Taurus by Christine Elaine Black Read Free Book Online Page B

must have his wife. He will pay a high price.”
    Taurus’ gaze burned into black beady eyes. “The girl is my price. She was caught wandering my lands, trespassing, stealing, disrupting my army with her companion. She stays until I tire of her.”
    The satrap’s envoy nodded gravely. “Whatever compensation you require, the satrap will be pleased to pay.”
    Kallie held her breath. Taurus could ask for riches, mountains of grain and expensive spices, or many other things to improve his lot and that of his people. It would benefit him greatly to hand her over. But she hoped Taurus itched to defy the Eastern potentate and his ally in Rome.
    He got to his feet and pulled her with him, tugging her to stand in front of him. His hold tightened around her, his body pressed hard against hers, insulting the squat ambassador. A domineering hand slid inside her gown and cupped her breast. His other hand ran across her midsection, sliding downward to the soft flesh between her thighs. He steadied her sway, as a swirl of emotions ran through her. She had imagined this moment in private, not in a room with three hundred observers, and forced herself to take a breath and remain unaffected by his display of male potency.
    “It will take months for my advisors to reach a decision on the appropriate penalty for the girl’s crime. In the meantime, I will sample the emperor’s offering to the satrap.” Taurus chuckled and the room rippled in laughter along with him. “It is my right as master of Panua. Now leave this place, Ben Alim. You are no longer welcome here.”
    Ben Alim stood in stunned silence. Barca and Hamilcar moved to escort him as he jolted out of his reverie, spun around on his heels, and waddled down the long aisle.
    Taurus watched as the doors closed behind him and only then realized he still had Kallie in his grip. He slowly released her. Kallie caught the look of shame on Lady Virga’s red face and the jealous outrage of a few women seated nearby.
    Gods , thought Kallie, this man must be unbearable as a husband .
    Taurus steered her to the door leading to his private wing of the fortress and waved the steward away as he tried to follow.

Chapter Five
    They strode together through the long, dimly lit corridors. The torch-lined walls were dark and ominous. He moved so fast Kallie strove to keep up. He took her to his rooms and bolted the door behind them.
    “Take off your clothes,” he commanded unceremoniously.
    Kallie paused, shocked at his boldness. “Now?” She stood stock still, not knowing if she pleased him but hoping dearly to move him to her cause.
    “Yes, now,” he repeated coldly. Taurus turned the full force of his gaze upon her. “You expressed a desire to lose your virtue, and now is the time.”
    Kallie froze, horrified by his cold demeanor.
    “You prefer I send you away with the ambassador?” Taurus growled.
    Unprepared for his timing, she took a breath and began to undress. Her hands trembled as she reached for the edge of her gown. She hoped he would be tender in his advances, but, in his current state, requital dominated his mind. Her gown fluttered to the floor, revealing the wispy thin shift underneath. It left nothing to the imagination.
    Taurus cocked his head in stark appraisal. His glittering gaze raked over her nearly naked form as she stood defenseless in the middle of the room.
    “Remove the shift.”
    Kallie opened her mouth to protest, but no sound came out. He waited, fully dressed, like a predator watching its prey. Her shift met the same fate as her dress.
    “Turn around.”
    Kallie’s heart pounded as she turned her back to him. He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. One hand cupped a breast, while his other hand slid to her unconquered female region. His lips pressed against her ear.
    “I imagined you naked when the whole room was watching us together,” he whispered feverishly. “Every man envied my hold upon you.”
    Kallie suppressed a gasp as his