The sequel to the bestseller To Have and To Hold! After Stephen's sister ran away from her arranged marriage to arrogant Nate Harcourt, Stephen volunteered himself, living as Nate's spouse until his sister's return. But as passions bloom between them, Stephen finds himself facing more confusing feelings for Nate. Is this love...and how can he guarantee that it's more than a temporary arrangement? Warning: this 7800 word historical erotic romance contains gay forced marriage, frottage, intercrural sex, first time anal sex, spanking, public sex, crossdressing, and a smoldering love-hate relationship; adults only!
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Excerpt:
I wasn’t reacting the way Nate expected, not leaning into his touch nor even fighting it. I was still frozen by the idea that Lizzie could return and Nate would be taken from me. God’s grace, I was frozen by the realization that I had feelings for Nate at all. But when I pushed his hand off me, he only frowned, shrugged, and asked no questions.
We continued in silence for the next four days – I maintained a cool distance between us, and Nate, no doubt confused at this sudden change between us, let me alone. At least until one late night when he let himself into my bedchamber.
“I’ve come to spank you.”
I couldn’t help it, I let out a laugh. I’d been braced for a confrontation, or a teary confession of my confusing feelings. But a spanking? Nate never ceased to amaze me. “What have I done?”
“You know.” He pulled back the bedsheets, raising his eyebrow only slightly when he found me sleeping in the nude. “What do you think your infraction is?”
I let myself be pulled over his lap, completely outwitted by his performance. “I didn’t take supper with you tonight?” I suggested. “And I didn’t join you for a ride yesterday.” I waited; his silence meant my answers weren’t enough. “And…please tell me, Nate.”
Smack! His hand came down across my arse, angry and heavy. “Profound disrespect, Penderghast,” he spat. Smack-smack-smack! Stinging blows at the cleft of my cheeks. “You don’t even look in my direction anymore.” Smack! A spank that would leave a handprint on my right cheek. “Tell me, am I that loathsome to you?”
I let him continue spanking me to avoid answering – not to mention, it felt so good. So good to feel that sting in my skin, so good to be touched by him at all. Smack! Smack! My arse glowed hot but I remained quiet.
“I have been so good to you,” Nate railed against me. “I’ve taken you into my home,” (smack) “treated you like family,” (smack) “provided for you just as a spouse.” Smack! “You’re as ungrateful as your wench of a sister,” he said in disgust.
No – I saw red, and before I knew what I was doing, I had grabbed Nate by the throat and shoved him backwards. “Take that back.” With him now sprawled on his back and me on his legs, I was in charge, and I kept my hand at his pale throat to underscore it.
He looked up at me, eyes glittering. “No.” He reached for my hand, but rather than pull it off his throat, he held it down. “You’d choke me?” he asked. “You’d have me dead for whatever perceived crime for which you’ve convicted me?”
I could feel his pulse under my hand, quick despite his cool demeanor, and I went hot with shame. “No,” I said, and tried to pull away.
He held my hand tighter to his own throat. “Then what, Penderghast? What is my crime, and what should be my punishment?”
I hated this confrontation, hated how trapped I felt in my impossible feelings. As I tried to pull my hand away again desperately, in exasperation I blurted out, “It’s because I’m in love with you.”
