by Lee Savino
He took off her shoe and she backed away, lifting herself onto the bed and stretching out her legs. “Now my stockings.”
Slowly, he came to stand between her legs. Eyes on hers, he pulled off one stocking, then the other. He kneaded her feet a little, and then, her legs.
Tables turned. He was fully dressed and she was naked, a sacrifice before him.
“Did you like that?”
She nodded. Her foot nudged dangerously close to the bulge between his thighs. “So did you.”
“You forget something, Rose.” He leaned over her, eyes flashing dangerously. “I’m in charge here.”
Tipping her head back, she nodded.
“Lie back on the bed.” He stripped off his shirt and trousers, dropping them to the floor. She caught her breath at the sight of him naked, his large cock jutting out from his body like a spear. He prowled to her side, and traced a light finger down her naked chest. “You like to play?”
“Lyle.” She started to rise and his hand shot out, closing around her neck. His grip was loose, but the warmth at her vulnerable throat served as a warning.
“You like making men serve you?”
Her heart pounded so hard, she felt it might burst from her chest. Lyle, her beautiful angel, loomed over her, his face masked in shadow. She felt naked, exposed at the mercy of his grip and gaze. Yet she’d never felt more safe.
“Like having men fawn over you, at your beck and call?”
She nodded, chin knocking against his hand.
Lyle knelt on the bed, large form casting a shadow over her pale body. “You think I’m one of those men?”
She shook her head.
“Good girl.” He almost smiled at her honesty. Planting a hand beside her head, he lowered himself so they were face to face. “I think you need a reminder who owns this body.” His hand flattened on her chest and he drew it down, sending flames rushing through her.
Gripping her chin again, he turned her face to the side. She squeaked, not in fright, but in surprise as arousal poured through her. Her body was his to dominate, his to control. There was freedom in letting him take over.
His tongue traced her ear, then stabbed into it.
“Lyle,” she whimpered.
“Quiet.” His hand tightened and her body went crazy, desire pooling between her legs. “I’m gonna taste every inch of you.” His lips caressed her ear. “This body belongs to me now. I want to see what it can do.”
His teeth nipped her earlobe before his mouth moved downward, sucking at the sensitive skin of her neck.
She sighed. His lips traced the curve of her shoulders and she felt her thoughts go lazy as desire rippled through her.
Lyle went to kneel at the foot of the bed, where he lifted her leg. Slowly, eyes on hers, he kissed the inside of her ankle, his stubble tickling her. Her foot jerked in his hand.
“Be still,” he ordered. “Or I’ll tie you down.”
His lips and teeth nibbled at her ankles, even as his hand stroked up her calf, kneading the aches of the day out of her.
He planted kisses up the inside of her calf, stopping at her knee to tease the skin with his tongue.
Rose moaned.
“No, please, Lyle.”
“Quiet, or I’ll gag you.”
She locked in her whimpers as best she could.
He bit the inside of her thighs lightly, and her hips jerked.
“That’s it,” he growled, and before she knew it, he had pulled out the leather ties he seemed to always carry, and secured her ankle to the bedpost. Then the other, and she started to push up, so he caught her wrists also.
Rose found herself naked and spread eagled, a blue eyed angel looming over her with a wicked smile on his handsome face.
“Lyle,” she started to protest, and he stuffed a handkerchief in her mouth.
“Perfect,” he pronounced.
Gagged and trussed, Rose struggled for a second, eyes wide with panic.
Lyle put his hand on her chest. “You all right?”
Breathing in through her nose, she calmed and nodded. She’d never felt more vulnerable, or more aroused. She’d do anything for this man.
He tugged at the handkerchief. “You want this out?”
She shook her head.
“My brave girl.” His thumb feathered over her lips. “You get scared, you shout and I’ll stop. Understand?”
Again she nodded assent.
“Trust me, darlin’.” He bent his head to kiss her lips. “This will feel good.”
As his mouth started the slow trek, nibbling down her neck, chest, and between her breasts, Rose closed her eyes and wondered if she was in heaven. Even his stubble scraping her soft skin sent tiny flashes of lightning straight to her pussy. His tongue swirled around her belly button, and she raised her hips as far as she could, begging him to go lower.
“Not so fast.” He kissed her belly, and returned to her breasts. He spent an age playing there, laving her nipples with his tongue, kissing her breasts, nuzzling the soft orbs.
Rose was moaning behind her gag when he came up to suck on her neck again.
“You want me to kiss you, Rose?”
She nodded, begging with her eyes.
“You gonna tell me you belong to me?”
Attitude flashed in her eyes before she could stop it.
He chuckled. “I didn’t think so.” His lips resumed their work, feathering up and down her body. He even pressed a kiss to her bound wrist.
“I like you like this. Tied up, I can do whatever I want to you.”
He stood up and walked away, returning with the honey pot.
“Time for dessert.” He lifted the spoon and drizzled honey into the valley between her breasts. Rose arched her back and cried out as he lapped the sweetness off her skin. With a wicked grin, Lyle anointed her nipple with honey and flicked his tongue against it.
Her whole body writhed, and he gripped her hips to still her. Her lady parts throbbed harder, responding to his dominance.
“I wonder how this will taste.” He took the honey and let it pour over her lady parts.
She shook her head frantically as he bent his head to her. His tongue was relentless, probing every crevice, licking up every bit of honey and cream until she rose off the bed with a muffled shout. Her orgasm crashed over her, so hard her eyes rolled back into her head.
“So sweet.” He sat up, licking his lips. “You want a taste?” His fingers hesitated, hovering over the gag before drifting away. “Maybe later, if you’re good.”
Rose moaned behind her gag, begging him to release her, to stop the torture.
“You gonna be my good girl, Rose? You gonna obey me? One hand stroked up her belly while the other one fiddled at her breast, both driving her mad.
She agreed with frantic nods.
“You’ll do what I say, when I say it?”
Yes, Lyle, she told him with her eyes and frantic nods. Anything.
“I don’t believe you,” he growled, and bent his head again. He licked her into a frenzy, but just when she was about to reach the pinnacle, his mouth pulled away.
The gag muffled her cries, but her eyes communicated eloquently, bright with unshed tears.
Lyle pulled out the gag.
“Please, Lyle, I’ll do it. Whatever you say.”
“Say I own you.”
“You own me, Lyle. Every inch. You know you do.”
With a satisfied smile, he reached over and undid her bonds. “Put your arms around me. I want to feel you.”
She wrapped her limbs around him as he sank into her.
The moment was so perfect, tears came to her eyes.
“My beautiful, beautiful Rose,” he whispered, seeing her overcome.
Smiling through her tears, she bucked her hips into his, encouraging him. She didn’t want him to see how much it hurt, this perfection that she’d never tasted before, that she feared she’d never taste again.
*
“Has it been like th
is with any other?” Rose asked. She’d dozed off on his chest, only for him to waken her with a kiss and make sweet love to her again. Now, body sated, she traced patterns on the muscles of his chest as he stroked her hair.
“I can’t compare a flower to a star.” He rolled onto his side and she did the same, facing the other way so he could mold his body to her back. His lips touched her shoulder. “You’re all fire and burning heat. I thought you would never stop attacking me, it only made me want you more.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be, darlin’. I like the challenge. You fight as easy as breathing, but I’d rather have you coming at me than running away.”
She sighed, her heart heavy over all the trouble she caused.
“I mean it, Rose.” He leaned over her to look at her face. “Don’t stop coming at me. I’m not leaving; you cannot drive me away.”
“All right,” she whispered.
He settled behind her again.
“Remember that you said that the next time I throw a chamber pot at you,” she said, and he laughed.
“Fight me all you want, Rose. I’ll be here long after all your weapons are spent. I found beauty, and I’m not giving it up.”
Sitting up, he blew out the candle then cocooned her in his arms.
In the darkness, Rose bit her lip. He’d had that beauty with someone else. What if she could never give him the life he deserved?
*
The next day, there was a chill in the air. Fall was upon them, and winter would soon follow. Rose felt a lump in her throat; cold weather always heralded hard times in her life.
Lyle was chopping wood, and Rose came out to help stack some on the porch. The sound of horses had her look up, confused at first, then wondering if the Donovans were visiting.
The first rough looking man broke through the trees, and Rose turned to stone.
“Get in the cabin. Bolt the door,” Lyle ordered as the one man became two, and the two became three, grim faced and riding straight for them. “Go!”
Picking up her skirts, she fled, but paused on the porch. The three men rode up to her husband, guns in hand.
“Lyle Wilder?” One asked. “We’ve come for Rose.”
Her heart stopped beating as they surrounded him.
“You can’t have her.” Lyle didn’t look the least bit afraid.
“That’s not what Doyle says.” One smirked, and Lyle hefted the ax in his hands.
“Stop.” Rose’s voice rang out over the clearing. She stepped off the porch and walked towards the men. “I’m here.”
“Rose, no,” Lyle called. “Get back in the cabin.”
“Come on over, pretty lady,” the leader said. The three thugs watched her with hungry eyes. “Doyle says you owe him a debt.”
“If I go with you, will you leave him alone?” Her eyes were burning, but she wouldn’t cry now. The old mask over Rosie May settled over her features as she bargained for her husband’s life.
One man cocked his head, pretending to think it over.
“You’re not going to do that, Rose.” Lyle glared at her.
“Lyle, please. I can’t lose you, too.” She faced the man, coming near enough to see his teeth stained with tobacco. “Do I have your word you won’t hurt him?”
“If you come quiet like and don’t give no trouble.”
“Rose—” Lyle started, but she quickly spoke up.
“I promise. I’ll go with you.”
One man moved his horse to her, and slid off. The other two kept their guns trained on Lyle, who was tense as a caged bear.
“Why are you doing this?”
“I’m sorry.” The tears started now, but she ignored them. They didn’t matter. Nothing did. “I can’t be a good wife to you. I tried, but it can never be.”
The ax almost slipped from Lyle’s hand as he stared at her, stunned.
One of the two men cackled. “Seems Rosie May isn’t cut out for homesteading. Find yourself a good church woman; we’ll take the harlot back where she belongs.”
The leader had Rose up on the horse in front of him.
“Rose.” Lyle started for her, ignoring the guns on him, and the thug leader pressed a gun to Rose’s temple.
“Stay where you are, pretty boy.” With a nod to his two men, he turned his horse and thundered off. Rose clung to the pillion, feeling the thug’s fetid breath on the back of her neck.
“Smart girl,” the man murmured.
Rose couldn’t help herself looking back one last time. Lyle hadn’t moved, staring after her as if his world was falling apart and he was helpless to stop it. As a sob shook her, she watched one of the thugs raise his weapon and aim it.
“No,” she shrieked, but her captor caught her around the neck, gripping her until she thought she might pass out.
A shot rang out behind her, and she heard a horse screaming. Lyle’s stallion.
“Had to be done, girlie. Can’t have your man chasing us down.”
He released her and she slumped forward, her stomach roiling. She used to feel nothing. Now the floodgates opened and she couldn’t stop the fear, rage, and, above all, hopelessness burning through her, filling her mouth with bile.
“You be good now, and we’ll get you to Doyle in one piece. Don’t make us regret not doing for your beau.”
She nodded numbly. The other two riders had already joined them, trotting out of the pine forest and out to the road to town. She barely noticed, even when they veered off the road into the wild country.
They rode hard for a while, grunting and sweating in the sun. Once they’d put a few miles between them and the homestead, they seemed to relax, and slowed their horses.
“That went easier than expected,” one said. “Doyle will be pleased.”
“You see his face when she said those things to him?” One man guffawed.
“Rosie May knows her place, don’t ya, girlie? Pretty boy and house like that, not for the likes of you. That’ll teach ya not to get above yourself.”
He tore the front of her dress and slipped his hand down the front of her corset, roughly grabbing her breast. It hurt, but she did not cry out.
“Aww, Rusty, quit handling the goods.”
“Doyle won’t begrudge me a treat,” the man grunted, groping his redheaded prize.
“You gonna hog her all the way there?”
Rose felt the man shifting behind her, trying to rub against her fleshy bottom. This was to be her life now. Letting men use her body to find pleasure, her own taste of the good life a distant memory.
One man rode closer to his friend, watching the lustful proceedings. “Pull her top down, let me see.”
“Wait your turn,” the other started to say, when the third gave a shout.
“Ho! We have a follower.”
The three men turned, the one behind Rose fumbling with his cock and breeches. She didn’t bother looking back. No one was coming to her rescue. Not this time.
“Man on a white horse,” one reported.
“You don’t think...”
“Can’t be.” But the three men whipped their horses faster, all the same. Rose was flattened forward, body almost crushed against the horse while the man behind her kicked their mount.
The minutes passed, men and horses’ labored breathing the only sound.
“He’s getting closer,” one man said.
“Dammit! If I wanted, I could look back. Swing wide, both of you, and stop him.”
Their escort peeled off and the man gripped her neck again. “Better not be your boy, Rosie May, or we’ll kill him, and leave his body for the buzzards.”
It’s not, she almost said out loud. She’d rejected him, after all. Why would he come for her?
But the sight of red wildflowers spreading over the plains caught her eye. Their sweet scent rose up as the horse crushed them, bringing memories of Lyle’s promises.
I found beauty, and I’m not giving it up.
She sat up straight in the saddle,
shaking off the man’s hand, and looked back.
A horse and rider thundered over the plain, the stallion pure white. The man’s dark form rose about the horse’s heaving flanks.
Lyle. Her hero.
The two thugs advanced and he kept coming, riding straight as an arrow for Rose and her captor. She knew it, and felt hope rising in her like a dove even as she cried out in fear for him.
A gun cracked once, twice, and Rose cringed, but Lyle didn’t fall. Instead, his two attackers flew off their mounts, one flying straight off, dead, and the other rocking over the side of his mount and falling halfway to the ground, where a cloud of dust rose over his dragging form until his horse slowed.
Her captor looked back and cursed.
“He’s coming for me,” Rose told him. “And he’ll kill you.”
“You shut your mouth.” The man started to strike her, but she ducked, flattening herself against the horse’s neck.
“Now, Jesse, now,” she whispered, and felt the bullet hit her captor, his body jerking wildly, threatening to knock her off. Grabbing the horse’s reins, she pulled hard until her mount came to a halt. The body behind her was dead weight, and as she dismounted, she caught sight of the blood-spattered form before turning and rushing away.
The white horse galloped over the plain at break neck speed, finally slowing in the seconds before Lyle reached her.
Her man vaulted off, striding towards her like she was the only thing in his world. She felt her knees go weak as he got closer, but made herself stagger towards him.
Lyle’s face darkened as he took in Rose’s torn bodice and corset. Then she was in his arms.
“You all right?”
“Yes, yes.” She rubbed her face on his chest, hands reaching up to slide from his jaw into his thick hair. Her touch reassured her he was real. “They didn’t hurt me. I’m fine.”
“Rose.” He caught a fistful of her hair and drew her head back. “Don’t you ever, ever...”
“I won’t.” Her breath blew out, half way between a sigh and a sob. “You came for me.”
“Always.” He crushed her to him. “Always.”
Their mouths met in a frenzy until Lightning whickered impatiently, stamping his foot.
