Bound by Bliss Read Online Free PDF

he have to look so disdainful, so, so…She didn’t even have the words to describe how he made her feel. Why him? Why did it always have to be him?
    Her head turned away slightly, but her eyes still held with his. She wanted to look away, but couldn’t. She’d never been able to. From the time she’d been a little girl Duldon had held her attention no matter where she was, what she was doing.
    Well, if she couldn’t fight it…She turned back to him and narrowed her eyes, attempting her own look of intimidation. It was best to make it clear now, right from the start, that she didn’t care what he thought, what he wanted.
    She was not going to agree to marriage with such a man, not now, not ever.
    —
    What was Bliss thinking now? Normally he could read her every expression, but as her eyes flashed and stared across the great room at him Duldon found himself at a loss. It had been easier to understand her moments before when she stared down at her bodice. He’d felt himself harden at that small glance, at that small acknowledgment that she understood her own desirability. He’d watched her consider, watched her gaze about the room at the other ladies and then give her dress a little yank. His whole body had felt that yank. He’d been undecided as to whether to cheer her on or drape his coat about her. He was more than eager to see more of her charms, had wondered for years at the mistaken modesty of her apparel, but now the thought of another man seeing the glory that was meant only for him had his lips pursing.

    He took a step toward her, keeping his eyes locked on hers. It was time to track down his bride-to-be and have an honest discussion. She’d been avoiding him for far too long and it was time for that to end. It had been one thing when she was still a girl and he’d understood he must wait. It was a far different thing now, now that she was every inch a woman.
    The sooner she admitted she was meant for him the better.
    He’d been patient over the last years, letting her have the time she needed to mature—and if he was honest he’d wanted his own time, time to explore the demons that sometimes ran through him, time to play and explore all the possibilities of life before settling down with a wife in a much more proper fashion. It was not without sharp regret that he prepared himself to give up his games and adventures, but enough was enough. If Bliss were ready to explore her womanhood she would do it with him, even if the manner of their play might not be all that he desired. He could give up anything for the chance to have Bliss.
    Eyes still locked, he began to stride across the room, unmindful of the milling crowd that hindered his progress.
    —
    Blast. And blast again. She was going to have to become more creative in her swearing if the matter of Duldon and marriage was not quickly resolved. Over the years a number of choice words had been whispered by her brothers, even Swanston had added to her knowledge once when he’d dropped a large account book on his foot, but she’d never thought to use such language herself until now.

    Her heart sped in her chest as she watched Duldon approach. Why did he always succeed in making her feel like a chagrined schoolgirl? It wasn’t fair. It wasn’t right. No other man had this effect on her, so why should he?
    It hadn’t always been this way. Once she’d felt safe around him, safe and protected. And he’d been steady. Steady had been wonderful in the chaos of life that came with being a Danser.
    But that had been years ago. She wasn’t sure what had changed these last years—no, that was not true—she knew exactly what had changed, and why. It just wasn’t something she allowed herself to think about.
    He was getting closer.
    She wasn’t going to cower before him. She wasn’t.
    His steady blue gaze remained firm upon her as he made his way across the room. His high cheekbones appeared chiseled from stone in the shadows of the flickering