Desire and Deception by Nicole Jordan Read Free Book Online Page A

There was a logical explanation, of course. It was simply that he had seen a vision of loveliness and been turned to stone. No, not stone—for he had never been so aware of the hot fires in his own body. He had been struck by a lightning bolt—that was it—and he was still feeling the aftermath. It was something that had never happened to him before.
    But perhaps his response was only natural, Jason reflected. He had been in a peculiar state of bemusement all evening, and then his blood had been excited by the physical exertions of a fight. Surely under those conditions he would have lusted after any beautiful woman he had come across. Certainly he would have known the same urge to protect and defend any helpless creature he was required to rescue. But what of the extreme, intense possessiveness the girl aroused in him? That he couldn't explain. . . .
    Jason swore under his breath. Hell, he didn't even know who the girl was. Or who her parents were, for that matter. Or why they should allow her to wander the streets at night alone. He couldn't bring himself to consider what might have happened to her, had he not followed and foiled the plans of those ruffians who had attacked her. The girl's father should be horsewhipped for failing in his responsibility to protect such a vulnerable beauty!
    Feeling fury invade his soul, Jason decided that he would derive a great deal of satisfaction from just such an act of violence. But as he made his way up the back stairs of Madame Fanchon's establishment, carefully hiding the girl's face from view, Jason changed his mind. He would use chains, he decided grimly. Being beaten by chains would be a fitting punishment for a man who cared so little about his daughter that she wound up in a brothel in the arms of a stranger.

Chapter Three

    Lauren moaned, caught in the grip of a frightening dream about Matthew. But then the nightmare faded and so did her fear. She suddenly felt warm, as if she were swathed in thick down quilts. Her cheek was pressed against something hard yet comforting, the texture against her skin gently abrasive, the unfamiliar scent pleasant. The strange heaviness of her eyelids puzzled her, yet she couldn't summon the strength to rouse herself—not even when a faint rapping reached her ears.
    "Jason?" a softly querulous voice asked.
    Jason didn't bother to knock a second time on Lila's sitting- room door, but quietly let himself in. The room lay in semidarkness, the fire burning low in the grate a testament to his tardiness.
    When he kicked the door shut behind him, Lila Martel gave a start and uncurled her ample form from the chair where she had been dozing. Fully awake now, she gaped in bewilderment at the bundle in Jason's arms.
    He flashed her a rueful grin as he strode across the room to the bedchamber beyond. A single sputtering candle showed that the bed had been readied for his visit, its curtains drawn back and covers turned down invitingly. He carefully lowered his precious burden to the mattress.
    Behind him, Lila stared at the bed. "Mother of God!" she breathed, quickly crossing herself. "Is she dead?"
    Amusement sparkled in Jason's blue eyes as he glanced over his shoulder. "Oh no, she is very much alive—and I hope to keep her that way. This may be rather an unorthodox request, Lila, but would you allow her to stay here just for the night?"
    Lila eyed the prone figure uncertainly. "Who is she?"
    "I don't know. I found her wandering the streets down by the docks. She was being attacked by three men who—"
    "And you rescued her, the poor dear."
    Jason's mobile mouth twisted in a wry grin. "I thought that might appeal to your motherly instincts."
    As Lila hurried to light a lamp, Jason bent over the young woman and gently drew down the hood of her cloak. Her hair was coiled in a thick knot at her nape, and the confined tresses shone in the lamplight with the brightness of newly minted gold. Almost reverently, Jason smoothed a tumbled curl back from her