The Ice Princess by Elizabeth Hoyt Read Free Book Online

furniture and bel ow. To
    smash in the face of that madam and the man who'd bought Coral and every other man or woman who'd used her in her life.
    Instead he closed his eyes to keep his temper inside. "Did you work at the brothel after that?"
    "For a while." Her voice was bleak. "I made more money at the brothel than my sister did on the streets. But then I found myself a protector." He looked at
    her, hoping that her "protector" had been a kind man, but knowing that was unlikely.
    She stared at the table. "I was with him for almost a year before another man, a wealthy merchant, offered to keep me. In al I had five different protectors,
    each one more important and richer than the last, and I was able to tel my sister she need not walk the streets of London anymore. That she could retire
    from that life because I now had enough money to support us both."
    She sounded proud, and he could understand now why she might be.
    "Why did you decide to come to Aphrodite's Grotto?" He watched as her fingers brushed over the scar in her right eyebrow.
    "My last protector was a very jealous man. A woman—a rival of mine—told him I was seeing other men. He . . ." Her voice trailed away for a moment, and
    then she straightened and looked him in the eye defiantly. "He beat me. Quite badly, in fact. I thought he might kil me. After that I came t o Aphrodite's
    Grotto. I'd rather be with a different man each night than let myself be under the power of one man." He swal owed, beating down rage at the unknown man
    who had hurt her so. "And now?"
    She attempted to withdraw her fingers, but he held tight. Damned if he'd let her retreat. "Now? Now I am the Aphrodite o f the most infamous brothel in
    London, sir. What else do you think? " He was in no mood for her teasing. "Do you whore yourself now?" Her elegant head reared back and an ugly sneer

    twisted her lips. "Of course I—"
    He shook their joined hands. "Cut line, Coral. Tel me the truth." Something vulnerable flashed behind her eyes and he wondered if she'd dare tel him the
    truth.
    Then she sighed, the sound weary and lost. "I haven't entertained a man in two years. I haven't had to—I am the Aphrodite."
    "Except for me," he reminded her.
    "Is that what I'm doing with you?" she cocked her head, a sad whimsical smile on her face. "Am I truly entertaining you?"
    "I enjoy my time with you," he said careful y. This was new ground, fragile and uncertain. He didn't want to make a false move. Didn't want to destroy this
    new journey. "I like talking with you, like sitting here with you. In that way I am entertained. Whether or not I am like your customers in other ways as wel , I
    don't know. I hope not. I hope this is something different and new for you, but I think that is for you to decide."
    She stood, gently disentangling their hands, and came around the table to stand before him. He moved his chair so that he faced her.
    "You are different." She lifted a hand to delicately trace his hairline. He closed his eyes, feeling her fingers tremble against his skin.
    "For whatever reason," she said softly, "when you are with me, you are simply Isaac and I am Coral."
    And he felt her lips against his. Lightly, no more than the brush of a moth's wings. Her breath fanned against his mouth, hesitant and sweet. He curled his
    hands about the chair's seat, fearful of grabbing her. Fearful of breaking this fragile bond. She grew bolder, pressing her lips, stil close-mouthed to his. He
    opened his lips slowly, savoring her, not wanting to frighten her. He licked across her mouth and tasted wine and woman. His pulse beat heavy in his body.
    He wanted to take her into his lap, to open her dress and feel al that smooth, pale skin. But when she drew back he made no move to stop her.
    He opened his eyes and looked at her, Coral Smythe, this mysterious woman he seemed to know so wel now, and asked the only thing he could.
    "What now?"

Chapter 7
    So the soldier set off for the home of the Ice Princess. He