The Heart Breaker by Nicole Jordan Read Free Book Online Page A

helplessly in his power, transfixed by his mesmerizing eyes. There was something hot and dangerous in those intense depths, something that inexplicably thrilled and excited her.
    He moved closer, letting his body touch hers.
    The shock was stunning. She felt blistered by his sudden invading heat, by the hard, masculine contours that branded her.
    Her heart beat in a wild pulse of alarm and need as he bent his head to her.
    Through a daze she heard him whisper against her lips. “You really think you’re woman enough to handle me, duchess?”
    She couldn’t answer that; her throat was too dry. Her eyes fluttered shut as his mouth lowered slowly to settle over hers.
    His lips were warm and hard, like the man … threatening, dominating … yet somehow gentle. In response, something deep within her body quivered in purely sensual reaction.
    His kiss deepened into a bold invasion, histongue parting her lips and thrusting inside. The intimate intrusion shocked her for an instant. She hadn’t known a man’s kiss could be so blatant, so devastating. Hadn’t known she could respond this way … that she could feel so weak and not… so wanton.
    Heather shuddered helplessly against him as primal instinct took over. Her body was aching shamelessly for him. The warm thrust and stroke of his tongue against hers made her tighten inside, made her breasts throb, while hunger spread through her with unsettling speed.
    She gasped softly when she felt his hand glide down to cover her left breast. An underlying fire that was totally foreign to her caught her by surprise, yet she didn’t want his tender assault to end. Her arms lifted weakly of their own accord to twine around his neck....
    When he pulled back abruptly, she almost cried out. She opened her eyes, disoriented, bewildered, to stare at him. She was shaking, her breath coming in soft pants, yet he appeared totally unaffected. His face was set like granite. The fierce sensuality she’d glimpsed so briefly had evidently been her imagination.
    Her heart sank with dismay. His kiss had shattered her, yet she had only disappointed him.
    Sloan stared back at her, holding her at arm’s length. When she swayed, he tightened his grip to steady her. He cursed silently as desire twisted anew inside him. Her lips had been so damned soft and warm beneath his, the taste of her intoxicating, hot and sweet like wild honey.
    Damn, but he hadn’t scared her off. He’d only made himself hungrier. The instant he’d touched his mouth to hers, he’d been wild to get inside her.
    The duchess had felt the same passion, he wascertain. He recognized all the signs of an aroused woman. He could still feel her trembling. Inexperienced or not, she wanted him. Just as he wanted her.
    His dream woman.
    The thought of having all that cool beauty and inner heat beneath him, around him, made his cock cramp and throb with need.
    He sucked in a sharp breath.
    “You sure you won’t change your mind about marrying me?” he asked gruffly, his voice still husky with want.
    Heather gazed up at him, not at all certain her knees wouldn’t give out. Could she go through with it?
    This was nothing like the tender union she’d long ago envisioned when she’d contemplated marriage, nor was this man—this stranger with eyes as hard as ice and a take-no-prisoners bluntness. She had dreamed of a man she could love, but Sloan McCord didn’t want her love.
    Despite his stark virility, he seemed emotionally untouchable. At least by her. His heart still belonged to his late wife, it seemed. She’d seen the flash of pain in his eyes, heard the rawness in his voice, when he spoke of his wife.
    She, on the other hand, was merely a necessary complication in his life. He felt nothing for her other than perhaps irritation and disdain. He’d made it clear he wanted her only as a housekeeper and an asset to his political ambitions. And a carnal bed partner.
    Heather took a step backward, where it was safer, clasping her