Read Online Scandalized by a Scoundrel by Erin Knightley - Free Book Online Page B

can’t do in that position. Are you ready?”
    “I am.”
    Taking a deep breath, he settled his arms around her. It was far and away the most scandalous thing he had ever done with a proper young woman. He closed his eyes for a moment, refusing to give in to the desire to transition into an embrace. Swallowing, he said, “Now is your chance to see what you can move.”
    He realized almost at once his mistake when she started to wiggle against him. Her hips slid back and forth as she tried to extract her arms. She went on for a few moments, shimmying this way and that. He gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stay detached.
    Finally giving up, she shook her head. “I’d say I’m well and truly trapped.”
    “Not at all,” he replied, keeping his voice low since his mouth was so close to her ear. “You can move your hips, can’t you? And your lower arms?”
    She nodded, turning her head to look at him. “Yes, but I can’t seem to do anything of use.”
    Her breath, sweet and warm, fanned across his cheek as she spoke. God, this was as close to a lover’s embrace as one could get. His heart kicked in his chest, and he pressed his eyes closed, trying to keep his wits about him. These lessons were the best and worst idea he had ever had.
    After a few seconds, she shifted in his arms. “Lord Winters,” she murmured.
    “One second,” he said, trying to overcome the thrum of his blood in his ears and right the tilting sensation in his gut.
    Cold hands touched his forearms as she relaxed back against his chest. “Gabriel.”
    The sound of his name on her lips was like setting a match to tinder, undoing all his efforts. He opened his eyes, tilting his head in order to look down at her. Her gaze was settled squarely on his lips, her own mouth slightly open as her chest rose and fell with each rapid breath.
    For a moment, neither of them moved. They were suspended in time, a hairbreadth away from giving in to the desire that stretched between them like an electrical current. She opened her mouth, and he knew that her next words would send them both over the precipice. The only thing he wasn’t sure of was whether they would fall backward or forward.

     
     
     

 
    Chapter Six
     
    Amelia had no idea what had changed between them. One moment, they were deep in their lessons, and the next her heart was thundering, her whole body crying out for the feel of his lips to hers. All the longing she’d ever felt in her life seemed to come roaring back all at once, overwhelming her with the desire to finally be kissed.
    And not just kissed—kissed by him. Gabriel.
    The man who saw her , not the tragedies of her past. The man who teased her and bantered and made her heart pound. It was something she had sought to avoid, but now that the moment was here, she was helpless to deny the powerful pull of attraction. Lifting her gaze to his, she whispered, “ Please .”
    She didn’t have to say it twice. Instantly, his mouth was on hers as he tightened his arms around her. Sparks showered through her belly like fireworks cascading through the night air. Enveloped in his warmth, cradled in his embrace, she relinquished all control, letting him lead her. It was her first kiss, and she shouldn’t have had the first clue what she was doing, but it felt so perfect, so incredibly natural, all the nervousness she might have had fell away completely.
    His lips parted, and the tip of his tongue traced the seam of her lips. She hesitated, not sure what to do, not even sure what to feel. He started to pull away, as though her hesitation was a sign that she didn’t want more, so she twisted in his arms, turning so that she could wrap her arms around him, too.
    He paused, as if unsure whether to go on, but a moment later he slid his arms more fully around her waist and deepened the kiss. This time, when his tongue touched her lips she readily opened to him. Her stomach danced as their tongues twined. He tasted of lemon and honey, tart with