In the Garden of Seduction by Cynthia Wicklund

Author:Cynthia Wicklund [Wicklund, Cynthia]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Cynthia Wicklund
Published: 2014-06-15T04:00:00+00:00

*****

CHAPTER 9

The last thing Cassandra had promised herself was to keep her distance from the marquess. Away from him she had resolve, but in his presence she lost sight of why she should avoid him. He wooed her with ardent words and hungry looks, and she responded like clay in his experienced hands. He must be gratified, Cassandra thought, by how easily he could manipulate her.

“Have you been waiting long?”

He came up behind her and a thrill of fear seized her before she realized who it was. Her hand flew to her throat.

“You frightened me.”

“I apologize,” Lord Sutherfield said as he moved around the bench and sat next to her, shoulder to shoulder. “I was caught in a conversation and it took a moment to extricate myself. I was afraid you would not wait for me.”

“I should not be here at all,” she fretted, examining her hands where they lay in her lap.

He leaned forward, and from the corner of her eye she could see him studying her profile.

“I see. I was delayed just long enough for you to regret having come. I wish you wouldn’t feel that way.”

Cassandra looked him at him directly. “An unmarried female of good character does not have a secret meeting with a gentleman, especially a gentleman whose reputation with the ladies is suspect. Why I always forget that when I’m in your company, I’ll never know.”

“I would not deliberately hurt you, Miss James.” He snorted then as if he did not believe his own words. “I want to do the right thing, I really do, but your company affects me as well.”

“It does?”

“Yes, indeed. Why does that surprise you?”

Cassandra stared at his handsome face, the shadows emphasizing his brow, the high cheekbones. He watched her with eyes that burned earnestly, and all at once she was consumed with the need to touch him.

“Do it!” he growled in a hoarse whisper.

He knew—oh, he knew! Was her desire that obvious? Could he see her confusion, her fear, the attraction she fought?

“Do it,” he urged her again.

Although she shook her head, Cassandra did not have the strength to resist his impassioned plea. Her hand moved to his lean jaw. Caressing the hollow of his cheek, she felt the hint of a stubble. His teeth clenched as he sucked in a harsh breath through flaring nostrils.

He grabbed her wrist and pressed his mouth into her palm, raising heated eyes to hers.

Cassandra could feel herself melting. She had no power in the face of such irresistible persuasion. The age-old barriers of self-protection were slipping away, leaving her exposed and vulnerable. If the marquess continued to pursue her before long repercussions would have no meaning—until it was too late.

He was aware of the effect his lovemaking had on her, and she wanted to be indifferent to him. In desperation she tried to remember why she was here in the first place.

“Timothy,” Cassandra said, slipping her hand from his grasp and drawing away from him.

“What? Oh, yes…” The marquess sat, blinking as though clearing his vision.

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