The Harlot (8 page)

“We will,” she interrupted, clearly annoyed.

“When it is done,” he continued, “you will need to convince the other servants that you are nothing but a hardworking, pious young lady who is in need of a position, a young woman who will not be troublesome in any way.”

She flashed him a warning glance when he emphasized the word
troublesome.

“I am capable of all these things,” she responded defensively. “I have not always been a whore. I can do plenty of other work, and you do not have to worry about my manners.” With that she stood up and flounced off to her quarters, slamming the door behind her.

Gregor stared after her, and for the first time he found himself wondering what else it was that she had done. He knew very little of her previous life. Was she Dundee-born? What of her family?

As soon as she was gone, Gregor missed her presence. Frowning, he wondered how that could be so, when all they had done was bicker. He stood up and reached for the port bottle. It was just because he was not used to having a whore
on hand whenever he might want one. He bedded women at every chance, yes, but that was limited to when they reached safe harbor. That event began a wild time of whoring and drinking. Then it was back to managing the sea.

Now he had a provocative and tempting woman close by. Any man would be tempted. The nature of the situation made it difficult for him, that was all. As he tried to explain away the mixed feelings he had on the matter, he recalled how she had looked that morning, facedown over his lap, and he instantly hardened. He swigged straight from the port bottle.

It was just as well that she had gone, he decided. She had a quick tongue and was far too wily, which meant he would have been driven to taking her in hand and delivering another good slap to that fine arse of hers. And if he did, his vow to abstain would be shattered within moments.

He downed enough port to knock himself out, and took to his bed. Her scent seemed to be everywhere, though. How could that be? He tossed and turned. Images of her there on the bed, debauched and willing, filled his mind and his dreams. Dawn eventually arrived, and even though he'd had a troubled night, he was proud of himself for resisting.

However, once sunlight filled the quarters, Jessie strolled out of her room, and she was as naked as the day she was born. Gregor cursed beneath his breath, certain that his vow to abstain would soon be shattered. Her eyelids were lowered, giving her a sultry look, her pretty mouth curving as she approached.

Accepting his fate, he made a new vow—to make her earn it.

“Too knowing by far, Jessie,” he said, and reached out and grabbed her.

JESSIE LET OUT A STARTLED CRY, THOROUGHLY
delighted that he had captured her.

“You have just made this even more difficult on yourself,” he said, as he pulled her down onto his bed.

She had woken most eager to climb into his bed with him, and decided she would approach the problem in a much more direct manner—naked. The plan was to startle him with her appearance and then slide under the covers with him before he had a chance to gather his faculties. He would be aroused in moments. How could she fail? It had taken some effort to be brave and determined enough to approach him while in such a state. It was rare that she was ever fully undressed, but she mustered the requisite boldness, sure that he wouldn't be able to resist when she climbed in with him as he awoke.

He'd pounced at her before she had the chance.

Whatever did he mean, she had just made it harder on herself?
It didn't seem that way to her. Her body thrilled at the way he had reached for her. He rolled her onto her back, keeping her there with one hand. Pinned down that way, her body was
arched over the hard rack of his thighs. Then she noticed that there was humor in his eyes. Was it a jest at her expense?

The way she was fixed was not what she had in mind. Her breasts jutted out and her intimate parts were on display. She couldn't change her position or wriggle free.

With one hand on her collarbone, holding her in place, he roved over her body with the other hand, handling her roughly, squeezing and testing her flesh in all her sensitive places. Even though she grew wary because of his comment, his actions practically made her melt, her nipples hardening and her cunny fast growing damp.

“You are so masterful,” she murmured, unable to hold back her response.

“In that case you should have no trouble obeying me.” Sarcasm rang in his voice.

He continued to stroke and knead her breasts until she was gasping with pleasure, and then he stopped.

Jessie's breathing faltered.

“Get up.”

When she didn't move, he rolled her over onto her front, pushing her the length of the bed. With her feet scrambling for the floor, she put her hands on the mattress and pushed up, barely managing to straighten up before he was out of the bed and beside her.

“As you are so keen for your instruction this morning, we will have our lesson before I call for breakfast.”

Jessie stared at him, confused. “Whatever do you mean?”

He lifted his eyebrows. “You did not pause to dress, my dear. I can only surmise that you are very keen to be moving forward with your tutoring. Most admirable.”

“I—”

He put one finger to her lips, silencing her. There was a wicked gleam in his eyes.

It made her gulp. She swiped his hand away. “But—”

“No.” He held her by the shoulders.

Then she felt the brush of his upright cock against her belly and her body thrilled. He did want her. Emboldened, she reached down and trailed her fingers along its length as she flashed her eyes at him. “The task you have in mind is not the one you mentioned last night?”

“It is.”

Her hand stilled.

He removed it from his person. “We will begin work now.” The look in his eyes forbade her to disobey. “Then we can ad dress the problems that arise.” He glanced down at her breasts, where her nipples were hard and poking out rudely.

The heat from that single glance made her dizzy. Even so, she was torn between the urge to disobey and the urge to submit. Her physical response was very different. Heat traversed her body. She felt weak, as if her desire was sapping her strength. If she submitted, would he find her agree able and satisfy the lust he so obviously felt, as well? She could only hope so. Clinging to that notion, she nodded, and forced out an agreeable response. “Yes, sire. I will get dressed immediately.”

She went to turn away.

He stopped her with one hand locked around her wrist, tethering her to the spot. “No. We begin now.”

Confusion swamped her. He couldn't mean it.

She glanced down at his groin, where his cock was long and hard and arched up as far as his belly. “But…we are both naked!”

“Once again, a situation you have suggested by your arrival in that state.” He smiled most amiably and then led her to the table.

Smarting wildly, Jessie recalled what he'd said the night before about her table manners.

He gestured at her to sit in the chair. “If you can portray humility and innocence in a state of undress, you will have taken a step forward. It will be a fine test of your acting abilities.”

“Surely you jest.” Horrified at the situation, she nodded at his polelike erection. “I cannot act the innocent, not when presented with such a thing.”

Again she glared at his cock.

In all her days she'd never known a man so single-minded that he would deny himself the urge to come when it presented itself. Apparently he wanted to tutor her on how to behave, even though he was as hard as a rock and ready for a tumble. The man clearly wanted to torture her.

Standing opposite her, he rested his hands flat on the table and looked into her eyes. There was a wicked smile on his face. “I am entirely serious, believe me.”

“And you accused me of having no shame.”

He opened his palms as if innocent of her meaning.

He was mocking her. Jessie grumbled loudly and wriggled on the chair. She was far too aroused to act the part rationally, and her gaze kept roving back to observe his state of readiness for fornication. Besides, she had not seen him entirely naked before, and now he was strolling about exhibiting himself with the utmost detachment. It was unbearable. From his broad shoulders and chest, the latter dusted with dark hair, her gaze traveled down to where his cock sprung out, like a tree from the earth, tufts of dark hair adorning its base. Beneath that, his heavy sac made him look most virile. The shaft was long and rigid and arched up lewdly, the foreskin drawn back, revealing the darkly swollen head. Her cunny clamored for it.

“Eyes up,” he instructed sternly.

The tone of his voice was so commanding that she shivered with arousal. She rocked her bottom on the chair as she straightened up and met his gaze, and the hard surface maddened her aroused flesh. “You are insane!”

“Sit up straight while you are at the table.”

She did so, but flashed him another angry look.

He examined her with mock disappointment, his own acting ability apparently made more dramatic by the situation. “It seems I have to remind why you are here. As you so rightly pointed out, a man of wealth and opportunity would prefer an innocent maiden. You assured me that you would be able to seduce him under those circumstances.”

“Not like this.” She glared at Gregor, clutching at the table edge to keep herself from storming off. She didn't want to do as he instructed, but she did not want to leave, not now. Having him looming over her, so darkly handsome while he issued instructions, meant all her thoughts were moving in an entirely different direction. He was an arm's reach away, but he was denying them both. The fact that she was naked did not help her at all. She felt as if she had walked into a trap.

Jessie turned away and closed her eyes, shaking her head in disbelief.

“Do it and you will be rewarded.”

The promise made her blood pump ever faster. She squeezed her thighs together and stared down at the tabletop in an attempt to keep herself from breaking his hold on her. It was the hardest thing she had ever done with her body in such a state of arousal, and with him so close at hand and ready to give her exactly what she wanted. But she attempted to force her thoughts together and be what he wanted her to be.

Lifting her head slightly, and at the angle he had suggested the day before, she looked at him from under her eyelashes, and then widened her eyes as if startled. Forcing her lower
lip to tremble, she shifted one hand to her throat. “Forgive me, sire, you have caught me while I am at breakfast. I will prepare for my day's chores immediately.”

She expected him to lecture her about manners, but he did not. Silence filled the air between them and along with it the tension mounted.

Cautiously, she lifted her head fully and looked at him, keeping her expression most humble and serious and well-meaning. “How best can I serve you today, sire?”

His mouth moved, his lips pressed together as if he was trying to restrain from comment, but his eyes told a different story. Black with lust, they scored her greedily. Her skin flashed hot and her breathing sped. It was he who was doing battle with his needs now.

Be careful,
she reminded herself. He could easily send her to her room, if she did not continue to make an effort.

“You have caught my attention,” he said, his tone more subdued but also more intimate. “You are a good worker and I wish to keep you here in the household.”

“Thank you, sire. I am most eager to please you and gain a permanent position here.” She blinked at him, being careful to show nothing but innocence.

“But you turn my head, Jessie.”

The statement startled her. For a moment she stared into his eyes, and she knew he wasn't acting. That made her belly flutter, and she battled to contain her reaction. Blinking hard, she cocked her head slightly. “Me, sire?”

“Yes.” He stepped closer and touched her hair. “It is your character. Your strange mix of innocence and candor.”

Jessie's heart thumped wildly in her chest. It was what his enemy might say, but she knew he was doing this as part of the test. And, as an innocent, she would not notice his erection.
Or if she did, she would blush and look away. Steadfastly, she looked only at his face.

She noticed how his expression reflected his mood. Restraint echoed in every part of him. Large and powerful, his naked shoulders overshadowed her. The column of his neck was taut, the muscle standing out. His eyes gleamed darkly.

“Stand up,” he instructed.

Jessie did so, her legs trembling under her. She was so weak with arousal that she swayed unsteadily. She kept her eyelids lowered, attempting to hide the emotional state she was in.

He shoved her chair out of the way and stepped behind her. With one hand on her shoulder, he squeezed it. “You are a special girl, Jessie. Do you want to please your new master?”

That question affected her so powerfully that she had to close her eyes. Her lips parted and her head dropped back. Urging herself to respond, she mustered the appropriate words. “Forgive me, but I am not sure of your meaning, sire.”

“You have made me want a kiss from your pretty lips.” He touched her hair, stroking its length.

“Sire.” The one word came out breathlessly.

“You have never had a fellow want to kiss you before?”

“Aye, but I did not let him.”

“Then let me show you the path to pleasure, sweet Jessie.”

She bit her lower lip, longing to turn around and face him, yet knowing it would be harder if she did.

He moved closer still, and she felt the bough of his erection at the small of her back. For a moment, she wondered if it was another test. But she knew he wanted the reward as much as she did, that he had been holding back ever since she had approached his bed.

Struggling to find the right words, she summoned a re
sponse. “I am frightened, sire, but I only wish to please my master.”

Silence followed, the tension in the room growing. He was so close that she could feel his breath on her skin.

Eventually, he responded. “Better. Better today, Jessie.”

He kissed her shoulder, and the brush of his mouth on her flesh made her want him even more. Then she felt his hand on her waist.

“Bend over the table,” he said, his voice low and yet undeniably commanding.

Those words thrilled her, but she took her time, indicating that she was unsure about him, with a shiver and a distraught glance over her shoulder. The look in his eyes convinced her he was no longer tutoring her.

This was all about their mutual need.

Immense relief flooded her. She did as he instructed, resting her forearms and her hands on the surface of the table. Her cunny pounded with anticipation and she licked her lips, her mouth turning dry.

Gregor rested his hand between her shoulder blades and eased her completely flat to the table, controlling her still.

“Oh!” Her tender breasts were crushed to its surface, the nipples stinging wildly at the contact.

Then his hands were on her buttocks, stroking them. For a moment she thought he was going to slap her arse, as he had done the day before. She pressed her cheek flat to the table.
I shall faint if he does.

What she wanted was what she didn't get the day before, and this time there was no hiding that he was ready to give it to her. She wriggled in response to that thought, her hips swaying within his grip.

She heard him mutter beneath his breath. But he moved his hands lower, stroking them down the backs of her thighs.
Trembling under his touch, she squeezed her eyes tightly shut as he easily clasped her slim calves in his large hands. He lifted one foot from the floor and rested his hand along its length. The strange exploration made her aware that her intimate parts were on display because of the position he had put her in. Her cunny tightened as if to hide her naked state, and when it did, a trickle of moisture slid down her inner thigh. Jessie's head lifted and she cried out when he licked it from her skin.

Then his thumbs splayed her open, and she felt cold air against her damp, sensitive core.

“Do you think you have earned this?” he whispered.

So that was his game—dashing her back and forth to measure her ability to respond appropriately, whatever the circumstances. Jessie could scarcely believe it, but she gathered her every remaining resource to carry it off.

“I believe I have done all my chores for the day, sire,” she whispered with a distinct tremble in her voice, as if she were fearful about what would occur next.