Page 41 of Brigand

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Violet was annoyed with herself. More than annoyed.

She shot a glance at Ewan from beneath her lashes as he ledher down the track in the woods…at the end of the rope.

She’d done it again. She’d succumbed to his charms. Granted,she hadn’t had much of a choice. Not with him teasing her and tormenting heruntil her passion would not be denied.

The feel of his palm on her bare bottom had shocked her. Herreaction had shocked her more.

She’d been caned more than once as a girl. Her father hadbeen a proponent of a heavy hand and she had been rather defiant. But she’d neverenjoyed a whipping. Never felt that curl of anticipation and delight and heatas she did when Ewan draped her over his lap and paddled her behind.

What kind of woman liked that?

She wasn’t sure. Also, she wasn’t sure what kind of woman acraving like this made her. It had been all she could do to press her lipsclosed and not beg, plead for more.

And the ecstasy that followed had been unlike anything she’dever experienced. The thrill of having Ewan take her from behind, control hermovements, force wave after wave of pleasure upon her, had been stupefying.

An apt word, she snorted to herself.

Stupefying indeed.

She was an idiot. A love-sodden idiot.

Any woman with an ounce of self-respect would at least havepretended to hate it. Would have protested a little more than she had.

But now he knew. He’d even said the words. She was his.Completely. She would do anything and everything he asked. She was helpless toresist.

And he knew it.

They rounded a curve and the shoreline of the river hoveinto view. Violet’s heart hitched.

Well, so much for her attempt at escape.

He would never give her so much as the hint of anopportunity again.

She wriggled her wrists, chafing against the harsh threadsof the rope. Did he really need to tie her up and lead her like a donkey?Apparently he felt he did. She glared at him. He didn’t notice.

He hailed the men lounging on the shore, calling them toready the boat. As they approached, the men took in the sight of her bondageand broad grins cracked their usually surly faces. Had she been free, she wouldhave scratched their eyes out.

She didn’t protest when Ewan lifted her into the boat. Therewas no point. And they were halfway to the island before she realized she washelpless, tied in a boat on a river, and there was not a flicker of panic inher soul.

There was no room for old fears.

New fears had replaced them completely.

Because she was, without question, completely and utterly inlove with a brigand.

Chapter Eleven

When they arrived back at the keep, Ewan took Violetdirectly up to his solar, ignoring the greetings and catcalls from his men. Shedecided to struggle on the landing so he picked her up, tossed her over hisshoulder and carried her the rest of the way.

The door slammed against the wall as he entered. He didn’tcare. He stormed to the bed and tossed her onto the downy mattress. “Stay.There.” He untied the rope and yanked it from her wrists, forcing himself notto look at the red marks it had left.

She glared at him. “I’m hungry.”

“Good,” he snapped. But he clomped down to the great roomand bellowed at Pip to take her something to eat and drink. “And don’t forgetto lock the door,” he barked. He was not losing her again.

Colin uncurled himself from the bench at the table andslapped him on the shoulder. “How did it go?” he asked with a smirk. Ewanwanted to plant him a facer. Just to wipe that sly grin from his face.