Shooting Stars / Bound by Love Read Free Page B

a new feeling, that of need.
    The man pulled something out of a drawer. He turned back to face her.
    Christiania, he said, using her correct name. She smiled with relief, certain that everything was going to be all right after all. Now that he had called her by her right name, he must have understood that she was lost and needed help back home even though the truth was that she really didn t want to go back home because that would mean she was married to a very frightening warrior.
    I wasn t sure if you were the kind of woman who enjoys a little bondage, but now Christiania held her breath. Bondage? What was bondage? He held out four red, furry loops. Now I m certain that you are.
    Quick as lightening, he grasped her slender wrist and attached it to the top corner bedpost. The red fur tickled her skin, but Christiania was far from laughter. Her heart was pounding, but strangely, fear wasn t the only emotion she felt. The feeling inside her was much closer to what she felt when the man had been between her legs, tasting her intimately.
    Shame assailed her again. How could she have enjoyed his touch? Especially since she had been repulsed by her husband-to-be.
    Christiania s head swirled with confusion. She didn t know where she was, or why she wasn t at her marriage celebration with Marcus. And it didn t look like she was going to be heading back there any time soon, which she had to admit with great dishonor was more a relief than a worry at this point. She pushed aside worries about her family and her people for the moment. First she had to figure out where she was and who she was with. This man didn t look like he was of her world. Not nobility nor warrior nor farmer. Suddenly, it was paramount that she at least know his name.
    Who are you?
    Christiania was spread eagled on the bed, two plump pillows beneath her hips before he answered her.
    My name is Jake, he said, but you can call me Master.
    11
    Chapter Three
    Scotland, 1320

    While she objected to being hauled around like a sack of oranges, Christina couldn t complain about the view. Her abductor looked to have a marvelously tight ass beneath his plaid. The muscles and cords of his legs rippled sexily. She could tell her weight across his broad shoulders was inconsequential.
    Looking up from his god-like form, Christina gasped in wonder at the beauty before her. Lush, green rolling hills, thick white clouds, a blue, sparkling ocean in the distance.
    But her breath was taken completely away when she sighted an ancient stone castle, larger than a 20-plex condo in San Francisco. This castle, amazingly enough, seemed to be the giant s destination.
    And hers, too, by default.
    Where am I? she asked. When there was no response, she pounded on her captor s back. I said, where the hell am I?
    With brute force, Christina was returned to the ground. Or at least close to the ground. A strong grip held her by the waist a mere inch from the verdant ground. She wiggled her toes, but it was no use.
    You will not curse again, he said, his eyes promising swift retribution should she disobey him.
    Curse? What curse? Christina racked her brain. She hadn t said fuck or shit or crap, even though her circumstance certainly warranted a little well-aimed swearing. Oh, she said with a smile as understanding dawned. Oh I get what you re saying. You mean you don t want me to say the world hell again.
    His fingers tightened around her waist, stealing her breath. Did you not hear my instructions? His words were deathly soft.
    Christina felt a moment of deep uncertainty. No man had ever frightened her like this before. It was strangely, wonderfully arousing. Maybe she should have visited some S&M clubs back home, but she was pretty sure that leather and chains wasn t her best look so she d never given it a try.
    He squeezed her until her ribs felt like they were going to crack beneath his hard hands. I heard you, she rasped. He loosened his hold on her. A rush of air poured from her lips. But still,