Page 24 of His Temptation

She should have hated him for it. Hated herself for how much she had enjoyed it. Instead, she felt something far more dangerous—an ache that had nothing to do with shame and everything to do with need.

Daragh pulled out and folded himself back into his trousers. Releasing his grip on her hair, he let his fingers slide down to cup her jaw. His thumb brushed over her lower lip, smearing the moisture there, a small, satisfied sound rumbling from his throat. “Good girl,” he murmured.

Heat flared in her cheeks. She clenched her fists against her thighs, resisting the urge to wipe her mouth just to defy him. He had taken what he wanted, but she had taken something from him, too. For a brief moment, she had been in control, and she had seen it—the way his perfect composure had cracked, the way his body had betrayed him.

But any illusion of power she had gained shattered in an instant when he bent down, gripped her waist, and hauled her up as if she weighed nothing.

“Daragh…” she gasped, but he was already moving.

He hoisted her effortlessly over his shoulder, his arm locking around her thighs as he strode out of the study as if she were nothing more than a disobedient pet being carried off for punishment.

Siobhan kicked against his hold, her fists pounding against his back. “Put me down, you bastard!”

Daragh’s chuckle was deep, rumbling through his chest, as he landed a hard swat on her backside. “You’ll learn to watch that mouth, kitten.”

“I’ll learn to claw your damn eyes out.”

His hand came down again sharply against the curve of her backside, the sting shooting straight through her, sending a traitorous shiver down her spine.

Siobhan stilled, barely breathing. He had spanked her. Her face burned as she tried to twist in his grip, but he tightened his hold, carrying her up the stairs with easy, measured strides.

“I think you like being over my shoulder,” he mused. “I wonder how you’d react if I had you over me knee?”

Color rose in her face because she had a bad feeling that he knew the answer to that and so did she. Each time he’d smacked her ass, the pain had bloomed and then spread into a warm glow that went straight to her pussy.

She let out a frustrated sound, shoving at his back, but it did nothing. He was like steel, immovable, unshakable. She wanted to curse him, but her throat was dry, her thoughts tangled.

By the time they reached the second level of the estate, she was seething… and wildly aroused. He kicked open the door to her room, strode inside, and dropped her onto the bed like shewas nothing more than a rag doll. Siobhan bounced against the mattress, propping herself up on her elbows, breathing hard.

Daragh stood over her, his gaze unreadable, his body still humming with a restrained energy that made her chest tighten.

She scrambled upright, her hands gripping the sheets. “You don’t get to just throw me around like...”

Daragh’s eyes darkened, his voice slow, deliberate. “I own you, kitten.” He leaned down, bracing his hands on either side of her hips. “And you just proved how much you like it. I can smell your arousal, but you’ll have to wait.”

Siobhan’s breath caught. She hated him for saying it. Hated him even more because some deep, primal part of her agreed.

“Wait for what?”

“To have me bury myself in you and use you as you were made to be used—as you desire to be used.” But not until you’ve taken your vows.”

She tore her gaze away, staring at the door instead, her fingers digging into the mattress. “What do you mean vows? You’re going to keep me here until I say ‘I do’?”

“Yes, but do not upset yourself, kitten. The priest will be here tomorrow evening. A seamstress will arrive in the morning to fit the bridal dress I selected for you after it’s delivered. I’ve also arranged for your hair and makeup to be done.”

“I won’t…”

“You will. One way or another, you will. I expect you to behave. If you can’t, I will find ways to ensure you have no choice.” He looked at the iron collar wrapped around her throat.

“Why not?”

He chuckled. “Because you won’t be running.”

Siobhan’s hands twitched at her sides, the instinct to flee warring with the knowledge that she wouldn’t make it past the front gate.

Daragh reached into his pocket, pulling out a small iron key. Without breaking eye contact, he slid his fingers beneath the collar still locked around her throat, the cold metal pressing into her skin. Her heartbeat roared in her ears.

With a softclick, the collar came loose.

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