Thick bristles moved through her hair, the faint sound a symphony in the quiet room. And always his eyes upon her.
By the time she got to one hundred strokes, she hadn’t the courage to look up at him and discover his expression. His immense calm had apparently returned, for he hadn’t so much as moved from his spot by the door. She was a fool to play this game, a fool to think she could outlast his patience. Irritation prickled her neck at the thought, and she set down the brush with a distinct clatter. Well then. Perhaps she ought to do something less mundane than brush her hair.
Tossing the thick length of it over her shoulder, she propped her leg upon the bench and bent to undo her garters. That the position also thrust her backside out and highlighted the length of her legs was a boon. Reward came in the form of his breath drawn quick and sharp. When he spoke, it was almost a shock to her system, for he had been so silent.
“What game are you playing at, Poppy?”
“No game.” She lifted the edge of her chemise just enough to expose her garter ties. “I take my duty in keeping you safe quite seriously.”
“Enough of this madness. You are not my protector. You. Are. My. Wife.”
“Is that what I am?” The garter wouldn’t come loose. She bent over farther. Gods, but she was too aware of her exposure and the way the cool air touched her naked thighs like a caress. A wicked urge had her parting her legs farther. “You’ve done a fine job of making me feel like one lately.”
She didn’t see him move, didn’t know to react, until a whisper of linen over wool just behind her back made her turn. Too late. He caught her elbow and spun her around. Angry and tired, she snapped. Poppy lifted her arm, throwing him off, then grabbed his wrist. One good shove and he was the one pinned against the wall, his cheek pressed to it, his arm behind his back—
His counter-attack was so fast that she felt it before she saw it. Her shoulder blades slammed against the wooden wardrobe doors. Hard, but not enough to hurt. And then he was there, his thigh pushing between hers so that she could not kick out, his grip firm as he held one of her wrists high above her head.
Well then.
Blood up and breathing quickened, her breasts rose and fell against the crush of his chest. She could move, but not much. He bent close until they were nose to nose. It was delicious. And maddening.
Win’s eyes, glinting with dark humor, bore into hers. “Would you look at that. Poppy Lane ensnared.”
She allowed a grin then and adjusted the grip of her free hand that was trapped between them. “Oh, I don’t know.”
She felt the exact moment he realized she held his cods in her hand, for they tightened as he huffed out a choked breath. And then he began to swell, his long length thickening and rising against the heel of her hand. She swallowed hard. “I believe it is you caught in a snare, Mr. Lane.”
Challenge glimmered in his eyes, and he nudged against her palm, gently, teasing, patronizing. “Go on then. Here is my body. Guard it well, wife.”
Bastard. Her knees buckled with the urge to sink down and draw him out of his trousers. “I do not find you amusing.”
He leaned in a touch, his cock a hard press against her arm, his stones filling her hand. His lips canted with a little smile. Those expressive lips that she knew could be soft, or hard. So hard. She watched them move. “Not even a little?”
Slowly she lifted her eyes and then stroked, running a finger down the center of his tight sack. He grew tighter, a strangled sound gurgling in his throat as he pushed into her touch.
“Poppy.” A dark warning. An invitation. “You take my cock in hand, you had better be ready to toss it off.”
“Your rude behavior won’t scare me away.” But it made her inexplicably hot. Damn him.
His gaze grew shadowed. “Who said I wanted you scared?”
She tried to breathe, but he was too close, his cock throbbing now against her hand. “And how do you want me?”
His lips touched her temple, the merest caress before slipping away. “I want you safe. I want you gone from here.”
She glared back at him, and their mouths brushed. Desire and