Page 18 of Four Promises to Love

“What feelings?” he said dismissively.

“The feeling of connection.” She swayed toward him. “Between you and me.”

The moonlight couldn’t hide the hunger in his expression. His gaze dropped to her mouth; she parted her lips slightly, inviting him to remember how she’d tasted. Her ploy was working, for he swallowed. He clenched his jaw as if he were fighting his basest instincts.

This time, she was certain she had him.

When his mouth crashed onto hers, she realized she had a small problem.

Crikey…the cove can kiss.

Their tension ignited into passion. Their mouths clung, hot and wet. He fisted his hand in her hair, holding her steady, and Sweet Jaysus—she liked that. Liked the way he held her for his plundering, the way his tongue swept between her lips. Liked the way he kissed her as if doing so was the only thing that mattered.

His maleness permeated her senses. He tasted of himself and peppermint. He smelled expensive, like freshly pressed linens with a dash of spice. Somehow, she ended up on his lap. His thighs were hard and firm, his arms steely bands around her. Under normal circumstances, being confined by a stranger who was larger and stronger would have made her want to run.

But not now. Not with him.

Their tongues tangled, their breaths mingled, and her thoughts became hazy. Drive became desire and purpose, pleasure. She slid her hands into his rough-silk hair, relishing its unruly abundance. He deepened the kiss, and greedily, she took him in. No one had ever kissed her with such all-consuming need. His intensity unraveled her; she had never felt so wanted…

When he turned his attention to her ear, she squirmed. The flick of his tongue made her gasp. Who would have thought the ear was a sensitive place? And she seemed to feel his licking everywhere. Her nipples stiffened and throbbed against her bodice. When he palmed her breast, squeezing gently, she moaned. The ache between her legs turned into throbbing—a humid blooming of heat and need. At least she wasn’t alone. Beneath her bottom, his arousal formed a sizeable ridge.

“I want you, Seraphina.”

His hot words entered her ear and made her shiver.

Her eyelids drooped. “I want you too.”

“Good. If you want to use me, I don’t mind. But I will not allow you to use my family.”

Her eyes flew open. Jerking back, she glowered at him. “I beg your pardon?”

His expression was hard, his gaze unyielding.

“You heard me. If you want to scratch a mutual itch, I am happy to oblige. But if you try to hurt my kin”—an unmistakable threat glittered in his eyes—“you will have to go through me.”

Shoving at his chest, she sprang off his lap. She felt the teeniest bit of satisfaction when he winced. At least he hadn’t been faking his arousal. Then again, neither had she—and the ache between her own legs worsened her temper.

“You are no gentleman,” she snapped.

He rose slowly. “At least I am not pretending to be something I am not, Madame Seer Beyond the Veil.”

With great effort, she refrained from kicking him in the shin.

“I am a medium,” she said through her teeth.

“Truthfully, Seraphina? I don’t care what you are. Just stay away from my family.”

He executed a sharp bow then turned and walked away.

Leaving her fuming…and aroused. Again.

Five

“You couldn’t sleep either, Finn?”

Finn looked up from the letter she’d been perusing at the kitchen table. In the candlelight, Nell seemed to float into the room. Her white flannel nightgown and spectacles made her look like a studious ghost.

Finn shook off the fanciful thought. “I’m too restless.”