Pure Temptation by Connie Mason Read Free Book Online Page B

forcing his attentions on her, but she was livid at herself for enjoying them. She’d allowed him to go too far. No one had ever touched her body in such an intimate manner. Moira wasn’t ignorant of what went on between a man and woman, having lived in close quarters with her brother and his wife, but until now she’d never been enticed to passion.
    Jack’s steady gaze bore into her in silent contemplation. “Do you think I was born yesterday? You were quite eager until I inadvertently hurt your arm.”
    “You took advantage of me!” Moira raged. “I have no experience with men.”
    Jack’s arched brows lifted in obvious disbelief. “If you say so. It’s late, Moira. I won’t dispute your claim. I came to apologize for blundering into your room, not to seduce you. The kiss meant nothing. Forget it ever happened. Sleep well, Moira. Victoria is gone—you won’t be bothered again tonight.”
    Moira’s gaze followed Jack as he stormed from the room. The tingling sensation in the pit of her stomach abated somewhat after he left, but it didn’t entirely disappear. In her estimation, Black Jack Graystoke lived up to his reputation as a rogue and womanizer. If she had any sense at all, she’d leave the moment she was able and run for her life. Unfortunately, though, there were some things more dangerous than Black Jack Graystoke.
    All things considered, Jack Graystoke offered the leastperil. She felt capable of fending off his advances, and he did offer her the opportunity to escape a worse fate. If she married money and position, many of her problems would disappear.
    Jack threw himself down on the bed without bothering to undress. He had no idea what had come over him in Moira’s bedroom. Had his encounter with Victoria so aroused him that no woman was safe with him? It wasn’t like him to force himself on a defenseless woman—not even one of questionable virtue. Willing women could be had anywhere. Most women of his acquaintance made themselves available to Black Jack Graystoke. He’d been a bloody fool, Jack decided irritably. And it wouldn’t happen again.
    Punching his pillow in a show of annoyance, he turned on his side and closed his eyes. He’d had damn little sleep in the past several nights, and he faced a daunting task. He had to turn Moira O’Toole into a lady and marry her off to the highest bidder. Sighing wearily, he tried to think of anything but Moira’s wide golden eyes, pink-tipped breasts and smooth white flesh. Not an easy task for a man in a painful state of arousal.
    A bright light shimmering against Jack’s closed eyelids brought him into blinking awareness, and he raised his arm to cover his eyes, hoping the light would go away. If anything it grew brighter, and Jack spit out a curse, wondering if Pettibone had come into the room and lit a lamp or started a fire in the grate. Curiosity got the better of him, and he slowly opened his eyes. What he saw made him wish he’d kept them closed.
    The ghost of Lady Amelia hovered over the bed, nodding her head and looking quite pleased with herself.
    “What in bloody hell is the matter now?” Jack bellowed. “You sent me on a wild goose chase in foul weather, and look what happened! There’s a strange female sleeping in my bed, and I’m not even in it with her!”
    Lady Amelia did not seem at all daunted by Jack’s outburst. In fact, if it could be said that ghosts smiled, then that’s what Lady Amelia was now doing.
    “There’s no way you’re sending me out tonight, milady,” Jack said grumpily. “I’ve had damn little sleep lately, thanks to you.”
    Lady Amelia shook her head, as if to say there was no need for Jack to leave his bed.
    “Can you tell me why you’re here, milady?” Jack asked courteously. “What is it you want of me? Can’t you speak? I told you before that the Devil has already laid claim to my soul. I’m beyond redemption. Let me walk the path to perdition in peace.”
    Lady Amelia drifted closer, so