Page 21 of The Ocean's Heart
THALIA
The first smack was a shock, and I cried out. What the fuck? I tried to break free, but he pinned me down, rendering me helpless as his hand branded me again, this time landing at the juncture of my thighs, smacking my private parts more than my ass. A shock wave of sensation spreads out, leaving me tingling. A moan slipped past my lips, and I clenched my teeth, because fuck that felt good.
Another smack had me gasping to swallow my moan because although it stung, the spread of heat that came after left me wet and throbbing.
His hand came down once again, and I thought I was ready to swallow my groan, but when it landed, a sob of need broke free from my lips.
His hand stilled, fingers coasting my private parts. I wanted him to press down. I wanted himfeelhim there. I wanted him to pull down my britches and?—
No!
I rolled off his lap, and this time he let me go. I landed on my sore ass and looked up at him, pulse humming in my throat, chest heaving for breath. He stared at me, his large hand hovering in the air where my ass had been but a moment ago. His eyes were dark, mouth parted, powerful chest heaving as hard as mine.
A wild, untamed tension crackled between us, leaving my lungs hungry for air.
“You willnotdisobey me again,” he said, his voice a thick, gravelly rumble. “Do so, and I will punish you.”
“You think that was a punishment?” Why did I say that? “Maybe I liked it.” For Thalor’s sake, shut the fuck up, Thalia. “Maybe I’ll misbehave so you can do it again.” Why was my mouth still moving? And, oh Luna, that look on his face—pure primal hunger—had my stomach flipping and my thighs begging to open. I hadn’t wanted a man with such visceral intensity in a long time, and it frightened me. Enough to shut my mouth.
His jaw flexed, and he stood slowly, towering over me, a mountain of a man that I was suddenly gripped with the desire to climb.
“Get up, Princess.”
“Thalia. My name is Thalia.” Why had I given him my name? But it was all right. Bryony had only ever been referred to as princess in the correspondence.
“Thalia…” He said my name as if he was tasting it. “And you may call me Vaarin.” He held out his hand, the same one that had assaulted me a moment ago, and I took it, allowing him to pull me to my feet.
He held on to me, drawing me close, and my pulse thrummed hard in my throat at his proximity.
“Look at me,” he said.
I lifted my gaze to his, careful to shield my depraved thoughts behind a veil of decorum.
The corner of his mouth lifted slightly, and I suspected that he could see right through my shield. “You will obey me or you risk death. This isle is not safe, but I can navigate it. I can get us to where we need to be.”
“And where is that?”
“The far north side to a ship that can carry us to Merida.”
“Then why did we not sail the rowboat directly to that part of the island?”
“And risk being spotted by Obsidian Pearl’s aerial spies?” He snorted. “No, we stayed to the west, hidden in the storm to avoid being tracked. I need you to listen to me, Princess. Do as I ask.”
I dropped a nod. “Very well. No running off to save imaginary damsels.”
“Come, we should find shelter till dawn.”
“How far is the cave?”
“A day and a half trek.” He set off down the valley, and I followed.
The next day and a half in this male’s company was going to test my libido because even his scent made me ache. I wanted him, but I couldn’t have him.
I had a job to do, and it didn’t involve satisfying my desires.
* * *
Vaarin didn’t speakto me for the rest of the journey to shelter, and I was glad for the chance to reflect on what had happened between us. The valley was narrow, cliffs rising on either side. We ventured into the gloom, only stray beams of moonlight to guide us, but my night vision had always been good, and I was able to make out the rocks and nooks in the ground that might have tripped me up.
