Free Trust Me by Natasha Blackthorne Page B

what
is going on in that knotty mind of yours.”
    His piercing gaze
seemed as though it could peel back her defences. She loved him. Adored him.
But she wanted—no, she needed to
protect some inner part of herself from him. At least until she understood
herself better.
    But he wanted
everything. Not just her body, not just her submission to his carnal will but
every part of her, even her innermost thoughts.
    He leant over and
reached across the space between their seats and touched her arm. “Relax,
Anne.”
    “If you’ll give me
some space, I will be able to.”
    He caressed her arm.
“London can be most enjoyable. If you’ll trust me, I shall show you.”
    His gaze was so
compassionate. The pull towards him was almost a physical sensation she could
feel in her chest. In another moment, she’d be spilling all her worries and
fears. But no, no, she couldn’t talk about any of this until she understood
herself better. He was seducing her with his tender touches, his voice. He had
too much power over her. She needed time, time alone. But they were stuck here,
together in the carriage, headed ever closer to London. Her heart leapt into a
frantic pace.
    She felt cornered,
trapped. Her throat went tight. She just needed time to think. But he wouldn’t
stop caressing her.
    She unfurled her
arms, shaking off his touch then pushed against him. “Oh! Will you please leave
me alone?”
    His expression went
stony and his eyes turned cold as agates.
    Her heart froze and
her mouth went dry. Her swirling thoughts went still and she was pulled
ruthlessly into the moment. She had displeased him. For the first time since
London had come into sight, she gave her husband her full attention.
    “This entire journey,
you have become increasingly evasive with me, increasingly shrewish.”
    She swallowed back
the dryness in her throat.
    “I have tried to be
understanding of your uneasiness but there are limits to everything. I will not
be disrespected by you.” He moved back to his own seat then motioned for her.
“Come.”
    At his terse tone, a
heated chill raced through her. Everything inside her went limp. Weak. Her
heart was racing with apprehension and yet strong surges of carnal heat
streamed into her pelvis.
    She didn’t want the
pain of a spanking and yet she wanted to be where he motioned. Helplessly
spread across his lap. Illogical? Yes, certainly, it was a most illogical
desire. But then again, it didn’t come from a very logical part of her being.
    “Nan?”
    She stared at his
lap, fidgeting with her skirt. She couldn’t speak. Her body trembled with the
currents of fear and sexual excitement pulsing in her blood. Wetness flowed
between her legs, dampening her linen shift.
    “Must I drag you
here?”

 
    Chapter Five
     
    Anne swallowed and
tried to clear her throat. “No.”
    The next moment found
her crawling onto his lap. The motion of the travelling carriage made the
exchange awkward. Devoid of any dignity.
    Jon shifted her
weight, moving her body over his powerful thighs. “Put your hands flat on the
seat.”
    She could at least be brave and strong
about this. Suppressing the urge to give a moan of fear— or was it unbearable
anticipation?—she flattened her gloved hands upon the seat.
    He shoved her skirts up; the rustling of her
two stiffly starched petticoats resonated like scraping in her ears.
    Had she imagined a slight catch in his
breath?
    He touched her buttocks, a light caress.
She jumped then resettled herself. Her heart thumped loudly in her ears. He
continued to caress her.
    “Why I am punishing you?”
    Now trembling uncontrollably with
anticipation, she struggled to regain control over her jaw. “Because I am not
forthcoming about my thoughts.”
    “No, that’s not why. It is because of your shrewish
tone. I will not be disrespected.”
    “Oh, yes, of course.”
    “Just so you understand the reason.”
    He made that slight intake of breath and
she caught hers. It was coming. He always