Read Online Captain and a Corset by Mary Wine - Free Book Online Page A

leaving her nothing but the impulses he so often inspired in her.
    She kissed him back—slowly, tentatively as she tried to mimic his motions. She flattened her hands against his chest and stretched up onto her toes to press her lips against his more firmly. There was no debate about the wisdom of it; only need fueled her actions. He groaned softly, his chest rumbling beneath her fingertips. He tightened his grip on her neck and the kiss became harder. He pressed her lips apart, seeking a deeper taste of her. She shuddered. Too many points of contact were flooding her with sensation simultaneously. It was overwhelming, the sheer volume of it too much for her to handle. He was suddenly too strong, too hard, and too demanding. The intensity of the moment threatened to rip away every last layer of her free will, leaving her at the mercy of her responses to him.
    She shoved against him, interrupting their kiss with the amount of strength she used.
    “Release me.”
    She’d gained a few inches of space, but he didn’t release her completely. For a frozen moment, she stared into Bion’s eyes and witnessed a side of his personality she’d only seen glimpses of before. It sent shivers down her spine and tantalized her at the same time. A twist of anticipation went through her belly as she stared into his dark eyes. There was a hunger there, an insatiable, burning need that kept her breathless. Like some sort of promise that she felt deep inside, where the only rules were the ones made by her feelings.
    “As you like,” he muttered at last. “But I warned you not to label me something unless you want me to embody it.” His eyes narrowed. “I prefer action, and I believe you do too.”
    She stumbled back when he released her. Once she regained her balance, she advanced on him once more before realizing what she was doing. One of his dark eyebrows arched and he held his arms wide, beckoning her closer with his fingers.
    “By all means, step up, madam. I will be happy to meet your challenge. Now that I’ve stolen a kiss and you have so boldly returned it, shall we proceed to lending truth to the gossip that we are lovers? It would certainly be a better use for all the anger you like to aim at me.”
    Her cheeks burned scarlet, but she had to battle against the urge to do exactly what he suggested. There was an insane twist of need prodding her to punch the man square in the center of his chest. It was practically impossible to control. “We shall not,” she choked out.
    “Hmm, now that is disappointing,” he grumbled suggestively. “Especially when your lips are still glistening from the kiss you so passionately demanded I take from you. Normally I would correct you on your terminology, but in this case, I believe I enjoy your saying I stole it. And your challenge makes you an accessory to the crime.” His voice deepened dangerously. “We might make fine lovers. I could promise you an end to your nightmares.”
    He reached out and stroked her cheek. It was a tender touch, surprising her with just how seductive he could be.
    Temptation needled her. For a moment, she was caught in its grasp, her reason for refusing lost somewhere in the back of her mind. The hesitation drew his attention, his eyes flickering with anticipation. He reached for her, and she recoiled, sure her faltering self-discipline was about to crumble.
    She drew in a deep breath and swallowed roughly.
    “I am not impressed with your attempts to lay the blame for this… impropriety at my feet. You should never have allowed it to be said that we are lovers. I have a right to be irritated by such a thing. It is misplaced of you to think I am challenging you in some personal manner.” She’d spat the last word at him before she realized how inappropriate it was to even say such a thing. “You are only making excuses for yourself, like some sort of… well…”
    “Well, what, Miss Stevenson?” He took one lazy step toward her, his eyes daring her to