Alice.” I obey with quaking vision. “No,” he says. “This isn’t fear. This is passion.”
“I can’t be what you want me to be for you, Charles,” I whisper.
“Alice, I want nothing more from you than what you already are,” he says.
“Do you care about me at all?” I ask him.
He smiles. “More than you could ever know.” His entwines his fingers with mine. “When I’m around you, Alice, I completely lose myself.”
“Is that true?”
“Every word,” he says. “I was not lying before. I can provide for you. I can offer you any life you desire in exchange for your body. I’ll make you just as happy as you make me, and that’s more important than love.” My breath shakes through my lips. “Anything you want,” he whispers. “Say the word and it’s yours, Alice.”
I close my eyes. My desires betray me, pushing me closer to the edge than I’ve ever been before. There’s a final thought, lingering on the edge of my consciousness, holding me back from giving myself over to him completely. I look at him and a tear falls down my cheek.
“Why me?” I ask weakly.
Charles breathes a laugh. “Say yes,” he whispers, “and I promise I’ll show you.”
“Yes!” The word expels from my lips. It knocks the wind out of me and I fight to catch my breath.
He takes me into his arms so quickly, it makes me dizzy, and when he kisses me, I lose all control of myself.
“Alice…” he breathes my name, whispering it softly in my ear as he undresses me piece-by-piece.
He lets my own passions run wild with him. I pull him closer to me so I can feel his hardness pressing against the inside of his trousers, fighting to break free to be inside of me. My tongue taps the roof of my mouth, craving his intoxicating flavors. I reach for his belt, but he stops me and lifts me up onto the bed.
His eyes fall onto my naked body and he stares at me for a moment before speaking. “Turn around,” he demands.
I tremble and obey him slowly. I turn over onto my belly and look over my shoulder at him. He pulls his shirt over his head and tosses it to the floor. I watch as he unzips his trousers and pushes them to the floor as his eyes wander across my ass. His member stands on end, stiff with desire. I lick my lips and move to sit back up.
“Stay there,” he says. “Face forward.”
I lay back down and look to the wall. I hear him moving behind me and the sound of drawer opening and closing. Something small lands on the bed next to my elbow. I recognize it in the firelight. An unopened condom.
He climbs onto the bed behind me and balances above me. His fingers trace up my back, tickling the sensitive skin as they climb upwards. I sigh with desire as he bends over and kisses my neck. I feel his tongue against my skin. He moans as he moves, tasting me, relishing in me. Then he quickly pushes himself back and grips my hips. My body jerks upright and he bends me how he wants me onto my hands and knees. My teeth chatter with fresh fear and brilliant desire.
“Charles…” I moan for him, but then I cry out in pain as his hand connects with my rear. My elbows buckle and I push myself back up.
“Alice—” he growls. “Did you like that?” I open my mouth to speak, but no words come out. His palm slaps me again and I fall forward against the bed. “Sit up.” I force myself back up, my body tingling with fresh sensations. Charles leans over me, his body pressed against my back, and whispers in my ear. “If you don’t like it, I won’t do it again.” His voice travels my spine. “Tell me, Alice.”
My muscles twitch below him. My tongue has gone dry. I fight to find my voice again. “I liked it,” I breathe, telling him the truth.
He raises back up behind me. I bite my lip and prepare for another slap.
It connects harder and faster than the first two and I scream at the wall. His fingers find my hair and he gives me a quick jerk up. I bare my teeth and whimper with passion as he holds me against
Kate Grenville
Cyndi Friberg
Priscilla Masters
Richard Dorson (Editor)
Arwen Jayne
Andre Norton
Virginia Brown
Jayne Castle
Elizabeth Adler
Vaiya Books