Free A Pirate's Love by Johanna Lindsey Page A

handle a mere girl?”
    â€œYour ploy has not worked, Bettina, though it was a good try. When I can avoid conflict, I do so. I avoid possible injuries and pain, and leave room only for pleasure.”
    â€œAnd what of the anguish of my mind? I would rather suffer a bruised and swollen face, even broken bones, than let you rape me without resistance. It is you who are afraid of the injuries that I might inflict on you if you were to remove your threats.”
    â€œAgain a good try, little one, but the threats will remain. Now, you have wasted enough time trying to bait me. Remove the rest of your clothing and be quick about it.”
    â€œI will not! I won’t make this easy for you!” she cried indignantly.
    â€œDo you want me to rip your dress completely apart?” Tristan asked.
    â€œOh, I hate you!” she fumed, but she removed her garments just the same. She reddened as she stood before him, completely unprotected from his lustful gaze. “If I must suffer this indignity, Tristan, at least let me do so in the dark.”
    â€œYou have nothing worth hiding, little one.”
    â€œPlease!”
    â€œNo!” he replied sharply.
    â€œYou are cruel beyond reason, monsieur .”
    â€œYou may think so now, but were I to keep you for my own, then you would change your opinion of me,” he said. “You would look forward to my taking you in my arms. Although you didn’t reach fulfillment when we made love the first time, you can’t deny you enjoyed the feeling I gave you.”
    â€œYou—you are insane! Your touch sickens me!”
    â€œYou wanted to kill me for lying to you, Bettina, but now you are not speaking the truth. Shall I prove it to you?”
    Without waiting for her to answer, Tristan grabbed her around the waist and pulled her forward until his parted lips covered the tip of one rounded breast. Bettina gasped instantly and put her hands on his shoulders to push him away. But he tightened the grip on her waist until she stopped. His mouth, now moving from one breast to the other, was like wildfire, searing her to her very soul. Tristan continued with his play, sucking, teasing, nibbling softly at her breasts, until Bettina thought she would cry out with the pleasure she felt. Her entire body was aware of his lips, branding her with the truth of his words. But then he stopped.
    Bettina knew what this was leading to. She began to panic again as Tristan stood up and removed his clothing. He had said that she didn’t reach fulfillment before. Was there a greater pleasure to making love? And if there was, would she experience it this time—would he know if she did? No! It couldn’t happen—she couldn’t bear it. It would be too humiliating if he knew he gave her pleasure. If she couldn’t fight him physically, she must at least fight the pleasure he could give her.
    Tristan picked her up and carried her to the bed, then lay down beside her. His lips found hers, andhe kissed her hungrily, demanding a response that she wouldn’t give. She searched her mind to find something—anything—to make him angry and make him finish with her quickly.
    His hand brushed across her breasts, caressed her belly, and moved lower.
    â€œTristan!” she cried out, shocked. “I am not a woman of easy virtue who longs to have your fingers explore her body. I am a lady, monsieur , and you disgust me!” she hissed, her voice filled with contempt.
    â€œBy the saints, vixen, you tempt me to throw you to the sharks!” he growled angrily.
    â€œBetter that they feed on my body than you!”
    â€œYour sharp tongue will deny you much, Bettina.”
    With that, he climbed on top of her and entered her quickly, and a bit painfully. He rode her hard, with deep, penetrating thrusts, and despite Bettina’s desire to resist, a growing, unbelievable pleasure began to spread through her body, until it was cut short by Tristan’s