Ruined by Moonlight by Emma Wildes Read Free Book Online Page B

the traditional concept of marriage, she needed more and was willing to fight to get it. Today was just the start of a journey and she wanted him to see just how determined she was to see it through to the end. She rose and shook her head. “It was a nice beginning, my lord, but I meant what I said this afternoon. I do not wish forus to lie together again until we are husband and wife more than just in name.”
    His jaw hardened as he halted in the act of taking another step, and then he turned to pick up his dressing gown and shrugged into it. “Very well, madam. Have it your own way. May I ask that from now on you not enter my bedchamber and ask me to disrobe if you do not have the intention of sharing my bed.”
    “I’ve never shared your bed,” she pointed out, which was true. He had always come to hers. And left it. Not once had he slept with her all night. “And I didn’t come to ask you to disrobe; you just happened to be undressing. I came to say good night. We rarely do. There are days when you are so consumed with your horses and business affairs that I do not see you at all, and if we do not go out together in the evening, we don’t even exchange a word. I thought it would be nice if we at least said good night to one another without fail.”
    “
I
am beginning to come to the conclusion perhaps it would better if you did not spend so much time thinking,” he muttered, tying the sash on his robe around his lean waist with a firm jerk.
    She suppressed a laugh that she was sure he would not appreciate at his disgruntled tone. “I am not asking for jewels or a new carriage or a trip to the modiste at your expense. What I am asking is quite simple and would please me very much.”
    It took a moment but then he inclined his head. “If it is so important I will make the effort. Good night, then.”
    Another victory. Small, but it was progress. Alicia walked toward the connecting door between their rooms. “Good night, my lord. I hope you sleep well,” she said, and pulled it closed behind her.

Chapter 5
    Day Two
    T he lamp had guttered out sometime during the night and it was dark when Ran came awake to the familiar feel of a woman, soft and warm, next to him. She was still asleep, her breathing quiet and even, and his arm was draped around her waist, her shapely bottom pressed against his groin, the silk of her hair under his cheek.
    Then he remembered.
    Kidnapped.
    Held at gunpoint.
    Lady Elena slumbered on as he gave an inward groan. No doubt habit had asserted itself and he vaguely recalled rolling over, encountering a delectable female body, and instinctively pulling her close before drifting back off.
    Old habits, it seemed, truly were hard to shake. The trouble was how to extract himself without waking her and making her aware of the transgression, albeit not an intentional one.
    When the same two servants and the guard came back for the dinner dishes, they had brought hot water for the hipbath behind the screen. Though a request for their clothes to be returned had been ignored, they had been granted another candle since his speculation that the room would be pitch-dark soon was accurate. Lady Elena had bathed first and he’d followed, noting wryly that he’d not been given a razor, which was frustrating, as he hated a beard. It was odd how they’d used the same soap, but the scent from her skin was different, sweet and floral and feminine.
    Arousing. He was hardening already, his cock stiffening in a basic response to the equation of bed, half-naked woman, and their closeness.
    Her breasts were cushioned against his encircling arm, the firm weight of that resilient flesh enticing, which was
not
what he needed, and as his hand was flattened on her rib cage, all it would take was a slight movement and he could easily cradle one mound in his palm.
    As quickly as that treacherous thought came he banished it. Not only had he given his word but the beautiful—and very marriageable—daughter of an