Pure Temptation by Connie Mason Read Free Book Online Page A

and up to me to see to your welfare.”
    Candlelight bathed Moira’s face, and Jack was struck anew by Moira’s beauty. Even with her face swollen and bruised, one could see she was no ordinary beauty. Her facial bones were delicately sculpted, her mouth full, her nose exquisitely dainty. There was both delicacy and strength in her face. The rich, glowing auburn of her hair gleamed with shadows ranging from deep gold to dark copper. Yet beyond the delectable fragility of her features, Jack saw a strength that did not lessen her femininity.
    Confused by the warm glow in Jack’s eyes, Moira started violently when he raised his hand to her cheek, tenderly grazing the bruised flesh with his knuckles. “I think your beauty is going to surprise us all, Moira, once your face is back to normal.” His finger traced the outline of her lips, acutely aware of their lush fullness and his uncontrollable urge to taste them. “You’re going to make some lucky man happy.”
    Without warning, he gently grasped her face between his hands, lowered his head and kissed her. The kiss was slow, thoughtful, tentative, as he moved his mouth over hers in gentle exploration. Her eyes closed. Strength, warmth. For the first time in weeks she felt safe. Yet she knew better than to trust a man like Black Jack. She sighed in pleasure. How wonderful it would be if she could confide in him.
    A subtle eroticism heated her body and rattled her senses. She opened her lips to the gentle probing of Jack’s tongue,and it slid unhindered into the sweet cavern of her mouth. Pleasure radiated outward as Moira’s emotions whirled and skidded. She had no idea a simple kiss could make one so giddy. Slowly her body softened and melted to his, wringing a groan from Jack as he responded by wrapping her in his arms and pulling her tightly against him.
    His kiss deepened. Blood pounded in her brain, leapt from her heart and made her body weak. Moira felt transported on a spiraling, dizzying journey. Her first experience with passion was a heady adventure into an unknown realm, and she reeled under the soul-reaching expertise of Jack’s mouth.
    She groaned in disappointment when Jack’s lips left hers. But the groan quickly turned into a strangled sigh as he showered soft, tingling kisses around her lips and along her jaw, her brow, against her earlobe. She moaned as his lips followed the slope of her slender neck to the hollow between her breasts, all but exposed beneath the threadbare shift she wore. A startled gasp left her lips when Jack’s mouth covered one of her nipples, thoroughly soaking it with his tongue through the thin material, and his hand somehow found the shape of her other breast.
    Moira closed her eyes, but brilliant lights of desire still flashed behind her lids, blinding her to all but the sweet torment of Jack’s mouth and hands.
    “Blessed Mother!” she cried, feeling her flesh pucker as it reacted to Jack’s talented mouth. What was this scoundrel doing to her? Did he want the same thing from her that Roger Mayhew had wanted? Did he intend for her to take Lady Victoria’s place in his bed? She tried to push him away, but her broken arm protested and she cried out in real pain.
    Jack reared back instantly, his face taut with disbelief. What in bloody hell was he doing? The Irish wench had bewitched him. He couldn’t ever recall losing control like that. No matter what her occupation, whore or servant, he had nobusiness treating her so callously after assuming responsibility for her welfare. The sweet seductive promise of her kisses had momentarily blinded him to his obligation where Moira was concerned. For one tormented moment, he wanted to bare her sweet body and thrust himself inside her.
    “I’m sorry, Moira. Did I hurt you? You shouldn’t have tempted me. I’m accustomed to taking what a woman offers.”
    Moira’s temper exploded. “Tempt you! I did no such thing. I offered you nothing.” Not only was Moira angry at Jack for