Elizabeth awoke slowly. The only thing certain in her mind was that she was no longer in the dungeon. Trying hard to remember what day it was, she moved to sit up and the pain hit like a bolt of lightning. Her first scream involuntary, the sudden pain surprising her, the second scream was louder and full of shock as she realized she was not alone in the bed.
The startled look on Wolfe's face almost made her laugh. Almost. Quickly she pushed herself up from the bed, ignoring the pain in her backside which shot through her with every movement.
“Be still, woman,” he commanded.
“Fuck you! You're a brute and I demand you leave my chamber this instant.”
“Do not make me regret removing the chains, Milady, they are easy enough to reattach. I said be still. If you wish to be awake, do so quietly, as I have yet to finish sleeping.”
“Oh, you, half-witted clod. If you think I'm going to just sit here calmly while you sleep, you've got another think coming.”
“Elizabeth!”
The memory of the whip, coming back in full force at the angry tenor of his voice, gave her pause. It would not bode well for her to continue this fight, at least not while he was attempting to sleep. Without another word, she turned to sit by the window. Her breath caught in her throat, realization that she was not in her own chamber hitting her quickly. Oh God, I'm in his chamber! This thought was rapidly followed by the comprehension she was still naked.
Looking around the room, she found a large man's shirt hanging on the back of the door. Taking silent steps, she grabbed the shirt and draped it over her body before turning to see if Wolfe was watching her. His eyes bore into hers.
“I like your body unclothed. Remove the shirt so that I may gaze on your nakedness.”
“You said your plan was to sleep. I see no reason to sit around here exposed and cold while you snore.”
“There is no need for you to be cold; simply return to the bed and I will warm you. Now take off the shirt, Milady.”
“I will not. I am not your slave and I do as I please.”
His voice was low and controlled, which surprised her. “If I thought you jakara, you'd still be chained to the table in the dungeon. I would have applied smelling salts to revive you, then continued with the whipping, the beating you so richly deserved, until you begged for mercy.”
“How do I know you didn't already do so? I have no memory of what happened when you returned to your torture chamber. The pain in my back makes me believe you beat me for days.”
“If I had beaten you for days, Milady, you would not now be standing there arguing with me. If I had beaten you for even an hour, you would know what real pain is and would never dare question my authority again. Perhaps we should return to the dungeon and put this discussion to rest.”
“I will pass on that pleasure, Milord. As you have stated you wish to sleep, and as I assume the door is locked, I will simply sit by the window and watch the sunrise.”
“Very nice thought, Milady. However, I believe you will take off the shirt and return to this bed now. I have no further desire to sleep after this conversation.”
“Don't allow my presence to sway you from slumber, Thomas; I will be fine sitting here.”
His laughter startled her. “You have spent weeks tempting me with your body. You have defied me at every turn for days now. This is what you wanted, Elizabeth. I'm giving in to your desire. I have no craving to dominate you at the moment; I want only to slake my need for release.”
“Perhaps you'd best call for your slave girl then. Unlike you, I have no desire for sex after events of recent days.” Elizabeth pulled the shirt tighter around her body and walked to the window seat. Dropping onto the softly padded bench she gazed out over the landscape. She heard Thomas throw back the bed covering and his feet hit the floor. He was coming for her and fear gripped her body. Oh God, you idiot! Why did you push him again? She steeled her nerves to be swept back to the depths of the castle.
Elizabeth was lifted easily off the bench and carried toward the bed. Surprise registered at the fact no silent beam had transported her back to the dungeon. His arms were strong as he held her close to his chest. She could feel the warmth of his skin on hers. His scent filled her nostrils as she breathed deeply in anticipation of his arrival at the bed.
As they reached the edge of the bed, Thomas set her on her feet, grabbed the front of the shirt and ripped it from her frame. Quickly capturing her again, he lifted her high in the air and dumped her onto the soft folds of the bedding. Towering over her, he smiled, his tongue licking his lips in expectation.
Trying hard to avoid his eyes, Elizabeth boldly attempted to forestall his next move. “Sir, I know I have tempted you, I know it was likely my fault you felt compelled to whip me, and I apologize for both. 'Twas a mistake on my part and while I feel somewhat contrite at the moment, I truly have lost all desire to be bedded by you.”
The roar of laughter shook the room. “Sweet Elizabeth, do you honestly believe you can turn me off like a switch? You have done all in your power to put yourself in my bed and now you claim to have lost your yearning for my cock inside you. I hesitate to call you a liar, Milady. However, if the shoe fits…”
Pushing herself to a sitting position, she stared into his eyes. “You drove all desire from my body with your toys and torture, Milord. It is too late for us.”
Moving quickly, Thomas' hands slapped down on the bed next to her as his knee hit the mattress. He climbed into the bed, crawling close over her swiftly retreating body. She was unable to do more than lay back as he moved on top of her. “Thomas, please. This is no longer what I want.”
He didn't seem to hear her as his lips locking over hers made it impossible to continue her protest. She felt his tongue sliding deeply into her mouth as he tried to take control of her mouth. All thoughts of struggle left her mind as she gave in to the warmth of his kiss. She felt his hand go under her head as he lifted her in his arms and shifted her body under him.
Desire exploded within Elizabeth as his tongue ravaged her mouth. Unable to stop, Elizabeth returned his kiss, her arms sliding over his neck; she pulled him onto her body. Allowing the warm skin of his chest to press on her breasts, as his cock bore down on her thigh, he continued to raze her mouth.
His body settled atop hers. As she opened her mouth wider, allowing his tongue deeper access, she tasted his sweetness. Her hands moved to his shoulders, stroking his skin, before raking her fingernails down his spine.
She felt his body shudder as her nails drew circles over his skin. He moved to reposition his cock between her legs, his body lifted slightly to allow his rod to lay flat on her leg as he slid up and down, caressing her inner thigh with his shaft. The kiss deepened as she sucked his tongue into her mouth, her breasts pushed tightly against his chest. Their bodies moved in rhythm, growing hotter with each passing second.
Without hesitation, Elizabeth allowed herself to surrender to the heat he created inside. Her protests died when his fingers trailed down her body to guide his cock into her folds. As his rod slammed deep into her being, Lady Elizabeth Cowen gave herself up to his need.