Free The Cowboy's One Night Bride by Lolita London Page B

eyes.
    “And just what do you think you’re doing?”
    His heart sank a little as he watched the hurt expression that washed over her face.
    “I … I don’t know.”
    The honesty in her answer was so unnerving. He clenched his teeth in exasperation.
    “That’s not a good answer.” He tightened his grip, just short of the point where he knew it would hurt.
    “I thought … we were … I wanted …” For once it seemed as though his little wildcat was at a loss for words as she stuttered nervously. The vulnerability didn’t last though. Her face darkened as she began to regain control of herself. 
    “Well, I’ve made quite the fool of myself!” she snapped as she wrenched herself from his grip and pushed herself up. Standing, she dusted the grass off her skirt and strode away from him at a brisk pace. Growling at her audacity, he sprang up after her. She shrieked as he caught up to her and heaved her over his shoulder. Batting her hands against his back, she kicked and struggled as he carried her back in the direction of the hotel.
    “The people will see, they will see! Let me go!” she demanded as she dug her nails into his skin. He winced from her savagery. Angered and aroused, he laid a resounding slap on her rear, shocking a yelp out of her. She resumed her struggle with a renewed vigor, inadvertently rubbing her ample bosoms against his face.
    “Stop your nonsense or I swear, I will spank you in front of the entire town,” he growled. As if to endorse his threat, he planted another resounding hit on her pert bottom. She winced as the blow came into contact with a bruise still fresh from the night before. He grinned as he realized this and rubbed his hand over her bum, as if to soothe the wound. Just as she relaxed her muscles in relief, he slapped her again, extra hard this time. She hissed in pain and went slack all of a sudden. Anthony raised his eyebrows. This was a surprise. They walked in silence for a distance, Gianna lying slack over his shoulders. Finally, he couldn’t take it anymore. He stopped and set her down next to him. Her hands were covering her face and she turned away from him.
    “What are you playing at?” he demanded tightly. He had a nagging worry at her sudden lack of fight. They stood there, both not speaking, until finally she lowered her hands from her face. Her cheeks were flushed and tear-stained and her nose was red. Still, it was the expression that shocked him. Rather than the usual fire and hatred, she looked so … broken. He felt a sudden pang of fear. Had he broken her? For some reason, that notion filled him with horror.
    “Gianna.”
    Without thinking, he drew her towards him and embraced her as she sobbed. Stroking her hair, he held her close, making low, soothing noises.
    Standing in the middle of the cornfield, hugging his mail-order bride who he meant to be nothing more than a submissive, was such a ridiculous notion. He couldn’t even wrap his head around it. Yet, somehow, it seemed so right.
    What was happening to him?
     
    ++++++++
    Gianna stepped into the tub, wincing as her battered skin came into contact with the hot water. She felt completely drained, both physically and emotionally.
    To say that she had been put through the emotional wringer was an understatement. She finally realized what made him tick, and then the walk outdoors had been so enjoyable. Having lived in the city for most of her life, it was her first experience walking with nature and it was so beautiful. His company somehow didn’t seem so repulsive on the open prairie. The breeze through her hair and the scent of the wildflowers had been invigorating.
    And then she had to slip and fall. She couldn’t understand the sudden, desperate need that she felt for him and the unexpected hurt at his rejection. Most of all though, she thought glumly, she hated the self-loathing and utter sense of helplessness when she realized that she had allowed herself to be debased by him. Again. For a