Page 50 of Unbound Boxset

Jack stared at the naked, sleeping woman beside him. He tamped down on the sense of pure triumph and possession streaking through his testosterone system. Always logical and able to sort out a situation, he admitted last night had been a mistake. Erect and uncomfortable, he’d sought a brisk walk along the cliffs to ease the tension. When he found himself at her window, he turned and saw her on the rocks. Half-naked, head arched up to the sky, pleasuring herself. He knew in that moment he had to claim her body, despite his disgust for everything she was. His primitive instincts roared through him and civilization had no chance at survival. Jack made a quick decision to sleep with her and wring her out of his system. Then go on with his search for a real wife.

Julianna grunted in her sleep and smashed her face into the pillow. Unlike her ladylike tendencies in public, her private fantasies in the bedroom surpassed any of his expectations. He reached for her multiple times during the night, expecting her to fight him or tire. Instead, she took everything he gave and begged for more. Jack looked down at his rock-hard erection with dismay. His need for her wasn’t going away. Their time together had only increased it.

Jack knew she’d awaken confused and upset by her impulsive decision to take the gardener to bed. If he wanted more, he needed a plan. Something to disarm her defenses.

He still needed to look for his own wife, one who didn’t care about wealth and trappings. Julianna was a distraction he should walk away from, no matter how much his cock craved her. Yet, she called to him on a deep, primitive level he couldn’t deny. He wanted to initiate her into the world of sex and pleasure; to be the man who recognized the fire burning inside and set it free. Then, he could move on. He was positive she’d eventually bore him, and he’d be in a better place to meet someone who he could truly love and respect.

This was simply sex.

Jack left the bedroom and made his way into the fully stocked kitchen. He noted with amusement the organic whole bean coffee with a fancy espresso machine and got to work. He loved Americans and their joy for toys.

He made the coffee with quick, economical movements and brought in two cups. After his first sip, he grudgingly approved of the machine, since it was the best damn cup of coffee he’d ever had.

Jack watched with amusement as she lifted her head halfway up the pillow as the heady scent hit her senses. Slowly, one eye opened. She stared at him, perched half naked in the chair beside her bed. Jack watched the flicker of expressions cross over her face as the events of last night replayed in her mind. A chuckle strangled his lips when red-hot color flooded her cheeks. She sat up.

“Good morning. I made coffee.”

She didn’t answer, just took in his wardrobe of black briefs and a morning erection. Julianna ducked her head and reached for the cup. “Good morning,” she said, her voice a bit husky from sleep. “Thank you.”

He grinned with delight at her polite tone and wondered if she’d speak so properly if he had his cock deep in her throat. He pushed the thought aside and got to work before her defenses shot back up.

“I know you may be regretting last night. Probably thinking it’ll never happen again, it was a mistake, so on and so forth.”

She didn’t respond but he knew he’d snagged her attention. “So, before we make a mess of our morning, I’d like to offer you a proposal.”

One brow arched. He caught a glimmer of irritation from cocoa-brown eyes, which only made him want to slam her back on the bed and kiss the expression off her face. “What proposal?” she asked.

“You want to marry someone with money.” He put up his hands as she opened her mouth to snap at him. “I’m not judging, just noting what you told me. I may not agree, but I certainly understand. A wanderer isn’t in the cards for your mate. But if last night was any indication, you need to let off some steam before you explode.”

He spoke fast. “Who knows what type of husband you’ll decide to settle down with? This is an opportunity for both of us to satisfy ourselves sexually without any expectations. I’ll be leaving in a few weeks. We’ll keep our affair a secret, and I’ll only visit you late at night. You pursue your proper husband, and I’ll finish my work here and move on. We’ll keep out of the public eye, there’ll be no nasty gossip, and you won’t ruin your reputation.”

She sipped her coffee and stared at him. Her eyes narrowed in suspicion. “How do I know you’ll keep a secret?”

He dropped his gaze to her naked breasts, hanging heavy and ripe. Her nipples hardened immediately and stood to attention, practically begging for his mouth. He gave a low, wicked laugh as she yanked up the sheet to cover herself. “Because I want you and it’s an arrangement that suits us both.”

She tossed a heavy tangled mass of chocolate curls over her shoulder and challenged him. “How do you know my cravings aren’t slaked? Maybe I got you out of my system last night. Maybe it’s time for you to leave.”

Lust speared deep and hard. God, she was gorgeous. All flushed, soft skin and wet heat. She wanted to play games with a master. Damn, she had spirit. She never let a man peek beneath her surface. He stretched out his legs in lazy abandon as she watched him from heavily lidded eyes, halfway cautious. He reached for her cup and placed it on the table. “Maybe we should find out.”

He moved quickly. In seconds, he ripped off the sheet and pinned her to the mattress. He caught her wrists and held them high above her head, while he held her down with one heavy thigh. She breathed hard, her mouth open, slightly in shock. He kept his hold firm as he allowed his other hand to lazily trace the outline of her body, flicking her nipples, traveling downward to dip two fingers in her pulsing wetness. Her eyes darkened and she arched away from him, trying to free herself.

“Let me go.” Her words caught on a pant as he used his thumb to work her clit in a gentle, steady rhythm.

“I’ll give you one more minute to make your decision. Tell me to go again and I’m out of here.”

He covered his mouth with hers and drank in the heady taste of her while he continued to arouse. Her tongue tangled and battled with his as he fought for possession of her mouth, then celebrated his victory by marauding every last inch of her slick, hot entrance. Her juices flowed freely against his hand and she twisted wildly underneath him, desperate for more. When he pulled away, he no longer felt like playing. Jack waited.

“Tell me to go,” he said.

She moaned, caught halfway to orgasm. His thumb paused on her throbbing clit. Her fingers clenched against his and she gave him the words. “I can’t.”

Victory surged in through his veins. “You agree to the bargain? You belong to me at night. You do anything I say.”

“What if I don’t like what you do?”

His grin was wicked and dirty. He liked when she challenged him. Beneath her prudish exterior was a wildcat who yearned for freedom. He intended to use his time wisely to spring open the cage. “I will never do anything you don’t want. I will never hurt you unless you ask for it. And I guarantee you will orgasm every time, multiple times.”

Her eyes grew glassy, and satisfaction roared through him as he sensed victory. “Yes,” she whispered.