LITMIR.BIZ

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frowned. Though she had been wrong-footed from the start, it was already clear that she had much more strength of character than he’d envisaged and he couldn’t make up his mind whether, in the long run, that was a good thing or not.

      But one thing he did know. While she was off balance it would pay him to keep her off balance…

      With a sigh he said, ‘Then perhaps I’d better stop teasing you.’

      The mock contrition on his face and the devilish gleam in his eyes made him totally irresistible.

      Realising that he had no real intention of stopping and knowing she would have to make a move or endure even more, she slid out of bed and, her back turned to him, slipped into the silky gown.

      Wrapping it round her and holding it in place with his arms, he touched his lips to the warmth of her nape, planting soft little baby kisses until he reached the warm hollow behind her ear.

      As, shivers running up and down her spine, she stood perfectly still, not daring to move, his mouth travelled down the side of her neck, nibbling and sucking, making her want to squirm.

      At the same time his hands slid up to cup her breasts. Through the thin material of her gown, she could feel the warmth of his palms and her heart began to race madly. When his thumbs brushed over her sensitive nipples she gasped.

      Part of her mind was aware that she ought to pull free, put a stop to this madness before she reached the point of no return.

      But still she continued to stand rooted to the spot while his hands caressed her breasts, sending needle-sharp darts of pleasure running through her.

      Just when she thought she could stand no more of such exquisite torment, he stopped and, turning her into his arms, lifted her chin and began to kiss her.

      While she tried to hold on to the coat tails of her fast disappearing self-control and call a halt, he plundered her mouth with a masterful expertise that soon, caught in the spell of the black magic he was weaving, left her limp and quivering all over.

      She had never known it could be like this. Had never imagined anyone being able to make her feel such longing, such naked need.

      When finally he slipped the dressing gown from her shoulders and laid her down on the bed, mindless with desire, she made no demur.

      For a brief moment he stood looking down at her, half regretting what he intended to do, wishing that circumstances were other than what they were.

      Her flawless skin, her long slender limbs, her beautifully shaped breasts, her slim waist and flat stomach, the seductive curve of her hips, would have tempted the most dedicated of monks.

      Tossing aside his own robe, he stretched out naked beside her and, murmuring how beautiful she was, began to kiss her again, expertly and thoroughly.

      CHAPTER FOUR

      WHILE he kissed her his skilful hands travelled caressingly over her body, filling her with a singing delight. A sensation that intensified almost unbearably as, his finger and thumb teasing one pink nipple, he took the other into his mouth and stroked it with the tip of his tongue.

      While he continued to ravish her, his free hand began to explore the silky honey-gold triangle of curls and the satiny skin of her inner thighs.

      She began to make soft little sounds deep in her throat, wordless pleas that he heard with a wholly masculine satisfaction.

      But now was the time to make his move while he was still in control. If he left it any longer…

      When, in response to her urging, he moved over her, after a lifetime of discipline and self-restraint it seemed the most natural thing in the world to welcome him and, feeling his weight, she gave a little murmur of pleasure.

      A murmur that died in her throat as, all at once, muttering something she didn’t catch, he drew away.

      Her eyes flew open.

      He got to his feet, pulled the duvet over her and shrugged into his robe while she lay there, bereft and bewildered.

      Deplorably innocent she might be, but there wasn’t the faintest doubt that he’d wanted her, so what had made him change his mind so suddenly?

      Bending down, he kissed her and said quietly, ‘Gwen’s back early…’

      She hadn’t heard a thing, Tina thought dazedly, but in the circumstances that wasn’t surprising.

      ‘There’s no guarantee that she won’t come upstairs,’ he went on, ‘and the guest room doesn’t have a key, so to save everyone’s blushes I’ll take the evidence and make myself scarce.’

      Picking up the tray, he headed for the door.

      Watching it close behind him, it struck her that, far from being seriously annoyed, he seemed to be taking the whole thing in his stride.

      Almost as if he had planned to walk away at that point…

      But why on earth should he? It didn’t make sense. She dismissed the ridiculous thought. It would simply be that what would have been new and earth-shaking for her wouldn’t mean the same to him.

      Though, judging by the care he had taken to avoid upsetting his housekeeper, he didn’t bring his women here, he must be used to having his every need met. Which meant he could regard the interruption as just a slight annoyance.

      Whereas she felt empty and desolate, like someone who had been torn from the gates of paradise just as they were about to open…

      But, unless she wanted to risk Mrs Baxter finding her like this, she mustn’t lie here repining.

      The thought galvanizing her into action, she got out of bed and pulled on her gown while she found fresh underwear and a clean blouse.

      While she had been drifting along, sexually unawakened, it had been comparatively easy to deny her body’s needs. But being awakened, feeling really alive for the first time, though wonderful, was a two-edged sword.

      Trying to ignore the way her body still cried out for fulfilment, the demons of frustration that clamoured for release, she put on her suit, coiled her hair and made-up lightly.

      Then she repacked her case, gathered up her coat and handbag and, allowing herself no more time for regrets or thoughts of what might have been, made her way downstairs.

      There was no sign of either the housekeeper or Richard and everything was quiet as she descended the stairs.

      In the hall she hesitated, suddenly embarrassed at the thought of having to face him after everything that had happened.

      It would be so much easier if she was free to just slip away, as self-sufficient, as uninvolved as she had been before she had first seen him standing in Cartel’s car park.

      But she wasn’t.

      No longer mistress of her own destiny, at this precise moment she could no more make herself walk away and leave him than she could fly to the moon. As though caught in a spell, she was held by invisible bonds, ties she didn’t begin to understand but couldn’t escape.

      It was both a frightening and strangely exhilarating thought.

      She couldn’t be in love. It couldn’t have happened this fast. But from being a woman very much alone, trapped in an emotional vacuum, overnight everything had changed. She had finally been awakened and was alive in a way that she had never known before.

      Even when she and Kevin had been newly engaged and she had thought she loved him, she had never felt like this.

      But, no matter how she felt, when they got back from Castle Anders, for the sake of her self-respect, she must move into a hotel.

      Leaving her case in the hall, she headed for the study. As she reached the door she heard Richard’s voice and hesitated.

      ‘Yes, I’m sorry about that, but as things are…’ he was saying. Then,

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