Hold Your Breath 02 - Unmasking the Marquess Read Online Free PDF Page B

uncertain…and beautiful. Her hair had been let down, the dark waves around her face a glorious onyx frame. The locks teased down the slope of her breasts to meet a silk night rail that was near transparent. Dark blue, it set off her creamy skin and brought out her blue eyes, even in the dim light of the fireplace.
    The silk flowed down her body, caressing her waist and hips before falling wispy to the floor. Killian’s eyes moved back to her face. Her lips looked full and ripe, while her cheeks had a slight flush, and he wondered if his unabashed scrutiny had caused it. Killian thanked himself for not having that last drink. He now realized he wanted to enjoy Reanna’s beauty as much as possible tonight.
    “Please, do come in, Reanna,” he said as he set his glass down.
    “I am not interrupting you?” She didn’t move from the connecting doorway leading to her rooms. “Because I can come back…”
    “Your timing is perfect. I was just hoping a vision such as you would walk from that room, and here you are. Consider me a lucky man.”
    She laughed as she stepped toward him. “Only if I am considered your even luckier wife.” She stopped in front of him. “I really do love your house, Killian. It is glorious and I can just imagine spending wonderful days here with you.”
    Killian tried not to stiffen at her words. “Thank you, but there is no need to think about anything tonight except the two of us.”
    “Oh, of course, I am sorry. I am always rushing ahead with things. Always wanting to get to the next place without enjoying where I am. I think it is because my life was so small before, that I now want to experience everything all at once so I don’t miss anything. My aunt always chided me for that, and with just cause, I suppose.”
    “I cannot imagine your aunt having to chide you about anything of importance.”
    “Oh, but she did. I have several terrible habits that she was forced to break me of.”
    He raised an eyebrow in disbelief. “Such as?”
    “Such as, I will not tell you even one of them, for fear I will destroy all the expectations you have of your new wife.”
    She smiled, and Killian thought it looked almost wicked. Reanna may be an innocent, but she was turning out to be no timid mouse.
    “Plus, since Aunt Maureen cured me of my worst ones, they do not warrant discussion.”
    “And the not-as-bad ones?”
    “Do not warrant discussion, either.” She smirked. “And I guess I should add ‘keeping secrets from husband’ to that list.”
    “They constitute a list, do they?”
    “I have worked very hard to keep my flaws hidden from you, and I will not exploit them now for your amusement. You will discover them someday, I am sure. But until such time, you have my permission to just believe I am flawless.”
    Her eyes were shining in merriment, and Killian was struck at the odd shade of blue they were—the light blue glass of a tropical sea. He had never noticed that before. He gave his mind a shake. Of course, he had seen that her eyes were blue before, he had even had his valet pick out a spectacular set of blue sapphire earrings and necklace for her as engagement gifts. Blue sapphires that, in no way, he now realized, matched the color of these eyes. These eyes that looked up at him full of happiness and—hell—love.
    He had best get to this.
    “Flawless it is, then,” Killian said, taking a step and closing the space between them.
    His hand went down to hers, and he pulled it upward, placing it gently upon his neck. Her fingers needed no encouragement, and they curled into his hair, nails skimming the skin. His forefinger glided along her arm, lifting to follow her collarbone, and slid up her graceful neck.
    His thumb stopped under her chin, and he could read the uncertainty in her face. Uncertainty that held fast, even as she tilted her head, curling into his hand. Killian descended gently, his lips light against hers.
    She froze, stiffening, and he pulled back, looking hard