Page 54 of Unbound Boxset

CHAPTER SEVEN

Julianna opened the door, and threw her bag on the couch. With a sigh of relief, she kicked off her black heels and made her way into the bedroom. It was past ten, and she expected Jack soon. She’d have to tell him the truth. They couldn’t continue sleeping together if she began seriously dating someone, especially the man who might be her future husband. She thought about keeping the information to herself, but it wasn’t fair to either of them.

She loosened the pins holding up her hair and shook the heavy length free. Her fingers rubbed her sensitive scalp in a quick massage, then reached for the small Tiffany lamp.

“You’re late.”

Julianna gasped and whirled around. Over six feet of coiled male muscle stood in the corner of the room. Hands crossed over his chest. His usual attire of worn T-shirt and faded jeans clung to his body. His feet were bare.

“You scared me! How did you get in? I locked the door.”

“You need new locks. I told you to be ready and waiting for me.” His gaze raked over her figure, taking in her black skirt and frilly floral blouse that left her arms bare. Temper flared like a pissed off stallion, then eased as he seemed to blow it off. “Where were you?”

She nibbled at her lower lip. “On a date.”

He pushed himself away from the wall and stalked toward her. “Have fun?”

“Jack, we can’t do this anymore.”

He stopped in front of her. Reached out to snag a long dark curl, then twisted it slowly around his finger. The scent of musk and whiskey and grass assaulted her senses. “Why not?”

She shifted her feet like a nervous filly in heat. “Because he’s everything I’m looking for,” she blurted out. Heat rose to her cheeks as she fought to look him straight in the eye. Julianna hated being ashamed for selling herself for a price, but she’d do it with her chin up and refuse to flinch from the truth. “We’re going to see where this leads.”

“Good for you. But you’re date’s over. You’re mine now.”

Her heart slammed against her chest so hard she heard it over the drone of crickets drifting from the open window. “But I thought⁠—”

He used the pressure on her hair to guide her head back and loomed over her. Resolve glimmered from his eyes. “You thought wrong. Until you marry or I leave town, you belong to me at night. Get used to it.”

He covered her mouth with his. Warm lips probed hers, then surged in, his velvet tongue coaxing her to play. She moaned as her body flamed and kissed him back. When he raised his head, his face was triumphant. “Do we understand each other?”

She was too weak to speak so she managed a nod.

“Good. Now, take off your clothes and put these on.” He walked over to the bed and handed her two scraps of black lace. “You have five minutes. After that, I’m coming in.”

He pushed her toward the bathroom door and Julianna obeyed. She held up the outfit and felt a mingle of fear and excitement shimmy down her spine. She’d never worn sexy lingerie, let alone parade herself in front of a lover. The thought of exposing herself caused her belly to clench, but the clock was ticking and she didn’t want him to come after her. She quickly stripped and squeezed into the contraption. A sheer black lace thong barely covered her mound, and the top was a matching bra, except the bra part seemed to be missing. Her breasts squeezed and spilled into the empty holes where the padding should be, emphasizing the high thrust and ruby red nipples.

“One minute.”

His commanding voice drove her to open the door before she chickened out and begged for mercy. She walked slowly into the dimly lit room and tried to keep her head held high. She felt his eyes as a caress on every exposed inch of skin and the anticipation spiked her arousal. The musky scent of her juices drifted in the air.

“Beautiful. Your body was meant to be exposed, not hidden under layers of bulky clothing.” He tossed her a pair of black spike heels. “Put these on.” Julianna bent and slipped her feet into the shoes. He murmured his approval. “Now, turn around. Slow.”

Heat flushed her skin in humiliation but she did as told, spinning around in a circle as she felt cool air hit her ass like a kiss. She wanted his hands all over her, greedy and demanding and messy. She wanted no shred of civilization or propriety—just the sheer lust of a man who wanted to possess every crevice of her body.

“Good girl. Now, I want you to put your hands against that wall and spread your legs.”

“Jack—”

“Don’t make me say it again.”

She flinched, then settled herself against the wall. Her fingers clenched and her knees trembled slightly as she sought balance in the high heels. A rustle sounded behind her. A rush of his scent. Then warm, strong hands stroking back her hair and coasting down her spine, as if soothing a wild mare. She moaned deep and her skin heated; sensitized. He kept his touch gentle, tracing each vertebrate, curved buttocks, and the tops of her thighs. He slipped a hand between her legs to push her thighs farther apart, then tested her wetness.

Julianna gritted her teeth against the pull of those talented fingers, as he teased her pink bud and coaxed more moisture to drip over his hand, then used it to lubricate her further, testing the limits of her control. She arched back in pure need, desperate for those fingers to push deep inside and then⁠—

A sharp slap echoed in the room. She cried out at the hard sting on her bottom, then wiggled as the slight pain hit, followed by a rush of heat and pleasure. She lifted her hands from the wall and tried to turn.

“Hands on the wall, Julianna. Don’t move again.”