The Bound Heart by Elsa Holland Page B

fingertips across her cheek. The feel of her skin was softer than swan down. Her chin was stubbornness encased in silk as he lifted it so their eyes met.
    Her open gaze was a little sad and yet determined; it beat at his heart, challenged him to go where dragons lived. But he wasn’t that kind of man. He was a man who had built rules to keep the dragons out. Rules he intended to keep.
    “That’s not for you, Olive.” His voice was quiet in the room.
    Hurt flashed across her face, followed fast by that stubborn look of hers, challenging him. Always challenging him, his demure beauty.
    “Why? I don’t want to go.”
    “Trust me, Olive. This is the best way.”
    Olive shrugged away from his hand and pushed the comforter back.
    “I know what you like.” Her face was very red now. “Evie told me. I…”
    He stepped back.
    “Don’t do this, Olive.” Excitement and pleasure, they coursed through him. But he was also determined.
    Be that good man.
    He needed to be strong for both of them.
    “Let me take you home.”
    She stood. Her own determination painted on that transparent face of hers.
    Then, she launched herself at him.
    Fast and strong.
    He staggered back as her arms came around him.
    The surprise and then the hot, soft feel of her in his arms pressed his resistance to the limit.
    She pushed her lips against his.
    Their teeth bumped.
    The kiss was clumsy, almost funny as it blazed a path straight down to his cock with its honest need.
    Every impulse wanted to curl her under him, immobilize her with his weight, and feel the softness of her everywhere.
    He maneuvered away looking to get control and her hands slipped. Without warning the wingback defeated him; he tripped back into it, and she stumbled on top of him.
    His breathing was harsh.
    The press of her drove every instinct into action. Action he was not going to take.
    Jamie placed his hands over hers as she decisively held each side of his face. Held him in place as she moved her lips over his. Her wet tongue was a warm, silken slide as each soft swipe ripped away years of control. His insides quivered as she stabbed at him with that delicious muscle. It sent shocks down his center and hardened him beyond bearing, but he had borne a lot.
    In a couple of well-used movements, he had her arms bent behind her back and her hands held there firmly in one of his.
    Now that was better.
    He liked this hold, always had. And with Olive, it felt even better, his heart beat at a crazy fast pace as he considered at her.
    She strained against the confinement. A red haze washed at the corners of his vision as he fought the desire to act like the man he was. The man she didn’t deserve to be saddled with.
    That was the crux of it, wasn’t it? She deserved more, and he wanted her to have it.
    “Stop!” He sounded harsh, his raised voice jarring when they were so close. Damn it. His will was eroding faster than snow melted in the full sun.
    “No.” She pressed her chest against his.
    He leaned his face away from hers an wanted to smile.
    His demure girl was gone.
    He wanted desperately to whip out a rope and tie this wild woman down. Have her wriggle and struggle to grab hold of him until he had her immobilized and rode her at his pace and at his say so until she screamed out his name in the blinding pleasure he would most certainly give her. And it would be that. A pleasure beyond what she had experienced despite his particular proclivities.
    The body had a way of responding, intensifying when you engaged the mind at the same time.
    You’re not going there.
    No. No he wasn’t. His jaw tightened.
    “Olive.” His voice was full of warning. He clamped her wrists together harder.
    She stilled. Her breath puffing out, ragged and sweet.
    Good, this had to stop.
    Then she leaned into him and softened; melted against the hard lines of his body in a sensual bundle of feminine flesh.
    Fuck.
    Sweat beaded on his brow.
    One more taste.
    The need throbbed through him. He’d get