Free Knot Intended by Karenna Colcroft Page A

have cared a bit.”
    To hide how much more his words and the accompanying mental image aroused her, Nolie resorted to humor. “Yeah, I would have. The neighbors probably would have called the police, and I can’t afford an arrest for indecent exposure.”
    “Oh, so you’re a wiseass now, huh?” He straightened again, unbuckled his belt and pulled it out of the loops on his jeans. “I should whip that smart-ass look right off your pretty face.”
    Nolie stared at the belt, a brown leather one she had bought Joseph for his birthday. If he hit her with it, the strike would hurt like hell.
    He wouldn’t do that, though. His earlier smacks on her ass had been extreme for the Joseph she knew. Surely he wouldn’t go beyond that.
    “I’m sorry,” she said. “Dark humor. Trying to keep myself calm.”
    “Yeah, you sure are sorry.” He bent the belt in half and tapped the center of it against his palm. “Let’s try this again. Don’t be a wiseass, or you’ll get this belt across your thighs. Unless I decide to aim higher.”
    Nolie hitched in a breath. “I won’t wise off.”
    “Good little whore.” He tapped the belt again. “What did you think when I grabbed you in your house, huh? Were you scared, or did it make you horny as fuck?”
    “Both,” Nolie said, her voice barely audible. She braced herself for Joseph’s reaction.
    He grinned. “Good bitch. You were honest this time. So what would you do if I bent your ass over that chair and fucked you good and hard?”
    Probably fall over. The chair isn’t that sturdy. She managed not to say it aloud. “I don’t know.”
    “You don’t, huh?” He cupped his hand over her pussy, and she gasped. “Yeah, you love that thought. I knew you would. Maybe we’ll find out what you’ll do, but I’m going to have a little fun with you first. I like to play with my toys.”
    Nolie wet her lips again.
    Joseph stepped back. “Thirsty?”
    “Yes.” She looked at him, pleading. “I really need water. I’m feeling lightheaded.”
    “You’re just a scared little whore.” He set the belt on the bed, went to the minifridge beneath the TV, and took out two bottles of water. “You’re lucky I’m thirsty too. Otherwise I wouldn’t give a shit what you thought.”
    Nolie knew better. No matter how deeply into character Joseph was, he wouldn’t let her faint from dehydration. She decided she was better off not arguing with him, though.
    He opened one of the bottles and held it to her lips far more gently than she would have expected. As he tipped the bottle, she drank nearly half the contents before she leaned back to let Joseph know she was finished.
    He drained the rest of the bottle, then tossed it toward the trash, setting the remaining bottle on the bureau. “Back to fun now,” he said. He picked up the belt again and ran the buckle down each of Nolie’s arms.
    She shivered at the light, tickling touch.
    “Sexy bitch,” Joseph murmured. “Nice toned arms. I wonder what you’d do if I smacked them.” He tapped the belt on her left bicep.
    “I’m not into pain,” Nolie said.
    “I didn’t give you the choice, did I?” He raised the belt and brought it down but stopped before it touched her skin. “You’d best remember who’s in charge here, got it?”
    “Got it.” Adrenaline coursed through Nolie’s veins, and she breathed deeply, trying to slow her racing heart. For a moment she’d believed Joseph really would hit her. She still wasn’t entirely convinced he wouldn’t.
    “Smart slut.” He dangled the belt so it slid down over her breasts to her mound. “Definitely prime meat. You like to fuck, bitch?”
    “I prefer to fuck my husband.” Nolie’s voice shook. She was taking a risk talking back to her “kidnapper.” She couldn’t have explained why she spoke at all. She just couldn’t let Joseph believe she would allow anyone other than him to do something like this to her.
    “Yeah?” He tickled her abdomen and pussy with the