Rose's Rapture: Lords of the Night, Book Two by Jordan Summers Read Free Book Online Page A

in the firelight. The vein in her neck beat out a steady tattoo. Need hit him and he felt his fangs slowly extend. This had been a mistake, no matter how well intended.
    His breath caught and he cleared his suddenly dry throat. “I think it would be wise if you gave Lord Hyde a wide berth.”
    Rose blinked as if she hadn’t heard him correctly. “Why would I want to do that? He seems like a perfectly pleasant gentleman.”
    Hamish cursed under his breath, then stopped his pacing long enough to face her. “He’s not what he seems, lass.”
    She frowned. “I do not understand. Although bold, Lord Hyde has his charms. He’s certainly given me no cause for concern.”
    Hamish snorted. “Oh aye, he could charm the chemise off any woman.”
    Rose laughed. “Is that what you’re concerned about? Lord Hyde charming me out of my undergarments?”
    Hamish reddened. The last thing he wanted to think about was Rose without her chemise, leaving nothing but pale skin, puffy nipples, and her ripe sex exposed. He swallowed hard, willing his fangs to recede. “The man is a scoundrel. You obviously have no experience with his sort.”
    Rose glanced away, her cheeks flushing a deep crimson.
    He realized he must have offended her delicate sensibilities. “I apologize, my lady. I did not mean to upset you with my coarse language.”
    “That’s quite all right.” Rose stood, lifting her skirt enough to stride toward the door. “I’ll consider myself duly warned.”
    Hamish stepped into her path, blocking her exit.
    “Is there something else?” She craned her neck to peer into his face.
    He wanted to shake her and demand she stay away from Lazarus, but he didn’t. Instead, Hamish’s attention locked onto her full mouth and every muscle in his body tightened as he realized what he wanted to do, what he was about to do.
    Rose watched the war of emotions flitter across Hamish’s handsome face. His lids lowered, concealing his moss-colored eyes a second before his mouth descended upon hers. Her breath caught, then she melted into his embrace. There was nothing tentative about the kiss. Hamish’s hand rose until he gripped her nape, then slanted his head and deepened the clinch.
    She moaned as true desire swept through her body. Hamish ran the tip of his tongue over the seal of her lips until she opened for him. He plunged inside like a conqueror, gathering her close until her breasts pressed against his unyielding chest.
    Liquid fire filled Rose, moistening the juncture between her thighs. She felt the scrape of his nails as his free hand skittered along her side until he reached her aching nipples. Hamish teased her flesh until her breasts pressed painfully against the silk material of her gown. He would kill her if he kept this up. She wanted him. Wanted him more than her next breath, but knew this had to stop. They were in Abigail’s home, not some brothel. People of good breeding did not deport themselves in this manner.
    Rose tried to pull back, but Hamish wouldn’t allow it, growling deep in his chest like some feral beast, standing over a fresh kill. Her senses whirled and her head grew light, as he demanded her total surrender. There was a fleeting thought to fight, but Rose quickly dismissed it, then her body yielded to his. She didn’t see triumph in his expression, but she felt it as his muscles locked more securely around her.
    It was in that moment that Hamish pulled away, his chest heaving with effort to draw air into his lungs. Rose’s lashes fluttered, then her eyes widened as her gaze took in his harsh features. Pain, desire, surprise and something far darker flitted across his face. Hamish looked positively stricken.
    Rose took a step back in confusion, her heart pounding in her chest. Somehow, she’d done it again. She had made another social mistake with Hamish. Rose knew with sudden clarity that she should never have allowed him to kiss her, no matter how badly she’d desired so at the time. He thought