Seducing the Viscount Read Online Free PDF

gathered as much.”
    â€œThen you should also gather that my father desires me here even less than I desire to be here.”
    There was no mistaking the edge in his voice. She was blatantly thrusting herself where she did not belong, but Mercy refused to back away. For all her tingling reaction to Ian Breckford, she had come to care too deeply for Ella not to at least attempt to make him realize just how selfishly he was behaving.
    â€œI do not believe that.”
    â€œYou should.” With a jerky motion he pulled a small flask from beneath his jacket and took a deep drink. “It is the God’s honest truth. I will even swear to it on the family Bible if you insist. A family Bible I might add that does not include my name.”
    His expression was hard as granite, but Mercy did not miss the flare of bitter pain in his eyes. Her heart threatened to melt at the realization that he truly suffered from the rift between he and his father.
    Her expression softened as she reached out to lightly touch his arm. His muscles were rigid beneath her fingers, but he did not pull away.
    â€œFathers rarely find it comfortable to show affection toward their children,” she said gently. “I believe it is because they always feel they need to be strong for their family. That does not mean, however, they do not love us.”
    His sardonic laugh rasped through the air. “You truly are naïve, are you not?”
    She stiffened. “Now who is being insulting?”
    Returning the flask to his jacket, Ian smoothly slid an arm about her waist, his expression shifting with a wicked intent.
    â€œThere is no insult in innocence,” he murmured, his arm drawing her steadily toward his body. “Indeed, I find it quite enticing.”
    Mercy did not fight against his hold, not even when she discovered herself pressed against the hard angles and planes of his male form. She had never been so close to a man, and the sensations streaking through her body were too potent to easily deny.
    â€œI am beginning to suspect you find everything enticing.”
    The stunning gold eyes darkened, his large hand splayed at the curve of her back.
    â€œJust beginning to suspect?”
    She tilted back her head, not nearly as frightened as common sense told her she should be. Not even when she felt the surge of heat rush through her blood.
    â€œAre you going to kiss me?”
    He gave a choked sound. “Good Lord.”
    â€œWhat is the matter?”
    â€œYou are the most unpredictable female I have ever encountered.” His gaze studied her upturned countenance as if she were some baffling mystery. “I never know what you might say next.”
    She breathed in deeply of sandlewood and pure male as he cupped her cheek in his hand, his thumb lightly stroking her heated cheek.
    â€œI merely say what is upon my mind.”
    â€œAstonishing.”
    â€œI do not know why,” she managed to mutter. “It has always seemed ridiculous to me that a maiden is expected to say one thing while she is feeling another.”
    â€œThe rules of society are not supposed to make sense, sweetness.”
    â€œPlease do not call me that,” she abruptly demanded.
    â€œWhy not?”
    â€œBecause it makes me wonder if you can actually recall my name.”
    His eyes briefly widened before a predatory smile curved his lips.
    â€œMercy. Sweet Mercy. As exquisite as a wood sprite,” he husked, his head slowly beginning to lower. “I shall never forget your name.”
    She did not truly believe him, but it no longer mattered as his lips brushed over her own with a startling tenderness. She had expected the warmth of his lips and even the expertise as he stroked and teased at her mouth. But nothing could have warned her of the sharp pleasure that clenched her body.
    She felt as if her every nerve was suddenly tingling with a newfound awareness. As if something dormant within her, something that had been