Read Online A Sister's Quest by Jo Ann Ferguson - Free Book Online

in.” Then she limped to the room’s sole chair. The flimsy piece of furniture squeaked, but she ignored it as well as Alexei’s greeting. Tipping her foot up, she frowned at the small, brown sliver.
    â€œWhat did you do?” Alexei asked.
    Looking up, Michelle silenced her retort as his gaze moved along her bare legs beneath her raised skirt. When his eyes met hers, she forgot about her immodest pose. All she could think of was trying to breathe. His green eyes were a maze, daring her to try to solve the puzzles hidden within them. But one thing was clear: the desire she had tasted on his lips that first night glittered in his eyes.
    She forced her eyes away. “I have a sliver in my foot.”
    â€œDo you need help?”
    She started to refuse, knowing the danger of letting him touch her even so chastely; then she nodded. She could not reach the small sliver.
    When he squatted, he balanced her foot on the knee of his breeches, which were almost the same color as the splinter. He grinned. “Even your feet are slender and pretty.”
    â€œMy foot hurts. If you are going to babble, I will remove the splinter.”
    â€œNo, no, I shall pull it out,” he said with a laugh. “There.”
    Surprised, she asked, “All done?”
    He held up the sliver. “See? Here it is.” Tossing it aside, he cupped her heel. His thumb rubbed the curve of her instep. “Is the rest of you as soft as this is?”
    â€œReally, Alexei!” She started to stand, but he refused to relinquish her foot and she dropped back into the chair. It wobbled and collapsed.
    His arms caught her before she could land on the floor. When she struck his hard body, she wondered if she would have been better off hitting the floor. Her breath exploded out. A rumble sounded beneath her ear. Slowly she realized he was laughing. The infectious sound surrounded her, reaching into her, making it impossible not to laugh, too. As his arm slipped around her, she chuckled and looked at the broken chair.
    â€œI shall have to take the chair’s cost out of your wages, Liebchen .” He laughed. “I suspect the innkeeper will charge highly for such an heirloom.”
    She groaned with mock despair. “It shall take me years to repay it.”
    â€œYes, years.” His arm tightened around her, drawing her closer.
    When her breasts brushed his firm chest, she laughed to pretend she was oblivious to the powerful emotions in his eyes—emotions she did not dare to explore, for they might entice her into discovering truths she had never guessed existed, such as how perfect his arms were around her.
    Her voice barely quavered as she said, “I am surprised either Frau Herbart or I believed your tale that I would be back at St. Bernard’s before next term.”
    He stroked her damp hair before his fingers curved around her nape. “But you came with me, Liebchen .” He caressed her gently, sending pleasure through her. “This seems as good a time as any to ask you to forgive me for lying.”
    Softly, she said, “You have me in a difficult position to refuse your apology.”
    â€œI don’t think this is a difficult position, Liebchen .” His lips brushed her cheek. When her hands gripped his sleeves, wanting to stay within this embrace of delight, he whispered, “I find this an incredibly fitting position to apologize.”
    She rose before she gave in to the temptation to steer his mouth over hers. “Alexei, I meant only that I owed you a favor for pulling out the splinter.”
    â€œAnd I wasted that favor on asking for an apology?” He chuckled and stood. “Stupid of me.” His finger outlined the shape of her lips. “I should have saved it for something much more delicious.”
    Michelle picked up a towel. As if it were of the least concern, she asked, “Did you want something?”
    â€œI shall not give you the obvious answer to