She tried to scramble forward, her palms slipping on the bedspread, attempting to pull her backside away from the impending invasion. But Banshi was faster. His large, heavy hand clamped down on the small of her back, pinning her to the mattress with a crushing force that knocked the air from her lungs. Before she could scream again, he delivered a sudden, stinging slap across her right buttock. The sound was like a gunshot in the quiet room, the force of the blow leaving a blossoming red print on her pale skin.

"Who told you that you had a choice?" he growled, the authority in his voice absolute.