Free Lessons of Love by Jolynn Raymond Page B

the sweet whispered words. Her heart broke as he used her like a thing of pleasure. Her cries reached Cole 's ears and though he tried to deny them they went straight to his heart. He pulled out of Jolie in frustratio n, his rock hard shaft throbbing with need as she sank down on the bed, pulling her knees in, hugging her body as t ears streamed down her cheeks.
    Looking at her, Cole 's mind raged like a hurricane. What was he doing? She deserved to be taken like a two-bit whore. Her presence in his house was to serve his needs, so why did the sound of her cries and the sight of her curled up like a little girl bother him? Cole swore as he buttoned his breeches over his still throbbing manhood. He was being a fool but he c o uldn't help himself.
    He sat on the bed and pulled Jolie into his arms. "I'm sorry, little one. Hush now, it's over. I ’ m sorry I hurt you." Cole tilted her head back and kissed the tears streaking her cheeks. She looked up at him with eyes full of fear and shock, wearing her broken heart on her sleeve. Cole closed his eyes and kissed her forehead. He couldn't stand the look of anguish on her face. He rose and gently set her on her feet, pulling her close, kissing her head, his heart swelling with tenderne ss .
    Jolie could hear the sound of his heart beating as her ear pressed against his chest. She trembled in his arms, legs weak, threatening not to support her. Cole felt her sag against him and scooped her into his arms holding her tight, wanting desperately to take back his violent actions with whispered words of apology. He gently laid her on the bed and knelt at her side, brushing her hair from her temple, kissing he r forehead, shushing her sobs.
    "I won't force myself on you again, little one. You will be left alone. Would you like the seamstress to come back another day?" Jolie nodded, her lip trembling, unable to speak. "Very well. Your old gowns are in the wardrobe. I would like to request your presence at the dinner table tonight. I will call for you at 7:00. In the mean time I shall fi nd you a proper chambermaid."
    Once again Jolie gave him a slight nod then she lay motionless as he strode through her sitting room and out the door, pausing to turn the key in the lock. The sound of it caused Jolie to cle nch her teeth. However opulent her quarters may be, they were still a prison cell f rom which she couldn ’ t escape.
    Cole stormed down the hall his mind jumbled, his cock aching with a burning need. What the hell was he doing? Why couldn't he master the littl e witch who was his wife, the way he'd mastered all the other women who had graced his bed? Emotional attachment couldn't be tolerated, it also couldn't be denied. Jolie was quickly worming her way into his heart and it confused the hell out of him. He ran into Gregor at the top of the stairs and scowled at his right hand man.
    Gregor looked his boss over carefully. He noted the fact that Cole was still furious and it was painfully obvious that he was aroused. What had happened when he was with the little bi tch? Gregor hadn't heard her screaming, leading him to believe that Cole hadn't strapped her. Her cries should have echoed throughout the mansion. Why hadn't he punished her? Was his boss going soft? The little twit deserved to be whipped. He would have do ne so until her bottom and thighs were covered with lash marks. She needed to be dominated. No woman should speak to a man in such a disrespectful way.
    "Everything all right boss?"
    "No Gregor, everything it not all right. My sweet wife is turning out to b e quite a handful."
    "Perhaps we should sell the little bitch."
    Cole shook his head, knowing he could never give Jolie up. "No Gregor. I t's common knowledge that I married her and she can't very well disappear w ithout serious repercussions."
    "I would be gla d to take her to the cellar and teach her some proper manners. Perhaps a few hours of my special talents would be just the thing to make her see the errors of her