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He had been cornered. Again. This time it was his fault. He let Gordon trap him, and now he’d pay for it.
The still healing scars on his back itched. Gordon promised his father there would be no more beatings. But Kane saw the lie in his eyes. The sadistic bastard enjoyed it too much to let go. Until now, Kane managed to stay out of Gordon’s way.
Kane moaned. The part of his mind not gripped by the raw fear of the boy he had been knew he dreamed, remembered. Exhaustion kept him from breaking free of it. Instead, he sank deeper, trapped in his own past.
His shoulders burned as he hung from a hook—a large, heavy duty hook Gordon attached to the beam stretching across the cellar, just for this purpose. No one came here, aside from the odd servant. It was perfect for a heartless boy to torture his latest victim. Kane swallowed. He knew the gleam in Gordon’s pale grey eyes—he was on a tear, and Kane was the source of his release.
The whip slithered across the dirt floor. Kane’s gut clenched, and he tried to relax. It hurt more if he tensed his muscles. The first blow forced a raw gasp from him.
“Scream, bastard boy. I’ll not stop until you scream.”
That was a blatant lie, but Kane knew better than point it out. Again.
The whip tore at him, leaving a line of fire in its wake. Then Gordon did what he had not done before. He hit Kane in the same spot. The searing pain had him screaming.
“There it is.” Gordon sounded breathless. “Again.”
The whip sliced into his raw skin. Kane couldn’t stop the scream any more than he could stop the pain. Gordon moved to a fresh patch of skin, laid into him again. And again. Kane fought for breath, only to have it driven out by another agonizing lash. He waited to pass out, part of him aware he may not wake up if he did—
“Gordon.”
The quiet, accented voice stopped Kane’s torture. Gordon’s father. The newly restored Count of Dunois.
“Father—I caught him—”
“No more lies. Give me the whip.”
“Father—”
“If I have to ask again, you will receive a taste of it.”
Kane shuddered at the scream of rage. Gordon stalked into sight, his round face flushed red. “It’s all your fault!” He leaned in, until only Kane could hear his voice. “Next time I’ll find a secluded spot, and kill you slowly.”
Kane didn’t let himself relax until Gordon stomped out of the cellar. He almost screamed again as strong hands lifted him off the hook. “I have you, mon fils. Now we are going to the ground, so I can check the damage.”
Good as his word, the count eased Kane down until he knelt on the ground, shaking so badly he couldn’t sit up on his own. Every movement set his back on fire. He dug his fingers into the hard dirt when the count touched him.
“Forgive me for causing you more pain, Jackson. Forgive me for leaving you to Gordon’s temper.”
“Sir,” Kane whispered, his throat so raw it hurt to speak. “Not—your fault.”
“I will make it right. I promise you, mon fils. I will take care of you.”
Kane didn’t remember anymore. He passed out from the pain, woke up a week later to discover he was a permanent member of the count’s household. That was enough of a shock. The second came when the housekeeper told him Gordon had been sent to a Swiss boarding school. For the first time since his father sold him to the boy’s home, he felt safe—
“Jackson?”
The soft voice jerked him awake. He opened his eyes, and found Elizabeth sitting up, one hand on his wrist.
“Sorry.”
“You were dreaming.” She twined their fingers together, and the cold that gripped him started to thaw. “It must have been a bad one.”
She left it wide open, for him to talk about it, unburden himself. He took the coward’s path.
“I don’t remember.”
“Good thing. You looked like you were being tortured.”
He ignored the poke at his conscience. “How are you feeling?”
“I have a headache, but nothing like—last night?”
“Yes. We both had a rough night.”
She reached for him. “Your shoulder—”
“Will be fine. Appia treated it, and your head.”
“That’s where we are—her shop. I vaguely remember smelling herbs, and—there were two men.”
“Quintus stood up for us, and Marius backed him up. He is the temporary commander of Ver...”
“Vercovicium. A mouthful, I know. I remember now—Marius brought us here, for safekeeping. You look like hell.”
Her comment surprised a laugh out of him. “As I said, a rough night.”
“And someday you’ll trust me enough to tell me about the dream you don’t remember. Until then, come here.” She tugged on his hand. “I’m not ready to get up yet, and I missed sleeping with you. Is your shoulder—”
“Fine.” It burned like bloody hell, but he wasn’t about to tell her that. God help him, just the sight of her had him throbbing. But they needed sleep more than he needed the temporary relief. With her, he knew he would never get enough. Every time he loved her, he wanted her more.
Kane moved to join her, and froze when she grabbed the hem of her sweater and pulled it off, revealing that beautiful, slim body. All she wore now was a thin camisole and her tiny silk panties, sleep tangled blonde hair falling around her, brushing her waist. He went rock hard.
“Take your clothes off, Kane. You might as well be comfortable.”
That was the last thing he would be.
He unbuttoned his trousers, and swore to find a pair that did not button. He wanted to turn around, so he didn’t frighten her when he dropped them, but he changed his mind. She started it, now she was about to see the effect she had on him. He pushed down his trousers, his erection straining against the cotton placket of his boxers.
Her eyes widened, and she swallowed. Kane let her stare at him, before he gave her a smile. “I can sleep. Just sleep, since we are both more than a bit banged up.”
“Right.” She scooted over, and he swore he saw disappointment flash in her eyes before her hair curtained her face.
He lay on his left side, and stretched his arm out to pillow her head. He could just sleep, damn it, even if it killed him. When she lowered herself to the bed and slid back until she pressed into his hard, thick length, he figured it just might.
He tried not to move, but his body took charge, finding her heat. She let out a low moan, and grabbed his hip when he started to pull back.
“Beth—”
“Don’t go,” she whispered. She moved her hand—and his breath lodged in his throat as he watched her remove those tiny panties.
“Are you trying to seduce me, Elizabeth?”
She turned over, tossed the panties at the floor, and smiled at him. “Yes, I am. If you approve, your grace.”
The mention of his hated title should have bothered him. But like his scars, she simply accepted it as part of him, without the need to exploit it, or him. “I would love for you to continue.”
With a shaky breath, she kept eye contact, and slipped her hand inside his boxers. He nearly bolted at the feel of her fingers on him.
“Kane?”
“Fine,” he whispered. “Better than fine.”
“I haven’t—I never—”
“Initiated?” She shook her head. “You’re doing everything right so far, love.”
A smile eased the hesitation he saw in her eyes. “I’m going to let go, for a second.”
He felt cold when her fingers left him, until he saw the reason. She sat, and pulled off her camisole. First sight of her slim body took him from rock hard to painfully hard. She reached over and tugged at the waistband of his boxers.
“I’d like these off, please.”
He stood and got rid of the boxers, then waited for her. If she wanted to be in charge, she would be in charge. The thrill of it shot heat through him.
Elizabeth knelt on the bed—and Kane let out a raw gasp when she closed her hand over him. A wicked smile crossed her face, and his knees nearly buckled as she started stroking his length.
“Another right move?”
He kissed her, let his lips and his tongue answer. She matched the pace of their tongues sliding against each other with her hand. He started to jerk against her fingers, every inch hot and aching. He broke off the kiss and caught her wrist. She stopped immediately.
“Kane? I didn’t do something wrong, did I?”
“Too much right, Beth, too fast.”
A blush spread over her cheeks. “Oh.”
He kissed the tip of her nose. “Only you affect me like this. I have never lost control with another woman.”
“Did you want me to stop? I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”
“I have moved far beyond uncomfortable.” He smiled, and brushed his lips over hers. “Stopping now would likely kill me, love. Now, what would you have me do next?”
“On the bed, on your left side.” She backed up, giving him room. After he stretched out, she spread her hair over the headrest, then spooned him, his swollen length pressing into her heat. “I want to feel every inch of you, inside me.”
“Beth.” It was all he could do not to embed himself in her. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
“We can go slowly.”
He smiled. “That is my line.”
“I’m in charge this time, so I get to use it.”
“Then take charge, my love.”
She slid her hand along his hip, and he closed his eyes. He didn’t think he could get any harder, but she just proved him wrong.
“You feel so good,” she whispered. “I love the way you feel against me, love the way you smell—like the woods after it rains. So clean, so masculine. It has always turned me on.”
He swallowed. “God help me.”
She took his hand, and laid it on her breast. They both let out a shaky breath. “I want you to touch me.”
He obliged, rubbing her nipple between his fingers until she arched into his hand. His lips brushed her shoulder, and he moved his hand to her other breast, caressing, teasing. She slid herself along his length, and he groaned. He needed to be inside her.
“Beth—”
“Yes.” Her hand closed over him, and he growled, nearly at his breaking point. She shifted her leg, guiding him until the tip of his erection slid into her heat. “Fill me, Kane,” she whispered. “Please—I need you.”
“Hell—” His own need exploded through him and he couldn’t wait any longer. He slipped his hand down, spread his fingers over her stomach. She moaned, pushing against him—and let out a sharp gasp as he drove himself all the way in. He stilled, afraid he’d gone too far. “Are you—”
“Good. Better than good.” She tilted her hips, and he sank even deeper. His sensitized skin felt every bit of friction. “Stay right there,” she whispered, her breath harsh. “I want to just feel you, inside me like this—Oh, God, Kane.” Her body tightened around him, and he jerked in response. “I don’t understand how you do this to me. I always considered sex kind of—obligatory.”
“Not anymore?” He was surprised he could talk.
“God, no.” She dug her fingers into his hip and pressed closer, and he felt himself touch the core of her. “Oh, God...”
“Make love with me, wife.”
She let out a breathless laugh, and rocked against him, every small movement like exquisite torture. Her sharp, ragged gasps ignited him. He wouldn’t last much longer, not buried in her like this, her body hot and tight around him. He couldn’t say anymore, couldn’t think anymore. His body took over, moved with her, the feel of her incredible.
“Oh, God—Kane—faster—”
He obeyed, thrusting hard and fast. She matched his pace, letting out a low, helpless moan with every stroke. The sound of it had him moving faster.
She shuddered, and he knew she was on the edge. His hand closed over her breast. She arched against his touch, her hand covering his, fingers clenching when he rubbed his thumb over her nipple.
Her body surrounded him, the feel of her like a drug. He never wanted to stop, never wanted to let her go. He thrust himself inside her, faster, harder, until his body begged for release.
She cried out, her body bowing as she climaxed, and her orgasm triggered his. He held on to her, the start of his own release pulsing through him. With a final desperate thrust he let go, and fell with her over the edge.
~ ~ ~
Kane took in a shuddering breath. Elizabeth had the same trouble, her rapid breath hot on his arm. Her soft, warm body had him twitching inside her. She looked over her shoulder, surprise in those dazed eyes.
“How—”
“You are—like a stimulant.” He draped his right arm over her hip. He didn’t think it could go any further, and her smooth, firm skin was a nice resting spot while he caught his breath. “I meant to take it slow.”
“I liked it fast.” With a sigh, she leaned her head against his shoulder. “You took my breath away.” She sounded more than breathless. Pain edged her voice.
“Beth. Look at me.” She did, flushed from their lovemaking, but pale under it. “Lie still, love.” He eased himself out of her, ignored the desire to sink into her again, and pulled her back against him. “Forgive me. We should have slept instead of—”
“Having hot, mind melting sex? I’ll live, Kane. I’m just a little lightheaded.”
He leaned in, kissed her temple, her skin warm under his lips. No fever. Relief eased some of his guilt. “Get some sleep. Once I rest a bit, I am going to work on the transport...” His voice faded as he looked at her empty wrist. “Beth, where is—”
“In the pocket of my trousers,” she said, her voice slurred. “I took it off after Marius stopped us. I wasn’t sure when I’d have another chance before I passed out.”
He pressed his lips to her hair. “I am so sorry, love.”
“Not your fault. You didn’t put Hadrian’s Wall there.”
He chuckled, pulled her in tighter. “Sleep for me. I will get us home before you know it.”
She tucked herself against him, had him twitching again. He forced himself to ignore it, and pulled the damask up to cover them.
“Love you,” she whispered.
Kane studied her as she drifted off, her breathing slow and even.
“I love you, Beth. And I will find a way to take you home.”