Ultimate Sins by Lora Leigh Read Free Book Online Page B

do you think he’s going to handle it when he thinks his daughter has become my woman?” Pushing away from her, Crowe flexed his fingers, fighting to ignore the need to touch her again, to feel her silken flesh against his fingertips.
    He swore he could feel the heated warmth of her flesh, even in his dreams. Swore his fingertips ached with the need to touch her when he awoke deep in the night searching for her warmth.
    â€œYou would do that to me?” The betrayal in her eyes slapped at his conscience, but strangely, her voice lacked any hint of the anger he’d been prepared to deal with.
    Still, her soft turquoise eyes stared back at him with bruised betrayal.
    Betrayal?
    How had he betrayed her?
    All his life he’d dealt with her father’s betrayal and had never known where it originated. He’d had no idea Wayne Sorenson was the monster stalking his family.
    But Amelia hadn’t known, either.
    Hell, he knew she hadn’t known. He knew she’d had no part in it, but the rage burning inside his soul was like an entity all its own, its only ability that of striking out at one of the few people he knew would always forgive him.
    But that didn’t mean he wouldn’t use any means necessary to achieve not just her future safety but also the safety of his cousins and their wives and children.
    â€œI would demand this of the fucking Queen of England if it meant ending Wayne Sorenson’s reign of terror over my family, Amelia. If that hurts your feelings, then by God I’ll apologize once I see his ass six feet under.”
    He watched as she turned slowly away from him, the weariness in her expression punching him in the gut. Because he knew it was his fault. He had put that look in her eyes, and he hated himself for it.
    What the fuck was he doing, not just to her, but to himself as well?
    That bastard had all but destroyed him over the years, but that was no excuse for what Crowe was doing to her. For hurting the innocent sweetness that had always been such a part of his fairy-girl.
    â€œVery well,” she said softly, her back still to him. “I’ll play the game.” But when she turned around, the pain that had filled her eyes was gone. The weariness pushed away. Staring back at him was just … emptiness.
    An emptiness he swore he’d see replaced, soon, with heat.
    As soon as Wayne was dead.
    â€œI won’t let him hurt you again, Amelia,” he vowed. That vow was all he had left to give her until the bastard was out of both their lives.
    *   *   *
    â€œI swear, I’ll never let him hurt you again.”
    Somewhere inside her soul a scream was echoing. Her entire spirit felt wounded, and Amelia had no idea how to make the pain stop.
    â€œYou didn’t let him hurt me the first time,” she said, her voice distant. “That was my choice, Crowe. Just as it’s my choice this time. Remember that.”
    As his eyes began to narrow on her she turned away from him and slowly opened the front door.
    She was exhausted. It took everything she had just to survive this chaotic storm of anger, pain, and memories. She couldn’t deal with him, couldn’t deal with the guilt and hunger he added.
    â€œYou should leave now.” He had to leave, before she completely shamed herself and begged him, pleaded with him—
    â€œAmelia.” The warning tone of his voice had her back and shoulders straightening.
    â€œYou will leave. Now. I said I’d play the game, Crowe. But only the game. Once you’ve decided the rules, then come find me. Until then, get the hell out of my life.”
    She didn’t like the smile that curled his lips or the blatant promise that filled his gaze.
    â€œI’ll do that, for tonight.” She had a feeling his agreement had very little to do with her demand. “Be ready tomorrow, sugar elf. Because bright and early, you’ll have the rules. But once this game is