Borrowed Wife by Patrícia Wilson Read Free Book Online

cheek as he
pulled her closer. ‘You’re precious. I need to care for you. You can come to me
with no fear.’
    His hand
moved from her waist to touch her neck, his fingers gently caressing, and
Abigail gave in, against him as they walked, her arm sliding around his waist,
joy bursting inside her when he held her tightly against him.
    During
the meal Logan managed to put her at case and by the time they took the boat
out she felt safe enough to show her enchantment with everything, moved slowly
down the Thames, always in quiet, sunlit waters, and she looked at the houses
by the river, some of them huge and impressive, their gardens running down to
the water’s edge. It seemed like paradise and by the time they were cruising
back to the mooring Abigail was tired and deliriously happy.
    Logan had been gentle all day. They had sat on deck;
drinking lemonade and talking all the time. Her skin was softly touched by the
sun and the dying rays caught the brilliant green glow of her eyes.
    ‘We’ll
tie up and then clear our things away.’ Logan announced as they touched the
bank. ‘After that, it’s home fast for you.’
    Abigail
went into the little cabin to clear away but the glow had died. She didn’t want
to leave Logan. Every time she left him and went back home it got harder and
harder to say goodnight. When he jumped back on board she was standing in the
cabin just staring at nothing.
    ‘What is
it?’ He came up behind her quietly and Abigail hung her head, biting miserably
at her lip.
     
     ‘I—I don’t want to go,’
she whispered. ‘I don’t want to leave you.’
    You’re
nineteen,’ Logan reminded her, ‘not one of my many sophisticated women.’
    ‘Don’t!’
She turned to him, her eyes filling with pain, and he swore softly under his
breath as he caught her in his arms.
    ‘There
are no sophisticated women,’ he muttered unevenly. ‘If there were, do you think
I would look at any of them when you were there? I’m trying to keep this light,
trying to protect you.’ When she just went on looking at him with swimming
green eyes he pulled her closer almost roughly, his fingers tangling in her
shining hair. ‘Dear God, Abbie!’ he said hoarsely. ‘I want you and you know
it!’
    He began
to kiss her—hard, fast, hungry kisses that parted her lips and sent burning
feelings through her body. She swayed towards him, winding her arms around his
waist, and he pulled her head to his shoulder as she lifted her face, desperate
for his lips.
    Logan’s
hand swept over her, caressing every curve, melting her inside, and she found
her legs giving way, making her sink down, trying to take him with her.
    ‘No!’ he
gasped unevenly. ‘Let’s get out of here.’ His voice was shaken but he kept his
arm around her as if he could no more endure being parted than she could, and
as they left the boat and walked along the bank Abigail was still shaking with
the intensity of feeling that had swept over them. It was dark by now, the
light almost gone, and she was glad that the darkness hid her hot face.
    ‘In
here,’ Logan said almost harshly. ‘You need a drink and so do I.’
     
    He pushed
the door of the inn open and they were instantly surrounded by noise. There was
music from some bidden speakers, laughter, loud conversation, and the small
room was dimly lit and crowded.
    ‘Just
what we need,’ he muttered. Most people were at the bar and he found a small,
darkened corner where the red-covered benches almost hid them from sight, ‘sit
here,’ he ordered. ‘I’ll get our drinks.’
    She was
glad to sink to the seat. Her trembling had by no means stopped and she was
glad, too, for the brief time by herself as Logan went to the bar. She had
always faced things. She had never been allowed to do otherwise and she faced
this squarely now. She was in love with Logan. She wanted him as much as he
wanted her. It was frightening and thrilling, something she had never known,
but she knew that she wanted to be