Page 19 of Uncrowned

Fingers dug into my ass, pulling me into him even more.

“I like when you say my name. Greece is beautiful. You’d like Greece. Fuck.” Suction tugged at my throat, and I cried out, trying to twist in his hold. Fear engulfed me, but I swallowed it back, remembering my father’s words.

“Please. My Lord. I… I’m scared.”

The man froze, pulling back as if only just catching himself. Yet there was something deep in his eyes that told me he liked my fear. Soon, there’d be no one to stop him. No one but me.

“Forgive me.” His lips were softer as he came back to my mouth. “I forget myself with you. You have no idea what you do to me. We won’t have to wait long now. A few more weeks. That’s all I can manage. I want you, Penelope. I’ve waited forever.”

I could barely breathe as I forced my head back to scan his face.

“Have you? Have you really wanted me for so long?”

His kiss was bordering brutal as he hungrily came back to me.

“You have no idea. You were always so pretty. Always there visiting Pauly. And then I started coming here to visit you. I can still see you in your cute dresses and frilly lace socks. I’ll get you more. You can wear them just for me.”

My fingers dug into his chest as I fought not to be sick. Lace socks? I hadn’t worn those since I was a little girl. To John, I had no doubt he took it as a good sign, but I was barely able to keep calm. Screams echoed in my mind at the thought, screaming. Screaming. So much anger… Screaming.

“I’ll faint if you don’t let me breathe. I… My Lord, please.”

A soft laugh left him, and he pulled back, leading me to one of the chaise’s centered in the middle of the two-story room.

“So innocent. So beautiful.”

I squeezed into my thighs, a nervous habit I couldn’t shake. Where I could usually stop at the first signs of pain, I kept digging in. Sick. Sick. Monster. This man wasn’t right. This man. And we were here alone.

“I’m afraid I’m a little dizzy. Would you please get me some water? I…” I brought the back of my hand to my forehead, waving air to my face. Maybe it was a bit dramatic, but if he saw I was unwell, perhaps he’d back off?

“Water. Of course.”

He stood, looking over his shoulder as he threw me a smile. And it wasn’t leaving. Back off? No, this was feeding him. I couldn’t allow that. This was a mistake.

“Actually.” I stood. “Maybe tea would be better. I’m already recovering. You must think of me as such a child. A woman that can’t even be kissed. I must look⁠—”

“Desirable.”

“Oh.” My smile was forced as I headed and picked up the landline, pushing Rose’s extension. She answered almost immediately. “Refreshments in the library for me and Lord Allford, please.”

I hung up, heading back to the chaise.

“Tell me more about Greece. You said you thought I’d like it?”

John’s gaze ate me alive as he came back to join me.

“You’re afraid of me. Of what we share.”

“…I am. I—I’ve only ever—and that one time it was mostly kissing. It was very fast and blurry to me. I’m sure you heard I had way too much to drink.”

John sat down, scooting closer. I could smell the liquor on his breath as he placed his hand just above my knee.

“I did hear a little about that, but I won’t hurt you. I know what happens between a husband and wife can be intimidating, but we’ll take our time. I can make you feel good, Penelope.” Closer, he leaned in, until his breath brushed my cheek. “You’ll be begging me for more. It’ll feel so good for both of us.”

Pressure from his fingers increased on my leg, traveling towards my thigh.

“My Lord⁠—”

“I won’t go too far. I just want you to feel, Penelope. I want you to see that it doesn’t have to be scary. We can take things slow. By the time we marry, having me will be all you can think about.”