Devil and the Deep Sea by Sara Craven Read Free Book Online Page A

across hers at
    first, then exploring the softly trembling contours with the tip of his
    tongue, coaxing her lips apart.
    And when he'd achieved his objective, and gained access to the
    moist, inner sweetness she could not deny him, he was still
    unhurried, totally in control, his tongue barely flickering against
    hers.
    His mouth pressed more insistently, became more demanding. He
    took her hands and placed them round his neck, pulling her against
    him, so that her breasts were crushed achingly against the heated
    muscular hardness of his bare chest.
    His arms tightened round her, and his kiss deepened beyond all
    imagination, draining her dizzily, enforcing a submission which
    instinct told her was only a foreshadowing of the ultimate surrender
    he would ask of her.
    She was breathless. She was going to faint, but if he stopped
    kissing her then she would die. She was burning, fevered beyond
    control.
    With shocking suddenness he lifted his head, then put her away
    from him, surveying her with almost clinical detachment.
    He said coolly, 'I suspect you could be a willing pupil, ma belle.
    What a pity I have neither the time, nor the patience, to be your
    teacher.' He reached out, and almost austerely tucked an errant
    strand of hair behind her ear, before straightening the straps of her
    dress. He said mockingly, 'Pull yourself together, ma belle. We
    have guests.'
    The saloon door opened, and Clyde came in, followed by Hugo
    Baxter.

CHAPTER FOUR
    'SAMMA?' Clyde's voice was aggressive with suspicion. 'What the
    hell are you doing here?'
    She couldn't find her voice. Physically and emotionally, she was
    still reeling.
    'Mademoiselle Briant is here at my invitation,' Roche Delacroix said
    blandly. 'She has, after all, a vested interest in our negotiations.'
    Clyde stared at him. 'The hotel belongs to me, not her.'
    'I was not referring to the hotel.' Roche Delacroix's eyes drifted over
    Hugo Baxter, inappropriately garbed for his size in Bermuda shorts
    and a loud tropical shirt. He gave Clyde a faint smile. 'I am sure we
    understand each other. Sit down, messieurs.' He clicked his fingers.
    'Jerome,' he snapped, indicating briefly that the table should be
    cleared.
    It was done with the speed of light. Even in those appalling jeans,
    Roche Delacroix was every inch the autocrat, accustomed to having
    his commands obeyed instantly. She couldn't understand why she
    hadn't recognised that when she first saw him.
    'I shall be sailing soon, so there is no need for these transactions to
    take long,' Roche Delacroix said. 'The terms I have decided on are
    quite simple. Your hotel, monsieur, belongs to me, and I am not
    prepared to sell it. Instead, I shall retain you to run it for me, as my
    manager, and at a token salary.' He paused. 'From what I was able
    to see last night, some renovation is necessary. This will be carried
    out. I intend, you see, that the hotel should make a profit. By
    ensuring, as manager, that it does so, you will begin to pay off the
    money you owe me.' He gave Clyde a long, level look. 'When the
    debt has been satisfied, you will be free to leave, if you wish. But
    not until then. And do not imagine you can cheat me. I imagine you
    know the attorney Philip Marquis on Alliance Street? Eh bien, he is
    to act as my agent in this matter. That is all.'
    'It's not even the beginning,' Clyde said thickly, banging the table
    with his fist. 'I'm not acting as your unpaid servant. I can pay you
    off here and now, friend, and Mr Baxter here is prepared to make
    you a good offer for the hotel.'
    Roche Delacroix shrugged. 'I am not open to offers. Monsieur
    Baxter's intervention is unnecessary. Nor is it certain you will be
    able to count on his generosity.'
    'He can count on me for anything he likes,' Hugo Baxter declared,
    darting a look at Samma.
    Roche Delacroix smiled. 'Even when I tell you that Mademoiselle
    Briant is coming with me?' he asked softly.
    Hugo Baxter uttered an obscenity. He turned on Clyde. 'What's