Triumph Read Online Free Page B

if I were to sheer away these lustrous tresses? Would you still be about seducing men—friend and foe—to save your precious family and state? Not again, for until this war of ours is finished, I will have you hobbled—until your fate can be decided.”
    Hobbled ... imprisoned . Did he really intend to make her a prisoner of war? He had threatened it before. It didn’t seem to matter now. Too much had gone too far out of control.
    “I—have seduced no one else. I ...” She was again amazed that tears threatened to choke off her speech. “I’m not a harlot, Taylor!” she managed to whisper. Her eyes met his.
    Then she gasped, startled and afraid, for he suddenly reached out for her, drawing her into his arms. His lips were punishing as they crashed down upon hers, forcing her mouth apart, kissing her deeply, with passion, with anger ... regret, perhaps, a tumultuous series of emotions that left her shaking, bruised ... and longing for more. His fingers threaded into her hair, arching her neck. His palm cradled her cheek, fingertips stroked her throat and beyond, his touch then seeking more of her, tracing the form of her body beneath the thin cotton fabric of her bodice. She felt his fingers over her breast, his palm encompassing, thumb rubbing over her nipple, stroking, eliciting. A sweet weakness pervaded her. She wanted to fall against him, feel again a time she had known once at war ... and let it become peace. She would have gladly given herself into his arms. She wished, prayed, that his anger would cause him to sweep her up, carry her back up the stairs to the scene of her almost-sin, and there, assert his right to be with her, punish her with a wild ravishment, remind her that she had sworn to be his, enemy or no ...
    Yet he pushed away from her. “Ah, Tia, what a pity! I’m not at all sure of your motives at the moment, but for once, when you are apparently ready to become a willing wife with no argument to give me, there remains too much at stake for me to take advantage of your remorse. There’s a battle still to be waged.”
    She drew back, frowning. “A battle? But you’ve stopped Captain Weir from the War he would wage against my father.”
    “Tia, you little fool! Weir was only a half of it! There’s a Major Hawkins with militia from the panhandle who will bear down upon Cimarron at any moment now. I don’t know if Ian ever received word of this, or if Julian knows somehow. You apparently learned about it. But I may be the only help your father will have.”
    She stared at him, stunned. “Dear God! I’d forgotten there would be more troops. I’ve got to get home!” she cried, and she turned, running frantically down the remaining steps.
    “No! Tia!”
    She didn’t make it to burst out into the night. She was caught.
    By the long ebony flow of her hair. How ironic.
    She cried out, but found herself whirled back inexorably into his arms. Meeting his eyes. Again, they were fire. Fire, and fury. His fingers bit into her as he held her. “You’re going nowhere.”
    “My father—my home—”
    “Your enemy will save them for you,” he informed her bitterly.
    “No, please, you have to let me ride with you. I beg of you, Taylor, in this, I swear, I—”
    “Make me no more promises, Tia, for I am weary of you breaking them.”
    “But I swear—”
    “This fight will be deadly, and I’ll not have you seized by either side as a pawn in the battles to be waged.”
    “Please!” she begged, but even as she desperately entreated him, the front door burst open. She didn’t turn. Her eyes locked with his. She heard soldiers, and knew his men had come—for her.
    “Gentlemen, take my wife to the ship, please. They’ll not be surprised to find another McKenzie prisoner at Old Capitol.”
    One of the soldiers cleared his throat politely. “Mrs. Douglas, if you will ...”
    She lowered her head, stepping away from Taylor’s hold. He released her all too quickly.
    She looked up at him again.