Awaken to Pleasure - By Nalini Singh Page 0,28

giving him to another woman. If she ever touched another man, that man wouldn't live to regret his mistake. AndTaylor? He might just handcuff her to his bed forever.

"I can control myself. I don't feel the need to have sex with complete strangers and that's what it would be." He made no attempt to hide the growling edge to his voice.

"I've put my foot in it, haven't I? You're angry."

Her honesty made his lips curve. "I hardly think it'll be the last time." Tipping her chin up, he said, "Tell me one thing. Do you find me personally disgusting or repulsive?" He knew that his big body could be considered brutish and after hearing what she'd been through, he was surprised at the amount of trust she'd already shown him.

She immediately shook her head. "Of course not! I told you, you're gorgeous. And ... I like the way you kiss me."

"Then, we will try, piccola ." He moved the hand on her back, subtly coaxing her awareness of him.

"Try?" It was a whisper but he could hear the faintest trace of intrigue.

"What could it hurt?" Even as he spoke, he realized that it might shatter his heart. It would be worth it if Taylorlooked at him with passion in those vibrant eyes.

She lowered her head, uncertain. "What if I can't?"

"I'll turn into a monk." He didn't bring up their one-year agreement.

There was wariness in her eyes, but she let him hold her. And the next day, she married him, in a ceremony that was quietly beautiful, just like her.

Dressed in a gown that kissed every womanly curve with a lover's tenderness, her wild black hair tumbling down her back, and her blue eyes fixed on him alone, she was his every dream come true.

When he slid the plain gold wedding band onto her finger, she beamed at him and something deep within him started to whisper in hope.

He would rather have spent his life alone than have a string of meaningless marriages like his parents, or a replay of the deceitful and hurtful first marriage he'd barely survived. Some kinds of loneliness were worse than others. But, withTaylorsmiling at him like that, he believed that, this time, it would be different.

It would be forever.

Understanding at last just how deeply she lived in his heart, he decided that the one-year time limit on their marriage was totally unacceptable. The thought of her in another man's arms, even unwillingly, had almost killed him - he would never let her go by choice. Unless his bride repudiated him, he was in this for life. He'd let her know that when she was feeling a little less overwhelmed by the speed at which he'd pushed for their union.

Perhaps, with this woman who made his heart awaken and body rejoice, he might find a way out of the darkness of his past and into the sunshine of her smile.

It was his wedding night.

The location was an exclusive resort on an island off the coast ofFiji. It was his wedding night and he was all alone in his bed, while his sexy new bride slept across the hall, in the other room of this luxurious seaside cabin. An erotic fantasy involving black lace and soft white skin had been tormenting him for the past hour.

Desperate, he went down to the floor and began doing push-ups, clad only in white boxer shorts.

Exhaustion might allow him to catch a few hours sleep.

The gentle knock came when he was on his fiftieth push-up and more aroused than he'd thought humanly possible. Groaning at his pretty little wife's timing, he growled, "Come." The single word sent a cascade of sensual imagery flooding through his mind. He could imagine teasingTaylorto that final edge and then ordering her to "come."

The door opened and the enticing scent of woman whispered over him. Dio! A hundred more, he decided grimly and kept going. His peripheral vision showed small feminine feet, toes painted bright pink, padding closer. The edge of an eyelet lace nightgown fluttered around her ankles.

He wanted to reach out a hand, grab onto one slim ankle and lick his way up his wife's gorgeous legs.

His wife. She belonged to him and he wanted to stake his claim.

"What're you doing?"

Grunt. "Exercising."

"It's almostmidnight." She didn't sound disapproving. He frowned. She seemed ... fascinated. But, by what?

"I like it." He pushed down, feeling his biceps start to burn.

"I can see that." Feminine interest laced her tone.

He almost jerked to a standstill but something