His Mistress by Monica Burns Page B

to ask her for assistance. He grunted an inaudible oath as his body became stiff and still as a statue. Patiently, she waited for him to ask for help, but he remained silent.
    “Bloody hell,” he exclaimed softly.
    He stood frozen in place clearly struggling to resist asking for her help, and she almost stepped forward to encourage him then stopped. It was obvious Tobias was a proud man, and as Angélique has said, he would not give way to her easily. This was a submission she could not coax from him. He would have to capitulate to her of his own volition. The room was quiet with tension as she watched him struggle with her command.
    Suddenly, he shifted his body to one side and edged one foot out his shoe. When he’d finished the initial task, he repeated the effort and proceeded to remove the other shoe. It didn’t really surprise her that he’d refused to ask for help right away. But she knew the moment was coming when he would have no choice but to do so. With his hands tied behind his back, he could not unfasten his trousers without her help.
    After several long moments Tobias managed to remove his socks as well. The effort appeared to vex him more than anything else. When he was finished, he jerked his head up, but kept his eyes downcast.
    “I will not beg.” His words were harsh and unrelenting.
    “I am not asking you to beg, Tobias,” she said quietly ignoring the fact that he’d spoken without permission.
    The muscles in his chest, shoulders, and arms were tight with tension, and his rigid posture made the veins in his neck more prominent. Then in a sudden motion he sank to his knees in front of her. Startled, she stared at his bent head in dismay. She’d meant every word when she’d said she had no desire for him to beg. All she’d asked was that he simply request her assistance, she had no wish to break his spirit.
    An instant later, her consternation changed abruptly to annoyance as she watched Tobias fall to his side then roll onto his back. With his back arched, he tried to slide his hands underneath his rear toward his thighs. Eyes closed in concentration, his handsome features twisted with discomfort as he slowly forced his lower body through arms that were barely flexible.
    Damn him, she should have bound his wrists tightly together and not given him any slack at all. The mistake reflected her inexperience and underestimation of Tobias’ stubborn nature. Aggravated with herself, she watched him inch his arms past thick muscular thighs. A moment later, he successfully rose to his feet with his arms in front of him. He was breathing hard from his exertions, and the thin line of his lips said his efforts had caused him considerable discomfort.
    In silence, Jane watched him reach for the buttons on his trousers. His fingers strong and steady, he slowly removed his pants and underwear. Her heartbeat accelerated as she took in the beauty of his naked body. Thighs hard and muscular gave way to sinewy calves. Even his feet were lovely to look at.
    With a restrained movement, which belied a fierce defiance, Tobias kicked his clothing to one side then straightened upright keeping his head bent. Although she sensed no amusement in him, there was no doubt as to his satisfaction at having acquiesced to her request without asking for help. She knew she should have chastised him, but one didn’t gentle a stallion with a whip. Gentleness and enticement would disarm Tobias. Punishment would only increase his defiance.
    Her gaze slid from his feet up to his groin. He was not fully aroused, but he was beautiful none the less. Desire settled between her legs, and she longed for his touch. The erotic images that flooded her mind dried her mouth. She tried to swallow, but failed as she contemplated what it would be like to be astride Tobias. If she gave way to desire too soon, she would be lost.
    It would upset the balance of power between them, and she couldn’t let that happen. Only when Tobias submitted to her