Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 103712 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 519(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 346(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103712 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 519(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 346(@300wpm)
As he moved, her brain short-circuited. In and out, with slow, firm, dominating thrusts that drove her to her toes and rocked the table.
The sounds that escaped her were raw and primal, torn from depths she didn’t know existed. The moment he gave her permission to speak, she couldn’t shut herself up. Every thrust pushed a cry out of her, his masculine groans rumbling like distant thunder as she clenched around his invading fingers.
She felt him everywhere, rippling through her veins like fire that burned with erotic delight. His clothing rustled behind her, but she couldn’t see him. He purposely held her in a position where she could only feel.
Her cheek rested on the table as he vehemently fucked his hand into her, but not painfully. He was not rough, but rather determined.
“Now, I want to hear my name from that pretty mouth of yours.”
“Ash,” she bit the word out on a moan.
“Again.”
“Ash.”
“Louder.”
“Ash!”
The guttural grunt from his chest should have warned her, but she wasn’t prepared. He shoved the sweater up her back as his hot release spattered across her bare ass. The masculine scent of his raw arousal tripped her past that final layer of resistance until she was screaming his name in ecstasy on a string of profanities and confessions she had no way of stopping.
Chapter 7
Honey & Lies
Marigold jerked as Ash placed a cold compress between her legs.
“Easy.”
Confused as to how she was back on Ash’s lap, she frowned at their surroundings. No longer in the kitchen, she wondered if she’d blacked out. “What happened?”
“I believe you caught a glimpse of euphoria.”
Last she recalled, she was plastered to the kitchen table being fisted by this complete stranger. A weak smile ghosted past her lips as she murmured, “I did it.”
“What’s that, printsessa?”
She hadn’t said stop. She submitted, and it didn’t break her. But that sense of pride was something just for her. Veiling her satisfaction, she blanked her expression and said, “Nothing.”
He pressed the cool, damp cloth against her swollen folds, but her body wasn’t as sore as she’d expected. At least not there. Her legs, however, trembled, and her throat was ravaged from screaming. How had the others not heard them?
“Do they know what you did?”
“I’m sure they watched.”
She stiffened. “What?”
He caught her chin in a gentle grip and angled her gaze toward the brass bear head in the corner. She’d seen the wall fixture in several rooms before.
“Wave, printessa.”
Her lips parted, and she shifted to close her legs.
“Uh-uh-uh.” He held her thighs apart. “I’m not finished.”
“Are they watching us now?”
“Someone’s always watching.” He slid her to the bed. The room was plain compared to the others she’d visited.
“Is this your room?”
“No. But it’s connected to one of the better bathrooms.” He disappeared through a door, and the familiar sound of rushing water met her ears. “Your bath will be ready in a few minutes. Do you need anything? How do you feel?”
“I feel…” Strange? Violated? Enlightened? Confused? Unsteady? “A lot of things.”
“Trust?”
She met his stare. “Am I allowed to say no?”
He chuckled. “Of course. But your resistance to trust will only make your part that much more challenging.”
Oddly, it was hints of his indifference that aggravated her most. “No, I don’t feel trust.”
“You will.” He held out a hand. “Come.”
He led her into one of the most opulent bathrooms she’d ever seen. White marble from floor to ceiling, and an enormous bathing pool in the center with a three-foot lip around the edge. It was something designed for gods.
Steam rose from the water as Ash set out towels, a robe, bath oils, and soaps, then poured bubble bath into the water. He swirled his fingers inside, and the scent of roses filled the air. “You can undress.”
She searched the walls. Sure enough, a small brass bear head was mounted to the center of the vanity mirror, in clear view of the bath. She stared into the bear’s eyes, hoping whoever was on the other end could see her disapproval.
She hadn’t felt ashamed until she learned they had an audience. Now, she was humiliated. How could she willingly let him do those things to her?
Removing her sweater, she held it against her chest, protectively covering her front, turning her back to the tub so the cameras couldn’t see her ass.
“Hell.” Ash was on his feet and touching her in half a second. “What have you done to yourself?”
“What?” She turned and gasped when she caught her reflection in the mirror. An angry, black bruise covered her shoulder.
“I think you’re past the point of ice, but I’ll get some anyway. Let me help you into the tub.”
He held her hand and helped her as if he were a complete gentleman, not a blackmailing pervert who just did unthinkable things to her.
She hadn’t realized how sore her body was until she sank into the warm water. Her muscles sagged with relief as the heat wrapped around her.