Pride and Fire by Jomarie Degioia

Author:Jomarie Degioia [Degioia, Jomarie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Historical
ISBN: 9781897562208
Barnesnoble:
Goodreads: 6996994
Publisher: Lachesis Publishing
Published: 2008-12-01T05:00:00+00:00

* * * *

Paul entered the townhouse and found Michelle in the parlor, her head bowed as she focused on her needlework. He smiled at the pleasing picture she made. The sunlight streaming through the window behind her made her golden-red curls appear like a halo. She looked like an angel. Her angelic appearance was marred as she dropped a stitch and cursed.

As she pulled the offending thread loose, she pricked her finger with the needle and let out a gasp. She placed the finger in her mouth to soothe the injury. Paul’s body hardened at that provocative image.

“Hello, love,” he said softly.

Michelle looked up in surprise. She pulled her finger out of her mouth with a soft “pop.” “Paul. Have you been… standing there long?”

“Long enough,” he teased, coming to stand over her.

Michelle put aside her work and stood. She turned her face up to his and he kissed her.

“I trust you and Lord Chester concluded your business?” she asked.

Her question brought back the frustration he’d felt in Graves’ office. “For now.”

He lowered himself onto the settee, pulling her down to sit closely beside him. Taking her hand in his, he located the tiny injury on her finger and kissed it gently.

“And what have you been about while I was gone?” he asked.

She wore an expectant smile on her face. “Do you notice anything different?”

Paul saw only her, not their surroundings. He blinked. “You cut your hair.”

“Yes, but—”

“Why?” he asked.

She tried to smooth the curls near her cheeks. “You don’t like it?”

Paul stilled her hands. “You look beautiful, love.”

His fingers tunneled through the silky curls framing her face, bringing his lips to hers. He pulled back and smiled. “I knew something was different this morning, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it.”

She returned his smile. “But what of the room, husband?”

He arched a brow in question and looked about. “The room?”

She nodded. He sensed her excitement and thought to tease her.

“You moved some furniture,” he said. “It looks pleasant enough.”

She gave an unladylike snort. She covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes wide as he chuckled deeply.

“It looks very nice, Michelle,” he said, drawing her into his arms. “Though I admit I don’t pay much notice to our surroundings when you’re in the room.”

“Oh, Paul.” She laughed.

Paul stroked her back, feeling the tension he’d carried all morning finally begin to ease. Lord, she felt good in his arms. Michelle settled against him, letting out a sigh.

“What are you thinking, wife?”

“I’m thinking it’s quite pleasant sitting here with you.”

Paul was thinking of the passion they’d shared in the parlor a few days earlier. Michelle’s eyes widened when he flashed her a wicked grin.

“Paul, what are you…?” She gasped. “Paul, we can’t.”

He gave a slow nod. He stood, pulling her gently to her feet. Michelle picked up her skirts, bound for the open doors, but he got there before her. He closed the doors and leaned against them, his gaze roaming over her.

She backed way from him. “Paul, you ripped the front of my dress the last time, and I won’t let you to ruin this one.

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