Wild Hearts by Susan Mallery Read Free Book Online Page B

him. Until that moment, Zeke hadn’t realized how beautiful she was. He’d known she was pretty and appealing, but he hadn’t felt her beauty down to his soul. Now, as he took in the curve of her cheek, the shape of her mouth, he found himself wondering what she would look like large with child. Or in fifteen or twenty years, with a touch of gray in her hair.
    He wanted to sit across from her, in front of a fire, reading and then talking about their books. He wanted to go to sleep with her in his arms and then wake up next to her in the morning.
    â€œI’m too enthusiastic,” she said, glancing away.
    â€œWhy? Shouldn’t you enjoy where you live?”
    She leaned toward him. “It is more than that. There is so much potential here. So many possibilities. I’ve made friends here that I never expected to have. And they value my opinions. It’s…inspiring to be around children and adults who seem to enjoy learning.”
    â€œI’m not sure we need more educated members of your sex.”
    â€œAre you afraid of the challenge?” she asked with a smile.
    â€œMe and every other man.”
    â€œI won’t even pretend surprise.”
    He captured her hand in his, noticing how easily her fingers slid between his.
    â€œI’m thinking of building a house,” he said abruptly, not sure where the words had come from.
    She studied him with interest. “For yourself?”
    He nodded. “A big house with a wide porch and cattle.”
    â€œI’m not sure cattle in a house are a good idea.”
    He grinned. “They’ll be outside.”
    â€œAre you sure? Because that’s not what you said. You said you wanted a wide porch and cattle. I must say, Mr. Titan, you should speak more clearly.”
    Her green eyes danced with amusement.
    â€œAre you laughing at me?” he demanded.
    â€œNo. Why would you ask such a question? A mere woman finding humor in a man such as yourself? So powerful and well traveled? I find myself trembling in your presence.”
    Now she was laughing. He turned quickly, reaching for her. She tried to scramble away, but he was too quick. He caught her around the waist and pulled her against him. Then he was above her, staring into her wide eyes, knowing this was the best view in the world.
    â€œAlethea,” he murmured right before he kissed her.
    Alethea didn’t even pretend to resist. She gave herself over to the feel of Zeke’s mouth on her own. His lips were firm yet gentle, moving slowly as if giving her time to get used to his attentions. She raised her arms to wrap them around his neck, then let her eyes sink closed.
    He kissed her deliberately, as if they had all the time in the world. When his tongue touched her lower lip, she parted for him. Perhaps she should have resisted, but she longed to feel the heat filling her body, the ache that she remembered from her time in the marriage bed. Even telling herself that Zeke was doing his best to seduce her didn’t make her want to turn away.
    He swept into her mouth, claiming her. She lay on the blanket, the ground hard beneath her, yet she didn’t want to move. Not when his tongue moved against hers so deliciously.
    He put his hand on her waist and pulled her closer to him. Her hips were against his belly and that part lower. She longed to know if he was aroused, but couldn’t tell through the layers of her skirt and petticoats.
    He moved his hand from her waist to her rib cage, then higher still. The path was deliberate and she found herself catching her breath in anticipation.
    He settled on her breast, his palm a light weight, his fingers moving back and forth, teasing her nipple into a tight knot. With each stroke, she felt a distinct tug between her legs, a powerful need that made her squirm to get closer.
    She told herself to stop, that he was doing this on purpose. That if she let him continue he would win and she would be forced to leave