The poor beauties, trussed so tightly. He should free them. It truly was the kind thing to do.

“Delicious. I wonder what shade of pink we’ll find these topped with. Will you be a deep—”

Crack!

His head snapped to the side. The slap of her palm against his cheek echoed around them with the same force as the pain radiating through his face. He stilled—and went up in flames. Ablaze. His cock instantly stone-hard. He ground his teeth against the intoxicating pain. That had been. Glorious .

She held her breath, her mouth parting, like she couldn’t even believe what she had just done. “Was-was that…”

“Green,” he gritted out. “You will pay for that.” He pulled his cravat from where he’d tucked it in the band of his breeches, and in the next breath, he bound her wrists, then anchored her to the iron torch on the wall.

Franny looked up. Tugged. Twisted to no avail. Her gaze flew to his, eyes wide. She was completely and utterly at his mercy. Her chest rose and fell in fitful bursts, damp black tendrils cascading around her face, her plait nearly undone. Undone like she would be when he was finished with her.

His heart swelled, filling every bit of space in his chest.

“Color,” he demanded, his voice thick with emotion. Not just because she was giving him everything he’d ever dreamed of. But because of the trust she was putting in him. A woman who had so many instances before been cruelly treated by the hands of men. But she didn’t hesitate once with him. Not even now, when he’d taken away her ability to fight back. He could do whatever he wanted with her, and she was helpless against it.

“Green,” she said softly, the hard glint in her eyes disappearing for a breath.

He crushed his lips to hers in a punishing kiss, unable to hold back the volatile emotions spiraling through him. God, he couldn’t wait to fuck her, couldn’t wait to feel her stretch around him, flutter and clench as he gave her pleasure like no one else could, like no one else ever would. He pulled away, panting hard, and his hands flew over her short stays.

“Now, let’s reveal what reward awaits me.” He made quick work of the laces, and her half-stays fell to the floor with a thump. His gaze fixed on her chest, fists clenching and unclenching at his sides. Deep-rose pebbled nipples.

And in the next moment, his palms were on her, cupping, squeezing, thumbs flicking over nipples. Lust coursed through his veins. She felt like bloody heaven. She pressed her lips together, but a low moan escaped, and he could hear the frustration in that moan, the anger at herself for letting it through. She was doing an admirable job trying to fight him. To pretend she wasn’t loving every minute of this as much as he was. He pinched hard, and her mouth dropped open as her body quaked in his arms.

“You like it, don’t you? You like it rough,” he growled. He leaned down and nuzzled her breast. “Want me to fill you. Stretch you. Fuck you so hard you feel me for days.” He latched onto her nipple, and a choked noise left her.

“N-no,” she bit out.

He tsked. “That wasn’t very convincing, darling.” He bit down lightly, and a keening moan left her.

Fuck. He hastily stepped back and tugged at her breeches, pushing and tossing her about as he stripped her of the last of her garments. And then she was completely bare for his perusal. Cheekbones reddened with a flush, wrathful green eyes flashing at him, full breasts thrust forward from the imprisonment of her arms, smooth pale stomach that led to mesmerizing midnight curls. And beneath those curls? Between those lean, toned thighs? His reward.

He ran the back of his fist across his mouth, a famished man salivating at the feast laid before him. He didn’t miss how she clenched her thighs—in anticipation—and his cock jumped against his breeches.

He tore his shirt over his head and let it fly somewhere behind him. Appreciation flared in her gaze, and it had his skin prickling with satisfaction. He made quick work of the placket of his breeches, freeing his aching cock. He gave a leisurely stroke, hissing at the sweet relief.

She locked on to the movement. Up. Down. She licked her lips. Up. Down. Her pants grew more labored.

He slowly stepped up to her until his face was only inches from hers. They stared at each other, breaths mingling. Her lips pursed, and she jutted her chin out. Defiant even when she had no hope of escape. Could he love this woman any more?

“Deny it all you want, love. But we both know your body craves what only I can give it. Shall we test the theory?”

Her nostrils flared.

His hand slipped between her legs. Her breath caught. He groaned. She was dripping for him.

“What a filthy little liar you are.”

And then his mouth was on her. He demanded everything from her, right from the start, sinking his tongue inside, pressing his thumb into her jaw, opening her wider for him. God, how he wanted to sink into her. So he did. Thrust two fingers into her, and a cry caught in her throat. He drove into her, hard and fast. She moved against his hand, aching for more. But even so, she growled, her teeth sinking into his bottom lip. Hard. Until the subtle tang of metal filled his mouth.

A low, primal growl vibrated through his chest. Bloody hell. How was this real? His cock was outraged as it throbbed against her naked belly. He couldn’t wait any longer.

He stepped back, and his hand dropped to her thigh. He pressed her leg against the stone, opening her, completely exposing her to him. His brain, his heart, his lungs, all decamped. He stared at the heart of her, the forbidden part of her. She was exquisite.

“The most delicious parts of a woman are pink,” he said reverently, circling a slick finger over her clitoris. “Look at you; so many shades of glistening pink.” Rupert leaned forward and whispered over her lips, “It is time for you to answer, darling, for your little rebellion earlier. A slap for a…slap.”

He locked stares with her. And then slapped his palm softly against the center of her. The wet smack echoed around them. She sucked in a breath. Her pupils flared. Her mouth parted. He brought his palm down again, and her body canted into it. Her eyes fluttered, rolled back.

And then those lust-filled green eyes clashed with his. “Is that the best you can do?”

Fuck, fuck, fuck. The insolent little minx.

His palm came down again with more force.

She cried out, then let out a low, broken moan. Her arms strained against their hold, her back arching off the stone, thrusting her breasts into his chest, heated skin against heated skin, as her body shook against him. Her head dropped limply to his collarbone, small whimpers still escaping her. God, he’d barely touched her. And she’d come.

Perhaps this was why Derek and Rafe bedded so many women. He felt like the biggest man in the world right now. But there was only one woman he wanted to make come. Over and over and over. For the rest of his days.

He unhooked her from the torch and spun her around.

“Hands on the wall.”

She obeyed, her movements lethargic, dazed.

He gripped her hips, tugging her back. His hand sliding to her back, pressing, demanding she bend.

She did.

“Good girl.”

He kneed her thighs apart and thrust his cock between her legs, sliding over her slick folds, coating himself. She moaned, pushing back against him, her body seeking him, desperately trying to find the angle for him to slip inside. Could he make her come again? Lord, he hoped so.

“Evidently, that wasn’t punishment enough for you,” he growled, the strain evident in his voice. His body, his cock, was screaming at him. Inside her. Now.

He canted her hips.

“I was going to take it easy on you.”

He notched his cock.

“But you don’t deserve my benevolence.”

He thrust, sinking to the hilt.

They both moaned, deep and rough.

Yes.

She ground against him.

And he snapped.

He pounded into her, relentless, violent. He leaned over her, his teeth grazing over her neck. “You are mine now. Mine .”

Her palms strained against the stone wall, her bound wrists making it nearly impossible for her to brace herself. The sound of slapping skin rang through the small space, mixing with their rough breathing, her broken sobs, his low, animalistic grunts.

Every thrust forced her up tighter against the wall, brought them closer together until she was flat against the stones, and he flat against her back. His hands dug into her hips, forcing her up on tiptoe, demanding everything from her. He hit some deep spot within her. It was different. He couldn’t explain it, but it rubbed over the head of his cock and it sent sparks streaking through him. Her walls fluttered around him.

“Christ, you feel so bloody good. Made for me. To take me.” His words were nothing but ragged breaths followed by guttural groans.

Pleasure consumed him, clouding his mind, dotting over his vision. The noises she was making were driving him insane. Mewls, cries, feline noises—his hellcat—as she tipped ever closer to the devastating edge of orgasm again. His rhythm stuttered. Fuck, he was too close.

“Come for me,” he rasped. “Come for your owner.” He slid one hand around her neck and held her tight to him while he slid the other to cup her center. With the lightest pressure of his fingers, she flew apart. Clenched on him in the most exquisite squeeze as her sobbing scream filled the tower. So intense, so beautiful, it wrapped itself around him, forced its way into his memory, refusing to fade.

Pleasure built at the base of his spine, coiling tight until—

He roared into her neck, his body jerking against her, bliss slicing through him. He bucked into her, his hips losing rhythm as ripple after ripple of overwhelming feeling coursed through him.

She trembled violently, and he slumped against her side. He gently rubbed her lower back in soothing circles. He wrapped an arm around her and slowly lifted her up against him. He rested his chin on her shoulder, his chest rising and falling against her back, their breath harmonizing. He nuzzled her ear and pressed a soft kiss to her pulse, still racing as his hands found her wrists and untied her bounds.

His eyes burned, his nose stinging. God, she was perfect. She was too good to be true. He loved her. So fucking desperately.

“That wasn’t too much, love?” he murmured, hoping she couldn’t hear the emotion clogging his throat.

She nestled closer into his embrace. “I will admit to a modicum of shock, but shock in the best way.” She shivered, and his arms tightened reflexively around her. “It appears my body comes to life under the slap of your palm. Wherever did you learn of such things?”

He smiled against her neck, his face heating slightly. Worth every ounce of embarrassment. “I may have written to a friend for advice… He is much more skilled in this area than I.”

She snorted softly. “Rupert, believe me when I say, there is nothing lacking in your skills.”

He pressed his lips tight together to prevent himself from grinning like a fool. Yes, most definitely, he felt like the biggest man in the world.