The Stranger I Married Read Online Free PDF

personal things either.”
Gray’s arm left the back of the chair and he leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees. “Could we not be better friends now, than we were then?”
“I am not sure that would be wise,” she murmured, once again glancing at her wedding band.
“Why not?”
Isabel rose and stood at the window, needing to put distance between herself and his new intensity.
“Why not?” he asked again, following her. “Do you have other, closer friends that you share things with?”
He set his hands atop her shoulders, and it took only a moment for his touch to heat her skin, and his scent to reach her nostrils. When next he spoke, his voice came close to her ear. “Is it too much to ask that you add your husband to your list of trusted friends?”
“Gray,” she breathed, her heart racing with her distress. Her restless fingers brushed the satin billowing beside the window frame. “I do not have friends like you describe. And you say the word ‘husband’ with an import we never gave to it.”
“How about your lover, then?” he pressed. “Does he hear your thoughts?”
Isabel attempted to pull away, but he held her fast.
“Why a tent, Pel? Can you tell me that, at least?”
She shivered at the feel of his exhale against her nape. “I like to imagine it is a part of a caravan.”
“A fantasy?” Gray’s large hands slid down her arms. “Is there a sheik who goes with this fantasy? Does he ravish you?”
“My lord!” she protested, thoroughly alarmed by the way her skin was prickling with sensual awareness. There was no way to ignore the hard male body that bracketed hers.
“What do you want, Gray?” she asked, her mouth dry. “Have you suddenly decided to change the rules?”
“And if I have?”
“We would end up apart, our friendship ruined. You and I are not the type of people who find love ever after.”
“How would you know what type of man I am?”
“I know you kept a mistress while professing to love another.”
His hot, open mouth pressed against the side of her throat, and her eyes slid closed at the seductive touch.
“You said I’ve changed, Isabel.”
“No man changes that much. Regardless, I...I have someone.”
Gray turned her to face him. His hands around her wrists were hot, his gaze hotter. Lord, she knew that look. It was the look Pelham had brought her to heel with, the look she made certain none of her lovers gave to her. Passion, desire— she welcomed those. But carnal hunger was something to be avoided at all costs.
That famished gaze swept over her body from head to toe and back again. Her nipples ached and tightened as his heated examination passed them, until she knew they must be visible even through her gown. His perusal paused there on the upward journey, and a low growl rumbled in his throat. Her lips parted on a panting breath.
“Isabel,” he rasped, his hand lifting to cup her breast, his thumb brushing across the tight peak. “Could you not give me a chance to prove my worth?”
She heard her own needy moan, felt her blood heat and grow sluggish. His mouth lowered to hers, and she titled her head back, waiting.
And wanting.
A soft scratching at the door broke the moment. She stumbled backward, breaking free of his slackened hold. Her fingers covered her lips, pressing hard to hide their quivering.
“My lady?” came the soft query of her abigail from the hallway. “Should I return later?”
Gray waited, his breathing harsh, the crests of cheekbones flushed. There was no doubt in Isabel’s mind that if she sent her maid away, she’d be flat on her back and mounted within moments.
“Come in,” she called, wincing at the note of panic that she could not hide.
Damn him. He’d made her want him, this new spouse of hers. Want him with the type of need that made her ache, a need she had thought herself too old and too wise to ever feel again.
It was her worst nightmare come to life.
Her husband closed his eyes a moment, collecting himself, as the