Read Online Grey's Lady by Natasha Blackthorne - Free Book Online

turned back to Grey. “And it’s done you no good. I am determined to meet you no more.”
    He looked tired, as if he’d spent as many sleepless nights as she. A warm wave of tenderness suffused her. She wanted to cradle his head to her naked breasts and caress his black hair until he slept and never let him go. But she knew all about gentlemen. They viewed a woman of her class as just another bauble to possess and discard once they grew bored. This gentleman had recently proven himself no different.
    But her body refused to listen to reason. Her cunt swelled and wept with need. How many nights had she hugged her pillow tightly with her thighs, trying to assuage the ache for him?
    How long would it take her body to forget him? She didn’t look forward to finding out.
    “You have to forgive me, Beth.”
    She folded her arms over her bodice and arched a brow. “Do I?”
    “Yes, you do.” He grinned. More than a grin, it was a bone-melting flash of the boy inside the man. The motherless boy who had grown up with the stern, cold father. Fleeting as a heartbeat, it spoke to her of babies and booties and long winter nights spent snuggled up to a strong, male body in bed. Things she had never let herself believe in.
    To break the spell, she shook herself and took a deep, fortifying breath. “I thought you were leaving soon for New York.”
    “I can’t leave Philadelphia yet.”
    “Why not?”
    “You know why.” His voice, sensual and low, invoked memories of his tall, strong body upon hers, their sweat-slick skin sliding in crisp linen sheets. “Meet with me one more time.”
    Her cunt contracted hard. The temptation to say yes was almost too much to bear.
    She couldn’t possibly say yes.
    But where would she find the strength to say no?
    “I shouldn’t.” She heard the wavering in her own voice. It made her mouth go dry. Oh, God help her.
    “Come and see me on Saturday.”
    She trembled at the erotic promise in his eyes. Why did he have to be so blasted persuasive? At the sound of Charlie’s boots on the floorboards, she retreated from the counter, unsure if she was grateful for the distraction or if she suddenly wished Charlie to the devil for breaking the intimacy.
    “I’ll be waiting in the lobby,” Grey whispered.
     
    * * * *
     
    Beth promised herself this was the absolute last time. A proper goodbye. Grey had insisted on taking her for a ride. Now the carriage stopped in front of a small but stately red-brick Georgian house.
    “What are we doing here?” she asked.
    “We’re going inside.”
    “But I don’t want to visit anyone.”
    “I own this house. I gave the housekeeper the afternoon off. We shall be quite private.”
    She drew her brows together. “Why do you stay at City Tavern if you have this house?”
    “Because until recently it was occupied.” He threaded his fingers through hers and picked her hand up. “Let’s go inside.”
     
    * * * *
     
    Beth allowed Grey to lead her by the hand through the dining room, passing by its glossy cherrywood table with the vase of pale pink peonies, and back into the foyer. Why didn’t they go to the bedchamber? That was why they were here, after all.
    Light dotted the wall like rainbow-hued butterflies, drawing her eye to the sunlight sparkling through the crystal chandelier. “You keep this house, furnished this splendidly, and never use it?”
    “I am using it today.” He embraced her from behind and nuzzled her neck. “God, but I have missed you.” His erection pressed huge and hot against her bottom. Then, abruptly, he swept her up into his arms. She squealed and clung to his neck.
    “You’ll break your back!” she said, laughingly.
    “You weigh nothing. You want fattening up,” he said, smiling down at her.
    In the bedchamber, with his angular face hard with the determination of a man set to a delicate task, he deftly undressed her. “Would you excuse me for a moment?” he asked, all formality and politeness.
    Moments later he