Part 15 (1/2)

”No,bella , Henry told him as much.”

”I don't believe you,” she said, but in truth she knew Marcello wasn't lying. He had no reason to deceive her in this. Henry's uncomfortable presence around her and some of the few words he said to her over the last years made sense with Marcello's explanation.

”S, you do believe me,bella mia .” Marcello again reached to stroke her shoulder. Until she'd awakened, she'd been lying in his arms, cuddling into his chest, making soft purring noises in the back of her throat. He wanted her back there.

”What else happened?”

”I told your father that you promised yourself to me and that I would be coming back to collect you.” Marcello continued to lightly stroke her. She s.h.i.+vered beneath his hand. ”I left instructions that you weren't to be touched, harmed, or given away to another man--no matter how long I stayed away from you. I told him I would come back for you and that I would take you away from him--forever. Your reputation was already tarnished by your own hand and there was Alice's death to consider. Your father had no choice but to honor your word to me.”

Tatiana s.h.i.+vered, her body heating at the memory of her wantonness. Even now, she could feel her attraction for him stirring to great depths. Her stomach ached with need, fueled by the knowledge of how he felt inside her.

”I will admit I am rather tired,bella , but if you would like to climb atop me, I can accommodate you.”

Tatiana gasped and moved to strike him. Marcello's hand shot angrily forward in the darkness to stop her. With a jerk, he hauled her body onto his.

Tatiana panted as her bared b.r.e.a.s.t.s pressed into his hard chest. He too was naked. Her body burned at his touch, heating to him. She whimpered in embarra.s.sment of her desire for him. She knew he could feel her body's response. Her nipples hardened against his smooth skin. She tried to pull away, but Marcello firmly held her wrist, wrapping his arm along her waist to trap her body to him.

”Vieni qui e baciami,” he whispered, his accent rolling over her. 'Come here and kiss me.'

”I don't understand you. Just stop.” Tatiana struggled against him. She hated when he spoke in his seductive language, tilted by his seductive voice. Her movements only served to torment her more. Her body rubbed against his. His knee moved slightly to press into her center, causing her to let loose a ragged gasp for air. ”Please, let me go!”

”No,bella mia , you are mine. You bound yourself to me.”

”Only until the end of my days,” she whispered darkly.

Marcello read her intent easily and lashed out. Finding strength, he whipped her body beneath his. He shook her violently.

His thigh came to rest heavily over her naked legs, tangled in the silk sheets. The length of his hard arousal pressed into her, stirring her even as he scared her. His face came so close to hers that she could feel his nose alongside hers. ”If you ever again think to take your own life, I will--”

”What, my lord?” Tatiana spat. ”Slaughter innocent children? Kill my family? Come, now, what will you do? What new threat do you have for me?”

”Your brother's bride is pregnant,bella ,” Marcello stated easily. He absently traced her arm with his finger. ”She is not yet a member of your family. I could kill her and not break my promise to you. I could kill every woman your brother ever looks at.

Your family's line will die with him.”

”You wouldn't!”

”Do you not remember,cara mia ?” Marcello leaned so his lips whispered along hers. ”You have bound yourself to the devil.

Don't presume to know what I am capable of.”

Tatiana gasped.

Marcello took the opportunity of her opened mouth to press a deep, hard kiss to her lips--claiming and conquering her. His tongue dipped inside her mouth, ma.s.saging along hers, circling in hard thrust that left her moaning in pleasure. His arousal jerked, wanting to mimic the thrust of his tongue with the thrust of his hard body. He'd dreamt of her endlessly over the last few years, wanting her back within his control. Now that he had her, it was hard to pull away.

Tatiana moaned again and, though she still struggled to be free of him, her lips responded and let him in. His arms didn't move, keeping her trapped beneath him. Of their own accord, his hips began to stir, restlessly rocking alongside her warm, soft hip.

”Tell me,bella mia , for I am curious,” he whispered down to her, letting her catch her breath when he felt her become faint.

”What would you have told your beloved Thomas when he discovered another man laid claim to you? Do you think he could've loved you then?”

Tatiana listened, though her pounding heart made it hard to concentrate. His nearness was almost too much to take.

”Tell me,” Marcello persisted, letting his mouth whisper along the seam of her lips. He traced the tip of his tongue delicately around the edge of her mouth, taking her panting breath inside himself. ”Would you have been able to enjoy him between your thighs as you did me? Would you have begged for him,bella ? Longed for his touch? Forced him into your bed? Do you think that even-tempered lad would've known how to please you? Do you think he would've known how to put out the fire that burns in you even now? He wouldn't have made you happy,cara mia . You know that. You would think of me with him thrusting in you. You think to hate me, but your body wants me--calls to me.”