School For Heiresses 2- Only a Duke Will Do by Sabrina Jeffries Read Free Book Online

“intimate” kiss depended upon the man’s proficiency. And Simon was definitely proficient. Far too proficient. She moaned. Why hadn’t anybody warned her that an intimate kiss meant this series of sleek, silky forays into her mouth that sent her pulse into a gallop? Shouldn’t somebody have cautioned her that such a kiss could send her straight for trouble?
    He thrust deeply, fiercely, his kiss an irresistible prelude to seduction. Delicious. Swoon-worthy, even though she never swooned.
    But apparently he actually expected swooning, for he slid his arm about her waist to steady her. Unless it was just to draw her closer. And she ached to have his hands on her, craved the feel of his embrace. She spread her hands over his chest, and then, emboldened by the savage pounding of his heart, slipped them up around his neck. How long had it been since a man had made her feel wanted? Desired? So very long. Too long.
    She’d thought she could swear off men, but Simon had made a mockery of that with just one kiss. Just as he’d made a mockery of her silly hopes years ago—
    Shaken by how easily she had succumbed, she tore her mouth from his. “Why are you doing this?” she whispered.
    “Why are you letting me?” he said in a low rumble.
    The soft kisses he brushed along her cheek and jaw and throat made her positively dizzy. “Because…”
    Because I’m a fool.
    Although he’d proved she hadn’t put him behind her, she didn’t dare let him know it. “Because I figure it’
    s best that we get it over with.”
    He froze. “Get what over with?” he breathed against her neck.
    Struggling to subdue the foolish clamor in her chest, she drew back. “Your insistence on a real kiss. Now that it’s done, we are done.”
    “The devil we are.” His breath came quick and hard as his eyes blazed at her. “Don’t try to claim you weren’t affected.”
    She pretended to think. “You know,” she said slowly, “I really wasn’t. It was an interesting experiment, mind you—”
    “Experiment!”
    “—to determine for myself if I have outgrown you. What a relief to find that I have.” Buoyed by her success at hiding her true feelings, she slipped from his arms and added with a smile, “It appears you no longer have any influence on me, Your Grace.”
    His flinch at her formal address gave her a small measure of satisfaction. Until he dropped his gaze to her burning lips. “You could have fooled me.”
    Though her smile wobbled, she was determined to have the last word. “Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that how it sounded. You kiss quite as well as any of my previous suitors. But I have aims that don’t involve you, no matter how well you kiss.” She lifted her chin. “And I still don’t trust you.”
    “You always were eager to think the worst of me,” he snapped.
    “You’re only angry because you’ve lost the power to twist me about your finger. Well, society may fawn over you, but I at least know what you are.”
    He met her gaze squarely. “You know nothing about me. You never did.”
    Something in his voice made her want to believe him. But she’d learned only too well that his silver tongue lied with consummate skill. “I know enough.”
    She pivoted to stalk up the graveled path. From now on, she’d have to be more careful. No private encounters with Simon. No long walks where he could taunt her into things. And no kisses. Certainly no intimate kisses! He was just too good at them for a woman’s peace of mind. Chapter Four
    Dear Charlotte,
    If Miss North and Foxmoor are as much at odds as rumor says, then perhaps she stole the duke’s monkey to annoy him. Though I cannot imagine what she would want with a monkey. Monkeys make poor reformers, you know.
    Your fellow gossip,
    Michael
    F rustration knotted Simon’s insides as Louisa flounced away. The impudent chit had learned to be sophisticated in more ways than one during his absence. Someone had taught her how to kiss. Very well. Too well for