Sweet Revenge Ch. 09

She felt warm, strong fingers stroking her neck and slowly tracing the line of her jaw before dropping to her shoulder. She bit her bottom lip to still its trembling and sat perfectly still, not wishing to draw his disapproval. He toyed with her shoulder and then began a slow descent to her breasts. Karina closed her eyes and held her breath, bracing herself for the pain. Instead, he slipped his fingers inside her gown and gently rolled her nipple between his fingers.

At the tender caress, Karina cautiously stole a glimpse of his face. Her jaw dropped in amazement, as she looked into Richard's mocking gaze. The blood drained from her face. She felt like she had seen a ghost, but the hand that still caressed her breast was warm and very real. Karina gasped and spun to face him, as her heart beat joyfully in her chest.

"You're alive?" she whispered. "I don't believe it. I thought you were dead!"

Richard narrowed his eyes. "Much to your disappointment, I'm not dead."

"Disappointment?" Karina had never been so elated in her life. She slowly rose to her feet and reached out to tentatively touch his warm cheek just to reassure herself that he was indeed real and not some figment of her imagination.

Richard stood very still, as he watched her. It was a struggle to keep from pulling her into his arms and hugging her fiercely against him. He could imagine how her mind must be racing. She was surely trying to think of some way to excuse her actions, and he waited to see what she would come up with.

"I don't understand. They told me you were dead."

Suddenly, it began to register that Richard was very much alive, and Karina flung herself against him in joy. She wrapped her arms around his neck and showered kisses over his face. Richard stood perfectly still, fighting with his own demons as he felt her soft curves pressed against him. Her sweet scent wafted up to torture him, and he stiffened further, careful not to touch her with his hands. It began to register that Richard was not returning her embrace, and Karina drew back.

"Richard, what's the matter?"

He raised one eyebrow and looked at her, unable to resist letting his eyes drop to the enticing view of her bosom. She was so cool under pressure. If it didn't hurt so much to realize how calculating she was, he could almost admire her nerve. Instead of answering her question, he gripped her by the elbow and began to steer her toward her wardrobe.

"We don't have time to talk just now, my sweet. We really must be going. We can discuss this later."

He flung the doors wide and flicked through the clothes until he located a fur lined cloak of thick, blue velvet. He held it out for her.

"Put this on. I can't have you running around like that for everyone to see." As he said the words, his eyes raked her bosom again, and he frowned in disapproval. "You look like a prostitute in that dress, and we don't want to draw unnecessary attention."

Karina blushed hotly as she donned the cloak and clutched it over her breasts. She would have done anything he asked, as long as he planned to take her with him.

Karina suddenly remembered her plan to escape. She chewed her bottom lip and frowned. Where was Sophie? The fact that the maid hadn't returned meant that something must have gone wrong with their plan. She couldn't just leave her behind.

"Richard, wait!"

Richard clasped a hand over her mouth. He should have known she would make this difficult. Before Karina knew what he intended, Richard stuffed a gag in her mouth and tied it with a handkerchief in the back. When she looked like she might struggle, he tied her hands behind her back. He grabbed her elbow and towed her to the door. He quickly dispensed with the lock and paused to frown at her.

"Keep quiet," he warned.

He led her silently down the stairs, keeping to the shadows. Karina noticed that none of the servants were present in the hall to stop them, and she could only assume the sleeping tonic had worked. Still, she didn't see Sophie!

Richard whisked her out through a door in the study. He led her through some bushes to the alley. A dark coach was waiting a short distance away. Richard spoke softly to the driver. He handed Karina up and climbed in beside her as the coach lurched into motion. Freedom!

Some of the shock was beginning to wear off, and Karina squirmed and squealed. Richard waited until they had gone a few blocks before he untied her and removed the gag.

None of this made sense, given everything her father and Stuart had told her. If Richard had returned her to her father, why was he now intent on kidnapping her again? Karina had many questions, but her joy and relief overshadowed any concerns for the moment.

"Richard, I'm so very glad to see you!"

She flung herself across his lap as tears of joy sprang to her eyes. She stretched up to kiss him, and she felt wonderfully alive for the first time in weeks. He tasted so warm and strong, and her heart leapt with love.

Richard remained unresponsive for as long as he could before clutching her against him. Damn her for feeling so perfect in his arms! He gripped her jaw and held her still for a punishing kiss, exploring her mouth with angry lashes of his tongue.

Richard unfastened her cloak and pushed it off her shoulders. Karina moaned as he cupped her breast and kneaded the tender flesh. He easily plucked open her bodice, exposing her to his gaze. The interior of the coach was dark, and his eyes strained to see her beauty in the dimness. He brushed a thumb across one rigid peak before swooping to devour it.

Karina sucked in a ragged breath and arched her back. His tongue laved the sensitive tip, and she moaned. Moisture began to pool between her thighs, and she opened her eyes in wonder. She had begun to think that she could never respond to a man's caresses again.

Richard pulled her further across his lap and reached under the hem of her gown to run his hand up the inside of her leg. He traced the curves of her inner thigh, skimming over her silk stockings and lacy garters. He stroked the heated flesh of her pussy, loving the sloshing sound of his fingers on her moist lips. Her musky scent permeated the air, and he closed his eyes to savor it as he probed her dewy entrance with two broad fingers. God, she felt good in his arms!

He suddenly realized how quickly he had lost control, and he started to pull away. Karina whimpered and reached down to stroke him. Fire shot through his loins. She fumbled with the waistband of his trousers, and he couldn't bring himself to stop her.

Karina managed to undo the buttons and reached warm fingers in to stroke his aching erection. Richard groaned, and she reached up to catch the sound with her lips, as she caressed him. She pressed her naked breasts to his chest, wanton and willing.

Richard's cock throbbed painfully beneath her soft hand. He had no intention of denying himself the pleasure of taking her. Still, the fact that she was using her body again, trying to work her wiles on him, angered him even more. She wouldn't be so happy when she realized he was the one using her this time.

With rough hands, he pushed her dress off her shoulders and yanked it over her hips. Still, she showed no shame, as she writhed in his arms. If she was going to behave like a whore, he would treat her like one!

Richard lifted her to straddle his legs. Before he could move, Karina shifted and swiftly impaled herself, letting her eyelids drop in ecstasy as he filled her with his solid, pulsating heat. She opened her knees wide and rode him, rising and falling with the rhythm of the coach. Her breasts bounced delightfully, and Richard seized them in his hands. He slid lower on the seat, forcing her to grip the seat back for support. Her breasts dangled above him and he feasted.

With his teeth, tongue and lips, Richard tormented her tender nipples until they were swollen and throbbing, and he enjoyed the reacting spasms of her tight pussy. When he squeezed her buttocks, Karina sucked a breath in through gritted teeth. He ignored her discomfort and held her steady while he plundered her sweet heat, plowing into her with increasingly forceful strokes. She urged him on, using her legs to pull him even deeper inside.

Richard held out as long as he could before releasing his seed in relentless, pulsing waves. Karina released a hoarse scream, and she convulsed around him. The walls of her pussy clamped down to milk every drop from his cock. She collapsed onto his chest in a sweaty heap.

The sounds of the busy street outside registered in Richard's mind, and he grimaced in self-disgust. He had no self-control at all when it came to Karina, even though he knew her to be a lying, deceitful bitch!

He dumped her unceremoniously in the seat beside him. Karina lay stunned with her thighs spread and her pussy fully exposed. Even in the dim light of the coach, Richard could see his fluid oozing down the insides of her legs. He turned away from the sight and buttoned his pants.

"Get dressed, Karina! Unless, of course, you intend to parade around in the nude. We're almost there." He raked her naked body with a cold glance before turning away again.

Karina bit her trembling lip and quickly slipped her dress on. She didn't understand how Richard could be so passionate one moment and so cold the next. She blinked back tears as she buttoned her bodice and donned her cloak. He had never looked at her as if she were a whore until that moment. If he knew the things Stuart had forced her to do, Richard would really think the worst of her. She blushed with humiliation.

Richard surreptitiously watched her while he mentally thrashed himself. Damn her! How was he ever going to be able to punish her if he couldn't even keep his passion under control? It was clear from that dress that she enjoyed toying with men. His frown deepened, and Karina looked up at him uncertainly, nibbling at her bottom lip.

"Richard, I don't understand. You seem so angry. Why did you come for me?" When he refused to answer, she lifted a curtain and glanced out the window. They were nearing the docks. "Where are we going?"

Richard looked out his own window. "We are going to my ship, the Sea Falcon, and you are going to accompany me to my home in England." He turned to look at her through narrowed eyes. "You see, Karina, I won't let you keep me from my child. You won't escape from me again. Once the child is born, I will be more than happy to be rid of you."

Karina's eyes widened in surprise at hearing his hateful words. "Escape? What on earth are you talking about? You are the one who drugged me and brought me back to my father." Another thought occurred to her, and she glared at him. "You never said you were going to try to murder my father!"

Richard considered her coldly. "I'm not the murderer, Karina. You and your dear husband are the ones who tried to murder me, remember? How you must have relished the thought of having your betrothed kill me."

Karina's mind reeled in confusion. "What are you talking about? Why on earth would I want you killed? I love you! I would never want any harm to come to you! I didn't know you were planning all along to send me back to my father, but even then, I wouldn't have wanted you killed." Karina shook her head slowly as she thought back to what had happened. "They told me that Stuart killed you to save my father's life. I didn't want to go on living when they told me you were dead!"

Richard watched her in amazement, as she protested with wide-eyed innocence. She really was a very talented actress! "Oh, now I understand." He leaned closer to her, until their faces were mere inches apart. His voice rose to an angry shout. "And you were so distraught with grief over my death that you married another man the very next day!"

His anger made Karina pale with dread, and she cringed in the corner of the seat. Weeks of abuse had taught her to be wary of anger, and she whimpered in fear. She ducked her head and instinctively tried to shield her face from any blows, as she squeezed her eyes shut and waited for the worst.

Richard's temper flared as he watched her. How dare she act as if he might strike her! He had never hurt her, even when he had taken her as his prisoner. He snorted in disgust and turned away.

"Don't worry Karina. Although you deserve to be thrashed, I am not going to do so."

Karina blushed with shame. He had always been exceedingly gentle to her, and she had no cause to assume he would hit her. However, Stuart's abuse had had an insidious effect on her. She slowly straightened and lowered her head.

The coach drew to a halt, and Richard lifted her down. She hesitated, thinking again about Sophie.

"Wait! I can't just leave with you, I have to..."

Richard cut her off with an impatient slash of his hand. He roughly grasped her arm and hauled her up the gangplank to his ship. As she scurried along beside him, he growled down at her.

"You have no choice in the matter. I am the one who will make the decisions. You will do as you are told."

Karina dug in her heels and struggled against him. "Wait!" When he turned to face her, she gave him a pleading look. "I will gladly go with you, but you must send someone back for my maid, Sophie. Please!"

Richard rolled his eyes. "You will have no need for a maid at sea, and once we reach my home, you will have a new maid."

When he would have turned away again, Karina started to cry. She dropped to her knees. "Please, Richard," she whispered humbly. "I'll do anything you ask. But please send someone for Sophie. Please, I beg you."

Richard had never seen Karina act like this. She had never begged him for anything, and the sight of her so humbled before him was disconcerting.

"Stand up," he said harshly, hauling her to her feet. She was crying profusely. Richard heaved a sigh and turned away, irritated with himself for letting her tears have any effect on him.

"Wait here and don't move," he ordered. Karina heaved a sigh of relief.

Richard sought out two of the crewmen and dispatched them to fetch the maid. He urged them to hurry. They had less than an hour if they were going to catch the morning tide. Richard instructed the captain to set sail as soon as the men returned.

With that, Richard turned on his heel and steered Karina down the companionway to his cabin. He thrust her inside and closed the door firmly behind him. He stood leaning against the door, while he watched her.

God, she looked beautiful! How could she be so manipulative when she had the face of an angel?

Karina barely noticed her surroundings as she wandered around the spacious cabin. Her mind was busy trying to figure out what had happened. Obviously, Stuart and her father had lied to her, but trying to sort out the lies from the truth was proving difficult.

"I hope you find the accommodations to your liking," Richard drawled, his voice heavy with sarcasm.

Karina firmed her jaw, determined to get some answers. "The accommodations are fine. It is all your accusations that are bothering me. I would like some answers to my questions, if you don't mind. What exactly did you mean when you said I ordered you to be murdered?"

Richard narrowed his eyes and came toward her with feline grace. His emerald eyes were flashing in his bronzed face, and Karina gulped but stood her ground.

"Don't pretend you don't know! Your assassin was kind enough to fill me in on the details of your instructions before he shot me. While his intention was to murder me in cold blood, I managed to survive, and I have spent the past two months struggling to regain the use of my arm."

Karina blanched, and her eyes dropped to his broad shoulders. "I am immensely glad you didn't die. I don't understand why Stuart and my father told me that you were dead. They even showed me your scarf smeared with your blood as proof. I thought I would never see you again!"

Tears were shimmering in her eyes again, and Richard steeled himself not to react to her feminine wiles. "Your concern would be quite touching if it weren't for the fact that you married Stuart the following day. Obviously, you were distraught with grief!"

Karina frowned at his interpretations of her actions. She could understand how it must look to him. She had to explain what had happened.

"Richard, I only married Stuart to protect our baby. You have to understand, I thought you were dead, and I felt mostly dead inside too." She laughed bitterly. "You see, it really didn't matter whether I married or not, my heart would always be yours. But my father convinced me that it would be very cruel indeed to raise my child as a bastard, when Stuart was willing to marry me."

She looked away, thinking back on her decision. It had made sense at the time, but she could understand why Richard was so hurt by her hasty marriage. Karina looked at Richard with pain filled eyes.

"Besides, you didn't leave me a lot of choices when you abandoned me. Stuart was the only man who was still willing to marry me, even though you had told him every intimate detail about how I had served as your mistress!" Her words choked off as she stared at him.

Richard's frown darkened. "I never told him anything about us. I didn't get the chance with him holding a gun to my head."

"If he didn't hear it from you, then how did he know so much? I certainly didn't volunteer any information." She looked down again. "Anyway, the more I thought about it, I realized that I would be very selfish not to accept Stuart's proposal. There had already been a scandal regarding my disappearance. My options were to marry Stuart, even though I didn't love him or to raise my child alone and have it suffer from the stigma of being a bastard." She met Richard's stare and raised her chin a notch. "Stuart swore he loved me, and he promised to claim the child as his. I agreed to the hasty marriage so that it would at least be plausible that Stuart was the baby's father."

Karina blinked, shaking clear of her memories. She sighed and turned away, unable to bear the mocking anger she saw in Richard's steady gaze. "So, I married him. Of course, it was a terrible mistake, but by the time I realized that, it was too late. I was his wife." Her voice shook slightly, and she took a deep breath to calm her nerves. "I would give anything if I had the chance to do things differently. I should never have married Stuart."

Richard clapped his hands in mocking salute. "Bravo, Lady Rawlins," he stressed the title coldly. "If I didn't already know what a consummate actress you are, I might have actually believed your little performance." His face hardened as he pinned her with a glare. "From what I hear, you and your husband are an extremely happy couple. In fact, you're the talk of Cairo, with all of polite society whispering about what a handsome couple you make. You've been seen numerous times at various social engagements, and I understand your husband dotes on you. According to your own servants, you spend an inordinate amount of time in your husband's bed, so I find it hard to believe that you feel your marriage was a mistake!"

He glared at her accusingly. He had finally caught her in an outright lie!

Karina shook her head to correct him. "Stuart has been careful to keep up appearances. It was only in private that he turned...hurtful." Her voice shook slightly. "For a while, I hated you for rejecting me."

She searched his eyes and suddenly remembered Samiya. Karina's own temper flared. How dare he question her motives, when it was him who had planned all along to dump her and marry another woman!

"If you hadn't rejected me, I would never have married Stuart, and..." she broke off, reluctant to admit how she had been abused. "Why did you do it? I thought you loved me!"

Her voice cracked with emotion as she stood looking up at him. Her bottom lip trembled and there was a wounded expression in her eyes. Even in his cynical frame of mind, Richard found her vulnerability to be disturbingly believable, and it tugged at his heartstrings.