A Christmas Code (The Code Breakers Series Book 2) by Jacki Delecki Read Free Book Online Page B

him with the miller’s widow. Her excuse was that she had come to rescue the woman when she heard her moaning as if in pain.
    “It doesn’t take an idiot to deduce that you’re worried about the prince’s safety at the house party—that you’re looking for possible connections from some intelligence you got in London. Why can’t you trust me?”
    “I trust you. I just don’t want you to be involved in anything dangerous.”
    Gwyneth rolled her dark, velvet eyes and stomped off down the narrow path. She walked quickly and he had to run to catch up.
    “Look, there.” She pointed to a large oak tree with the mistletoe hanging from a high branch.
    She stood under the tree gazing up.
    “You know what this means?” he asked.
    She turned and stared at him.
    He stepped toward her, crowding her against the tree. “I have to kiss you under the mistletoe.”
    Her eyes widened and her lips parted. She stood very still and waited.
    He carefully undid the ribbon of her bonnet tied under her chin. His knuckles pressed against the beating pulse in her pale, white neck.
    He teased her by pressing soft kisses on her cheeks, her nose, and then on her lips. Her lips were warm and soft, and he wanted to do so much to her.
    She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Oh, Ash. I just melt when you kiss me.”
    She returned his kiss with her mouth open, her tongue darting in and out of his mouth. Lust roared through his body. He pressed her against the tree, his hard body rubbing against her inviting, womanly curves. He ran his hand along her pelisse, searching for skin to touch. He ground his erection into her body as his hands took her soft, ample breasts into his hands.
    He held her fullness between his hands, squeezing them tight. He circled each nipple with his finger. She groaned and threw her head back. He was thinking about how he could take her, lift her skirts and push into her tight warmth.
    “Don’t stop, Ash. Don’t stop.”
    Her words brought him back to reality. His hands shook, and he couldn’t stop himself from teasing her nipples one last time before he dropped his hands. His erection throbbed against her soft thighs.
    He leaned his head against her forehead, trying to catch his breath.
    Gwyneth opened her eyes. “Why have you stopped?” Her voice was winded, and he felt the little puffs of her moist breath against his cheek.
    He started to laugh. She looked so rumpled and unhappy, and all he wanted to do was kiss her and make her happy in the way she begged him.
    Indignant at his laughter, she tried to get him to release her, pushing against him.
    It took all his willpower to comply. He kissed her lightly, trying to soothe both of their jangled nerves. “Gwyneth, we’ve got to stop because at any minute, others will join us. Have you considered that? And I don’t want to take you the first time against a tree. Although the idea still appeals to me.”
    “Oh, Ash, me too.” She ran her tongue along his lower lip sending burning flames up into his already hot body.
    “Gwyneth, please. You promised me you’d be discreet.”
    She stiffened in his arms and then straightened her spine. She patted at her hair now hanging from its hairpins. “You’re right. I do have some interesting things to tell you.”
    He bent down and picked up her bonnet and handed it to her. He wanted to tie the ribbons, but she batted his hands away. “I’ve got to tell you what I’ve discovered. I spoke with the housekeeper about my love of plants and the conservatory. I asked her if anyone in the household or guests have been visiting the conservatory.”
    “It seems more of a question for the butler.”
    “Yes, you’re right, but Brunton has only been with the household for six weeks and here’s the interesting part. The chef is also new to the household. It has Mrs. Hudson in a fluster that Lord Edworth has hired new staff before the prince’s visit.”
    “Interesting.” Ash wasn’t sure if there was anything of