Chapter 7

The stretch is immense, nearly stealing my breath. The only respite I have at the moment is the lack of internal burning. At least this time, he didn't apply that infernal ginger onto the dilator.

Still though, I don't need any extra stimulation. Not when my bottom hole aches and that knot continues to grind at my clit. My body clenches as I toss about, desperate to find relief.

William kneels above me, his hands gliding over his massive erection. Hopefully, he'll actually finish inside me this time and not splatter his seed upon my body, or worse, this wretched floor. I've come to crave the feeling of his essence filling me, the heat adding yet another layer to the arousal that seems to never fizzle out.

With his free hand, he traces the bond mark on my inner thigh—the first place he bit me. Even now, I shudder as memories of our first heat race through my mind. Whether it's from my own consciousness or he's feeding it to me from his mind, I cannot tell. And truthfully, it doesn't really matter.

We both look upon that moment with an erotic fondness that surpasses many other memories. Groaning, I shift my legs, giving him better access to my quim. I'd much rather he pull the rope aside and stroke me there instead. But he doesn't oblige. Not surprising, seeing as he seems to live to torment me.

Pulling his hand away, he brings it up to my heart, covering the mark that resides there. Such an ugly, twisted thing forced upon me by Mr. Beaumont. And yet, somehow, William managed to make it beautiful. One more tether to bind us together. Tears prick my eyes as I lay my hand on top of his, flooding the bond with my undying love for him.

He keeps his hand there as his other hand spreads me wide. The blunt tip of his cock prods at my entrance, inhibited by the rope. Mournful whines pour from my throat as I buck up against him, desperate for the release he has so far denied me.

With a cocky grin, he pulls back, sliding his hand away. "Aww. Poor little kitten. Is it truly agonizing? How badly do you want my cock sliding deep inside this greedy cunt of yours?"

The harshness of his words only seems to amplify my need. Groaning, I glide my fingers over my breasts, hoping to force him to relent if I pleasure myself. His breaths come in harsh gasps as he watches me pluck at my nipples, mewling as I writhe in his ropes.

"Damnation, Catherine, you're perfection. But I will have your words. How badly do you want me?"

"Please, my love," I moan out, arching my hips up as best as I can. "I am so desperate for you to fill me. Please. Please, Master." The word rings out in the small cottage, bouncing around, echoing as if several of us cry out at once.

"Then you shall have me." His thick fingers graze my lower lips as he maneuvers the rope, spreading it open.

The infernal knot grinds harder into my clit, forcing a wail from my lips. "Shhh, pretty omega. Soon, my cock shall soothe your discomfort. Endure for me just a little while longer." Working his head between the splayed rope, he slides his tip into me, grunting as he takes his time.

I toss my head back and forth, the need building into a raging fire. With each little rock of his hips, he impales me, stretching me open until I'm about to bust. With the dilator still lodged in my backside, William feels twice as large.

Biting down on my lower lip, I revel in the feel of him opening me up, filling me as only he can. However, the moment he looks down, my husband cocks his eyebrow and reaches for my mouth.

"Oh no, my little wanton. I want to hear every sound as it flees your delicate lips. I want everyone in all of England to hear how well I can fuck my wife."

"I thought you were merely a simple highwayman. Would you really like England to know how well you ravage someone else's wife?"

"Minx," he growls out, sliding his hand down to grip my throat. "Now that I'm fucking you, I want only thoughts of me to flit through your mind. No one else, even fictional." At that last word, he snaps his hips, surging forward to slide the rest of the way in.

"There will only be you," I cry out, my inner walls fluttering around his girth. "Always and forever."

"Damn right." Bringing his hands lower, he grips my hips, holding me steady as he pumps in and out. With the rope stretched impossibly tight, every minute movement causes the knot to rock against me, tormenting me in a way that steals my very breath.

"P- please, Master!" The tearful wail floods my ears, sounding so foreign, so far away. "I- I need-"

"Yes, wife. What do you need?"

"Please!"

"I hear you, love. Come for me. Let yourself go. Shatter, break apart, and trust me to pick up the pieces."

At his words, my body explodes as the long-denied orgasm comes crashing through. I shudder in his grasp as he continues to slide in and out, riding me through one release and straight into another. The rope continues to torment me, forcing my body to continue quaking and shuddering.

William stares down at me, his eyes locking with mine. Sweat beads on his brow as he strains against me. His cock pulses deep inside, jerking every time he seats himself fully. The dilator in my bottom hole rocks against the ropes, continually stretching me out until the burn sizzles across my synapses.

I hold on to him, needing his solid strength. As his muscles bunch under my hands, my inner walls flutter again, gripping him tightly as another release causes me to bow up against him. A soft growl drifts from his lips as he shoves his desire for me through the bond.

It's overwhelming, a cacophony of sounds, feelings, and emotions as they run through me. Bright light flashes in front of my eyes as my lips part in a silent cry. Every muscle in my body screams at me, tightening up as my body explodes again.

Thrashing about, I grip his biceps, unable to even say a word. But I don't have to. He hears me. He always hears me. Bringing his hand down, he wedges his finger in between us, pulling the knot away so I have a small modicum of relief.

It's short-lived, however, because soon, his knot begins to swell. Grunting, he snaps his hips once, twice, three times before letting out a shameful groan. His knot engorges, pressing against my poor abused inner walls and the dilator in my bottom.

Black encroaches my vision as yet one final release slithers through my body, spurred on by the heat of his seed as it bathes my insides. The moans that leave my lips drift up into the air, barely audible over the loud growl of satisfaction that pours from his body. Letting go of the rope, he skims his hands along my back, making quick work of unbinding me.

Though the rope between my thighs remains, imprisoned by our bodies, the relief at no longer having that blasted knot grinding into me has me floating on the ether. With a tender grasp, he gathers me into his arms and turns us so I can lie on top of him.

In truth, the moment he does this while we're conjoined by his knot makes my heart sing. Even though I adore the stifling heat of his body as he envelops me, there's something so considerate, so loving in this action. Letting my thighs part even more, I straddle him and nuzzle deep into his chest.

Just as he did mine, I run my fingers over the mark I gave him. Though not nearly as ragged or deep, it signifies something which will never be taken from us. He's as much mine as I am his. With a soft sigh, I allow myself to drift, lulled by his throaty purr and the gentle skimming of his hands down my back.

* * *

Darkness surroundsme as I open my eyes. The only light visible is from the dying fireplace. No longer is my husband underneath me. Instead, I lie wrapped up in his coat on the floor.

Panic threatens to eat at me, but I hold it at bay, reminding myself of his love for me. He wouldn't just abandon me.

"That's correct, my incorrigible kitten. I merely prepared for our departure while you slept. Between the nightmares and…well…the broken bond, you've not been able to sleep all that well. Any chance I can give you to rest, I ensure you remain undisturbed."

Rising, I groan as my muscles cry out in protest. "Honestly, I feel as if I could fall back asleep if only I were submerged in a hot tub."

His throaty chuckles bring another wave of arousal thrumming through my body, but instinctually, I know we cannot act on it. Not while nighttime looms over us. Running my hands over my body, I feel for the rope in between my thighs and find it absent. Same as the dilator. Somehow, I feel so empty, but it's a ridiculous emotion.

With a heavy tread, William walks over to me and gathers me into his arms. "Not ridiculous, my love. You always feel depleted and morose after an intense session with me. It's normal and to be expected. Come, let me take you home and bathe you. I'm sure Cook has some sweet treats for you which I know will set your spirit to rights."

I give him a watery smile, still unsure as to how I managed to snag someone like him. "I just don't understand. It makes no sense. I should be happy, beaming, and yet, I feel as though I wish to crawl into a hole and sob my heart out."

"Ahhh. But it doesn't have to make sense. I know you, my love. I know when I push you hard, when I break you open, you are prone to fits of melancholy. If I wasn't already accustomed to such actions within The Rose and Thorne, I'd call for a doctor and some leeches. But it seems good food, a hot bath, and me holding you in my arms puts your humors to rights."

A small smile creeps across my face. "And here I thought you'd use it as an excuse to use your knife on me."

"Ahhh, my love, you give me far too much credit. I am not versed in bloodletting and would rather not cause you more harm than good. Come now, let's get you dressed and fed."

We remain silent as he helps me into my clothes and positions me near the door. Most everything else is gone, no doubt packed away while I was sleeping. He really does think of everything. With one final sweep, he extinguishes the fire and gathers me into his arms.

A full moon lights our way as he carries me over to his stallion, Storm. Pausing near his muzzle, the massive beast knickers softly as I caress his warm, velvety nose.

"Enough of that. You'll spoil the horse." But even in his gruff words, I hear the smile.

Setting me down, William grips me by the waist and lifts me up, placing me on his saddle. The pommel digs into my hip, but I don't feel it. Honestly, the moment my love hoists himself up and pulls me into his lap, I feel nothing but his warmth surrounding me.

I snuggle into him, running my fingers over his chest. Since that day I was taken from his side, I still reassure myself that he's real and this isn't just some dream I'll eventually awaken from. Purring, William wraps his arm around me and holds me close.

"We will never catch up with your family at this rate," I murmured.

"Never you mind. We are, in fact, heading back to London. There is still much to do to prepare for our honeymoon. Soon, we will go to Whitmore Manor and join our family. It's not too far from the coast, and I'd so love to see you looking out over the ocean."

At the very thought of seeing waves crashing against the shore, my spirits lift a touch. "And Blackport won't mind?"

William throws his head back and laughs. "Call the poor bastard Robert. He's your brother now."

"But he has not given me permission."

"No, but I am. And if he has an issue, he can bring it up with me. Besides, Robert headed back to London as well to finish up his business. He only accompanied you ladies, so he could ensure no harm came to you all or me in this little farce."

A soft smile tilts up my lips as I look into William's face. "Your mother seemed quite pleased."

"Yes, the meddlesome woman had a bit of sport, I'll bet."

"I do worry about your sisters, though. The governess seems to have caught on, but I fear they're still worried about me."

"I'm sure Robert explained everything before he left them. If not, the governess seems to have a good enough head on her shoulders. She could have found a delicate way in which to explain to my sisters. I wouldn't worry too much."

His eyes narrow a touch as his features tighten. Through the bond, I feel the worry he has about his adoptive mother. It eats at him, keeps him up at night. Though his ghosts are different from mine, we still share a load of grief that seems to never lessen.

Running my hand over his chest, I push feelings of love into the bond, sighing as his rigid stance melts just a touch. "No matter what happens, I will never stop loving you."

He pulls back on the reins, stopping Storm for a moment. Tipping my face up, he smiles down at me, the love and adoration nearly blinding. "Even in death, I will always find you. You will never be alone. You are my mate, the half of my soul who can never be replaced. I love you, Catherine Dowding, now and forever."

The End