Read Online Pride & Pleasure (The KNIGHT Brothers Book 1) by Rhonda Lee Carver - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Rhonda Lee Carver
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was glad there wasn’t any need for the Heimlich. If Victor was that close he’d probably send her into convulsions.
She couldn’t believe she was discussing the subject of romantic partners with him, the man who made Virginia’s bachelor of the year, while she was Avary, the one who hadn’t dated in years and had never been touched under her clothes. He cocked his head and watched closely. There was no way he could see into her thoughts, yet his pensive glare could almost make her wonder.
“Some women want that, but I have a feeling a woman like you doesn’t.”
“What gives you that impression?”
“Maybe in the way you look at me as if I have grown horns.”
His gaze held hers and she was defenseless but to continue watching him. “You’re imagining things.”
“So I’m mistaken that you don’t trust me?”
“Trust is a small word with a large meaning. I’m cautious.”
He seemed satisfied with her answer. He drank from his wine glass and swallowed as his mouth pursed slightly. “You’re staring. Would you like to try? It’s from the vineyard here.”
It wasn’t the wine she was staring at. She looked into the dark contents of the glass that he was holding out for her. Logic told her to deny the offering, but something else inside of her reared its head. She was an adult, not back home sitting cross-legged on the couch drinking a soda and eating a bag of popcorn. She was a bit curious what his wine tasted like, or rather the wine from his vineyard. Taking the glass, she brought it to her lips and sipped. The wine warmed her stomach. “Are you happy? I’ve tasted it.” She swallowed. The idea of sharing a glass with him made tingles erupt inside of her chest. It was the simplest, yet most erotic thing.
“What do you think?”
“Sweet, but not overpowering.”
“We have rules here with regard to wine. One. A bottle should never be drank alone. Two. Like people, each wine has a personality. Three. Just as a bottle is opened, it’s important to keep an open mind. Four. Never drink bad wine.”
“Are those your rules?” He seemed more relaxed, unlike the distant aloof man she’d met earlier in his office.
“My father’s.” He took back the glass and emptied it.
“I saw his portrait at the staircase. You look a lot like him.”
“The prominent Knight gene. My brothers have it too. It’s a curse as well as a reward.” He poured another glass from the bottle.
“You have brothers?” How did she miss that while researching him?
“Four. They like their privacy.”
“Do they live here, in Virginia?”
“Declan lives in Atlanta. Christian close to Savannah. Quentin in Montana, and Seth in Tennessee. We’re all scattered.” He noticed the trembling in her fingers when she reached for her water. “Tell me, Avary, are you nervous around all men, or just me?”
“Pretty much all men.” Except it’s different with you.
“So I shouldn’t be flattered that I affect you?” He chuckled. It was a nice sound, but foreign. He didn’t smile or laugh nearly enough.
“But I do find you, well, menacing.” Why did I just admit that? Her cheeks flamed. She concentrated on stabbing another bite of lamb and before she could get it to her mouth, he was answering.
“That’s a good idea, Avary. You should be leery.” He smiled as if he got one over on her.
“Yeah, I sort of figured that you like when people are intimidated by you.” Popping the lamb into her mouth, she chewed thoughtfully.
“Now, I didn’t say I enjoyed intimidating people. I said you should be leery.” There was that certain look again, one that seeped through her skin and filled her bloodstream with warmth and adrenaline.
“Why am I separated from the pack?”
He lifted a brow. “Haven’t you heard the rumors about my reputation?”
“Yes, but on the contrary, I’ve been here at your estate for over two hours and you haven’t yet tried to come on to me. That’s either a record or it makes the
She couldn’t believe she was discussing the subject of romantic partners with him, the man who made Virginia’s bachelor of the year, while she was Avary, the one who hadn’t dated in years and had never been touched under her clothes. He cocked his head and watched closely. There was no way he could see into her thoughts, yet his pensive glare could almost make her wonder.
“Some women want that, but I have a feeling a woman like you doesn’t.”
“What gives you that impression?”
“Maybe in the way you look at me as if I have grown horns.”
His gaze held hers and she was defenseless but to continue watching him. “You’re imagining things.”
“So I’m mistaken that you don’t trust me?”
“Trust is a small word with a large meaning. I’m cautious.”
He seemed satisfied with her answer. He drank from his wine glass and swallowed as his mouth pursed slightly. “You’re staring. Would you like to try? It’s from the vineyard here.”
It wasn’t the wine she was staring at. She looked into the dark contents of the glass that he was holding out for her. Logic told her to deny the offering, but something else inside of her reared its head. She was an adult, not back home sitting cross-legged on the couch drinking a soda and eating a bag of popcorn. She was a bit curious what his wine tasted like, or rather the wine from his vineyard. Taking the glass, she brought it to her lips and sipped. The wine warmed her stomach. “Are you happy? I’ve tasted it.” She swallowed. The idea of sharing a glass with him made tingles erupt inside of her chest. It was the simplest, yet most erotic thing.
“What do you think?”
“Sweet, but not overpowering.”
“We have rules here with regard to wine. One. A bottle should never be drank alone. Two. Like people, each wine has a personality. Three. Just as a bottle is opened, it’s important to keep an open mind. Four. Never drink bad wine.”
“Are those your rules?” He seemed more relaxed, unlike the distant aloof man she’d met earlier in his office.
“My father’s.” He took back the glass and emptied it.
“I saw his portrait at the staircase. You look a lot like him.”
“The prominent Knight gene. My brothers have it too. It’s a curse as well as a reward.” He poured another glass from the bottle.
“You have brothers?” How did she miss that while researching him?
“Four. They like their privacy.”
“Do they live here, in Virginia?”
“Declan lives in Atlanta. Christian close to Savannah. Quentin in Montana, and Seth in Tennessee. We’re all scattered.” He noticed the trembling in her fingers when she reached for her water. “Tell me, Avary, are you nervous around all men, or just me?”
“Pretty much all men.” Except it’s different with you.
“So I shouldn’t be flattered that I affect you?” He chuckled. It was a nice sound, but foreign. He didn’t smile or laugh nearly enough.
“But I do find you, well, menacing.” Why did I just admit that? Her cheeks flamed. She concentrated on stabbing another bite of lamb and before she could get it to her mouth, he was answering.
“That’s a good idea, Avary. You should be leery.” He smiled as if he got one over on her.
“Yeah, I sort of figured that you like when people are intimidated by you.” Popping the lamb into her mouth, she chewed thoughtfully.
“Now, I didn’t say I enjoyed intimidating people. I said you should be leery.” There was that certain look again, one that seeped through her skin and filled her bloodstream with warmth and adrenaline.
“Why am I separated from the pack?”
He lifted a brow. “Haven’t you heard the rumors about my reputation?”
“Yes, but on the contrary, I’ve been here at your estate for over two hours and you haven’t yet tried to come on to me. That’s either a record or it makes the
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