Read Online Love's Fiery Jewel by Elaine Barbieri - Free Book Online Page A

unevenly against her hair. "Oh, Amethyst, darling, don't
you realize why I was so unreasonable last week when
you arrived with the supplies? I was jealous... insanely
jealous of that damned smuggler. I still am."
    "But William," she whispered softly, the heady
sensation of his heart thudding so wildly against her
breast sending little shivers along her spine, "I told you
there is no need..."
    "And I believe you, Amethyst, I really do...but
darling," he released her slightly so he might look down
into her eyes once again, "I don't want anyone else
taking care of you. I want to take care of you! I want to be
the one you come to for help, not some smuggler. Oh,
God, Amethyst," his voice was a soft, anguished cry,
"don't you realize I love you?"
    Without waiting for her response, William's mouth
covered hers, a small groan escaping him as he pulled her
more tightly against him, straining her closer still as his
lips devoured hers. Completely overwhelmed by the new
violent feelings flooding her senses, Amethyst's arms slowly circled his neck, her fingers tangling in the thick
hair at his neck to move with an inborn sensuousness
that set him to trembling.

    Finally loosening his embrace to hold her at arms'
length, he said softly, his breathing uneven as he stared
longingly at her soft, bruised lips, "But damn it,
Amethyst, you're still a child... and so damned
innocent! You don't even realize how close I am
to... God! You're barely fifteen!"
    Abruptly releasing her, he stood up and turned away,
running his hand through his hair in an anxious gesture.
"That's why I stayed away from you for a week and tried
to find an interest in Cecily Hargrove. I thought if I could
manage to put you out of my mind for a while.. .but the
moment I saw you again, Cecily no longer existed."
    Without her realization, Amethyst moved to stand
beside him, and placing her hand on his arm, she said
softly, "William, why are you so upset?" Turning him
gently toward her she smiled into his tortured expression, inadvertently increasing his passion by the sheer
power of her sublime beauty. "I'm fifteen years old now,
but next year I'll be sixteen... Certainly sixteen is
considered quite mature. Can't you wait a year for me,
William?"
    For a small, wordless moment William's eyes roamed
her face, a small smile appearing on his lips only seconds
before he pulled her against him in an abrupt movement,
holding her tightly as he whispered against her hair in a
choked voice. "God help me, Amethyst, that's the
problem.... I don't think I can..."
    In the next moment he was kissing her wildly, his lips
sending a madness racing through her body that she
seemed powerless to control. She had never been kissed
before, much less allowed a man to arouse her so
violently, and inundated by a sweep of unfamiliar
emotion, Amethyst found herself drowning in pure, unadulterated desire. William's kisses went on and on,
raising her passion, destroying her resistance, until she
found herself lying prone on the ground with William's
young, lean body lying atop hers. His hands were on her
breasts, exciting even deeper emotions than before and
gasping with ecstasy, Amethyst strained him closer as his
lips trailed across her shoulder. Frustrated by the
clothing that lay between them, he began to fumble at the
buttons on her skirt. Suddenly he was unable to wait and
reaching down, he awkwardly pushed it aside. The
second his hand touched the skin of her thigh, Amethyst
was wrenched from her passion-induced lethargy and she
gasped hoarsely, "William, what are you doing?"

    Raising his eyes to hers, William pleaded softly,
"Amethyst, darling, don't stop me now.. .darling, I
love you.. .I must have you... darling..." His hand
was on her stomach, moving sensuously downward when
Amethyst felt the first jolt of fear.
    "William, stop! Stop, please!" When her panicky
entreaty had no effect on his passion, Amethyst pushed
at his hand