Too Dangerous to Desire by Alexandra Benedict Read Free Book Online Page B

violence, she wasn’t ready to resign the oppor tunity just yet.
    Evelyn complied; she took the sword. “Good,” he said. “Get a feel for the weapon in your hand.” She maneuvered it from side to side, testing the weight, the girth.
    He eyed her movements closely. After a few minutes, he moved beside her. “Let us assume the position.” He adjusted his form. “En garde.”
    Evelyn wondered where Adam had learned the art of swordplay, but her curiosity was stifled as she eyed his feet and mimicked the man’s posture.
    “No, not like that, Evie. Like this.” He moved his right foot forward again. She did, too. He cocked his left foot sideways. She did, too—and wavered. “Steady,” he said. Adam cupped her lower back to balance her. A thrilling warmth stabbed her spine and quickly spread throughout her body.
    Evelyn was startled by the intensity of her re sponse to the man’s intimate touch. So startled, she very nearly dropped her sword.
    “Stretch out your left arm, Evie. It will balance you.”
    Evelyn wondered about that, but obeyed her teacher. She lifted her left hand.
    “A bit higher, Evie.”
    He nudged her elbow upward.
    Another sharp prick of heat, making her arm tingle. Whatever was the matter with her? That baffling sentiment was stroking every nerve in her body again. It was difficult to concentrate on the lesson at hand when her limbs were shaky, her feet unsteady.
    “Now spread your legs apart.”
    She bristled at the command. Yet another dewy warmth beset her . . . right between her legs.
    She couldn’t fathom the peculiar sensation. Blood rushed to her heart. A loud thumping re sounded in her ears.
    Woozy, Evelyn tried to obey Adam’s command, but his rough voice and muscular touch and robust essence were making it hard for her to do so. And his words! She licked her dry lips. The man’s words made her feel faint.
    “Very good, Evie. Now bend your knees just a bit.”
    She was already shaky. If she tried to crouch, even a little, she might drop straight to the green.
    Adam placed his palm on her shoulder and pushed her down. She buckled—but didn’t quite collapse altogether.
    “There,” he said. “Now for the footwork.”
    Evelyn swallowed a groan. She was quivering, sweating slightly. Her legs were light, unstable. She didn’t think she could dance around with the blade.
    There was an odd feeling creeping into her belly. A heat she had never known before. It alarmed her . . . intrigued her. She wanted it to disappear, yet she wanted to explore it a mite longer, too.
    She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath to quell the conflicting emotions inside her. She was with Adam to learn how to fight, to defend herself. She must concentrate. Wayward thoughts only distracted her. She had a chance to protect herself from harm.
    Take it!
    “Are you ready, Evie?”
    No!
    “Yes,” she whispered. “What do I do next?”
    The blade quivered in the air.
    Adam offered her a curious eye.
    “I’m fine,” she confirmed. “Please continue with the lesson.”
    Adam lifted his own sword to mirror her pos ture. “First we advance.”
    He stepped forward.
    She moved quickly—too quickly—the energy inside her overwhelming, and lost her footing.
    A thick arm circled her waist to stop her fall.
    He was flush with her; she could feel his breath stir the hairs on her head—and bring her to life. Such potent life. She could smell him. Feel the sinewy muscles at his midriff move against her arm. The rapid knock of his heart beat against her shoulder, and she closed her eyes to better feel the rhythmic thumps, to match her own heart’s tempo to his throbbing pulse.
    “Not so fast,” he said in her ear, the warmth of his breath making her shiver. “Take it slow.”
    He stepped away from her.
    She almost cried out at the loss of his touch. For too long she had suffered in solitude. The brief connection with Adam, the bond of blood and bone reminded her how very much alone she was—and how very