Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 54160 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 271(@200wpm)___ 217(@250wpm)___ 181(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54160 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 271(@200wpm)___ 217(@250wpm)___ 181(@300wpm)
I dreaded the shame of experiencing pleasure when he didn’t intend to give me a choice, but I would get through this with as much dignity as I could muster. Just like I’d done in the car, I could choose to endure. I wouldn’t let him break me.
We stepped into an opulent bedroom, and he kicked the door closed behind us. I jolted as the noise boomed through my entire body, as though he’d slammed it with all his strength. The sound was a condemnation, a punctuation that put an end to my life before this forced marriage. He’d already taken away my freedom to choose my future. In a few minutes, he would take my virginity too. If I didn’t carefully guard the core of myself, my soul, he would take everything that I was and strip me down to nothing.
He finally set me down on my feet, his big hands bracketing my waist as though I would fall if he didn’t steady me. Embarrassingly, I realized my knees were shaking. I did need the support. I clenched my jaw to keep my teeth from rattling, and a chill settled deep inside my bones. I didn’t want to show fear, but terror iced over my limbs despite my best efforts to deny it.
A big hand cupped my frigid cheek, and his warm brown eyes were almost kind as he looked down into mine. “It’s okay, kitten. I’ll make you feel good.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of.” I whispered the confession before I could think better of it.
A frown tugged at his lips. “There’s no need to fear pleasure, Elenora. I’ll show you how good it can be between us. I’ll show you what your body is capable of. All you have to do is yield, and I’ll make you come so hard you forget your own name. You’ll be screaming mine soon enough.”
Another tremor wracked my body at his dark promises. The thought of him having that much power over me was terrifying. I didn’t want to forget my own name. I didn’t want to lose control of myself.
His hand cupped my nape, long fingers sliding into my hair. He tugged gently, urging me to drop my head back, so I had no choice but to stare up into his eyes. My breaths came quick and shallow through parted lips, and his gaze darkened as it flicked to my mouth.
“Don’t be afraid, kitten,” he murmured, the soft command warm on my cheeks as he lowered his face to mine. “I’ll take care of you.”
“I can take care of myself.” The defiant words came out in a strained whisper. I wasn’t sure if I believed them. Not when his strength surrounded me, his huge body caging me in. No man had ever touched me, and now Luca was handling me as though he owned every inch of my body.
His face dipped closer to mine, until our lips brushed. “You don’t have to take care of yourself anymore. I’m your husband. It’s my job to protect you. It’s my job to give you pleasure. And I’ll teach you to please me as well.”
Before I could ask him what he expected of me, his mouth descended on mine. The kiss was firm but slow, coaxing me to respond. I fumbled for a few seconds, unsure how to move my mouth against his. I should’ve turned away from him, but his hand in my hair held me firm. I had no choice but to accept his kiss or turn to violence, but he would easily win if I physically challenged him.
I wouldn’t give him the opportunity to beat me and truly break me down. I would kiss him on my terms.
Tentatively, I began to shape my lips to his. When he’d kissed me after the wedding, my lips had parted on a shocked gasp, and he’d plundered my mouth until I was breathless and dizzy. This time, I opened willingly, learning how to meet the teasing strokes of his tongue.
His low rumble of masculine approval rolled into my mouth, vibrating down through my body and resonating deep inside me. A strange, purely feminine warmth I’d never felt before flooded my belly. I liked that he’d made that sound for me. Despite the fact that he was fully in control, a small pulse of power thrummed through my veins.
He released my hair, his fingers trailing along the side of my neck, tracing the shell of my ear. Sensation lit up my nerves, and sparks raced over my skin at the light contact. I hadn’t known a man’s brutal hands could feel so decadent.
His touch trailed lower, finding the top button on my blouse. I stiffened slightly when he deftly freed it, so he stroked his tongue deeper into my mouth, claiming my full attention. There was no more teasing, no coaxing; he devastated me. My hands flew to his shoulders, clutching onto him as my head began to spin. There was only his heat, his strength, and his masculine scent suffusing my senses. I didn’t have room in my brain to fully register the small thrill of fear as he parted my shirt, and cool air kissed the bare skin of my stomach. My flesh felt too hot in contrast, my body burning beneath his confident, masterful hands.