A Reluctant Companion by Kit Tunstall Read Free Book Online Page A

shrugged him off. “No, that’s not what’s bothering me.” Okay, maybe a little, but she wasn’t going to admit that. “I have responsibilities at home. My family, the winery. I can’t just abandon them.”
     
    His voice took on a chilling note. “Those obligations can be removed.”
     
    Eyes wide, she spun back to face him. “Are you threatening my family?”
     
    Without denying it, he said, “Look, let’s calm down. You aren’t thinking straight. When you see what your life will be—”
     
    “I don’t want it, and I don’t want you.” Tears burned her eyes, and she scrubbed at them. “How could I have been so wrong about you? I thought you were tender, but you’re just a bully. A spoiled brat who takes whatever he wants at the expense of anyone in the way without concern.”
     
    His eyes darkened, and he scowled. “You don’t get to speak to me that way.”
     
    She should have been frightened, but she was just too irate to be quiet. “Why would you want me to come back with you when I don’t want to? You don’t even know me.”
     
    Tiernan’s gaze raked her face. “I know you’re beautiful.”
     
    “That’s shallow.”
     
    He arched a brow. “What other criteria would I take into account for a lover, Madison?”
     
    She growled with frustration. “You can’t even give me a good reason for ripping me from my life. How can you think this is okay? I don’t understand how you can justify taking someone who is unwilling.”
     
    Eyes narrowed, he reached for her, jerking Madison into his arms. “Because of this.” He thrust his hips forward, pressing his erection into her stomach. “Even right now, when I could happily wrap my hands around your throat to shut you up, I’m hard and aching for you. Just the memory of how you feel wrapped around me is enough to make me want to bend you over the table and satisfy myself.”
     
    A tear streamed down her cheek. “You’d kill my family just for your lust?”
     
    His mouth tightened. “Don’t be so dramatic.” He pushed her away, careful to make sure she was steady on her feet even in his rage. “You don’t have to make it like this. You could come to the capitol with me as my personal companion without all this nonsense.”
     
    “And if I don’t?”
     
    Tiernan sighed, looking tired for a second, before his expression morphed to a cool mask. “I’m sure we can find a pair of leg chains and handcuffs. I’ll chain you to my bed if that’s the way you want it.”
     
    Her spine stiffened. “What happens to my family?”
     
    He lifted a shoulder. “That’s up to you. If you come willingly, I promise you’ll be able to talk to them at least once a week.”
     
    Madison arched her brow. “Uh huh. How am I supposed to do that?”
     
    “Blaney has a communications system, and I’ll task Sergeant Nash with ensuring your family is brought here on a designated day to talk with you.”
     
    Anger was still bubbling inside her chest, but fear for her family was tempering it. Still, she pushed further, wanting to hear him admit just how far he’d go to have her, to fortify her own defenses against his superficial charm. “If that isn’t enough for me, and I still choose to stay here?”
     
    He laughed harshly. “Staying here isn’t a choice, Madison. You’re coming with me. If you force me to drag you out of Graceport like a prisoner, you can expect the treatment given one. You won’t receive special considerations or favors.”
     
    “My family?” she probed.
     
    He stared at her, his expression grim. “Their fate is the one thing you do get to choose.”
     
    Madison gasped, hating him more than any person ever at that moment. If she’d had a knife, she would have stabbed him with it. “You’re a monster.”
     
    “Perhaps I’ll show you how monstrous I can be when we’re back in Seattle-Archer.” His gaze didn’t leave hers. “Now, decide. Are you my personal companion or my prisoner?”
     
    Angling her