Read Online Decadent Master by Tawny Taylor - Free Book Online Page B

Besides, all it was going to do was sit on a shelf with the other books in the series. I’d much rather it be read than collect dust. Now, if it was a first edition, first issue of one of the first three volumes of the Lord of the Rings , then I might not be so generous.”
    “O-okay. If you aren’t going to be upset.” She tucked the book under her arm and touched the back of his hand with her fingertip. “Thank you.” It was only a gentle graze, hardly a touch at all, but the effect on her body was absolutely mind-blowing.
    A bolt of heat shot up her arm, and her face became instantly hot, like someone had smacked it. Blind reflex had her jerking her hand back before she realized what she’d done.
    If he noticed her reaction, he showed no outward sign. “Maybe you can tell me what you think after you’ve had a chance to read it.”
    “I will.” She tightened her hold on the book. “Although you might not want to hear my opinion if it isn’t good. I tend to be pretty picky about books—”
    A fingertip pressed to her lips cut off the rest of her sentence.
    It wasn’t her fingertip.
    Her eyes snapped to his again, and it felt like every molecule of oxygen was sucked from the room.
    He had the most amazing eyes. Dark, piercing, probing. As he stood there silent, strong, and utterly dominant, it almost felt like he was trying to invade her mind, delve into her soul. “I want to know what you think, regardless.”
    “Okay.” Her lips brushed against his finger as she spoke, and every nerve in her skin sizzled. A tense second of silence passed between them. One magical, incredible second. Then he snatched his hand away, the abrupt way he moved making her wonder if he was feeling as overwhelmed—and giddy and nervous and happy—as she was.
    He turned slightly, presenting a partial profile. He glanced at his wristwatch. “Hmmm. Gotta get back to work.”
    “Okay. Thanks again for the book.” She waved it at him.
    They exchanged smiles. Another strange, awkward, tense moment. A few seconds later, he was gone and she was dizzy. She leaned back, letting the tall, substantial bookshelf behind her support her for a few moments.
    An inhalation. Exhalation. Two more. Finally, she was feeling more like herself.
    Wow, that was…just wow.
    If she’d thought her attraction to the mysterious Master Dierk had been because of the dungeon, she was mistaken. Even in the middle of a bookstore, with the most unflattering lighting known to mankind, he made her head spin.
    After picking up a couple more romance novels—she was suddenly in the mood to read a hot love story—she headed for the checkout. Even after her earlier intimate exchange with his brother Rolf, the entire time she was in the store her thoughts revolved around Dierk. Every description of a novel’s hero she read reminded her of him. The image of his face, those eyes, flashed through her head, over and over and over. And when she lifted her hand to her face, she caught just the slightest smell of his cologne on her fingertips. Again and again, she inhaled, drawing the tangy scent into her nose. It was masculine and spicy and intoxicating. She had to find out what it was.
    “You’re all set,” the shop owner said, thrusting a slightly wrinkled bag at her.
    Confused, she glanced down at her purse, still hanging from her shoulder, zipped shut. “Huh? I didn’t pay yet.”
    “Your friend paid.”
    “Oh. He did?”
    “Yes. Hang on.” She signed a wide, short piece of paper and slipped it into an envelope. “Here you go. He gave me more than you needed, asked me to give you a gift certificate in the amount of the remaining money if any was left.”
    “Wow, how…thoughtful.” She accepted the proffered envelope and tucked it into her purse. “Thanks.”
    “Thank you and enjoy your books.”
    Slightly off balance, she headed for her car. Once inside, she ripped open the envelope and pulled out the gift certificate.
    “Oh no.” It was too much.
    It