Bride Enchanted Read Online Free PDF

left alone.”
    â€œYou read my face, and not my mind,” she countered, annoyed at how transparent she was to him.
    â€œDid I?” he said in a soft voice, stepping closer to her. “I think not. Let us be done with the problem, Eve. Once we know, we’ll know a lot more, and you’ll either dismiss me…or not.”
    â€œKnow what?” she said weakly as he bent to her, although of course, she knew. She closed her eyes, so as not to see his handsome face and be influenced by it or the tender look in his shockingly perceptive eyes. His lips were warm and soft on hers. Velvet and yet electrifying, she felt the tingle of first contact down to her toes. His mouth moved over hers, teasing, cajoling, gently urging her on. He was strong and yet under restraint. It reassured her. Soon, she felt entirely under his control and didn’t resist, because to surrender brought her so much pleasure and it was so wonderful to be taken out of herself, to be able to stop thinking.
    She stood on her toes to taste more, because he was so close and yet still too distant. Then he took her in his arms and deepened the kiss, and she opened her lips against his to seek more of the sweet dark taste of him. She’d never experienced such a kiss.
    And yet, drowning in the bliss of it, she soon found herself wanting more. Her body itched and tingled and yearned. Even the stableboy had tried for more. Now, one kiss led to another, and yet another. But he didn’t put his hands on her or over her, as she’d hoped he would. She crowded up to him; her thin gown allowing her to feel the heat of him. She knew he was not unmoved, but he made no further demands. Eve reached up and felt the clean thick silk of his hair under her hands, and sighed against his mouth.
    Finally, her common sense started to overwhelm her senses. Why didn’t he try to sweep her entirely away? Her breasts were peaked against his chest; her breathing was quickened, she was burning, and she clung to him. Couldn’t he tell she wanted more? He who knew so much, how could he not know that? Impossible. He must be holding back. But why?
    She moved back a step to look for an answer in his expression. But she wasn’t as good at reading him as he was at knowing her thoughts. She sawhis raised eyebrow, and could only guess that was laughter at the back of his eyes. It made her take a breath, step further from him, and raise her chin. “I amuse you?” she asked shakily.
    â€œNo,” he said. “I’m only happy because I was right. Didn’t you feel it? That knowledge that we’re suited, mind and body?”
    â€œI felt our mouths suited,” she said crossly. “That’s all.”
    He threw back his head and laughed heartily. “But, Eve, I didn’t want to beguile your body unless I already had your mind, and I know I don’t. Nor did I want to compromise you, and then have you saying you only married me because of that for the rest of our lives. The answer must come from here,” he said, cupping her chin in one hand and raising her head, “and here,” he added, touching a fingertip to her breast, right over her beating heart. “And so, your answer is…?”
    â€œI don’t know,” she said. “You stir my senses so much I find it hard to think. But then, when I do think, I have reservations. The same ones, and still with not enough explanation to ease my mind. Why me? Why so suddenly? I remind you of someone you loved? Surely that isn’t enough, not for me, at least. Because I’m not her, and never will be, nor do I want to be loved for who I resemble.”
    â€œThat spirit, that glow,” he said, touching a lock of her hair. “That’s the same. Little else is. And I do know you, Eve, apart from memories of yesterday. But if you want more time, I have all the time in the world to convince you. I only wish I didn’t have to use it, waiting.