He laid her gently on the bed, but before she could scramble away or even think about running he hovered over her, supporting his weight on his hands. She gasped at the nearness, curling her fists against her chest like a shield.
"If you try to escape this bed," he said coldly, "I'll punish you."
A shiver of electric awareness slid down her spine. She knew exactly what he meant. And after the punishment she'd already endured, she was certain it would only be worse.
"Am I clear?" His voice was stern, unyielding.
Sofía said nothing.
He dipped his head and pressed a brief kiss to her lips. She shrank back instinctively.
"Are we clear?" he repeated, his tone sharper now, edged with fraying restraint.
She nodded.
A slow smile curved his lips. He rewarded her with another soft peck—this one deliberate before dropping down beside her on the bed.
