Read Online The Seduction of Sebastian St. James by Rachel van Dyken - Free Book Online Page B

descended in that closet. He was on fire for her. Yet this would be the second time in one night he had managed to nearly compromise her. So why couldn’t he find the desire to push her away or even apologize?
    The little infuriating minx even had the audacity to lie to Nicholas and then throw him mercilessly into the pit of wandering debutantes.
    At the time, he had wondered if she possessed a heart at all.
    Then telling the girls his favorite color was yellow, oh yes, and to stalk him. A personal favorite. His butler would have his hide by the morning, considering Emma had left out an important piece of information. That he wasn’t currently in residence.
    They needed to join forces, but not in the way that kept happening.
    The kissing, it had to stop. It was already complicating things. For example, his view on finding a mate. Now plagued with images of her each time he closed his eyes, it would be that much more difficult when he had to actually find someone he would be attracted to and could stand to be in the same room with for longer than five minutes.
    Emma would ruin him forever with her luscious body and challenging antics. Never had he met a girl with a more contagious spirit.
    Exactly the opposite of what he needed in the next duchess. But then again, all that was necessary was an heir. However was he supposed to find a legitimate wife with all the debutantes swarming around? It would be impossible to discover if they had any substance at all.
    Lost in thought he had almost missed Emma when she had sauntered by. And now she was leaning into him like some bloody wanton.
    Oh, how he wanted to give in.
    His hands had a mind of their own as they traced upward from her perfectly shaped waist. He only paused when her eyes began to close. Lust pounded through his veins as her smell invaded his senses. Perhaps one kiss. How could it further complicate things? Yes, one kiss, and once the night was over, he would go about finding a suitable bride. But he was a man, and although given the title of angel duke, it was deuced hard not to take advantage of this advantageous situation.
    Blood pounded his ears as he watched the way her breathing became laborious. Watched in utter fascination as her breasts strained against her bodice. Just this once then, he would satisfy his desire and hers. Tomorrow was another day altogether.
    And then Emma was moving closer, leaning further as his back touched the edge of the wall.
    Swallowing the sudden dryness that had taken permanent residence in his throat, he braced his senses for impact. All five of them, for she was mauling him with her scent, her presence, her body…everything about her made him want to cry out in frustration.
    “Emma.” He choked out her name, trying desperately to sound more in control than he felt.
    Her body continued to sway in front of his.
    A tendril of hair bounced out of her coiffure.
    And it was his undoing.
    Reaching out, he grasped at the silky tendril and lifted it to his mouth. Was he mad? Or just bombarded with lust? Because all he wanted to do was taste her. To open her up and see what treasure her body could behold. It was not merely a kiss anymore. A satisfying romp in the closet. It was so much more, too much more.
    She was making him want to cross boundaries.
    And the Duke of Tempest never crossed boundaries. He was the most discreet of anyone he knew, including his grandmother. Quite a feat.
    “Sebastian.” Her voice, no, her plea broke the argument he was having with himself in his mind.
    “Yes.” His lips trembled.
    “Please.”
    Oh, beg me, please. Say my name.
    As if reading his thoughts, she whispered his name in reverence. Whatever had taken place in the ball was now forgotten.
    It was just them.
    Alone and sharing a private and provocative embrace.
    Dear God, help him. He was going to ruin everything.
    Might as well do it thoroughly.
    His head dipped toward hers. Taking one last shaky breath, his lips descended with every intention