“Slatter!” she screamed out as the powerful sensation rocked her body and exploded with such intensity that it buckled her legs, and she was glad Slatter’s arm tightened around her waist as he let out a roar.

“Damn, he did it,” Rob yelled out and got a slap from Beck.

“She’s yours for good now,” Beck yelled down and the grate was moved over the hole.

Willow’s head rested on Slatter’s shoulder as she tried to gather her senses. An impossible task since tiny shivers of delightful pleasure continued to trickle through her.

When she found herself able to speak, she said, “You did that on purpose.”

“It was the only way,” he said. “They had to believe we were coupling and you never would have been able to fake a good climax, since you’ve never had one… until now.”

She was going to ask him about his roar, had he faked it? But being she felt him still hard against her, she got her answer.

She felt a bit ashamed that she had allowed herself to lose control while pretending and in front of others and kept her head on his shoulder, not wanting to look at him.

“Willow,” he said softly. When she didn’t respond or lift her head to look at him, he continued, “Believe me when I tell how truly sorry I am, but I don’t regret what I did. You don’t want to be stuck with Beck. When I saw a chance to help you, I took it. I’m only sorry it had to be this way. I will make certain you get home safely to your family.”

“My garments,” she said and Slatter quickly eased them down, covering her.

She didn’t want to speak of it any longer. She wanted to forget it happened, forget how she responded to him so easily. Forget that the three watched from above, though she was glad they were in the hole and the men couldn’t see them too clearly, especially with the darkening skies.

She had reminded herself it was a natural reaction she had, but she should have been able to contain it, not let it go as far as it did, not have responded so easily to him.

“You are being held for ransom?” she asked to get away from her disturbing thoughts.

“Aye, I am.”

“How important are you that Beck holds you for ransom?”

“I’m of no importance at all. We have an ongoing feud.”

“He wins this time since he ransoms you?” Willow asked.

“Actually, ransom or not, I win since he lost you to me.”

She quieted again and while Slatter felt none too proud of what he had done to her, it had been necessary. Willow could have met a far, far worse fate if she were left with Beck.

Slatter had no doubt that whatever Beck’s intentions with Willow had been, it involved getting the highest coin he could for her, whether through ransom or more likely through sale to the highest bidder. He couldn’t let that happen to her. She didn’t deserve such a terrible fate.