More than Passion Read Online Free PDF Page B

you tell him I can’t marry that awful man?”
    “I’ll do my best.”
    She relaxed and curled her fingers in the hairs on his chest. Soft and springy at the same time. His chest was strong and his belly flat. And his—
    Geoffrey placed his hand on hers. “Don’t.”
    “I like touching you,” she said, moving her fingers again. “Your body is so different.”
    Geoffrey stiffened. “Different from whose?”
    Her fingers moved again. “From mine.”
    With a soft groan, he grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips. “If you keep touching me like that, I’ll want you again.”
    Again. Would that be so terrible? One last time?
    “Good.” She smiled.
    “Becca,” he said in warning.
    She propped herself up on her elbows, resting her chin on her hands. “You said that it only hurts the first time.”
    He gave her a small smile, stroking her cheek. “But it’s too soon, love. You’re too tender.”
    She was still quite sore, but it seemed so strange speaking of it. “Oh,” she whispered, turning red.
    “Blushing?” He tilted her chin up. “After what we just shared?”
     She returned his smile, shrugging her shoulders. His gaze wandered over her and she watched as his eyes darkened. She felt him harden against her belly.
    “You’d better get back to your room,” he said.
    She nodded, climbing off the bed to retrieve her nightgown. She put it on and buttoned it up as Geoffrey pulled on his breeches. She stood behind him as he peeked out into the hall.
    He turned from the door, hugging her to him. “Good night, Becca,” he whispered against her hair.
    “Good night, Geoffrey,” she answered, standing up on tiptoe to place a kiss on his lips.
    He opened the door for her and urged her to hurry. She crept out into the hall and turned once, waving to him as she opened the door to her room.
    She fell into bed but couldn’t seem to fall asleep. The memory of what Geoffrey did to her, what she’d begged him to do, still thrilled her. The memory of this night would be enough to sustain her through her lonely life at the inn. Geoffrey said he’d talk to her father, get him to listen to reason. She prayed her father would have the sense to listen. She wouldn’t marry Dr. Simon. She’d rather die than live with him. Imagining the doctor doing to her what Geoffrey had, she shuddered.
    “Never.” Her mind was determined if her life wasn’t. At least now she could find sleep.
    * * * *
    The next morning, she was slow to awaken. She sat up to swing her legs over the side of the bed and groaned as she stood. Lord, she was tender. Geoffrey hadn’t been wrong, then. She rushed through her toilette and dressed with care. Her pulse quickened. She couldn’t wait to see him—how could she face him after last night?
    She chose a blue walking dress for today. As with all of her dresses, it was a bit snug through the bodice, but that couldn’t be helped. She’d left off wearing stays last season. It took her a long while to brush all of the tangles out of her hair, then with her dress straightened and her braid done and coiled, she finally headed downstairs.
    Geoffrey was sitting at his usual table when Becca walked into the dining room. He caught her eye, his blue eyes sparkling, and grinned broadly. Her pulse tripped as she looked away. She hurried to join Emmy to oversee and help with the morning meal and saw that her friend hadn’t missed the exchange.
    “So, ya dallied with the devil, did ya?”
    Becca flushed hot, nodding.
    Emmy leaned closer to whisper, “Well? How was it?”
    “It was wonderful!” Becca whispered. “He’s wonderful.”
    Emmy nodded and crossed her arms. “So it’s like that, is it?”
    “Like what?”
    “You’re in love with him,” Emmy whispered in triumph.
    Becca was stunned speechless. In love with Geoffrey?
    “Well, are ya?” Emmy pressed.
    “I … I don’t know.”
    Emmy put a hand on Becca’s arm. “Be careful, girl. Love can be awful messy.”
    She wasn’t in love.