How I Married a Marquess by Anna Harrington

Author:Anna Harrington
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Published: 2016-04-25T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Thomas traced his finger lazily across Josie’s bare back as she lay next to him on her stomach, the sheet still tangled around her legs on the bed where he’d carried her after they’d had sex on the sofa. Her skin glowed golden in the flickering light of the single candle, all warm and silky smooth, and he couldn’t keep himself from touching her.

His lips pulled into a satisfied smile. Sweet Lucifer, she was exquisite. If he hadn’t taken her virginity, he’d never have suspected an innocent could be so passionate, so responsive to his touch. But she was all that. And more.

For the first night since the shooting, he felt completely at ease. His heart didn’t pound with anxiety, and he didn’t taste the familiar metallic tang of fear on his tongue. And for once he didn’t dread the darkness or wish for the dawn. If she was in his arms, he was certain he would even be able to sleep without having nightmares or waking in the darkness, shaking and panicked. Except that the last thing he wanted to do tonight was sleep.

Her long hair spilled around her slender shoulders, and he tucked a strand of the silky softness behind her ear.

She smiled lazily over her shoulder at him. “I can’t believe you’re real,” she whispered, her voice filled with wonder, “or that tonight actually happened.”

“Oh, it happened.” He placed a kiss on her bare shoulder, then gave an animal-like growl. “But I can prove it to you again if you’d like.”

With a soft laugh, she playfully swatted him away.

“Tell me.” He eased back down beside her and continued to let his fingertips explore her tantalizing body. “At your age, someone as beautiful as you”—and completely unlike any other woman he’d ever known—“how did you manage to keep your innocence so long?”

Her green eyes sparkled. “You mean, how did I escape the evil clutches of some sinister man bent on seducing me?”

He chuckled despite the unintended pricking of that teasing barb. He might as well have been that sinister man, what with the way he’d single-mindedly ruined her tonight.

She shrugged. “You’ve met my brothers.”

“So I’m the only man foolish enough to pursue you with those three hovering about?”

“No.” She smiled sweetly. “You were the only one brave enough.”

His heart thudded. She thought he was brave. His chest tightened, the unexpected compliment curling delightfully through him. “But you said there were other gentlemen visitors to Blackwood who attempted to seduce you.” In other words…why me?

She shyly lowered her gaze until she stared at him through half-lowered lashes, unaware of the desire that innocent look stirred inside him. “They were…different from you.” Her naked shoulder gave a small shrug as she admitted, “I like you.”

For a moment all he could do was stare into her eyes. Surprised as hell by her soft words. And not knowing exactly how he should feel about her, not when he didn’t know for certain if he could even trust her. Except…

He lowered his

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