Believe by Victoria Alexander Read Free Book Online

jacket and yanked it closed. “That’s enough. You got the point.”
    “Indeed.” He swept a low mocking bow. “My lady .”
    He straightened and the wicked light of a man at ease with casual flirtation and effortless seduction danced in his eyes. “Please forgive my error. I see now how very mistaken I was. I can only believe ’tis the unexpected nature of your presence that clouded my senses. I should well have noted the delicate curve of your cheek, the length of lash shielding your eyes, thefull pout of your lip and the firm thrust of your,” he grinned, “boobs.”
    “Oh, jeez.” She rolled her gaze toward the arched, stone ceiling and muttered more to herself than to him. “How humiliating.”
    “Still, ’tis but one certain way to know a wench from a lad.” With one, strong arm he pulled her into his embrace. Before she could so much as squeak, his lips crushed hers. She struggled but it was like fighting a tree. A huge, solid, unyielding oak. His arms were tempered steel pinning her tight to his hard, muscled chest, his lips firm and heated against hers. For a fleeting second desire washed over her and she wanted to surrender to the passion in his kiss. In any time period this guy knew what he was doing. How easy would it be to enjoy his knowledgeable touch? He drew back and stared down at her, for the barest moment looking as intrigued and affected by their encounter as she. His grin was a bit lopsided, his arrogance slipping just a touch. “Aye. Indeed you are a female.”
    “Indeed I am.” He released her and without thinking she clasped her hands together, twisted and rammed her elbow into his stomach.
    “Oooph.” He doubled over and she smiled with satisfaction.
    “St. Margaret Mary’s High School. Self Defense 101.”
    He gasped. “I would not call it defense.”
    She dusted off her hands in an exaggerated gesture of a job well done. “Don’t ever mess with one of Sister Abigail’s graduates.”
    Tessa never even saw him move. One moment he was bent, clutching his stomach and the next she wasjerked through the air, turned and pinned flat, her back against his chest. One massive arm encircled her waist, his other wrapped around her just below her neck. Her feet dangled a good three inches above the floor. His grip was surprisingly restrained but left no doubt that this specimen of medieval manhood could crush her as easily as he snuffed out a candle.
    His voice growled beside her ear. “And you should not, er, ‘mess’ with one trained under the guidance of the king’s master at arms himself.”
    “Put me down, you big ape.” She kicked out, trying to break free. “What kind of knight are you anyway? Between this and that kiss you laid on me, the age of chivalry is obviously not what it’s cracked up to be.”
    “Chivalrous behavior is wasted on those who do not display courtesy themselves.” His breath was warm against her neck and a twinge of excitement shivered through her. “Still, my apologies.” He loosened his grip and she dropped to the floor. “Perhaps ’twould be best to begin our acquaintance anew.”
    “Perhaps it ’twould.” She crossed her arms over her chest and glared. “You first.”
    “I?” Confusion furrowed his forehead. “’Tis not I who interrupted you.”
    “Oh, yeah, right.” What the hell was she supposed to do now? She pulled a steadying breath and stuck out her hand. “Hi. I’m Tessa St. James. Nice to meet you.”
    “The pleasure, dear lady, is mine.” He clasped her hand and brought it to his lips for a kiss that was barely more than a whisper. His dark gaze never wavered from hers and unexpectedly her breath caught. Merlinsure had this guy pegged, all right. He was a hunk and he knew it. “What is your purpose here, Tessa St. James?”
    “It’s kind of a long story.” His eyes really were something.
    “I have naught to do save listen.” Eyes that were blue as the night with the glitter of stars scattered here and