Read Online Desire and Deception by Nicole Jordan - Free Book Online
Authors: Nicole Jordan
Ads: Link
hand. Retying her garter below the knee, he stood up. He meant to discover why she was so afraid of him—more afraid of him, perhaps, than of those men who had attacked her.
"Now," he began, watching her reaction closely, "I'd like some answers. You are obviously in some kind of trouble, and something about the way your attackers behaved leads me to believe the incident was not as simple as an attempted robbery or—forgive me—rape. You recognized those men, did you not? And you're aware of my name, even though I haven't the slightest clue as to who you are."
Lauren determinedly avoided his gaze, alarmed that he was so perceptive.
"Where do you wish to be taken?" Jason asked, trying again. She looked up at that, but he saw the faint flicker of hope in her eyes die abruptly before she lowered her gaze once more. "The Continent isn't particularly safe at the moment for a young woman alone," he remarked.
"Neither is England," Lauren ventured at last.
Jason was pleased that he was at least getting a response, but he kept the satisfaction from his voice. "Are you aware that the United States recently declared war on England?"
He could see her hand clench involuntarily. "No, I hadn't heard," she said in a stricken whisper.
Gently Jason grasped her chin, turning her face up to his. Her eyes were deep amber-flecked pools, and their haunting loveliness tore at his heart. Unconsciously, he stroked her jawline with his thumb. "I didn't rescue you from those felons just so you could put yourself in greater danger," he said softly.
For a moment, Jason thought he had won, for her lips trembled as if she might speak. But then those incredibly long lashes lowered and hid the golden-green eyes from his view. He knew she wouldn't give in.
"Who is Matthew?" he barked so suddenly that Lauren winced.
"A . . . a f-friend," she stammered in automatic response to his commanding tone.
"Some friend," Jason said sardonically—a mistake, he realized as soon as the words left his mouth, for she stiffened and twisted from his grasp.
Pressing her lips together stubbornly, Lauren lifted her chin and met his gaze directly. "I am not one of your men, Captain. I am not subject to your orders, nor am I under any obligation to answer your questions. Even if you did come to my defense earlier this evening. And I will not," she added firmly, "be bullied or threatened. I assure you, I am quite immune to threats by now."
Jason couldn't help but feel admiration as he watched her. Her manner was curt and poised, as if she were speaking to a disobedient servant. Her response was a novel experience for him. He was used to men instantly obeying his orders, and he could hardly be unaware that women found him attractive. He had to smile.
The sudden change in his expression made Lauren catch her breath. Deep indentations creased his bronzed cheeks in slashing masculine dimples, making the strong planes of his face appear less forbidding, indeed, almost beautiful. He didn't seem quite so intimidating when he smiled, Lauren thought, and although her experience with men was limited, she could easily see the potential force of Jason's charm. She had little doubt women would find him irresistible—especially now, with his eyes dancing with vibrant life. Seeing the sudden sparkle in those vivid sapphire eyes, though, Lauren stared at Jason suspiciously, wondering what he was planning.
He ignored her display of defiance and rested one hip on the table beside her chair, leisurely swinging a booted foot. "So, Sleeping Beauty," he continued thoughtfully, as if working a puzzle out, "you are fleeing something or someone, and you want to go to America where you presumably have friends. But you're alone, without much money, and you need assistance. Additionally, you're determined not to trust anyone, least of all me."
Lauren shifted uncomfortably, looking down at her clasped hands. Was he a warlock, to be able to guess so accurately?
"You want to go to America,"
"Now," he began, watching her reaction closely, "I'd like some answers. You are obviously in some kind of trouble, and something about the way your attackers behaved leads me to believe the incident was not as simple as an attempted robbery or—forgive me—rape. You recognized those men, did you not? And you're aware of my name, even though I haven't the slightest clue as to who you are."
Lauren determinedly avoided his gaze, alarmed that he was so perceptive.
"Where do you wish to be taken?" Jason asked, trying again. She looked up at that, but he saw the faint flicker of hope in her eyes die abruptly before she lowered her gaze once more. "The Continent isn't particularly safe at the moment for a young woman alone," he remarked.
"Neither is England," Lauren ventured at last.
Jason was pleased that he was at least getting a response, but he kept the satisfaction from his voice. "Are you aware that the United States recently declared war on England?"
He could see her hand clench involuntarily. "No, I hadn't heard," she said in a stricken whisper.
Gently Jason grasped her chin, turning her face up to his. Her eyes were deep amber-flecked pools, and their haunting loveliness tore at his heart. Unconsciously, he stroked her jawline with his thumb. "I didn't rescue you from those felons just so you could put yourself in greater danger," he said softly.
For a moment, Jason thought he had won, for her lips trembled as if she might speak. But then those incredibly long lashes lowered and hid the golden-green eyes from his view. He knew she wouldn't give in.
"Who is Matthew?" he barked so suddenly that Lauren winced.
"A . . . a f-friend," she stammered in automatic response to his commanding tone.
"Some friend," Jason said sardonically—a mistake, he realized as soon as the words left his mouth, for she stiffened and twisted from his grasp.
Pressing her lips together stubbornly, Lauren lifted her chin and met his gaze directly. "I am not one of your men, Captain. I am not subject to your orders, nor am I under any obligation to answer your questions. Even if you did come to my defense earlier this evening. And I will not," she added firmly, "be bullied or threatened. I assure you, I am quite immune to threats by now."
Jason couldn't help but feel admiration as he watched her. Her manner was curt and poised, as if she were speaking to a disobedient servant. Her response was a novel experience for him. He was used to men instantly obeying his orders, and he could hardly be unaware that women found him attractive. He had to smile.
The sudden change in his expression made Lauren catch her breath. Deep indentations creased his bronzed cheeks in slashing masculine dimples, making the strong planes of his face appear less forbidding, indeed, almost beautiful. He didn't seem quite so intimidating when he smiled, Lauren thought, and although her experience with men was limited, she could easily see the potential force of Jason's charm. She had little doubt women would find him irresistible—especially now, with his eyes dancing with vibrant life. Seeing the sudden sparkle in those vivid sapphire eyes, though, Lauren stared at Jason suspiciously, wondering what he was planning.
He ignored her display of defiance and rested one hip on the table beside her chair, leisurely swinging a booted foot. "So, Sleeping Beauty," he continued thoughtfully, as if working a puzzle out, "you are fleeing something or someone, and you want to go to America where you presumably have friends. But you're alone, without much money, and you need assistance. Additionally, you're determined not to trust anyone, least of all me."
Lauren shifted uncomfortably, looking down at her clasped hands. Was he a warlock, to be able to guess so accurately?
"You want to go to America,"
Similar Books
