Chapter 3 - Retribution

Michael grabbed her arm in a painful grasp and steered her in the direction of her flat despite her protests. I don't care what you're feeling," was his equally icy response. "I want you to sober up; this is as good a way as any."

Instead of responding angrily, Estela bit her tongue and let him drag her down the street. In fact, she didn't have much of a say in the issue, as breaking his grasp would have required someone far stronger than she was. Estela failed to consider it challenging to go home without his help. Her mind was clearing slightly in the night air, but the rest of her body was still in the grasp of the booze she'd consumed, and her legs were a very wobbly support for the time.

The journey was completed in eerie stillness, and by the time they arrived at Estela's building, she couldn't wait to get inside and escape Michael's presence. She attempted to free herself from his grip by pulling on her arm once again. She said coldly, "This is my building, and I can make it on my own now." when he still wouldn't let her go. "Will you please let me go?"

"No." Almost absently, yet with terse resolve, he said no. Estela restrained herself from yelling at him to get away from her. He escorted her up the stairs of the building and turned to stretch out his hand for her key.Estela, at this point accepting that she must have him walk her to her apartment door, just gave up her handbag. She couldn't go through its contents to find the key he needed.

Estela took an elevator that did little to alleviate her nausea. Still, she secretly sighed in relief as she realized she would soon be free of Michael. He opened the door to her apartment, and in seconds, Estela could slip into bed and sleep off the night's horror. And she just couldn't wait! Estela, anticipating Michael to hand up her key as the door opened, held out her hand. She bit out, "I won't say thank you," coldly. If I had to guess, the whole reason you escorted me home was so that you could get some payback for what I said earlier. Now that you've made your point, if you don't mind..."

She was unable to proceed because Michael grabbed her arm and pushed her into her flat before entering himself. She abruptly turned to face him, her legs wobbling from the sudden shift, just in time to see him hurl her key onto the foyer table. Then, before Estela could say anything, Michael seized her shoulders and pushed her back until Estela was up against the wall. Eyes wide, body rigid against the unwanted intrusion of Michael's, Estela sputtered with the fury she felt.

With his eyes fixed intently on hers, Michael raised a hand to cover her mouth. A menacing "Oh no, Estela" came out of his mouth. I didn't bring you home so I could rant about the prudes and bitches who read my novels and complain about my job while hiding under the covers to live vicariously via the characters. I wanted to show you how I feel about ladies like her, so I took you home. I'm going to show you what a little hypocrite you are, crying for your sad, dead, holy spouse on the surface while you crave a totally other sort of man on the inside!"

When Michael bent his head and grabbed Estela's mouth, she shrieked in pain as he ground his lips against hers with bruising intensity and punished her body with his control. She wasn't afraid of him since she didn't think a guy of his stature would risk a rape allegation for the sake of releasing his frustration. Instead, she was repulsed by his basic approach of attempting to take retribution for a few insults and enraged at his suggestion that she would prefer a guy of his sort over Peter. As she weakly resisted him, she thought bitterly, "That's just like him."

The struggle occurred mechanically. The effects of the alcohol and tiredness were what led to the feebleness. Understanding that in a physical war between them, there was just no contest. Estela could exert herself to no avail, attempting to repel him, what with Michael's towering stature and peak physical condition. Besides, she was optimistic that he would stop his futile onslaught. She realized she could aid this process by giving up all resistance and, per her rationale, relaxed against the wall, letting her arms hang at her sides.

Her efforts were met with a low, triumphant chuckle. Michael lifted his head to look directly into Estela's eyes, his own sparkle with joy. He grunted mockingly, obviously interpreting Estela's sleepy eyes as a sign of sensuality rather than simple exhaustion and thinking she was proving his point in less time than he had anticipated. "Aren't you even going to make a show of fighting for your honor?" he lashed out. "Or are you too starved for a man in your bed to waste time?"

Estela sighed, her eyes widening to let Michael see the weariness and hatred reflected there. She answered, "On the contrary, Mr. Jensen," with mock indifference and disdain. "You haven't proven a thing except that you're bigger and stronger than I am." She watched his jaw tighten, and a look came into his amber eyes that should have alerted her she was taking the wrong tack with him. Still, she needed more energy and the brains to devise a strategy right then.

She continued her monologue without paying attention, "I assure you I am not starved for a man." I've tasted the finest and can't stand anything less. Even if I needed physical pleasure, I wouldn't even think of trying to find it with you. Estela's short statement ended on a dismissive, careless note, and she closed her heavy eyes again, waiting innocently for Michael to set her free. So, she failed to notice the masculine aggression that had tautened his face and the steely determination that had emerged in his eyes. She hadn't the slightest idea that the off-putting dismissive she was going for came off as an insult to his masculinity.

In a tone that belied his true intent, he whispered, "Is that so?" as his eyes swept over her ethereal features and landed on her mouth. "I think you just settled your fate, Allie," he drawled in that smooth, menacing voice. "You aren't nearly as smart as you think, my dear?" Estela opened her eyes as he raised his voice, a perplexed frown creased into her otherwise flawless brow. When Michael finally had her attention, he trapped her body against the wall with his thighs and brought both hands up to her breasts.

Estela's mouth dropped open in disbelief as Michael's fingers massaged her nipples with a sensual finesse that almost hurt. Estela's hands sprang up in an unconscious attempt to knock Michael's out of her way after she had a startling bodily reaction. She said, "Stop!" in a hoarse voice.

Michael's firm mouth drew into a harsh smile as he continued to work, his stare unwavering as he disregarded Estela's weak attempts to move his hands. Michael's rash determination caused Estela to experience her first true terror. However, she still couldn't believe he intended to do more than scare her. Nonetheless, Estela attempted to muster her wits to counter him more successfully than she had so far achieved, given that, if that was his aim, he was beginning to accomplish it.

She said, "Michael, please..." and then bit her bottom lip in embarrassment that she had given him even a temporary triumph. She was confident that he was the sort of man who would view any sign of vulnerability as encouragement. "Please, what?" he ridiculed her. "You want more?" His gaze swept across her. "I'm more than happy to oblige, I assure you." With that, he freed her breasts, but just as Estela was starting to feel comfortable again, he lifted his hands to her shoulders. He pushed the dress material apart with such force that Estela could hear and feel the rip in the thin fabric as the sash split from the draped bodice.

Her surprise and alarm quickly transformed into rage. She swore an angry "Damn you, Michael!" at him. "This is an expensive dress, and I can't afford to pay for your childish games!" Her blue eyes were fiery with rage as she gazed up at him, but her hostility had no more effect than her previous lack of interest. Sardonically amused, his black brows lifted. "Then I must remember to buy you another dress to replace this one, mustn't I?" He drawled angrily, but his following words stifled Estela's rage and replaced it with her old terror. "But this is no game, Estela," he vowed in his soothingly threatening voice. It's about time you faced that fact and took me seriously, right?

With each successive phrase, his lips inched closer. Estela watched it with the same frightened fascination as a baby bird might pay to a snake. She recoiled in horror as his mouth clamped down on hers and tore her lips open, but by the time she realized what was happening, it was too late to stop his tongue from occupying her mouth.