Desert Song (DeWinter's Song 3) Read Online Free PDF Page B

"I'll scream."
    He smiled. "Go ahead. No one will hear you."
    She struggled to be free of him, but his grip only tightened. "What do you want of me?"
    His eyes settled on her lips. "I think you know. Can you guess what it feels like to have a man make love to you, Mallory? I've watched you grow into a beautiful young woman, and I've lain awake at night aching to touch you."
    Fear robbed her of her voice, and she could only stare at him in disbelief.
    He dipped his head, and his lips covered hers in a suffocating kiss. She pushed against him, and tried to turn her head away, but he persisted. She froze when his hands moved up the bodice of her gown.
    At last she was able to move her head enough to escape his kiss. "You monster," she said, rubbing her hand across her lips. "You vile, unprincipled monster!"
    He only smiled. "When you struggle like that, it only excites me more. Now I shall excite you."
    "Surely you aren't saying that you would . . . that you would force me to .. ."
    His eyes gleamed with something she couldn't define. "I believe we understand each other."
    She decided to try reasoning with him, at least until she could think of a way to escape. "Why would you want me? I've had no experience with a man. Surely you could find a woman much more willing than I."
    He studied the fine details of her face—her upturned nose, her finely arched eyebrows, eyes so blue a man could get lost in them. Her innocence only aroused him more. "You are unaware how your beauty can tear at a man's guts. Ask of me what you will, and it's yours. I'll do anything to possess you."
    "I ask you to let me go."
    He stared into her eyes. "Anything but that," he said harshly. Then his wet lips pressed against hers, making her stomach churn sickeningly.
    Sir Gerald was beyond reasoning, and Mallory felt bile rise in her throat as his lips moved down the curve of her neck. His hand was fumbling with her gown, and she realized that he was raising her skirt. When she tried to pull away, she heard the fabric rip. Pain shot through her body as he shoved her to the ground, his weight crushing her.
    She knew what she must to do. She still held the riding whip, and her fingers tightened over the silver handle. Using all her strength, she wedged her elbow between them enough so she could roll out from under him. She quickly gained her feet and turned to run.
    Sir Gerald ran after her, and when he caught her, he whirled her around. Before he realized what she was doing, Mallory struck him across the face with her whip.
    He cried out in pain and grabbed his cheek. She saw her chance to get away, so she went flying toward her horse.
    He muttered a loud curse, and she could hear him running after her. Fear gave her the strength she needed. She grabbed Tibor's reins and led him forward quickly. She leaped on the fence, and lifted herself into the sidesaddle.
    Sir Gerald was nearly upon Mallory when she urged her horse into a run. After she was safely out of his reach, she halted and glanced back down the hill. She felt great satisfaction when she saw him dab blood from his face with his handkerchief. Mallory was glad she had drawn blood.
    He raised his clenched fist at her. "You'll pay for this, Mallory. You'll see—you'll pay."
    "You are mistaken. Let this be a warning to you, Sir Gerald. If you ever touch me again, you'll get a lot worse than a lashing from my whip."
    "No one stands between you and me except that crazed old spinster cousin. She can't keep me away from you."
    Mallory spun Tibor around, riding down the hill toward the stables. Her heart was beating so fast she could hardly breathe. She had endured Sir Gerald's insults and innuendoes for over two years, but today was the first time he'd been so bold as to try and force himself on her.
    Riding into the interior of the stable, she was assisted from her horse by the aging coachman. Bill would be no help—he was much too frail to take on Sir Gerald, and she dare not involve him in this