Veretti’s Dark Vengeance by Lucy Gordon Read Free Book Online Page B

her face, illuminated by the moonlight. His own face was in shadow, but she could see his eyes and read their meaning.
‘Because you knew your weapons were the best,’ he murmured. ‘And just now, I’m ready to admit that. I’m not even trying to resist them because they overcome me, so that I don’t even want to resist.’
She felt his hands on the side of her face, saw his head block out the moon so that there was only darkness as his lips touched hers. And she was glad of the darkness because suddenly everything changed, the world was a different place and nothing was as it had been.
His mouth was gentle, moving with leisurely ease as though he had all the time in the world. Helena held her breath, transfixed by something that was happening deep inside her in an unknown region. She’d guessed this was coming, had thought herself ready, but nothing could have prepared her for the way she was coming alive.
It was as though no life had ever existed before. The world had begun that moment and it was a glorious place, full of light and fire. With all her being she wanted to explore further, to see how intense the heat might become, how blinding the light.
He’d spoken of being overcome by her, yet it was she who was being overcome, not by force but by temptation so strong that it destroyed her will. She put up her hands to his shoulders, perhaps meaning to push him away but actually holding on to him.
Years of abstinence had taught her to think of herself as a cold woman, whose fire had flamed briefly and then died forever. So many men had reached this point and she’d kissed them, hoping to fan the flame back to life, but it had never happened. Dead. Cold and dead.
Until now, with this one man who should have been the very last to attract her. They were combatants, hostile, determined to think the worst of each other because it was safer that way. But in his arms there was no safety, nor did she want any. Enmity, she discovered, could be thrilling.
So she drew him closer and moved her lips against his, seeking more of the pleasure that had come like a bolt from the blue. Feeling her response, he responded in turn, letting his hands explore her, but so lightly that at first she wasn’t sure it was happening. But then there was no doubt. His caresses had the skill of the devil, touching, inciting, then moving on, leaving a trail of excitement behind them.
Now she wanted him, wanted everything with him. She must take him to her bed, lie with him naked, offer herself to him and claim him inside her at the same moment. And when he entered her she would keep him there, for pleasure such as this could not be rushed.
Instinct told her that he could show her new worlds, carry her to the stars and satisfy something desperate inside her that had been denied too long. All her frustrated womanhood rose up, crying out for release, ready to do anything, offer him anything if he would only take her to that peak.
Offer him anything!
The words seemed to shriek, like demons howling with laughter at her naïvety. How easily he’d brought her to this moment, and she, who’d prided herself on being armed and ready, had succumbed without a protest. How he must be enjoying it!
It was over. The desire, so tormenting one minute, was extinguished the next, turning her body to ice. Part of her wanted to cry out as the beauty vanished, but another part knew that she was safer this way.
Safety. That was what mattered. Nothing else.
Vaguely she heard footsteps, felt his arms loosen about her, heard his sigh of resignation.
‘People are coming,’ he growled. ‘We don’t want to be stared at.’
He drew her away and in a few moments they had reached St. Mark’s Square. Not much further to the hotel, and as she walked she was planning what to say when they got there.
How sure of himself he must be. How easily she’d fallen for it. How he must be laughing in triumph, and how she was going to enjoy wiping the smile off his face!
They were