My Own True Love Read Online Free PDF Page A

though. Got better things on 'is mind." She cocked her head to one side, continuing to look Sara over critically. "You ain't blushin'. Why ain't you blushin', gypsy girl? You been red as roses before."
    "Before what?"
    "Before."
    Beth looked at her as if she thought Sara was an idiot. Sara thought that maybe she was, and turned away from the green-eyed girl's stare. She knew she was missing something significant. Something about the activities of the Sara she wasn't.
    Listen, she complained to the ring. I'm living somebody else's life here, and I don't like it. I mean
    —
    She heard a soft tread behind her. There was an aroma of soot and scented oil and masculine sweat.
    Strong hands came around her waist, and turned her. As she faced the man who held her a flash of details rose out of her memory. A fox face. Sharp blue cat's eyes. Raven black hair. Memory mixed with vision as her gaze met Toma the Magnificent's. She reached up, tracing a finger unthinkingly along the angle of one wide-set cheekbone, down to the tip of his sharply pointed chin. His flesh was warm, smooth, flushed with exertion.
    He was smiling, bright blue eyes full of laughter and triumph. "Sara. I knew you'd be here."
    She knew him!
    In her dreams she'd always known him.
    A hand tangled in her hair, drawing her closer. His mouth covered hers and thought was swiftly lost to sensation. His lips and tongue filled her with heat while his hand moved over her back and hips with distracting skill. The tips of her breasts grew hard against his bare chest as she found herself pressed close against him. Her bare toes curled in the warm dust of the enclosure and her arms came around him.
    Her hands slid up the slick length of his back, tracing the wiry, corded muscles of his shoulders and arms.
    Silky hair caressed her cheek. The scent of smoke and spice filled her nostrils. Her tongue twined playfufly with his and she could feel his surprise as she answered his demanding skill with her own.
    He pulled away from kissing her. "Sara?"
    "Hmmm?" she responded as she slowly opened her eyes. Her body was flooded with the heady rush of sensation. Her body. Yes, definitely her body. Never mind what she'd said about this body belonging to somebody else; this arousal belonged to her.
    He was still holding her tightly around the waist. She looked up into Toma's bright blue eyes. Eyes full of concern, and sensual promises. Maybe this was her own true love after all.
    She was almost ready to thank the ring when her attention was distracted by the sound of giggling.
    Childish giggling. Oh, right. Beth. She eased herself away from Toma and turned to look at the girl.
    "Is this who I was supposed to meet?" she questioned needlessly.
    She looked back at Toma, who gently ran a finger across her lips. Lips still sensitized by the intensity of their kiss. She felt an odd clutching at her heart and recognized it as jealousy because he'd been kissing a Sara who wasn't her.
    Toma's glance moved past her, to the still-laughing Beth. "What are you doing here, mud lark?" he asked the girl.
    Beth rubbed her fingers together suggestively. "I'm a proper chaperon ... until I get paid."
    "You're a rascal and a thief," he told her.
    "I should 'ope so," the girl answered back. She bounced to her feet. She gave a sly smile that Sara found totally unsuited to her young face. "For another coin I'll stand lookout for Beng."
    "Beng?" Sara asked. "Who's Beng?"
    Toma looked at her strangely.
    "She's dizzy again," Beth explained. "Found her out front during the show."
    "I saw you," he said to Sara. "You looked as if you were going to eat me, little one," he added with a slow smile.
    A pair of small coins appeared in his hand. He tossed them to Beth while Sara wondered just where in his tights there could possibly be room for pockets. Beth caught the coins and quickly ducked out into the alley.
    Now that she was alone with Toma, Sara wasn't sure what to do next. She knew what she was tempted to do. She wanted