Raising his head, he stared into Sara's perplexed face with a crooked smile. 'Don't touch me,' he said, more roughly than he intended. He started as he felt her hand brush the nape of his neck. 'But why?'ĭerek lowered his head and tunneled his fingers into his black hair. you'd better go over there.'īemused, Sara nearly toppled to the floor from his gentle push. 'Angel,' he said hoarsely, nudging her toward the opposite seat.

With a tortured groan he pried Sara's voluptuous body away from his and held her away, while he struggled to emerge from a scarlet fog of desire.

The carriage swayed and jolted suddenly, forcing their bodies closer with the impact.ĭerek felt himself approaching a flashpoint beyond which there was no return. She stiffened, unable to hold back a whimper of pleasure. Foiled in his attempt to reach her breasts, he pushed a lock of hair aside and dragged his mouth over her throat. As he began to slide his hand into her bodice, the thick wool fabric of her gown resisted his efforts. Leisurely he fondled and kissed her, wringing succulent delight from every nerve. Caught in the lee of his powerful thighs, she had no choice but to let her body rest on the hard length of his. He stretched one of his legs out to rest his foot on the seat. Closing her eyes, Sara made no protest as he took her wrists in his hands and twined her arms around his neck. His mouth twisted gently, his tongue hunting for an intimate taste of her. 'Did I catch you?'īefore she could reply his lips were on hers. 'Chasing me,' she admitted in a mortified whisper.Ī delicious grin curved his mouth. 'What was I doing in your dreams?' he asked against her lips. He left her as he had left the others, without looking back.”ĭerek smoothed his hand over her chestnut hair and brought her head closer to his. Sara made an inarticulate sound as he extricated himself from her embrace. It wasn't difficult to walk away from her. Instead he felt numbing coldness spread through his body, filling up the region where his heart should have been. Were he capable of tears, he would have shed them. And now, with all his great fortune, he couldn't buy back what he'd sacrificed. He had sold his honor, his conscience, his body, anything he could use to escape the lot he'd been given in life. Perhaps for a day, a week, he could be what she wanted.

He'd never felt so worthless, so much a fraud. and he couldn't allow himself to take what she offered. He stood there frozen in defeat, with all the warmth and promise of her in his arms. 'For once have the strength not to walk away,' she whispered. I haven't held anything back from you, out of fear or pride or stubbornness.' She felt the incredible tautness of his muscles, as if he were carved from marble. I'll long for you every day and night, but at least my conscience will be clear. All you'll do is deny us both a chance at happiness. 'Don't lie to either of us by pretending you're leaving for my good.

I love you.' She felt an involuntary tremor run through him. You can act as though you're deaf and blind, you can walk away from me forever, but the truth will still be there, and you can't make it go away. 'Listen to me.' All she could do was play her last card. 'More than you know.'Ĭlinging to him desperately, Sara kept her mouth at his ear. He gave a harsh laugh and loosened his arms to release her. She continued to stroke his hair, playing lightly with the thick raven locks. If he were rich and powerful enough, he would never be hurt, lonely, or abandoned. “Then what do you want?' she asked softly.

I dream of you every night hopefully