Read Online His Wicked Heart by Darcy Burke - Free Book Online Page B

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    She shouldn’t do this, shouldn’t want this,
but God help her she did. It had been so long since anyone had
touched her with anything other than passing kindness.
    Desperate to lose herself, forget everything
that plagued her mind, she opened her mouth to him. With
devastating skill, he swept his tongue inside and burned her.
Shivers ran to her extremities and collected in her belly in a mass
of longing. She lifted her hands and splayed her palms against the
smooth heat of his shoulders.
    She’d been kissed before, but never like
this. He kissed her like he couldn’t get enough, as if she were the
reason he drew breath. His tenderness and deliberation made her
feel precious and beautiful and cherished. The way he stroked her
tongue with his, the manner in which his lips played over hers, the
tender clasp of his hands holding her close…his touch, his scent,
the dark sounds of his body as he worshipped her with this
kiss.
    She wanted to wrap herself around him. She
pulled at his shoulders and he answered by grinding his hips
against hers. His erection pulsed against her, making her core
unbearably damp.
    His hands moved down, sliding to the curve of
her lower back. His fingers dug into her, driving her against his
arousal.
    All the while his mouth continued, stirring
her desire until she thought she might burst. His hand skimmed up
her side and cradled the underside of her breast. She trembled as
pleasure shot through her. His thumb tracked over her nipple. She
wanted to weep with the joy of it.
    A strong breeze blew the pound notes off the
table and one fluttered against her arm before drifting to the
floor. She was not a whore .
    Olivia pulled back. Their mouths broke, and
their mingled breath panted hotly between them. She ached for him,
but if she accepted his money, she’d lose more than she could bear.
“I don’t want you. Not like this.”
    He ran his fingers down her neck and dragged
them along her collarbone. “If I lift your skirts right now, your
body will tell me otherwise.”
    The truth of his words only enflamed her
more. She had to stop him before it was too late. “You’ll force me
then.”
    His features hardened, the desire in his eyes
cooling. He released her, and she sagged backward, her thighs
quivering.
    He turned away. A minute passed, and he
didn’t move. Olivia waited to see what he would do, too afraid to
poke the quiet beast.
    Finally, he retrieved his shirt from the
chair and drew it over his head. Olivia relaxed, her heartbeat
slowing its frenetic pace. He sat on her bed and donned his
stockings and boots. She silently watched his movements with a
mixture of relief and disappointment. It was for the best. It had
to be.
    When he was finished, he stood and looked at
her, his eyes reflecting none of the heat her body still contained.
He picked up his waistcoat and pulled it on, then draped his cravat
around his neck. “You should stay somewhere else tonight. Take the
money and find a hotel or an inn.”
    She moved around the table, more comfortable
with the obstacle between them. Not because she feared him hurting
her, but because if he didn’t leave soon, she’d be tempted to
finish what she’d started. “I don’t want your money.” She should
have said, I don’t want you again but couldn’t force the lie
from her lips a second time.
    “Don’t allow your pride to overrule common
sense. Take the money.”
    “And what will you expect in return?”
    His gaze moved over her with deliberate
intent. “Your company. And don’t tell me you don’t want me. I know
a woman’s desire, and you do want me.”
    The arrogance with which he delivered his
assurances kindled her anger. “You presume too much, my lord.”
    “I presume nothing except that you will lie,
as you’re doing right now.”
    She wanted to dispute what he said, but she
couldn’t. She merely stood mute while her wanton body warred with
her scrupulous mind.
    “I’ll come back tomorrow after you’ve