High Stakes Chattel by Andie Blue Read Free Book Online Page B

turned and began walking toward the door.
    “Are you just going to leave me here?” she yelled , although he had already gone out the door. Furious did not begin to describe her state, as she stood there tied to the window, blushing and heated.
    How dare he awaken such passion within her and then blithely walk away ?
    For long moments she stood there, bound and helpless, but at last crisp footsteps echoed down the hall. Thank God. He’d come back.
    Just as she was about to say something cutting, in walked Joseph, his eyes firmly fixed to the floor. “Lord Chattel said you’d gotten yourself in a bind, and I needed to come release you.”
    She blushed furiously, humiliated beyond measure as Joseph worked to release the bonds that had held her. Yes, she had gotten herself in a bind. Now she needed to figure out how she was going to put him in one.

 
     
     

     
    After a sleepless night , Nico was feeling quite a bit worse for wear when he joined Samantha at the breakfast table the next morning. She glared at him and then ignored him, speaking only to the servants. He gave her an amused grin and read the paper, pretending not to notice her either, when in truth all he could think about was the way she’d felt in his arms last night.
    He certainly hadn’t intended to let things go as far as they had, perhaps the brandy had played a part. Having her tied up that way, completely at his mercy, had been one of the most arousing things he’d ever experienced. She brought out something in him he couldn’t quite explain.
    How he’d found the strength to walk away, he still wasn’t certain. She’d looked like an angry cat when he’d left her there, and his desire had only been tempered by his amusement.
    He felt oddly guilty that he’d never mentioned his courtship with another woman to her. Now, it would seem like a strange thing to blurt out after kissing her. Lady Morgan was the complete opposite of Samantha. She was a widow, important in society, who was pleasant to be with, but never aroused the kind of feelings he already felt for Samantha. To be honest, he’d never had this much curiosity in any woman before. He didn’t like it. His plan was to marry a woman who could support his work, perhaps even help it, with her political connections. Certainly, he didn’t want “love”. 
    What was he going to do with Samantha? He had to somehow fulfill his promise to help her without acting inappropriately again. Perhaps the best thing would be to tell her about Lady Morgan. She would either leave his estate or give him the cold treatment. Either of which would be better in the long run than continuing down this dangerous path.
    Eventually he put down his paper. “How are you feeling this morning, Mrs. Blake?” he asked neutrally. “Have you recovered from your mishap with the windowsill?”
    She looked up at him, obviously expecting him to be smirking, but instead he looked at her pleasantly as if nothing scandalous had occurred between them.
    “I am feeling fabulous this morning. Never better. Thank you for asking, Lord Chattel. In fact, I do believe I will go for a ride on Midnight.”
    Nico arched a brow as he put down his paper. “The stallion that killed your husband?” He frowned, feeling strangely responsible for her. “Do you think that is the wisest choice? We have a very responsive mare in the stable. Did you see the chestnut? I can have John put a sidesaddle on her.”
    “No, thank you,” she said sharply, obviously insulted at the very thought. “I’m a better rider than Henry was, and it certainly wasn’t Midnight’s fault Henry got thrown. He never should have tried to take the fence in his condition. I don’t need a responsive mare or a sidesaddle. I prefer to ride the stallion astride.”
    A fresh burst of arousal streak ed through Nico as he thought of her riding the stallion. He should be shocked by her unladylike behavior, but instead he just found himself more intrigued and amused by