Falcon’s Captive by Vonna Harper Page A

let that happen. Her future was at stake, her life even, surely her freedom and self-respect.
    “You have no right,” she retorted after a short hesitation.
    “I don’t need a right. Not with might on my side.” His mouth twitched. “And coupled with proof of how much of a woman you are.”
    A fresh sensation seared her. She was still trying to make sense of it when he turned her to the side. At the same time, his leg struck the back of her knee, buckling it. He pushed down on her shoulders, and she wound up on her knees on the ground. Joining her, he captured her wrists and flattened her useless hands against her belly. He kept up the pressure until she toppled backward with her legs trapped under her. A quick, strong yank on her bonds and her arms were over her head.
    Helpless.
    “That was easy.” His breath heated the side of her head. “In case you didn’t understand, that’s what I mean by might. Say it: I’m stronger than you.”
    Admit his physical superiority? After what he’d just done, what was the point?
    His mouth twitched, and his eyes took on a cast she’d never seen. Maybe he’d been distracted by the sight of her breasts stretched over her chest wall and her ribs silhouetted under her skin. Although the position he’d forced on her was far from comfortable, she was strangely content to remain where she was. His hands on her bound wrists served as an inescapable reminder of their unequal relationship while a certain heat between her legs comforted her. He could have hurt her, but he hadn’t. Every time he touched her, she responded. Felt alive.
    Alive.
    “All right,” he said in the same challenging tone. “So you don’t want to say anything. I could force it from you, but I don’t believe that’ll be necessary. Do you want me to demonstrate what I’m talking about?”
    Before she could respond, if she was going to, he cupped his free hand around the breast closest to him. Lifting it, he closed his fingers over its fullness. “This is an example, little wild one. Feel my strength.” Giving weight to his words, he pulled on her hands until she felt the strain in her armpits. “Acknowledge how easy it is to turn you into what I want.”
    She couldn’t move, couldn’t focus on anything except his bulk over her and his knowing hands, her utter helplessness.
    And willingness.
    “Your body is your undoing,” he continued. “No, don’t shake your head. It’s the truth. Damnation, I want what your body offers. And I’m going to take it.”
    “By raping me?” She waited for the words to drive her into loathing, for it to be that simple.
    “No.”
    “Then—”
    “Because it won’t be necessary.”
    “Not—let me up!”
    “Not until I have no doubt of how you’re going to respond when I do.”
    There was something ominous to his tone. At the same time, she sensed a promise behind what he’d just said; either that or she wanted a promise. Although she couldn’t see herself, she had a clear mental image of what she looked like. Among the Falcons were several craftsmen. One created exquisite wood carvings of everything from wolves to flowers while another painted wonderful pictures on hide canvases. She’d long envied not only their skill but also their ability to find beauty in so many things.
    Today her body had become something beautiful, sleek health stretched and curved so his eyes could feast on it.
    “I’ve never seen anything like you,” he muttered as if reading her mind. “Perfect.”
    His praise sent a wave of heat-energy through her. He released her wrists but kept ahold of her breast, lifting and compressing it at the same time. A delicious tingling swam through her. Feeling as if she were sinking into a bottomless pool, she struggled to turn away until she’d discovered how to reach the surface again but was forced to stop when he shifted his grip so her nipple pressed against his palm.
    “Hmm,” she whimpered, nerves and muscles jumping.
    “Like that, do