Read Online Restraint by Debra Glass - Free Book Online Page A

back into his embrace.
    If only she wasn’t wearing this stupid blindfold, she would finish undressing him. But as it was, she feared her fumblings would awaken him and after the things he’d confessed, she knew he needed rest.
    She’d gathered from his obvious pain that he’d never told anyone the details about his wife’s death. It must have been awful for him watching her waste away, knowing he couldn’t do anything about it. Catherine had sensed the helplessness—and anger—in his voice.
    His deep, even breaths fanned her shoulder and a little smile curved her lips at the thought of him sleeping so peacefully.
    Sleeping…
    She could remove the blindfold and take a peek at him. Just a little peek…
    Didn’t she deserve that much?
    Her heart raced at the idea of finally getting to see him. She propped herself up on one elbow and made ready to lift the corner of the blindfold but something made her hesitate. If he caught her, he would never trust her again. But could she leave here never knowing what he looked like? What if he and Robert were friends? What would she do when she saw him out in society?
    Her resolve melted and she sagged against him once more, going over in her mind what she already knew about him. She knew his name—but only his first name. There were a thousand men named Thomas in London alone.
    She assumed he must be somewhat wealthy because of the sumptuous furnishings and the expanse of the grounds outside her window. He spoke as if he were well educated. He was not a boy. His voice and the texture of his skin told her that much. But how old was he?
    He had thick, coarse hair which was cut short. He didn’t wear whiskers or those silly looking sideburns called Piccadilly Weepers. Thank God.
    But what color was his hair? And what color were his eyes? Dear Lord, she would give anything to see those eyes. Did he admire her when he looked at her? Would she see passion there? Her stomach tightened as she imagined an intense gaze leveled on her nakedness.
    No. She would not take a peek at him however much she wanted to. He trusted her and she would not betray his trust.
    Besides, she did not need to know what he looked like to know that she was already in love with him.
    * * * * *
    When Catherine awakened, she was still nestled in Thomas’ warm embrace. A storm raged outside. She could hear a torrent of rain pelting the window and hear lightning both distant and near.
    Languidly, she breathed in the heady scent of her lover. His fragrance was warm and bespoke a spicy masculinity. Gently, she pressed a kiss to the place where his open collar touched his throat. His arms tightened around her and a low groan of approval rumbled in his chest.
    I love you.
    She mouthed the words and then kissed him again just beneath the earlobe. She’d lain awake thinking of her new revelation for a long time. She loved Thomas.
    But what good would it do her when she didn’t even know his last name? She had no idea if he had a title—although she seriously suspected he did. A bright thought occurred to her.
    Surely he felt the same for her. What if she and Thomas eloped? What if they married?
    Her heart soared only to come crashing down around her. Thomas was most certainly not a duke. Robert had promised to support not only her but her family as well, and with her father on the verge of impoverishment, she simply had no choice but to marry Robert.
    She couldn’t very well ask Thomas to support her and her entire family.
    But what if she told him she loved him? What if he loved her just as much?
    I will never marry again…
    Darkly, she recalled his words. He had been adamant. And after what he had told her about his wife, she knew he could never love that way again.
    A lump welled in Catherine’s throat and she fought back the tears that stung her eyes. She could not stand being second best. She could never live in the shadow of his deceased wife. Never.
    It would be better for her to go on and marry Robert and