Read Bonded for Free Online Page B

seeking safety in his strength. “Captain?”
    “Talk about a trial by fire for you. It’s not normally this strong, but we’re loaded to almost beyond capacity, so it takes more thrust than normal to escape the system’s gravitational pull.” He set her back on her feet, holding her against his hard body a fraction longer than necessary.
    He still wanted her.
    She felt it—his hard, erect cock pressed into her belly through their clothing.
    His expression turned grim once more. She gripped his strong arms and felt tension tighten his powerful muscles. She couldn’t worry about that now.
    She was too entranced by the sight of him, after all these years of only dreaming. Dwelling on her memories. A lock of his thick, nearly black hair had fallen into his eyes, tempting her to sweep it away. “Don’t look at me like that, Taimi.”
    “Like what?”
    “Like you still want me.”
    “I do.” Her voice was as quiet as his. At his surprised look, she added: “I didn’t think you would want me to lie.”
    “It would be easier if you did.” He brushed the backs of his fingers against her cheek, skimming to her lips before he drew his hand away.
    “Easier?”
    “I told you before. I shouldn’t want you.”
    “Why not?”
    “It’s…it’s complicated.”
    Perhaps . She sensed it had something to do with her former mistress. Lady Ethlinda’s attempt to kill him failed, but had she succeeded in destroying his heart instead?
    Taimi didn’t think so.
    It was still there. She had to believe it was still there, beating under the defensive armor he’d walled around his emotions. He tried to pull away, and she tightened her fingers. “Please.”
    He exhaled sharply and set her away from him. “No.” He gave her a small smile, as if to soften the harshness of the word. “Let’s set you free. Now. Turn around.”
    She did.
    He pushed her hair in front of her shoulders and turned down the collar of her blouse to more fully expose the lock. He ran one finger from the base of her skull to the edge of the collar, making her shiver. His voice was deeper, huskier than before. “It’s a touch release, along with the combination.” He continued to skim along where the metal touched her skin, bringing fresh shivers and a pooling of heat between her legs in the spot where she was so very tender. Taimi began to breathe faster, wishing he would ignore the collar and just keep on touching her.
    “Hold still,” he said instead. “You’re trembling.”
    “I’m trying. It’s not easy when you’re touching me.”
    “Taimi.” Her name was barely more than an exhalation of sound. “Don’t.”
    The husky need in his deep voice made her squirm again. She bit her lip before another unwanted admission tumbled free. She held her breath and tried to still herself.
    He touched the lock: five light taps followed by a lingering press. The collar made a faint whirring sound, and the latch clicked open. He tossed it aside. “Damn thing was too tight. Your skin is raw.”
    Without the collar, she felt more naked, more exposed than when she’d stood before him without any clothing. “It feels strange.”
    “Have you worn one all your life?”
    “Almost. A slave is fitted with one once he or she passes their first year. The weight of the collar is a choking risk for infants. It is replaced as often as needed, with growth.”
    “But not always. It left marks. Here.” He touched the base of her neck again. “And here. Does that hurt?”
    “No.” She wasn’t aware of anything except his touch.
    His breath was warm and moist against her skin. He touched his mouth to the same place as his fingers and followed the line where her collar had rested, slowly walking around until he was in front of her once more.
    She arched her neck back to give him better access, a whimper of pleasure escaping her lips.
    “You’re so beautiful, Taimi,” he whispered. “You tempt me so much.”
    “I… I still don’t understand. Why is that a