Scoundrel's Honor Read Online Free PDF

diamond the size of a thimble winked in the perfect folds. Clearly the woman had expected him to be a savage rather than the sort of sophisticated gentleman who could appear comfortable in the finest home.
    â€œThere is a saying that listeners rarely hear good of themselves,” he at last broke the silence.
    An indefinable emotion flared through her eyes before she was jutting her chin in silent condemnation.
    â€œI am indifferent to your opinion of me, sir—”
    â€œDimitri,” he smoothly corrected.
    â€œI beg your pardon?”
    â€œI am no gentleman as you have so graciously implied. You will call me Dimitri.”
    Her lips tightened, whether in disapproval at the informality or at being given an order, it was impossible to determine.
    â€œIf you insist,” she grudgingly conceded.
    â€œI do.”
    â€œCan we please discuss my sister?” she snapped. “I have wasted enough of my day.”
    Dimitri narrowed his gaze, shoving from the desk and prowling toward the woman regarding him with an imperious scowl. A surge of male satisfaction raced through him as she instinctively backed away from his approaching form, even as his more civilized nature was shocked by his fierce reaction to the delicate slip of a woman.
    What the hell was wrong with him?
    Herding her until she was pressed flat against the bookcase, he reached to grasp the shelves on either side of her shoulders.
    â€œPerhaps we should discuss the nature of our—” hisbrooding gaze lowered to the tempting curve of her lips “—relationship, Emma.”
    Heat flared beneath her ivory skin, but her eyes shimmered with rebellion.
    â€œThere is no relationship, merely a set of unfortunate circumstances that have forced us to join our resources for the time being.”
    He pressed closer, caught by surprise when a raw awareness of her slender body seared through him. It was inconceivable. He enjoyed his women soft and vulnerable. The sort who depended upon him to offer support and protection. Not aging tartars who smelled of soap and starch.
    â€œThen let me clarify the joining of resources. ”
    Her color deepened at the hint of huskiness in his voice. “What do you mean?”
    â€œYou desire my assistance, then you will have to follow my rules. Otherwise you can turn around and leave now.”
    A tense silence filled the room he had recently converted into his private office, then without warning, Emma was shoving him away and pacing toward the window that overlooked the street.
    Dimitri couldn’t deny a grudging respect for her courage. He knew only one other woman who would not have fainted or fled by now.
    His mother.
    The realization did nothing to ease his potent need to tame the prickly female. His mother’s courage had put her in an early grave.
    â€œFine.” Slowly turning, Emma regarded him with an unflinching gaze. “What are these precious rules?”
    â€œThe first is that I will not tolerate an ill-tempered termagant in my presence. If you cannot control your sharp tongue, then I will discover a means to tame it.”
    Her eyes widened. “Tame? If you think I will tolerate being beaten by—”
    He was moving before he could halt the impulse, his hands holding her face steady as he lowered his head and covered her mouth in a soft, coaxing kiss. He had intended to teach her a lesson in controlling her shrewish tongue, but at the first taste of her honeyed innocence his passions stirred, his body hardening. His hands tightened on her face as he deepened the kiss.
    Just for a moment she softened against him, her lips parting in a sweet surrender. Then, with a choked moan, she jerked back, her eyes blazing with a fury that did not entirely mask her startled desire.
    â€œWhy, you…”
    Well versed in the ways of women, Dimitri easily caught the hand she lifted to slap his face, bringing her fingers to his mouth.
    â€œThe second rule is no