His Dark Obsession by Zoe Blake Read Free Book Online

he was ruining it!
    Pierce grasped her hair, taking a moment to appreciate the rich silky texture before securing it with one hand behind her ears. With his free hand, he undid the black choker ribbon around her neck.
    “Oh, please, my lord!” complained Sarah.
    “Hush!”
    Using the ribbon, he tied the thick mass of curls back off her face and neck. Swinging around to check his handiwork, he crouched on his haunches before her. “Not quite there.”
    Pierce reached for the buttons of her blouse. Sarah jerked back. Her bright jade eyes wide with alarm. His eyes narrowed in an unspoken warning. Sarah closed her right hand over the base of her throat. Her heart beating fast. She barely shook her head no. A tiny mouse standing up to a lion.
    A tightening across his shoulders was the only indication of his rising irritation. Leaning in closer, his left hand caressed her exposed right forearm. Allowing her to feel the roughness of his hand compared to the milky smoothness of her skin. Allowing her to feel the slight pressure, he applied, subtly showing his superior strength. Allowing her to perceive his point without him having to say the words.
    He would have his way.
    Sarah lowered her eyes and relented. Her free hand nervously twisted into the folds of her skirt. She couldn’t believe she was allowing him to take such liberties. It was foolish since he had already seen her in a shocking state of undress but still.
    When Pierce’s long fingers enclosed her wrist, she let him guide it away from her throat without any resistance. Easily undoing the top five little pearl buttons, her skin was exposed to the collarbone. Pierce could see just the barest sheen of perspiration from the heat of the conservatory. This close to her skin. He could smell the verbena soap she used to bathe. Resisting the urge to caress the spot where he could see her trembling heartbeat he stood up.
    “Sarah, look at me,” he commanded.
    She raised large, uncertain eyes to him.
    “Good girl.”
    He placed a hand on either side of her hips, closing her in. Of their own volition, Sarah’s eyes dropped to his mouth. She had never really looked at a man’s mouth before. I mean really looked. It was so very…very…
    “Sarah…”
    Pierce interrupted her wandering thoughts.
    “Keep your eyes on me,” he gently ordered. “I want you to lick your lips.”
    Pierce watched as the small tip of her tongue peeked out to sweep over her top lip. Tamping down the primal surge that came from a beautiful woman obeying your command, Pierce went further. “Now the bottom lip.”
    Without taking her eyes of his, Sarah complied. Her cherry pink lips were bright and glistening.
    Pierce leaned in close. Placing his hand along her jaw, he whispered against her lips.
    “Now open your mouth…just slightly…as if you’re about to be kissed by a lover.”
    Sarah leaned in…lips parted…eyes closed. Waiting for his kiss.
    Then…nothing.
    Then…the unmistakable sound of a mechanical shutter releasing.
    Opening shocked eyes, Sarah saw Pierce standing several feet away behind his photographic camera.
    “Perfect! Hold that expression of shocked loss! Oh! Sarah my love! You are wonderful! You have such a talent for this.”
    Pierce quickly replaced the gelatin dry plate and captured the image. Captured the moment. The emotion.
    Quickly recovering, Sarah raised trembling hands to button her blouse. How humiliating! Here she was fawning over him like a schoolgirl, mistakenly assuming he was taken by her charms when all he really wanted was a photograph!
    Standing abruptly, she avoided making eye contact by making quite a show of smoothing out her skirts. “Well, Lord Warrington, I believe your session is over for this afternoon.” She hoped he didn’t notice the slight tremor to her voice.
    “No. Certainly not. I’ll send a messenger to Mrs. Needham saying I require you for longer.”
    “I’m afraid that’s not possible,” she retorted. Walking with stiff