Read Online Awakened by a Kiss by Lila DiPasqua - Free Book Online Page A

open herself up to him and pray for the best.
    Adrien saw fear in her eyes. She was clearly skittish. If he didn’t proceed slowly, she’d likely bolt for the door.
    He didn’t want her to be afraid. Oddly, he found himself longing for her trust as strongly as he longed for the truth.
    Something in the corner of the room caught his eye. An artist’s easel and paintings propped against the wall. He moved toward them. On the easel was a lovely depiction of a valley at sunrise. It was serene. Lush. Beautiful.
    “Did you do this?” he asked, marveling at the piece.
    She moved to his side and blushed. “It isn’t finished. It isn’t very good . . .” she replied, quickly dismissing her work.
    He leaned in closer to the painting and silently scrutinized it. “I think it’s wonderful.”
    The initial look of surprise on her face was precious, as was the joy his praise gave her. It delighted him to see it more than he’d admit.
    He motioned to the paintings on the floor leaning against the wall. “May I?”
    She bit her lip, and after a moment’s hesitation, gave a nod.
    He picked up the paintings one by one and studied them, genuinely impressed. Paintings of gardens, of children, and one of water nymphs were among the works.
    “You’re very talented, Catherine,” he said with all sincerity.
    She looked embarrassed by his compliment. “Thank you. That’s very kind of you to say, but . . . I’m rather an amateur . . .”
    Her modesty was endearing. “Do you do portraits?” This was a first for him. He was alone with a beautiful, passionate female, his cock fully alert to her presence, and yet he was not acting on the powerful urgings she inspired.
    “I’ve . . . never really tried . . . My late father and husband both thought painting was a frivolous expenditure of time, especially for a woman.”
    “But you don’t. You love it,” he stated. “It’s evident in these paintings. In the painstaking details. Each stroke of your paintbrush brought you joy, no?”
    A smile returned to her lovely visage. “Yes. I do love it,” she admitted softly. Dieu , this softer side of her was oh so appealing. The woman was beyond beguiling.
    “Excellent. Then you’ll paint my portrait and one for each of my uncles,” he said, ignoring the warning in his head against lengthening his involvement with her.
    Her eyes widened.
    “I’ll, of course, pay for supplies,” he continued, enjoying the astonishment on her face, “and for your—”
    “I can’t.”
    “Oh? Why not?”
    She turned and walked over to the settee. Her back to him, he saw the stiffness in her delicate shoulders. “I’m to be married soon to the Comte de Baillet.” She faced him. “He’ll be here by the end of the week.” Her statement added to the distance she’d just placed between them.
    Adrien’s dislike for Baillet grew each time he heard the man’s name.
    “I’m certain you think I’m rather shameless . . .” she said, her words trailing off.
    She was still skirting around the issue, discussing matters other than the events that occurred five years ago.
    Adrien closed the space between them and took her hand. “I don’t think that.” Lightly, he caressed her wrist with his thumb, relishing in the satiny feel of her jasmine-scented skin.
    She didn’t pull her hand away and it pleased him. Her expression was open. Unguarded. And that pleased him as well.
    “What happened today . . . between us . . . I never intended something like that to happen,” she said.
    He didn’t want her voicing any regrets. “We’re attracted to each other, ma belle . Intensely so. There’s no shame in that.”
    A small smile graced her lips. “You can be quite irresistible, but I’m certain you’ve heard that enough times.”
    “I’ve also heard I’m mildly attractive,” he teased, pleased she didn’t seem to be remorseful.
    She laughed, a soft, sweet sound. “If no one tries to keep you in check, dear Marquis de Beaulain, you’ll become