Eliza Gayle Witch Bundle (paranormal romance), Eliza Gayle [books suggested by bill gates txt] 📗

remembered the intense encounter with Graelen in the hallway of his house. Practically from the moment she'd touched the tapestry a firestorm had taken them over. She smiled as she recalled every delicious detail of his rough, dominating demands. Never before had a man taken her with such hunger and urgency, or given her such pleasure. It had been a scene right out of her wildest fantasies.

She couldn't help but wonder if he would be up for more. She giggled. Maybe this time she would do the taking. Rena attempted to move and suddenly realized that she couldn’t, her arms and legs were bound to the corners of the bed. Fear and confusion knotted inside her. Her gaze frantically searched the room for a sign—something, to find she was now utterly alone.

Instinctively she struggled against the bonds. Have to get free. After several minutes of accomplishing nothing but chafing her ankles and wrists, she relaxed her cramping limbs. She needed to think. This was no time to figure out how or why this happened. She had to come up with a plan to get free. Then she’d hunt down the bastard who did this to her and find out what the hell had happened. Where she’d gone wrong.

“Graelen!” she yelled for him but the house remained eerily quiet. “Where the hell are you?” A quick and disturbing thought flickered into her mind. What if Graelen wasn't the one who did this to her? What if he was in some sort of trouble, too? In the aftermath of last night's shooting she didn't know what to expect. At those terrifying thoughts she renewed her struggle to free herself.

He might be counting on her for help.

After what seemed like hours she collapsed against the bed. Her nude body was covered in a thin film of sweat, her wrists and ankles ached from the abrasions, and the rest of her body continued to feel the effects of sex with Graelen. The man had a ravenous sexual appetite, all consuming and powerful. She could nearly feel his large hands gripping her thighs, burning their imprint forever in her memory.

She valiantly fought the stinging sensation in her eyes, but ultimately lost the battle as a single tear slid down her cheek.

“What's wrong, Rena, don't like having the tables turned on you?” Her head whipped around at the sound of his voice to find Graelen lounging against the bedpost.

“Graelen.” Her voice cracked as she tried to talk. “What the hell is going on? Are you okay?”

Laughter rolled from deep in his chest, filling the room with its mocking sound. Comprehension snaked along her spine as her brain struggled to keep up with the truth that stood before her.

“You did this? You tied me to your bed and left me for hours?” Shock yielded quickly to fury as she renewed her fight against the bindings.

“You're wasting your time, baby. Bondage is my specialty and you won't get free until I say you can.” His features hardened as he spoke, leaving Rena to ponder what the hell she'd gotten herself into.

Using her most authoritative voice, Rena made her demands clear. “Graelen Scott, I demand that you release me right this minute. This game you’re playing is not amusing.” She fought the restraints at her ankles and her wrists, only to watch the corner of his mouth twitch with exasperation over her futile efforts.

“I assure you, Ms. Gallagher, I hardly find the fact that you’re here to destroy my family a game.” Stunned by his latest statement, she watched his scowl deepen as she frantically tried to rack her brain for what the hell he was talking about.

“Did I miss something? Did we have a conversation that I've completely forgotten? Why the hell would I want to destroy your family? I don’t even know you!” Her blood boiled and was about to spill over into a full-on rage. She pulled harder on the bonds, ignoring the pain shooting through her limbs. She wanted to get free so she could hurt him. Maybe knock some sense into him. Never mind he had about a foot and close to a hundred pounds on her. She didn't understand what kind of crap he was pulling, but he sure wasn't going to get away with it. “What the fuck are you talking about?”

“Who was shooting at us last night, Rena?” He clenched his mouth tighter, giving him a sinister look.

“How the hell am I supposed to know? I didn't have any trouble until I came here.”

“Exactly. Now that I've had time to think about it, it seems like someone was trying to scare me off of you or make sure they got you away from me.”

“Graelen, you're not making any sense.” She twisted and fought, desperate to free herself. Her lip trembled as she returned his glare.

“Stop pulling on the ropes like that. You're just hurting yourself.” He walked forward, stopping at the edge of the bed. His fingers wrapped around her bare arms as he attempted to still her body. The shift was lightening fast as sheer black fright rolled through her, swamping her own thoughts with his. Yes, the anger was still there, but more importantly his anxiety for his brothers touched her. More deeply than she wanted. The thought of his enormous burden tore through her insides as she fought to absorb his pain.

“Rena, stop. You’ve got to be hurting yourself when you try to touch my emotions.”

“I can't help it. The shields I've built over the years to protect myself don't work with you.” She sucked in air in shallow pants. “Something is happening here. It's as if—as if your power, your magick, even your strength are combining with mine.” Her body warmed making everything tingle from the top of her head to her toes. “Bonding together.” She gasped. “Oh God, it’s so wild. I see everything now.”

“You shouldn't be here. It was a mistake to let you in. Things are confused now. Your role in all of this