The Devil Rogue by Lori Villarreal Read Free Book Online

left behind . It was the face powder she’d used to cover the bruising .
    His proximity was setting Angela’s nerves on edge . He was standing so close to her she could feel the warmth of his body . “I-I took a tumble down the stairs the other day, tr- trying to save a kitten,” she said , repeating Rosemary’s lie.
    “ A kitten, hmmm?” He placed his warm hand against the side of her neck . With his thumb, he stroked her bottom lip . “I suppose your tumble down the stairs caused this, as well,” he murmured low, referring to the tiny cut in the center.
    “Y-yes, it did . I also have an impressive bruise on my lower back . ” S he was having difficulty concentrating while his thumb moved sensuously over her lip, making it tingle.
    “Maybe I should rub a soothing ointment on your back . . . make it feel better,” he suggested in a silky tone.
    “No ! I-I mean, Rosemary, er – my maid can help me with that, my lord . ” She was n’t usually this flustered around men . But then she’d never been this attracted to one before .
    My God ! She was attracted to him, even though he seemed to despise her . Except that right now, he didn’t seem to despise her at all . It was very confusing.
    “Are you sure?” he asked huskily .
    “Yes, I’m sure,” she whispered, mesmerized by his golden gaze, hooded and sensual and filled with promises .
    He leaned in, parting his lips , and then tilt ed his head as though he were going to kiss her . She held her breath, waiting for the contact. Instead , at the very last minute, he stepped back, lowering his hand . The skin where he’d touched her instantly cooled, causing her to shiver . Her lip still tingled as though his thumb continued to caress it.
    “So , you’re not pregnant?”
    She blinked. “Not only am I not pregnant, but I’m still a virgin, my lord,” she said , her face burning .
    Chuckling softly, he said, “ Considering the shade of your complexion at th e moment , I’ d be inclined to believe you.”
    “I’m telling you the truth.”
    “Yet, you agreed to be my mistress . Why?”
    “ I have my reasons.”
    “You could save yourself for marriage.”
    “It no longer matters to me,” Angela said flatly . Those dreams had been permanently crushed the moment she’d stepped foot in his house . Now a ll she wished for was freedom from her father . I n three short months, she would also be free from her obligation to Blackridge . She had no desire to be under another man’s control ever again.
    “Wha t do you know about pleasure?” He brushed a stray strand of silky hair away from her cheek, rubbing it between his fingers.
    “P-pleasure?”
    His huskily asked question, his proximity , and the way he was fondling her hair , sent her pulse racing . Her gaze was inexorably drawn to his mouth, and she couldn’t help wondering what it would be like to kiss him. Why was she so fascinated by him?
    “ As my mistress, I expect you to have a certain level of experience . I need a woman who knows how to give pleasure , as well as receive it.”
    Angela straightened her spine . “You know very well that I know less than nothing about such things, my lord . Maybe this was a m-mistake . ” S he mov ed away from him until her back met the wall . The strand of hair, a golden tether which had momentarily held her bound to him, slipped through his fingers .
    “You gave your word, remember?” he said softly, following her , stalking her .
    “And of course I intend to stand by it . I was merely allowing you the option to back out, based on my lack of experience.”
    He gave a short bark of laughter. “Ah, but there are ways to r emedy that. ” His eyes gleamed with wicked intent. “ And I shall be your teacher.” He closed the distance between them, the full length of his body making contact with hers . P lac ing his hands against the wall on either side of her head , he lean ed his weight into her .
    “W h at are you doing?” she whispered, feeling