Lessons of Love by Jolynn Raymond Page A

Cole told himself.
    Jolie woke slowly, her sen ses full of Cole . His strong arms were wrapped around her and the length of him pressed against her. Her lips were swollen from his kisses, his scent surrounded her, the ache between her thighs gave testament to the night they had spent making love. She si ghed and stretched rubbing against him like a contented cat, purring with pleasure at the feel of his hot hard body next to hers. Her contentment was shattered however when she remembered hi s words from the night before.
    He was a white slave trader. He kid naped and sold women for men's pleasure and in the harsh light of day that far was all too real. How could she have let him touch her? That was obvious, she'd had no choice, but she did have a choice about whether or not she responded. Her body had betray e d her. She'd acted like the harlot her stepfather was always accusing her of being. She'd lain with him with wild abandon, moaning and writhing, aching for more. He had been telling her the truth when he said she'd be tamed by his hand and his manhood. Ho w could she have done that? The man next to her was a monster and she'd re sponded to his every touch.
    Jolie 's cheeks flamed scarlet when she thought of her behavior. She had wanted him to touch her. She craved the attentions of this beast she was married t o and it turned her stomach. The heat of his body burned her and she knew she had to get away from him. She saw him for who he was in the bright light of day, an d it was a horrid evil sight.
    Yes, she was legally bound to him, but that didn't mean she had t o become a harlot in his bed. Jolie made a vow t o herself then and there. S he would escape from this farce of a marriage and flee as far as she could. She didn't care where she went, as long as it was away from Cole . It would be her only salvation because her body would continue to betray her as long as she graced his bed. Jolie knew it was the truth, if she stayed she would fall prey to his magical touch night after n ight and damn herself to hell.
    Jolie tried to ease out of his embrace but Cole awoke the m oment she tried to slip from his arms. He smiled at her with his sensuous cobalt blue eyes, and her heart skipped a beat. God he was handsome. So chiseled, so perfect, she just wanted to run her fingers over his jaw line, and kiss his lips.
    "Good morning, kitten."
    Cole leaned in for a kiss, and Jolie turned hard as stone. Her body became rigid in his arms and her lips pressed together in a cold grim line. Cole 's eyes narrowed, taken aback by her sudden coolness. Her rebuff hurt him and he lashed out, deter mined to return the pain. "What's the matter, Jolie ? What happen to the woman who acted like a two-bit whore in my bed last night? Have you rediscovered your morals?"
    Jolie hissed in her breath and tried to turn away, but Cole caught her chin in a punishin g hold, and forced her to meet his eyes. Hers shone bright as they filled with the tears she so desperately wanted to hold at bay, but his anger hardened him against them. "You can fight me all you want little one, but your body belongs to me. I could hav e you writhing and mo aning beneath me in a minute."
    "Just because you can force passion from by body doesn't mean I don't despise you for the monster you are."
    Cole clenched his teeth. The desire to hurt her was so strong. How could he have believed she was different? This wench was the same as all the rest. He was damn lucky he hadn't been foolish enough to allow her to creep into his heart. He had been right the first time. Love was for fools. Cole growled and brought his mouth down hard upon her lips. Jol ie fought him, clawing at his back then pummeling his hard chest with her fists. Cole gathered both wrists in one hand and held them out of the way. He would show the litt le hellion who her master was.
    Jolie struggled but finally opened her mouth under his bruising assault. She strained against him, sickened by his touch. How many