by Debra Glass
His gaze took in the leather paddle on the dais.
“I have been a very naughty Kitty,” she said. “I deserve my punishment.”
“Naughty indeed.” Bram smiled as he took up the paddle and licked the back of one of her thighs softly. “Do I need to restrain you or are you willing to take your punishment?”
Kitty’s heart leapt in her chest. Her pulse seemed to beat in her throat. The idea of him chaining her was torturously appealing but she knew submitting to whatever punishment he meted out would sweeten her apology that much more. “There will be no need for restraints.”
A sudden, stinging slap landed on one side of her bottom. Kitty yelped more at the abruptness of it than anything else. Instinctively she spread her legs a fraction wider. “I was wrong to write such a nasty article, Master,” she said, cutting her gaze back to him.
Bram’s gaze slid to hers. “I see.”
Kitty could hardly believe that he did not seem to be angry with her.
“I read your little article,” he said, eyes sparkling in the torchlight.
She bit her bottom lip as he drew back the leather paddle and swatted her again. Warmth spread through her bottom and thighs. Two more hard licks landed on her backside and Kitty closed her eyes and moaned. “Yes, yes,” she cried. “Punish me!”
She clenched her fists and curled her toes as the paddle found its target several more times. Flames licked Kitty’s thighs and bottom. She no longer questioned how she could possibly enjoy such sweet torment. Now she only reveled in the sensation spreading through her body like wildfire.
Here, with Bram in this room, Kitty could relinquish her need to be in control, to be ever vigilant of her actions, to do what society deemed proper. This outlet was very much like the persona of Alistair Allenby—anonymous and free to expound on ideas unbecoming of a lady.
Bram knew it all. He knew everything about her. He knew her deepest, darkest secrets. He knew how to please her, how to rattle her until she begged him for more. Always more.
Fingers teased her mons and Kitty jerked, pushing back, only to be disappointed when the fingers withdrew.
“Your cunny is wet,” Bram drawled.
Slap!
Kitty bucked and groaned. More. Oh God, please give me more…
“Why did you do it, Kitty?” he demanded.
“You turned me out.”
Slap!
“Why did you do it? What’s the real reason?”
“You ruined me and sent me away.”
Slap!
“Dammit, Kitty! Why did you write those things about me? What drove you to it?”
Emotion flooded Kitty and she knew she could no longer contain it. Flipping her hair over her shoulder, she twisted to look back at him. Unexpected tears filled her eyes. “Because I love you.”
Eyes locked with hers, Bram drew the paddle back once more and Kitty braced for the blow. Visibly trembling, he hesitated, and as he did, his eyes softened. His hand dropped and the paddle clattered to the floor.
Before Kitty could take her next breath, he hauled her into his arms. His mouth sought hers and his fingers tangled into her hair as he held her head in place. Kitty’s heart soared as he shifted between her legs so there was no mistaking his desire.
She reached between them, furiously undoing his breeches to free his cock. He hooked a hand under one of her thighs, lifted her bottom onto the block, thumbed the chain to the side and impaled her on his cock all at the same time.
Kitty entwined her legs around his, lust and love and the bite of the clasps on her nipples mingling within her to produce the most exquisite sensations she had ever in her life known.
In this position, his body rode up hard against the sensitive hillock at the apex of her sex and Kitty arched to give him total access. Digging her nails into his arms, she clung as he rutted rhythmically inside her until bliss shattered her from the inside out. Her moans fused with his and she felt him pulsing deep within her channel.
With his last thrust, his mouth found hers again and he kissed her deeply. Thoroughly.
Finally, Bram dragged his lips from hers. “I’ve loved you from that first moment you came into my study dressed in that ridiculous maid’s costume,” he said, his voice hoarse with passion.
Kitty searched his clouded eyes. “I never would have written the article had I not been hurt or convinced that—”
He pressed his finger to her lips. “I know. You need not apologize. One of my servants brought me the first letter you tried to send to your publisher.”
Kitty swallowed, still clinging to him, still aware of his throbbing cock inside her.
“And Gray showed me the second letter.”
A little smile of relief pulled at Kitty’s lips. “I suppose he—and you—no longer want me to write my column.”
Bram laughed, the rich sound filling the room. “On the contrary, my dear. I am now the owner of The London Truth. And Alistair Allenby is now the editor.”
Kitty stared as Bram’s words sank in. “You bought the newspaper?”
He nodded. “I realized I had not given you a wedding gift.”
She shifted on his phallus. “You bought The London Truth?”
“Yes, my love. And now it is yours.”
Kitty cocked her head to the side. “But…why?”
“I read Allenby’s—your—other contributions,” he said, slipping out of her and setting her gently on her feet. “You are a wonderful writer, Kitty. Talent like yours should not be subject to the whims of a man like Gray. You are intelligent and witty. Your eye for social injustice is spot-on.”
“But I am your wife now. It would not be proper for me to run a newspaper.”
“Blast propriety, Kitty!” he exclaimed. “I would never presume to take away that outlet from you.”
Kitty was ecstatic. “I…I don’t know what to say.”
“Are you pleased?”
“Very!” she cried. “It is the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me.”
Bram smiled. “I am glad.”
“And you…liked…my articles?”
“Yes, indeed,” he said, but then he arched a wicked eyebrow. “All save one.”
Heat rushed into Kitty’s cheeks and her bottom tingled in anticipation. “I see, Master.”
Bram patted her backside playfully. “Shall I use the restraints this time, bad Kitty?”
“Yes.”
Heaven have mercy. Yes.
Epilogue
“It’s quite all right, my dear,” Bram said as he urged Kitty through the door of the Ashcroft estate.
Kitty gulped as every guest in the room turned to look at them.
“Hold your head high,” Bram whispered in her ear. “There are few in this room of your station. And fewer still who can touch our wealth.”
But Kitty took little comfort in that. She had known these ladies and gentlemen all her life. Being a duchess did not change the fact she had been forced to marry. She reminded herself that it should not matter. Not to her, anyway. She loved her husband. In truth, she had loved him before she had married him.
She lifted her chin and nodded to Lord and Lady Ashcroft as Bram escorted her into the ballroom. “Good evening,” she said and allowed Lord Ashcroft to kiss the back of her gloved hand.
The banter started up again and Kitty was relieved that the curiosity she and Bram caused had abated. At least for now. The scent of mulled wines and delectable pastries filled the room. Cheerful music wafted from the violin quartet in the corner.
Kitty flashed a smile of relief at Bram.
“Whitfield!” a man’s voice boomed from across the room.
“Darling, will you be so good as to excuse me? I’ll only be a moment.”
Kitty trembled at the thought of him leaving her side but she forced a nod. As soon as Bram walked away, Kitty moved to the refreshment table and took a glass of wine from one of the servants.
“Your Grace, how lovely to see you here tonight.”
<
br /> At first, Kitty did not realize the salutation had been directed at her.
“Your Grace?”
“Oh!” Kitty exclaimed, turning. But when she saw who had made the address, her blood ran cold.
It was the Duchess of Blakemore—and she looked as stunning as ever.
“Your…Grace,” Kitty stammered.
The duchess’s lips stretched into a smile that did not reach her eyes. “May I speak to you? In private?”
“Of-of course.” Kitty shot a glance to her husband’s back as the duchess guided her toward the veranda. Surely the woman only wanted to congratulate her on her recent nuptials. Still, Kitty’s pulse pounded.
Once they were outside, the duchess’s eyes flashed. “Who do you think you are? We all know you entrapped him!”
Kitty swallowed thickly but anger simmered in her veins. She parted her lips to speak but the duchess hardly gave her a chance.
“You do realize that he will continue to be my lover, despite the fact that you wear his ring?”
“I— Bram loves me.”
“Loves you?” she said with a laugh and then the duchess’s eyes narrowed into menacing slits. “That conniving bitch. I paid her well to make certain no one got to him.”
This time, Kitty was smart enough to remain silent. She could glean far more by acting unintelligent than by divulging information.
The duchess snorted indelicately. “Loves you?” she asked again. “Do you really believe a man like Bram Barclay is capable of love?”
“Yes,” Kitty replied simply.
“Lydia,” Bram called as he stepped onto the veranda.
Kitty’s shoulders sagged as she let out a bit of the tension she had been holding.
Bram continued. “I assume the conniving bitch would be one of my servants.”
Trembling, the duchess whirled on Bram. She crossed her arms over her chest and flipped her head so that one inky tendril wisped away from her forehead.
Kitty stared, her gaze darting between the two of them. Had perhaps Alice been a spy placed in Bram’s house by the duchess? Kitty’s lips parted.
“I’ve known for quite some time of Mrs. Bush’s disloyalty,” Bram said as he moved around Kitty and slipped his arm about her waist.
Mrs. Bush! The snide remarks. The fact she had assigned Kitty to the kitchen despite Bram’s request. Mrs. Bush was a spy for the duchess.
“Bram, don’t be ridiculous,” the duchess said in a blatant attempt to cover her folly.
“It is you who is being ridiculous, Lydia,” Bram said.
The duchess smirked. “Don’t think I won’t go to that gossip columnist, Allenby, with everything I know about you, Bram Barclay.”
Bram laughed heartily and Kitty had to fight to suppress a snicker.
The duchess’s face grew redder by the second and then she spun and stalked back into the Ashcrofts’ ballroom.
Bram turned to Kitty and lifted her chin with his index finger. Kitty gazed into his eyes.
“You have stolen my heart,” he said, his eyes warming and chasing away any memories she had of him with the Duchess of Blakemore.
Kitty’s insides tightened as they did every time he looked at her with such love and adoration in his eyes. He slanted his head down and pressed a sweet kiss to her lips. How could he be so tender at times and in such total control of her pleasure at others? Her head swam with sudden desire.
“It appears as if you have your first unpleasant task tomorrow as mistress of our estate,” he said as he brushed his thumb along her earlobe.
“Unpleasant?” Kitty asked.
Bram’s sensuous mouth drew into a smile. “On the other hand, you might enjoy terminating Mrs. Bush.”
“Most assuredly,” Kitty told him.
The laughter left his eyes and he drew in a sharp breath as he took her hand and pressed it to the bulge in his breeches. “Half an hour. Mingle with Lady Ashcroft’s guests and then meet me in the garden.”
Kitty’s nipples tightened underneath her chemise. Warmth spiraled downward and pulsed between her legs. The thought of him bending her over and taking her behind the shrubbery made her want him right now. “Half an hour?”
“Do not be tardy,” he warned. “Not even a minute—or I will most certainly punish you.”
Kitty smiled. “Yes, Master.”
About the Author
Growing up in the south, where the air is thick with stories steeped in legend and truth, Debra came by her love of romance novels honestly. Well…sort of. At an early age, she pilfered from her grandmother’s extensive library and has been a fan of the genre since.
A full-time freelance writer, Debra especially enjoys combining history, mystery and a touch of taboo to weave stories with unforgettable, haunted heroes.
She lives in Alabama with her sexy real life hero, a couple of smart-aleck ghosts and a diabolical black cat.
The author welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.
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Also by Debra Glass
Bought and Paid For
Death by Chocolate
Ellora’s Cavemen: Flavors of Ecstasy I anthology
Phantom Lovers 1: Gatekeeper
Phantom Lovers 2: Shadowkeeper
Phantom Lovers 3: Watchkeeper
Restraint
Spirit Lifter
Discover for yourself why readers can’t get enough of the multiple award-winning publisher Ellora’s Cave. Whether you prefer e-books or paperbacks, be sure to visit EC on the web at www.ellorascave.com for an erotic reading experience that will leave you breathless.
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