Hers to Command Read Online Free Page B

has spoken to you? The Senzienza, Verdantia, has spoken to you?”
    He inclined his head slightly. “Yes.”
    “I’ve never met—.” She shook her head. “Later.” He is vastly more than he seems .
    Fleur glanced nervously to the leather cuffs held in her magister’s surprisingly elegant hands. “Being bound is difficult for me. But I will submit to you.” His head tilted in question, then his hazel eyes softened.
    “ Most certainly, you will submit to me. I have performed the Great Rite many times, my Lady and though I would spare you, the binding is necessary.”
    She could not control her trembling. He moved to stroke her bare arms in reassurance. Again, that strange sensation pulsed through her.
    “ Don’t fear me. I’ll take care with you,” he murmured.
    Don’t fear him? Heat from his body engulfed her. Her skin tingled where his calloused hands caressed her arms. She didn’t understand why his erotic pull was so strong. It must be the cinnagin.
    His hard thighs easily trapped her against the marble windowsill as he gathered her hair aside to pull at the golden cords holding up her gown. The firm length of his arousal pressed into her back. She heard the catch in his breath as he bared her. The warmth of his whispered, “By the goddess, you are exquisite,” flowed across her shoulders. “Lady, you have no conception how cruel the next few hours will become. We cannot rely solely upon your self-control, for in every way you must submit to me.”
    His baritone voice rumbled through her. Now it begins. She would risk anything for even a chance of success. “Yes. I submit. Everything depends on it.”
    “Yes, everything.” He nipped her shoulder then gently kissed the sting away.
    “ I am going to caress every part of you and keep you aroused until the crystals sing with power. The longer you stay at the edge of climax, the faster the crystals can draw on your energy. Sometimes it takes merely a day to replenish their power. If you should go over, I will bring you right back up. As long as you are able, you must deny yourself or tell me when you approach your peak. Do you understand?”
    “ Yes,” she whispered. “And when I can no longer discipline myself? If I am beyond self-control?” She gasped in air, her heart pounding in her ears. “What then?”
    Swaying, unsteady on her feet, her eyes were drawn to the implements hanging on the far wall—whips, paddles, manacles, bars and others she could not identify. Her fear spiked upward.
    “ Then I will bring you back up, repeatedly.” He had followed her gaze. The corner of one lip quirked up and his amber eyes narrowed wickedly. “By whatever means necessary.”
    At this, her knees buckled. If the conte had not been quick to catch her, she would have shared the floor with her robe, then all went dark.
     
    * * * * *
     
    Oh Gods, I ache . Fleur throbbed. Liquid fire pulsed across her nipples and down between her inner thighs to the place where the burn of her swollen sex was near unbearable. Nude and flat on the Chambre Cristalle’s large diamantorre dais, she could not move. I am bound hand and foot! With an inarticulate cry, she struggled to free herself. Her eyes flew open to an intent hazel gaze, a gaze that while somber and appraising, carried warmth in its depths.
    “ Breathe,” her magister ordered quietly. “That’s it. Long, slow breaths.” His eyes tracked the rise of her breasts as she inhaled, their fall as she exhaled. “Again.” She obeyed. “Better?”
    Afraid that she would start begging to be released, Fleur could only trust herself to nod.
    Hard muscle and sinew filled her sight. As nude as she, he lay beside her on the padded diamantorre dais, monitoring her response as his fingers rolled and teased her nipples, first the right and then the left. He pinched her hard. She choked on the streaking pleasure lancing straight to her core. Oh Gods!
    She watched as his handsome face drew ever closer . It seemed natural to