Saved by Scandal's Heir by Janice Preston

Author:Janice Preston
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2016-08-26T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

Outside, Benedict had crossed the deserted stone-flagged terrace and stood, tall and erect, at the top of a flight of steps that led down into a garden, criss-crossed by paths lit by flaming torches.

Harriet crossed the terrace to stand behind him. ‘But why did you flee, signor?’ Her voice low and husky, she slid one hand across his lower back. ‘Are you pirates not bold adventurers, taking risks and facing danger as you seize and conquer?’

He tensed, then turned and smiled, slowly and sensuously, as he perused her once again from head to toe, lingering over her breasts, softly outlined by the silky fabric of her dress.

‘I was curious to see if you might follow,’ he said. ‘And now that we are here, allow me to hazard a guess.’ His gaze roamed over her again, and then he leaned towards her. He pushed her gauze headdress aside and put his lips to her ear. ‘If I am correct, you will owe me a forfeit.’

Shivers danced across her skin. Would he recognise her? ‘What is this forfeit, signor?’

‘Why, one that allows me to worship you, of course,’ he breathed. ‘What else would a poor pirate do when he meets the goddess of his dreams?’

His finger trailed from her neck to her shoulder and stroked the bare skin of her arm, barely touching her, raising gooseflesh in its wake. He circled the sensitive skin of her inner elbow and repeated the motion on her inner wrist, before taking her hand and raising it to his lips.

‘The goddess of my dreams... Diana, goddess of the moon.’ He fingered her headdress and she tensed, ready to whisk out of reach if he attempted to remove it. ‘Tell me I am right.’

Harriet forgot to breathe, mesmerised by the magnetism of his eyes, glowing behind his mask. He moved closer, one arm encircling her waist, pulling her hard against him.

‘Tell me I’m right.’ Demanding now, staring down at her, so close she could feel the thunder of his heart as well as her own. They were in full view of anyone who ventured onto the terrace, but she found she did not care. No one would know her. She relaxed. She would enjoy this moment and her forfeit.

‘Diana the huntress,’ she said, lifting her chin, ‘as well as goddess of the moon.’

‘Diana the beautiful, a female deity of unfathomable depths and hidden talents.’ His lips quirked. ‘And were you hunting me, Diana?’ His head dipped and he feathered kisses along the scant inch of skin between the top of her mask and the line of silver stars that edged her headdress. ‘Was I your prey?’ His lips moved on to her ear and he traced its rim with his warm tongue. ‘Do you intend to slay me now that you have me in your power by moonlight?’

His lips were on her neck, tickling as he laved the sensitive spot beneath her ear. Before she knew it she was arching back over his rock-solid forearm, her entire throat exposed to the magic weaved by those lips.

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