UNDER BY DURESS by Kayla Stonor Page A

increasing the pace. She matched him, rising up to meet every stroke until he pounded into the throbbing waves of pleasure detonating throughout her body.
    “ Now ,” he cried as he came, releasing a warmth that blew her away. She gripped his shoulders as every nerve inside her pulsated into a shooting burst of sweet, tight climax that swelled and receded and swelled, higher and higher. She clung to him, holding him in place as her world shattered around him.
    She smiled, adrift on a cloud among the stars.
    His lips brushed hers. “Unbelievable.”
    Her inner muscles quivered against him, alive and tender, unable to let go of the contractions linking body and mind. “Hmm . . .”
    She felt him soften as his final contractions subsided and grabbed his ass to keep him there. Not letting him go. “Still worth the discomfort?” she teased softly.
    “And then some.”
    A terrible sadness overcame her. “I’m going to miss you,” she whispered.
    His lips kissed her tears away.
    She pulled him down on her, wrapping his weight about her like a blanket. Somehow he managed not to crush her.
    His head buried into her neck. “I won’t forget you, Tahima.”
    “I’m so sorry.”
    “Not your fault. Let fate run its course. It might surprise you.”
    “I hope so.”
    Her last thought before sleep claimed her was that he was still inside her.
     

 
     
    ~ Chapter Nine ~
     
     
     
     
    Tahima opened her eyes to daylight. Just like yesterday, something had woken her, but she wasn’t sure what. Rossini was spooned around her as he had been all night. He was out for the count, had barely moved whenever she had uncoiled herself from his arms to tend the fire. She listened to the embers popping and crackling. The fire was dying. Maybe that was what had woken her.
    Careful not to disturb Rossini, she slipped out from under him, immediately missing his body warmth. Shivering in the chill morning air, she sat up and all but jumped out of her skin at the sight of an armed man silhouetted in the cave entrance. He was in full hunter gear and she recognized him instantly.
    Swiftly covering her breasts with one arm, she pulled up her knees to protect her modesty. “What the hell are you doing, Hank? Get out of here!”
    He ignored her, seemingly fixated by Rossini’s butt.
    Tahima was shocked. She’d always pegged Hank as a full-blooded male with a non-discerning eye for the ladies. She glanced down at Rossini and saw his eyes were open. He was quietly absorbing the situation, but being on his side facing her, he was completely unaware of Hank’s gaze traveling up the length of his body before coming to rest on his cuffed hand. Rossini had folded his shirt under his wrist for support, so there was nothing to hide the fact that he was chained to a piton.
    An urge to protect him flooded her. “I said—”
    “Hold ya horses, Tahima.” Hank’s gaze flicked to her. He shifted his rifle so it pointed in their general direction. “You’re in no position to play high and mighty. I’m athinking old man Falker would kick his bucket to learn the kinks you’re into. Perhaps I oughta stop by . . .”
    Tahima’s voice dropped several degrees. “You’d be too late, Hank. Gramps died a couple of months back. Now will you get the hell out?”
    “Who’s lover-boy then?”
    “Tahima,” Rossini murmured.
    She looked down. He shook his head, a clear warning not to reveal his identity.
    Hank jerked his rifle up. “Hey! What’d he say?”
    Rossini bit his lip. His eyes pleaded with her.
    Tahima racked her brain. Rossini was in a highly compromising position. And she’d never get rid of Hank if he knew her lover was wanted by the police. Hank had a big mouth, too. It wasn’t just Rossini’s reputation at stake. She’d never be able to show her face in town. The thought made her feel queasy. “He wants you to go, Hank. You can see this is awkward for him.”
    “Don’t give a rat’s ass. Whatsamatter with him? Why don’t he show