means.â
âDoes it matter?â he retorted. âYour side of the game is clear. You can do as your family dictates and end our marriage, but that may leave the Wentworth heritage solely in my hands. Is that what you want?â
What she wanted? She had no idea, not anymore. There was too much at stake, and he was far too attractive, standing so close to her, looking so powerful and in control.
âThe other option is better,â he tempted. âBy staying married to me, you can both rebel and play the role of dutiful daughter or niece at the same time. Itâs rare that such an opportunity presents itself.â
She tried to wrap her mind around what he was saying.
âStay married to me, and you can move these paintings to Downlands.â
âTo Downlands?â she challenged, licking suddenly dry lips. âDownlands is no longer mine.â
âIt could be solely yours,â Colin countered, his voice low and smooth, âif we remain married. Iâll sign that contract.â
She wasnât ready for this. She needed time to processâ¦thinkâ¦
But Colin wasnât giving her time or space. He stepped closer, within touching distance.
She felt a sizzle skate along her nerve endings.
His hair was short and silky, like mink, and his eyes were dark and gave nothing away. She noticed the tiny crinkles at the corners of his eyes that had grown infinitesimally more pronounced from three years ago.
She shifted her gaze downward, over the hard planes of his cheekbones and nose, to his mouth. For a hard man, he had soft lips.
As she well knew. On their wedding night, heâd kissed every inch of her, doing a leisurely survey, as she had lainon black satin sheets, the petals from the roses that heâd hastily procured for their ceremony haphazardly scattered around them.
Heâd used the petals to tickle and arouse her until sheâd moaned and writhed, practically panting for him to take her.
Heâd been equally affected. His heart had beat hard and fast, and when heâd slid inside her, there hadnât been a momentâs doubt about how much he wanted her.
It had been the most decadent thing sheâd ever done in her life.
Colinâs lips moved. âYou look practically slumberous.â
She jerked her gaze upward and then felt red-hot heat stain her cheeks.
He looked amused but intent. âWhat were you thinking about? Remembering the last time we were in Vegas?â
Remember? She could feel him in every pore, like an airy caress.
âIt was a mistake,â she said automatically.
âHow do you know?â he responded. âYou refuse to test the proposition.â
âI donât need to touch fire again to know Iâll get burned.â
She realized instantly that her analogy was off, because his eyes kindled.
âInteresting choice of words,â he murmured. âIs that what we were? Did we go up in smoke?â
âI didnât sayââ
He rested his finger against her lips, stopping her words.
They both went still, searching each otherâs eyes.
He lowered his hand only to trail his finger down her chin and then her throat, in a light caress.
He slid his hand to cup the side of her neck, and his thumb found and came to rest on her pulse.
The rapid beat of her heart was a giveaway as to how affected she was, and they both knew it.
âIt was good, wasnât it?â he asked, rubbing soothingly over her rapid pulse. âThe best sex ever.â
She swallowed, and her lips parted. She had tried not to think about it, but yes, it had been the most sensational night of her life.
âShould I feel flattered?â she challenged.
He laughed. âMaybe lucky is more like it, since similar nights can be yours for free.â
âEverything has a price.â
âIâm willing to keep paying.â
âAnd what will I have to pay?â
âNext to nothing compared to what
Kristin Vayden
Ed Gorman
Margaret Daley
Kim Newman
Vivian Arend
Janet Dailey
Nick Oldham
Frank Tuttle
Robert Swartwood
Devin Carter