Read Online Kissed; Christian by Tanya Anne Crosby - Free Book Online

trying to remove herself from his lap, but his hand tightened about her arm, stilling her movements. He groaned in pleasure and in pain and she froze, meeting his gaze.
    She tried again to rise, but with a firm hand to her back, he brought her forward for another kiss instead.
    Ah, but Christ, he couldn’t help himself.
    He thought to make it brief, just a quick peck, but when his lips touched hers, and she parted them so sweetly, he nearly lost his will. Her mouth was too warm, her breath too sweet. He kissed her hungrily, savoring the moment like a man starved.
    Somewhere in the back of his mind, he knew that if he didn’t lift her from his person this very instant, she would soon discern the lump she was perched upon so unsuspectingly was no simple lump, at all. Worse, he might completely forget their surroundings and be tempted to make love to her here under the twilight sky.
    She deserved better, he reasoned desperately, searching diligently for the impostor gentleman within—the one who seemed so eager to be all that she desired.
    Perhaps the man had fled?
    He hoped, and yet, he felt inclined to seek him out once more.
    They would doubtless be discovered before the first raindrops fell—which would be any moment if he scented it right. He peered up at the darkening sky.
    If not that, then Mrs. Brown might decide to take exception to his loving her and nab his rear.
    If not Mrs. Brown... then perhaps one of the other two occupants of the enclosure. The last thing he desired were teeth marks upon his arse... or pistols at dawn.
    Or perhaps that was precisely what he hoped for.
    To face a pair of barking irons… with her brother at the other end.
    Sighing regretfully, he caught Jessie with both hands at the waist—and fought the incredible urge to slide his hands upward, cup them about the tantalizing flesh she’d only just tempted him with.
    Blast it all, he was going to sorely regret this visit tonight when he lay alone in his bed.
    “I believe I scent rain,” he said thickly, his voice sounding strangled even to his own ears. “Much as I’ve enjoyed this...” He eyed her meaningfully. “I fear I must be off before it pours, m’mselle .” And then slowly, though reluctant to do so, he lifted her from his person, cursing roundly to himself as he did so.
    Jessie nodded, though she seemed not to have heard a word he’d said. Christian knew the very instant she regained her wits because her face flushed a rosy pink. He couldn’t quite bring himself to apologize, however, for he wasn’t the least bit sorry for what little had passed between them. In truth, he might have preferred to have something of which to be repentant. Still, he didn’t wish to embarrass her more than she likely would be when she realized what liberties she’d allowed him, so he remained seated upon the ground and lifted a knee to conceal his amatory state.
    When he made no move to rise, Jessie seemed to forget her chagrin at once, eyeing him solicitously. “Oh my! Are you hurt, my lord?”
    Shaking his head at her naïveté, he chuckled ruefully.
    Christ, but he was going to suffer tonight.
    “Let me help you!” she offered and extended her hand in aid.
    He waved her away, clearing his throat. “In an instant, Jessie. I’m just a wee bit... stiff at the moment.” He peered up at her, gauging her expression, and smiled grimly when she clearly didn’t understand his meaning. “The fall,” he suggested.
    “But you’re not hurt?” she asked, her tone filled with concern.
    Enormously relieved that she’d not understood his lecherous jest, he said, “I assure you, m’mselle that I shall live.”
    To his great misfortune.
    At her doubtful expression, he rose as proof. “See.” He grinned then, seizing her by the chin, and raising her face to place a perfectly chaste kiss upon the bridge of her nose. He turned her about so that she couldn’t spy his brick hard arousal.
    She seemed reassured, though even as she turned to smile