Read Online Glass Slipper by Abigail Barnette - Free Book Online Page B

through his teeth, and she released him immediately, a look of concern wrinkling her smooth brow. “Was that wrong?”
    “Not at all.” He took his hand from hers to disguise its trembling.
    “I don’t understand.” She looked absolutely crestfallen. “If I’m doing it wrong, please tell me.”
    How could she not understand that her every action was made ten times more seductive because of her innocent desire to please him? That if she’d been any other woman, he would have had her in his bed by now, and that temptation drove him mad?
    It was that very innocence that kept her from understanding, and it frustrated him more than it pleased him. He gripped her hand and, before she could realize what he did, forced it into his lap. “Does it feel like I am displeased?”
    A visible shiver passed over her. If she had made even a twitch towards pulling her hand away, he would have released her, but she did not. She stared for the space of two heartbeats at her hand, then, with agonizing slowness, curled her fingers around him through his breeches.
    His teeth ached from holding back his groan. “That is all the proof you need that you are an exceptional student.”
    She took a deep, shaking breath, still holding him through the fabric. “I thought that it was Marie who had…aroused you. This morning. I know so little, and she knows so much. I thought you liked her better.”
    “Marie is a very beautiful woman and a talented lover.” He would not unfairly criticize her to spare Joséphine’s feelings. If she truly sought to capture the prince, she would have to become accustomed to sharing a man’s attention with other women. “I greatly enjoyed watching the two of you together.”
    “But you find me attractive in that way, too?” she asked, her face alight with hope. “I want to please you. I don’t want you to be disappointed in me. I don’t want you to be angry and leave like you were last night.”
    Ah, so that was what she feared. Not displeasing him, but being abandoned. “I apologize for my inept handling of the situation. I did not leave you because you had displeased me. I left you because I could not trust myself not to press my advantage.”
    Though she carefully composed her expression, it was clear that she was pleased to hear this. Julien helped her to her feet and stood, hoping he did not look too entirely ridiculous. “Come along.”
    “Where are we going?” she asked, letting him pull her along behind him.
    “To your bedroom.” He just hoped they could make it that far.

 
     
     
     
    Chapter Ten
     
     
    Joséphine followed, breathless as Julien pulled her up the stairs and along the corridor. He did not speak, and she quaked inside to think that he might take her to her bed and ravish her. Would she protest such a thing?
    He stopped suddenly and pressed her against the wall, his lips finding her ear, then her throat as his hands roved over the bodice of her gown. She gasped his name while clutching the lapels of his coat, and he seemed to come to his senses, releasing her to resume their walking.
    She would never speak again, if that was to be the outcome.
    Once at the door to her room, Julien kicked it open and pulled her inside. Madame Brujon waited there, with a tub of water beside the fire for her bath. Would the housekeeper ruin everything fun in this castle?
    “Out,” Julien ordered, and the old woman left with a harumph of displeasure. Joséphine couldn’t bring herself to feel embarrassed. Julien’s fingers already worked at the tiny pearl buttons that closed her gown. He opened a few in quick succession, and when they would not cooperate further, he ripped the two halves of the fabric apart. Little round buttons flew through the air, and the sound of Marie’s delicate work tearing in his hands echoed over their labored breathing.
    Her head swam as he pushed the gown down her arms, then over her hips, leaving her before him in her corset, drawers, and stockings. He pulled