Grace Goodwin - The Virgins - Complete Boxed Set

“You left the ship.”

I nodded. “Yes, because Neron set a trap.”

Maddox wrapped his hand around the back of my neck. “I was aware of that. The map on the comm display showed the area clearly.”

“You never said you knew of the danger. After studying the map, I could see what Neron had planned. The other men called and said they would help, but weren’t close enough to arrive in time. I couldn’t just let you be killed.”

With his free hand, he tipped my chin up so I had to look at him, not his bare chest. “The moment you stepped off the ship, you put yourself in danger. Not only was Neron a danger to you, but the other men who escaped with him. They are still at large. While your mark no longer attracts unmated males, if they found you, they could use you as leverage for their own ends.”

My eyes narrowed then. “So you were to face Neron alone, even if he killed you?”

“If it meant you were safe, yes!” he countered. “I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to you. My life is nothing, Cassie. You are my only priority.”

He released his hold and paced before the bed.

“I couldn’t live with myself is something happened to you ,” I countered, crossing my hands over my chest. Realizing I was naked, I grabbed the blanket off the bed and wrapped it around me. “I didn’t leave unprotected. I was armed.”

“Armed with an Earth rifle against an ion blaster? You saw Neron’s weapon. It has a charge that will last for two Earth years.”

“Yes, and now that woman, Elizabeth, has it.”

“She is not my problem. You are mine. And you left the ship when I told you to remain here.”

“But I shot Neron with that primitive weapon. I saved you!”

“Yes, and we were lucky. This time. But in the future, what about then? Will you always go off without thinking? We will be going to a planet you do not know, dangers that could befall you that you aren’t even aware of.”

“Yes! That’s right. You were on a planet you do not know with dangers that could befall you that you aren’t even aware of. Shouldn’t you be punished for your actions?”

Maddox sighed. “It is not the same, Cassie. I have skills, armor, training in combat and many ways to protect myself, to protect you. I will not have you endangering yourself again. Besides, it might not be just you any longer. I’ve taken you repeatedly, Cassie. You are most likely with child.”

I had not thought of that possibility. During the time I was married to Charles, I’d never once conceived and assumed I must be barren. I shook my head. “No, I can’t.”

“You mean because you hadn’t before?” he asked.

I could only nod, my heart suddenly pained to know that Maddox would not see a child of his own.

“Why do you think that is?” he asked, his words soft, coaxing.

“Because I’m… I’m barren. Broken.”

He shook his head. “No,” he said vehemently. “Because Charles wasn’t your marked mate. You said fucking was never like this. Our connection, our bond, is powerful. You were waiting for me, and so was your body. Marked mates on Everis produce many of the children born. Many couples who choose to bond for life without the mark never conceive.”

A trickle of hope broke through the wall of disappointment I’d carried for years. I hadn’t thought about a child of my own for so long, but it was something I’d always wanted.

“You risked your life, and the life of our unborn child.”

“I’m not pregnant yet.”

His eyes softened. “Then I’d best remedy that.”

I didn’t dare respond, for he was so hopeful. I wanted to share in that hope, but I’d had years to adjust to the futility of it. But perhaps he was right. Only time would tell.

“We shall just have to wait and see,” he said, his thoughts mimicking mine. “In the meantime, you will be punished so you don’t risk yourself again.”

“Punished how?” I countered, my body stiffening. “You don’t intend to beat me?”

Maddox sighed, his look shifting from intense to tender in a heartbeat. “Beat you? Cassie, I’d never hurt you. No one will touch you, let alone harm you. Don’t you see? All I want to do is keep you safe.”

“Then what will you do?” I whispered.

“I’m going to spank you, although the way you like it, I doubt it will be much of a punishment.”

My mouth fell open and my nipples tightened at the idea of Maddox’s palm smacking my bottom.

“Yes, I can tell by the look on your face that it is no punishment at all.”

Maddox dropped onto the edge of the bed, then patted his thigh. “Come. Let us get this over with so I can fuck you.” His eyebrow went up. “You want my cock inside you, don’t you, Cassie?”

I licked my lips and nodded, for I did. I wanted his cock so very much. He patted his thigh again. Taking the few steps, I moved to stand between his parted knees, let the blanket fall to the floor.

His gaze heated immediately as it raked over my body. His knuckles grazed the curve of my breast. “You are so beautiful,” he replied, his words reverent.

Wrapping a hand about my waist, he pulled me over his lap. As I let out a surprised squeak, he settled me so my upper body was on the bed beside him, my bottom angled up so my toes couldn’t touch the floor. He hooked one leg over my calves, securing me in place.

A hand stroked over my bottom and I could feel his mark, the heat of it, the connection we shared making a trail of desire in its wake. Then it was gone, but only for a second, before it came down with a loud crack that rent the air. I heard it before I felt the sting of it. It made me gasp in pleasure, not pain. Somehow, his mark made my arousal climb with each and every spanking. He let them rain down one after the other, covering a new place on my bottom each time until all of it was heated and most likely glowing red.

I wasn’t wiggling to free myself, but instead to rub my aching clit against his hard thigh to try to gain relief.

“Maddox!” I cried out.

His palm landed with more intensity by the minute.

“You’re going to come, aren’t you?” he asked, his hand stilling.

I shuddered then at the idea. “Yes, please!” I begged. “More.”

His leg moved, releasing my own so my thighs parted just enough for his fingers to dip between. I moaned then, for his touch on my wet pussy was so gentle that I feared I imagined it.

“So wet,” he said, bringing his fingers to his mouth. I heard him lick them, suck on them and I whimpered. Against my hip, I felt his cock, hard and thick. He was as eager for me as I was for him.

“I will have to devise a new punishment for you. Perhaps I will not allow you to come.”

I shot up then and his hands came about my waist, pulling me down so that I faced him, straddling his lap. Pushing my hair out of my face, I looked at his bemused expression. “What?” I asked. “You can’t do that!”

I was so close, so needy, that I shifted my hips, trying to rub myself against him. With his hand on my hip, he tugged me forward so my clit bumped into his cock. We both hissed at the feel of it.

“Not this time, but fair warning, Cassie. Your safety is crucial. I’m a possessive, protective man. Once you come to understand that, you’ll know I’m serious. I will deny you your pleasure if you risk your life again. Hell, if you risk getting a broken fingernail.”

His words were softened by the gentle way he tucked my hair behind my ear.

Putting his hands back on my hips, he lifted me up, shifted me so his cock nudged at my entrance.

“Now it’s time to fuck you.”

He pushed me down onto him, slowly, yet forcefully. My body stretched and opened for him.