The Vicar's Frozen Heart Read Online Free PDF

being discovered, she still could not find it within herself to flee. He lowered his arms and she drank in the vision before her. He stood mostly in shadow, but still there was no mistaking the front of him was as muscular and appealing as the back. Her gaze lingered; curly black hair covered his astounding chest. By the time her gaze slid to his face, she could have sworn she saw fire in his eyes. Again, they stared at each other and Eliza’s breathing came in short gasps. Did his nostrils just flare or was it merely her overactive imagination?
    Several minutes passed before Mr. Colson turned from her and continued on with his task. Taking a cleansing breath, Eliza managed to back out of the doorway and then fled for the safety of her room.
     

Chapter 5
     
    After a night of erotic dreams about a certain muscular vicar, Eliza awoke feeling far from rested. Tossing and turning in an agitated state all night did not translate into soothing slumber. Her sexual experience was brief; the assignations with William Winters happened quickly and under secretive circumstances. The young man did not exactly spend a great deal of time seeing to her needs and in two of the meetings, they hardly removed any clothing.
    But in her dreams, she allowed her fevered imagination to conjure all manner of erotic scenarios with Tremain Colson. The virility fairly oozed from the man, which caused her to awake scorching hot and aching. Standing at the window she closed her eyes, and in her darkened vision a fully naked and aroused Tremain strode toward her with purpose. Funny, in her dreams he did not limp or need the cane. Her skin prickled with awareness as she fantasized that he pushed her against the wall, slowly removing her clothes, kissing her exposed skin. Then he lifted her, thrust into her over and over again in a wild, untamed manner until she cried out...Eliza’s eyes snapped opened and the erotic visions vanished as quickly as they’d formed, leaving her aroused. Enough dreaming, time to get on with the day.
    At least the sun came out. Once she dressed, she gathered her courage in order to locate the vicar, hoping he would not bring up the fact she found him half-naked and openly lusted after him. Did she learn nothing at all from her humiliating dismissal? Besides, hunger urged her onward as she’d slept through supper and was too mortified to venture out of her bedroom afterward.
    Eliza found the vicar in the parlor. He stood, leaning on his cane, his face as brittle and cold as a sheet of ice. So much for their heated gazes of the previous night. Perhaps she dreamt the entire thing. “The road is passable enough I can make my way to the village.” Reaching for his long frock coat, he struggled to slip it on, and without thinking, Eliza stepped forward to assist him. Grasping his hand, she lifted the coat up over his shoulders, then stepped back. Pulling his black leather gloves from his pocket, he put them on as he spoke. “I will make inquiries for you regarding accommodations and work. You cannot stay here another night.” His voice was stiff and formal.
    No. She could not tarry here. Not at all. And not only because of her strange attraction to him. Growing up in a Catholic orphanage was oppressive, downright depressing, and she had no desire to share housing with anyone associated with any church, regardless of the denomination. Her life growing up consisted of duty, prayer, and cold indifference. A couple of nuns were kind, but for the most part her regimented childhood turned her away from any type of organized religion. Yes, she gained an excellent education and ultimately a fine position, but there was no love or affection in her life.
    Perhaps that was the reason she eagerly and greedily took what William Winters offered. Love, even the carnal, was still a form of love. Warmth. Intimacy. All the things she lacked in her past experience. This tall, solemn man of the cloth had nothing to offer her in spite of his