Read Online Nicole Jordan by The Prince of Pleasure - Free Book Online

over her palm, his tongue flicking the sensitive skin, and it was all she could do not to pull away.
    His breath scorched her fingers as his lips moved to the tips. When he suckled the middle one, a heavy ache flowered low in her abdomen.
    “I should warn you,” he murmured, his voice husky. “I’ve learned a few things since I last knew you.”
    “I can imagine,” she said, her own voice dismayingly breathless.
    His eyes would not free her from their intensity. To her surprise, though, he released her hand and stood. Going to the door, he locked it, then returned to her side and set the key on the table, along with the wineglass he took from her.
    Time, dangerous with the undercurrents of passion, seemed to hang motionless as he stared down at her.
    Her heart thudding, Julienne rose unsteadily to face Dare, unwilling to allow him the advantage. Her legs were weaker than she thought, and she leaned one hip against the table for support.
    “Well?” he asked, the lazy drawl filled with challenge.
    Holding his stare with bold, cool poise, she reached to unfasten the hooks at her back, slipping down first the bodice of her merino gown, then her chemise. Her breasts spilled out above the white cambric. Offering him a smile, she turned and rested her hands behind her on the table, an elegant courtesan’s gesture.
    His mouth twisted crookedly. “So you mean to tempt me with your luscious body?”
    “Let us see who can summon the greater resistance.”
    “As you wish,” he said, his eyes alive with delighted interest.
    With one foot he shoved her chair out of his way and stepped closer, his regard moving with leisurely thoroughness over her. A pulsing began deep inside Julienne in response to his heated gaze.
    She managed to conceal her quivering excitement when he slowly drew a finger along the line of her collarbone, then traced a path between her breasts. But when he reached out to cup one curving swell, Julienne felt her heart leap.
    With a knowing look, Dare splayed both hands over the ripe fullness of her breasts. Her nipples tightened shamefully, responding to his wicked teasing. His thumbs caressed the rosy peaks until they were distended and hard, and Julienne had to bite her lip to keep from pleading with him to stop the torment. She didn’t want him to stop. She wanted to press herself against him, wanted Dare to soothe the delicious ache he was creating.
    As if he could read her mind, he took her by the arms and drew her against his chest. The full shock of his hard, supple body went through her. He was all honed muscle and lean strength—and he was wholly aroused. She could feel his rigid erection even through their layers of clothing.
    She drew a steadying breath, trembling with need. She felt feverishly hot where her body was held tight against his, excruciatingly sensitive where her bare breasts rubbed the brocade fabric of his waistcoat. Yet every instinct she possessed told her Dare was fighting the same urgent need.
    His own breath was rapid as he dipped his head. His lips moved against her throat, then skimmed upward over her jaw, her cheekbone. “Kiss me, Julienne,” he whispered, the words like velvet on her skin.
    He gave her no chance to refuse. Instead he claimed her mouth, his lips soft and rough in turn.
    His kiss was shatteringly familiar. She opened for him, shuddering beneath the raw force of his passion, but he didn’t seem satisfied. He slanted his mouth to deepen the kiss further, his tongue sliding in heated, sinuous rhythm within her mouth, awakening her mind and body from their coldly held reserve.
    She felt as though he were drinking the breath from her. Julienne shivered uncontrollably. The bold press of his heated loins was making her weak; her soft, secret flesh melted with sleek moisture, even as a warning voice clamored in her mind, telling her to beware.
    It was a struggle to remember the femme fatale role she had intended to play. Her breath was coming in soft pants when