Seductive as Flame by Susan Johnson Read Free Book Online

didn’t let me win, did you?”
    “Hell no. You almost didn’t win.”
    “You needn’t pay the wager.” She shot him a grin. “It was such a glorious ride, I should pay you.”
    “And have it said I reneged on a bet? Not likely. Why don’t I bring your winnings to your room,” he suggested only half in jest.
    “Don’t you dare.”
    He grimaced. “Are you really going to make me wait until Monday?”
    “Send your wife home and I won’t.” Zelda laughed. “You should see your face. Are you never thwarted?”
    “You forget, my dear, I’m thwarted every day of my married life,” he drily said.
    “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that.”
    “I know what you meant. And there, no, I’m never thwarted. Now I’ve made you angry again. Could we talk about horses? It’s the only subject we can safely discuss.”
    “Until Monday.”
    “Thank you. I needed that. Don’t be alarmed if you see me drink myself into oblivion tonight. I’m in a vile mood.”
    “I understand.”
    “I’m sure you don’t. But that, too, would be a useless discussion.”
    They’d ridden into the stable yard and two lads came up to take their horses. Dismounting, Alec walked over to Zelda and held up his arms.
    “People might see,” she whispered.
    “Fuck ’em.” He was feeling the burden of his marriage more intensely than usual. “I’m waiting,” he brusquely said at her continued hesitation.
    There was bitter challenge in his words she dared not oppose; he was perfectly willing to make a scene. Quickly throwing her leg over the pommel, she slid from the saddle into his waiting arms.
    He held her hard against his body for such a long time the stable lads turned red-faced and averted their eyes. His gloved hands were firmly clamped at the base of her spine, his rigid erection was pressed into her stomach and, blushing with embarrassment as well as from her body’s arousal—his rampant cock a spectacular invitation to pleasure—Zelda finally hissed, “Alec, for God’s sake, stop!”
    He looked up, startled, then dropped his hands. “Sorry.” He took a step back. “We need our quirts, don’t we?” he said in a normal tone of voice. “And your coat.” She’d decided to tie her coat behind her saddle before their race.
    “I’ll get it,” Zelda quickly said.
    “The lady needs her coat and quirt,” the earl ordered, indicating the garment with a flick of his finger. He turned back to Zelda. “I’ll leave you here.” He took his riding crop from one of the lads. “Chris is waiting for me in the kitchen.” He needed to get away. Brute lust was fueling his senses, and he had no experience with sexual restraint or female resistance.
    “Do you mind if I come with you to see Chris?”
    Fuck yes, I mind .
    His expression was hard as nails. “I’m sorry,” Zelda apologized, her heart beating against her ribs with his caustic gaze on her. “That was overly intrusive, wasn’t it?”
    She looked very young with her cheeks flushed, her hair in disarray, her violet gaze mortified. Although everything else looked ostentatiously adult—her lush body in her tight riding pants and leather vest, her open-necked blouse that made him want to slip his hands inside and feel the warmth of her skin and the ripe softness of her breasts. “You’re not intruding in the least,” he said, when she was disrupting his entire life and he was powerless to resist. But his voice was a courtier’s voice, smooth and affable, adjusting to circumstances without pause. “I’m sure Chris would like to see you. He’s horse mad, too.”
    “Thank you.” Less capable of silken politesse, her voice was quietly earnest.
    “You’re entirely welcome,” he replied, polished and suave. He glanced at the stable lad holding out Zelda’s fur coat. “Send it up to the house.” Then his gaze swung back to Zelda and he dipped his head. “Shall we?”
    As they walked away, Zelda said, half under her breath, “I didn’t want to leave you. I’m