“I haven’t been treating you very well, have I?” His voice soft and low, he was watching her with hooded eyes. “My brand new wife, home and all alone.”
“I wasn’t alone. I had Francine,” she said, her voice strained, and she tried to pull her hand away. He did not let go.
“Francine,” he said with a low chuckle. “Can Francine make your pulse race like it’s doing now? Can she steal your breath away like this?”
Before Erin could decipher his cryptic message, Dare was on his feet pulling her into his arms. He dipped his head and captured her mouth with his and kissed her until she swayed and leaned into him. She had no choice. The man had caught her off guard, infiltrated her ranks before she’d had a chance to shore up her defenses. All her well-made plans, all her schemes to resist him were dashed with one fell kiss.
Dare lifted his head and stared into her eyes, his fingers moving quickly. He was untying her sash and loosening the buttons of her top.
Erin gripped his wrist, trying to still his hands. She had to regain her sanity. “Dare, no. We can’t-” She gasped, unable to say more.
Dare had sat back down on the chair, leaving her standing, and now he had her nipple between his teeth.
Oh, Lord, how was she going to resist? He was sucking on her nipple now, and her hands that had tried to restrain him fell away, leaving him to do as he pleased. When his heated palms slid up her back, her body shuddered with the feel of his caress and she moaned. Of their own volition her hands went up to cup Dare’s head and pull him into her, the better to savor his sweet seduction.
Finally, Dare released her but only long enough to push her pajama top and robe off her shoulders and pull her onto his lap. If she’d had any doubts about the state of his arousal they were dismissed immediately. The hardness that pressed up through the cotton fabric of her pajama bottom was testament to the depth of his desire.
Now totally bare from the waist up, Erin felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her and she turned to bury her face in Dare’s neck. She turned her body toward him, clinging to his shirt, trying to hide herself from his gaze.
Her body had changed and her heart faltered as she wondered how he would react. Her br**sts had grown fuller, riper and so much more sensitive. The slightest touch sent thrills coursing through her body. But her waist had thickened and she could no longer close the button on her jeans. How would he see her now?
Her face still hidden, Erin could feel Dare’s hands roaming over her body. She was not seeing, just feeling - the warmth of his body against hers, his big hands cupping her br**sts, his fingers teasing her ni**les - and the sensations were so intense that she moaned.
“You’re so beautiful.”
Dare’s hoarse whisper was like a song to her heart and she sighed and relaxed in his arms.
“Come,” he said then lifted her into his arms and stood. “It’s time I had a real taste of my lovely wife.”
At his words Erin’s eyes widened and she laid a hand on his chest. “Dare, no. You promised.”
He was heading out of the kitchen now, carrying her as if she were nothing but a small child. “Promised what?”
“This marriage. It’s in name only,” she said as she began to wriggle in his arms. She wanted him to put her down. How firm and businesslike could she be when he was holding her so close she could hear his heart beating in her ear? No, she needed to be on solid footing to have this conversation.
“In name only.” He gave a harsh laugh. “You’ve got to be kidding.” He kept on walking, totally ignoring her struggle to get down.
“Put me down.” Erin spoke through clenched teeth and gave him a punch on the arm. He didn’t even flinch. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”
That brought another laugh from Dare. “You seem to be coming along quite nicely.”
“Dare, if you don’t put me down this instant I’m going to scream and you’re not going to like it.”
“Go ahead. Scream all you want. Francine is all the way in the far wing of the house and she sleeps like a log.”
By this time they were in a part of the house to which Erin had never ventured. They were approaching Dare’s suite. She had to do everything in her power to stay out of his room. Once inside, she would be lost. She had to make him stop.
“Dare DeSouza if you don’t put me down I’m going to scream bloody murder.” She was determined that she would not cross his threshold. He’d rejected her once. She would never, ever give him the opportunity to do it again. She drew for the one thing she knew was guaranteed to make him stop. “Are you so desperate you’re resorting to rape?”
If she’d shot him in the chest with a bullet it could not have halted him faster. Dare came to a sudden stop and, his face black as midnight, he stared down at her. “What the hell did you just say?”
Erin dropped her eyes and bit her lower lip. She didn’t need to repeat herself. He’d heard her loud and clear. And her plan had worked.
Dare slid his arm from beneath her legs and lowered her to the ground. Once he’d set her on her feet he stepped back and his look was dark with displeasure.
“I want you, Erin. Make no mistake about that. But I’ll be damned if I’ll be accused of rape.” He folded his arms across his chest. “I may want you but I will never force myself on you.” His gray eyes turned cold. “Next time, you’ll have to be the one to make the first move. I won’t lay a finger on you unless you come to me. Begging.”
With that, he turned on his heels and walked away, leaving her standing there, her arms still wrapped around her chest.
She’d made her point and he’d gotten the message. Mission accomplished. So why did she feel like her life had just ended?
Slowly she turned and walked back to the kitchen. As she dressed an unexpected tear slid down her cheek.
With a sniff she wiped it away with the back of her hand, disgusted with herself for this display of weakness. If she was going to survive under Dare DeSouza’s roof she’d better develop a backbone.