Chapter 4

"Allow my memory to stay poignant on your lips?" I laugh, swatting her arse as I carry her to my stallion. "Who knew this lass I found would be such a poet and so very accommodating?"

She beats at my shoulders, her blows light and playful. "Please, you fiend, be gentle with me. I am a married woman and not accustomed to such rough treatment."

Pausing, I throw my head back and laugh, the dark chuckle reverberating through the trees. My little wife has such a penchant for the theatre. "I shall do as I like. You gave yourself to me, remember? And if that means ruining you for your husband, then so be it."

Her scent of arousal drifts about my head, making my vision swim. All I want to do is bury my cock inside her, to knot her as I slam her wrists down into the dirt. It's agony playing this farce, but it's a game we will both enjoy if I can only muster the patience to see it through.

"Please, my husband is but a humble man. One with very little to his name. I am his prized jewel. If I were to be returned tarnished…Well, I'm afraid he'll have nothing to live for. I would so hate for him to sully the floor with his untimely demise."

"You went a bit dark with that one, my love," I chuckle, running my fingers up the back of her thighs. "Fictional or not, I do not wish for you to picture your husband as deceased."

Her soft laugh caresses my skin just like a cool breeze in the hot desert. It runs across me like phantom fingers, touching, teasing. "I do apologize. I guess I was caught up in the moment. Shall I make amends?"

I lower her to the ground next to Storm, pressing her back up against the solid wall of horseflesh. "Do you think you can?"

Her lashes flutter as she glances down at my erection straining against my buckskin breeches. "My husband has kept me in the dark about how a woman can please her man, but if you promise to teach me your dark secrets, I'll strive to be the perfect pupil."

Damnation. Though I've fucked her in nearly every way imaginable, she still manages to wear her innocence like a cloak. It's tantalizing, tempting, and far too difficult to resist. When she runs her fingers up my shaft, her eyes wide with feigned innocence, I'm nearly done for.

"Please, good sir. Teach me. I so long to learn what it"s like to shatter under a man's touch."

"And your husband?" My voice is gruff, hoarse with need.

"So what if his jewel comes back a bit tarnished? I was far too hasty with my words. Here I'm given a golden opportunity, a chance to be completely wanton. My travel companions think me kidnapped or worse. It would not be my fault if you had your wicked way with me."

Though we both know this is a game, there's something almost taboo about the idea of fucking her as someone else and not as her rightful husband. Precum pearls at my tip as my balls clench in need. Oh, we shall definitely be playing this game more often.

"You have but one chance to flee with your sensibilities intact. Run into the forest. If I catch you, I will make you mine, unfit for any other man. Do you understand me?"

"Clearly, my dastardly highwayman. But what if I do not wish to flee?"

"Would you rather I take you here on this public road where anyone could see?" My heart thumps in my chest as she weighs my words.

How I wish she would say yes, but even in my lustful haze, I know it's unwise for a duke to cavort with his duchess in this manner. Hellfire and damnation, but we already dodged a bullet with our nuptials. It would be imprudent to press our luck in this way. Besides, we're still on tenterhooks with the Ton as it is.

Still, as I watch her glancing up and down the road, I can't resist a bit of fun. No one is around to watch as I yank her leg up and around my hip, opening her wide so I can slide my hand up her inner thigh. I pause just shy of her quim, waiting impatiently as she rocks her body close to me in a needful entreaty.

"Do you wish for me to pleasure you?" I groan into the crook of her neck. "Do you wish for me to show you the secrets I can bestow on you?"

"Yes," she cries out, her hips jutting against me. "Please. I'm desperate for your touch."

"Then run."

She blinks up at me, her gaze a touch hazy and unfocused. "Pardon?"

"If you wish for me to pleasure you, then run. The longer it takes for me to catch you, the more your pleasure shall be." Lowering her leg, I run my thumb across her bottom lip, noting the concern in her eyes.

"Don't worry, love," I croon, switching back to my normal timber. "I chose this spot on purpose. You will suffer no harm. Not too far back is a shelter. I will meet you there." Straightening back up, I put on my affected voice. "But do try to make it a bit of sport for me? If I am to hang for kidnapping one so delectable, I'd like to at least have some fun first."

Breathless, she straightens her clothes, her fingers fidgeting a touch. But I know it's no longer fear that makes her quake. Arousal pours from her as she glances back into the tree line. Straightening her shoulders, she gives me a haughty look.

"Try as you might, but I've run through forests before. You will never catch me."

Quick as lightning, she takes off, far quicker than I expect. My cock aches as I watch her dress flit about as she maneuvers through the trees. Keeping my thoughts calm and collected, I take Storm's reins and lead him toward the small cottage I mentioned earlier.

I've inspected the location many times and found it to be abandoned, yet clean. It's the perfect spot to defile my wife before taking her back to London to start our honeymoon. Taking a small trail, I make record time, ducking around some overgrowth to side up next to the rocky exterior.

Looking into the bond, I monitor Catherine, making sure she still hums with arousal and not fear. This should be safe, but it is England, after all. A small bit of anxiety pricks my heart, causing me to tie up Storm even faster. With a quick glance around the cottage, I make sure all is still set and ready to go before taking off after my wife.

I pull the covering concealing my face lower so I can tip my nose into the air. So far, the only scents I can detect are the vegetation, the animals native to this area, and the alluring dusky rose that belongs only to my wife.

It calls to me, pulling me forward as I work my way through branches and grasses. There should be another path up ahead where my wife will be traipsing along, waiting for me to capture her yet again. However, when I turn onto the beaten earth, she's nowhere to be found.

The minx is taking her role far too seriously. I never thought I'd have to actually hunt her down. No matter. All it does is make me far more ravenous to taste her pussy, to drink her into me before I make her choke on my cock.

Turning off the path, I hunch down and study the broken twigs and bent grass, smiling as her steps are laid bare for me. Hunting for both food and sport is in my blood, something both Robert and I share. However, hunting for my wife is far superior in my opinion. Ear to the ground, I listen for anything that might alert me to her location.

There. It's a touch further away than I'd like, but I hear her. Rising from the ground, a snarl rumbles through my chest as I take off. Oh yes. We will need to play this game far more often, but perhaps once we're at Birchleigh, where I'll have complete control.

I race through the woods, ducking under low-hanging branches and sidestepping thorns. Pausing, I listen as curse words fill the air. She's not frightened, just angry. And so, I take my time, leisurely strolling over to her until I see just what has her so wroth.

She twists and turns, her skirts caught in a mass of thorns. Every time she yanks herself free, she manages to catch a different part, rendering her almost immobile. It's as if the gods smile down upon us, serving her up to me on such a delectable platter.

Smirking, I slip the covering back over my face and make my way to her. "My, aren't we in a high dudgeon. Does your husband allow such vulgar language to slip past your lips?"

A startled shriek flies up from her throat, but soon her eyes narrow in indignation. However, the longer I stare at her, my arms crossed and my fingers tapping, she slumps a bit, her gaze shifting to and fro. At least she has sense enough to look ashamed as red tinges her cheeks.

"I suppose he would be quite put out to hear me speaking as such."

"Indeed. A lady should never utter any of the words I"ve just heard. Tsk, tsk, tsk. So unfortunate I happened upon you in a fit of pique. Shall I allow you to do penance for your actions, then?"

Arousal blossoms into the air as she nods, her fingers still prying at the briars. "I feel it will be for the best."

"In that case, allow me to assist you, so I may commence with teaching you the errors of your ways." Walking behind her, I study the situation before wrapping my arms around her waist. "I fear this dress will not make it. I must part you both if you are to be free."

"Truly?" she cries out, slumping forward. "I quite liked this dress."

"Well, I'm sure your husband can get you another. Still though, such a mess you've managed to get yourself into. Have you scraped your delicate skin?" Before she can answer, I interject. "No matter. I'll just have to inspect you myself. No sense in allowing you to go back to your husband anything less than pristine. Well…physically, that is. You will return to him tarnished in other ways."

Inching my way up, I feel her breath catch in her throat. If she thinks I'll indulge her, give her any sort of relief, then she is mistaken. Dipping my fingers into her corset, I feel for the knife I gave her.

Today, it will serve a far greater purpose, one of arousal and titillation. With a quick draw, I unsheathe the small dagger and contemplate holding it at her throat, becoming a true highwayman indeed. But I stay my hand, not wishing to bring back any ghosts of her past.

Instead, I drag the tip through the fabric, ridding her of the tangled mess, until she stands there in her shoes, stockings, shift, and corset. My, but what an erotic picture she makes. Already I can see the proof of her desire as it coats the shift, causing it to stick to her skin.

It perfumes the air, dragging a ragged groan from my lips. "I swear, you'll be the death of me," I groan as I pluck her out of the briars and stand her in front of me. With a quick jerk of my shoulders, I remove my coat and put it on her, keeping the cold at bay. Once she's wrapped up in it, I haul her over my shoulder. "But what an alluring death it would be."

She squirms, as if halfheartedly wanting to fight, but I know my little kitten. All she wants is to lap at my cream. Thankfully, our desires are one and the same. Glancing about, I ensure we're still alone as I take my somewhat exposed wanton to the cottage to dress her up in my ropes.

As beautiful as she is, there's just something so decadent about seeing her trussed up, waiting for me. Though I wished to defile her amongst the grasses and flowers, I find I'm far too possessive. No one seems to be about, but I refuse to chance anyone taking an opportunity to gaze upon her naked flesh. That view is mine and mine alone.

My cock lurches forward as I lengthen my stride, desperate to feel my wife clenching around me. Soon. Oh, so achingly soon.