Read Online Affair of Honor by Stephanie James - Free Book Online
Authors: Stephanie James
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overpowering.
The first thing she realized as he wrapped her against him was that the hunger in him was still leashed. She felt that hunger in the hardness of his body, knew it in the warmth of his mouth, but it was under control. A deep feminine instinct made her want to be the woman who could release and satisfy that hunger.
The knowledge shook her and the trembling in her slender frame seemed to seek solace from the rising heat of his passion.
When his lips moved persuasively on hers, Brenna lifted her arms to encircle his neck as she opened her mouth to him. His questing tongue surged inside with a reckless aggression that thrilled her. He explored the warm, wet secrets behind her lips with an arousing, exciting boldness that left her the hungry one.
She sank heavily against him and he accepted the weight of her, letting it carry them both backward until she was lying on top of him. When Brenna tried to catch her breath and her common sense, he tangled her legs in his own and held her head close.
“A little more,” he breathed huskily and she obeyed. Of their own volition her tender hands framed the rough, craggy planes of his face as she responded to the kiss. Her mind was whirling with the sensual pleasures that beckoned and seduced. He was altogether different, and she felt compelled to explore whatever it was he offered.
Their tongues met in an intricate dance of primitive courtship as Ryder flattened his palms along her back and began to stroke her in long, rhythmic motions. Unconsciously Brenna’s body arched into him in response, glorying in the lean strength awaiting her.
When she moaned, he drank the sound from her throat as if it were nectar and then he asked for more. Her small, muffled cry came once more, and this time he splayed his fingers across the curve of her hips and forced her gently against his thighs.
With that sensual contact Brenna was made fiercely aware of the thrusting, potent strength of his desire. The dazzling surge of excitement through her body suffused it with a warm flush that seemed to elevate her temperature. He wanted her and heaven help her, she wanted him! Never had it been like this. Never had a man fascinated and intrigued her in quite this way. She wanted to forget about the future and the past and do anything in her power to continue in this delightful plane of unreality.
“Ryder?” His name was a question and a plea on her lips as she lifted her head an inch to meet his eyes.
The tawny lashes rose, revealing the molten silver behind them. He looked deeply into her drugged and dream-filled gaze for a long moment.
“I told you on the dance floor that the choice would be yours tonight, lady,” he said with dark velvet in his words. “Just remember that I will hold you to your decision if you choose to take the risk.”
“What risk?”
“The risk of inviting me into your bed.”
Hearing it spelled out so bluntly sent a tremor through her but she managed not to lower her lashes in spite of the confusion she was experiencing. “What is the risk, Ryder? That you won’t stay long in my bed?” she provoked deliberately, ignoring the pain of that possibility.
His mouth crooked and he lifted his fingers to spear them through the sleek knot of her hair, dislodging the clip. “No, you little idiot, the risk you’re taking is that I will stay there. Don’t you understand, Brenna? I won’t let you go after I’ve made you mine. Hell, I might not let you go even if you back away entirely tonight!” he ended forcefully.
“What are you talking about?” she whispered.
“I’m talking about commitment, and the fact that you have to ask the question means it’s probably much too soon for me to claim you. It means you’re probably not thinking in those terms.” He twisted his hands through her unloosened hair and his mouth continued to smile gently even though his eyes were gleaming and largely unreadable.
“You want a…a commitment from me? That’s
The first thing she realized as he wrapped her against him was that the hunger in him was still leashed. She felt that hunger in the hardness of his body, knew it in the warmth of his mouth, but it was under control. A deep feminine instinct made her want to be the woman who could release and satisfy that hunger.
The knowledge shook her and the trembling in her slender frame seemed to seek solace from the rising heat of his passion.
When his lips moved persuasively on hers, Brenna lifted her arms to encircle his neck as she opened her mouth to him. His questing tongue surged inside with a reckless aggression that thrilled her. He explored the warm, wet secrets behind her lips with an arousing, exciting boldness that left her the hungry one.
She sank heavily against him and he accepted the weight of her, letting it carry them both backward until she was lying on top of him. When Brenna tried to catch her breath and her common sense, he tangled her legs in his own and held her head close.
“A little more,” he breathed huskily and she obeyed. Of their own volition her tender hands framed the rough, craggy planes of his face as she responded to the kiss. Her mind was whirling with the sensual pleasures that beckoned and seduced. He was altogether different, and she felt compelled to explore whatever it was he offered.
Their tongues met in an intricate dance of primitive courtship as Ryder flattened his palms along her back and began to stroke her in long, rhythmic motions. Unconsciously Brenna’s body arched into him in response, glorying in the lean strength awaiting her.
When she moaned, he drank the sound from her throat as if it were nectar and then he asked for more. Her small, muffled cry came once more, and this time he splayed his fingers across the curve of her hips and forced her gently against his thighs.
With that sensual contact Brenna was made fiercely aware of the thrusting, potent strength of his desire. The dazzling surge of excitement through her body suffused it with a warm flush that seemed to elevate her temperature. He wanted her and heaven help her, she wanted him! Never had it been like this. Never had a man fascinated and intrigued her in quite this way. She wanted to forget about the future and the past and do anything in her power to continue in this delightful plane of unreality.
“Ryder?” His name was a question and a plea on her lips as she lifted her head an inch to meet his eyes.
The tawny lashes rose, revealing the molten silver behind them. He looked deeply into her drugged and dream-filled gaze for a long moment.
“I told you on the dance floor that the choice would be yours tonight, lady,” he said with dark velvet in his words. “Just remember that I will hold you to your decision if you choose to take the risk.”
“What risk?”
“The risk of inviting me into your bed.”
Hearing it spelled out so bluntly sent a tremor through her but she managed not to lower her lashes in spite of the confusion she was experiencing. “What is the risk, Ryder? That you won’t stay long in my bed?” she provoked deliberately, ignoring the pain of that possibility.
His mouth crooked and he lifted his fingers to spear them through the sleek knot of her hair, dislodging the clip. “No, you little idiot, the risk you’re taking is that I will stay there. Don’t you understand, Brenna? I won’t let you go after I’ve made you mine. Hell, I might not let you go even if you back away entirely tonight!” he ended forcefully.
“What are you talking about?” she whispered.
“I’m talking about commitment, and the fact that you have to ask the question means it’s probably much too soon for me to claim you. It means you’re probably not thinking in those terms.” He twisted his hands through her unloosened hair and his mouth continued to smile gently even though his eyes were gleaming and largely unreadable.
“You want a…a commitment from me? That’s
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