Bride in a Gilded Cage by Abby Green Read Free Book Online Page A

contrary, I don’t plan on this union being cold at all. In fact, right now I feel that it could be very hot.’
    Isobel just looked at him speechlessly as he advanced. He was so tall and dark, even more so than she remembered. The memory of that kiss sent a wave of heat through her body. If he suspected for a second—She put out a restraining hand inpanic, in case he might find out just how vulnerable she felt inside. ‘I didn’t mean it like that.’ Her brain scrabbled for words. ‘I meant…I just meant that—’
    Rafael was so close now that Isobel had to look up. One more step and her hand would be pressed against his chest. And then he took that step, and sensation exploded. ‘Let’s see exactly how cold this marriage will be, hmm?’
    Before Isobel could evade him he’d stepped right up to her, so that her hand was pressed right into a hard wall of muscle and his two hands were around her head, caressing her skull. As if time had slowed down his head lowered and lowered, until nothing remained but heat and his mouth settling over hers like a firebrand.
    Her other hand clutched the counter behind her. It was the only thing stopping her from falling down as the rush of sensation made her legs weak. Rafael’s mouth moved over hers with expert precision, teasing, tasting. But then any teasing was gone as his mouth firmed and became a ruthless pressure, dominating her with sensual ease. Exactly as it had that night three years before, and as no other man had done in the interim.
    Isobel didn’t have the defences for this onslaught. She was crippled by how awfully familiar his touch now felt. Her lips parted instinctively and Rafael uttered a groan deep in his throat, his hands leaving her head to descend over her body and haul her in closer to his lean length.
    When his tongue touched hers Isobel was horrified to hear a mewl coming from her throat, but she couldn’t stop herself from responding. Desperately, on some rational level, she tried to…But it was impossible. Her whole body was going up in flames, her back arching to press even closer to Rafael’s chest, between her thighs pulsing with desire.
    With a shocking move Rafael thrust one hard thighbetween her legs, and Isobel felt an explosion of hot, wet lust at her core. His hand moved up over the curve of her waist and cupped one breast, his thumb moving back and forth over the thin material, making her nipple tighten painfully against the fabric.
    He moved his hips and she felt his burgeoning arousal. Isobel tore her mouth away, breathing harshly, to stare up into triumphant and mocking eyes. His hand caressed her breast intimately. Her soul withered to know that he’d so easily exerted his dominance over her, and with all her strength she brought her hands to his chest and pushed hard.
    When he finally moved back after a long moment it killed Isobel to know that he’d done so out of his own choice and not through any action on her part. She was like a puny kitten next to him.
    On shaky legs Isobel moved to the other side of the room. Her whole body tingled and burned in the aftermath. She turned to face Rafael, feeling utterly undone and unbelievably vulnerable.
    ‘Like I said,’ he drawled, apparently unmoved, ‘I think the least of our worries will be the fact that this union has no heat. You’ve matured into a beautiful woman, Isobel—’
    Feeling acutely threatened, Isobel lashed out. ‘The kind of woman you can take into your bed? Isn’t that what you said that night? Well, that’s handy for you isn’t it?’
    Panic tinged her voice. Her one flimsy plan of action—counting on the fact he didn’t find her attractive—was being destroyed right before her eyes. Even though she had little experience, it would appear that Rafael did find her attractive. Isobel should have found that realisation devastating, and she did, but for all the wrong reasons.
    Rafael looked unperturbed and still triumphant. ‘Veryhandy, I’d say. It will be a