Bound by Bliss (Bound and Determined #2)(95)

His face sobered at the thought. He had a long way to go in persuading her not to be afraid of love and commitment, in persuading her to trust him, in persuading her that he would always be there for her.

Reaching over to the neat pile of his garments, he found his pants and pulled them on.

He would find Ruby and ask where his kitten had run off to. He imagined it was home, but he wanted to waste no time in wrongful pursuit this morning. They needed to talk. Bliss needed to know there was no escape from the words she’d said last night, and then they needed to find Swanston and the duke.

It was time to start planning a wedding.

—

Bliss stared in horror at the long brass pinchers. What they were for, she had no idea, but she knew it would hurt, hurt a great deal.

As she watched, Temple tightened the end and they opened slightly, revealing small sharp teeth, teeth clearly designed to dig into flesh. Into her flesh.

She swallowed.

Or at least tried to. Her mouth was suddenly too dry. Instead she choked.

“You like them, do you?” Temple smiled with what could only be described as glee. A certain boyishness clung to him and it made the moment all the more disturbing. “I wasn’t sure—they look painful—but then you apparently like pain. I am willing if you are.”

He opened the evil-toothed jaws wide and then let them close, turning a little screw with his thumb. “Is there someplace special you think I should put them?”



Yes, there was, but she very much doubted he’d willingly comply. Anger was beginning to churn along with the terror, deep in her gut. From the first time her brothers had tied her to a tree in a game of pirates being helpless eventually just left her mad—and she was reaching that point, quickly.

“What do you think about your right nipple? Duldon has left it so pretty and red for me, so perfectly swollen. Look what the thought does to me.” He thrust out his hips, his swollen cock unmistakable.

She wanted to vomit all over the front of his trousers.

It was so hard not to struggle, not to betray her thoughts. She had to think. If she couldn’t dissuade Temple she had to find a way to delay matters. If she could just hold him off long enough Stephan would come. He would not let her down.

And then, as if reading her mind, Temple stomped over to his empty glass, picked it up, and slammed it back down. “Where is that girl with more brandy? I want another drink.” He glared at Bliss as if daring her to do something about it.

She swallowed. He was scary enough when merely lustful. She did not wish him angry. “Perhaps you could yank the pull again, Master.” She enunciated the last word as carefully as possible.

“I don’t want to wait. Blast. I’ll go myself. Give you some of that anticipation you so desire.” He took a step toward her, ran the pointed end of the pinchers across her breast.

She bit down on her lip at the slice of pain. Even without looking down she knew that he’d pierced her skin.



He seemed frozen for a moment, staring down at her.

Fighting to keep her breath even, she followed his gaze. A thin line of blood welled high on the pale flesh.

And Temple liked it. There could be no mistaking that—it was not merely drunkenness that had him in this mood for cruel play.

He walked to the wide bed and gently laid the pinchers on the end, directly in her line of sight. “I won’t be gone too long. Keep thinking of all the fun we shall have.”

She heard the click as he unlocked the door. Heard it open. Heard him step through. And then nothing.

Had he not locked it again? It was certainly possible that he hadn’t thought of it. Or perhaps he merely thought the cuffs would hold her secure. It wasn’t like she could escape metal cuffs.

Her head fell forward, and the cold of defeat eased in around her. If she screamed, even if she was heard, nobody would come. Everyone would think it was one more game. And even if she was rescued, what then? If this did not become a full scandal, there was still no chance it would stay quiet. Men were no more discreet than women; whispers would spread. She would be ruined, never marry, never have children.

That thought should have filled her with relief, but instead she felt only sadness, deep sadness. A few hours ago she’d still been wishing for an escape from marriage, and now…An image of Stephan standing in the sunshine, surrounded by an armful of little towheads, filled her mind, and she felt hopeless tears rise up.

And what if she truly was ruined? She would never have thought it of Temple, but these last minutes had shown her that he was not at all as she expected.



But then who was?

A shiver took her. Could this really happen? Could all her dreams, dreams she had not even known she had, be over?

And what were those dreams?

She had said yes to Stephan. Was it possible that was what she really wanted? Had she said yes because she wanted to, not because he had forced her?

Was being with Stephan more important than her fear of love?

She had more questions than answers.

And what did any of it matter? She pulled hard on the chains that held her. Temple would be back soon and then…

She had to get away. She had faith that Stephan would rescue her, but would it be too late?

If she was ruined—she refused to think of what that would actually entail—could she go to Stephan even if he still wanted her? And would he still want her? What man would?