|

An irresistible
beauty with a turbulent past ...
A passionate lord
with an elegant future ...
A longed-for love
that burns for all eternity ...
"Kat is a tremendous storyteller,
with a talent for rich wonderful characters ... This book kept me up
all night. I loved it."
--Heather Graham--
Jessica
Fox wasn't always the beautiful, composed young woman who is the toast
of the London ton. Born in poverty, Jessica wandered the streets until
fate found her a guardian in the aging Marquess of Belmore. Now, it is
fate she tempts with her longing for the Marquess's son, the arrogant
and handsome Captain Matthew Seaton.
Upon his
return from the sea, Matthew is forced to confront the sensuous beauty
he believes has set her sights on the Belmore title. Though his mind
tells him to beware, his blood boils with the thoughts of luring her
into his bed. To win his love, Jessica will do anything. But when
desire flames and the dark shadow of her childhood lengthens, she
risks everything she has dreamed of in a dangerous dance of denial."
Excerpt:
He found her in her makeshift school
room. In her bright yellow dress, the sunlight shining on her golden
hair, she was the loveliest woman he had ever seen. He tried to
control the stirring in his blood, the way it began to thicken and
settle lower down. Two years at sea had taken its toll. His nights
with the redhead in Portsmouth hadn't been nearly enough. Or perhaps
it was simply Jessie Fox.
"I don't suppose you approve of
this." Teaching lower class children to read. "Most of your kind does
not."
Her breasts rose and fell with her
agitation, shaping them into soft hills above the top of her dress. He
wanted to reach out and cup them.
"My kind?" he repeated. "You mean
the aristocracy, Miss Fox?" Whatever she was, whatever she had been,
Jessica Fox was a beautiful, sensuous woman. Unwelcome as the notion
was, Matt wanted her in his bed. "You didn't approve when your father
helped me." "No...I don't suppose I did." His mouth curved faintly.
"Perhaps I was too busy dodging rotten fruit, or trying to keep you
from stealing the coin in my purse."
"Or perhaps you were too busy with
the girls in the rooms abovestairs at the inn." He arched a brow. "I'm
surprised you knew about that. You were only a child back then." His
hand came up to her cheek. He ran a thumb along her jaw. "I-I have to
be getting back." "Not yet. Not for a few more moments." "But I--" "Do
you know how lovely you are?" She trembled as he tilted her face up
for his kiss. "Who would have suspected..." His mouth came down over
hers, claiming the softness, testing the full, warm curves. He teased
the seam between her lips, coaxing her to open for him, and felt her
bottom lip quiver. Her palms pressed against his chest, hesitant,
uncertain, perhaps even a little bit frightened. Matt deepened the
kiss and Jessie swayed against him, making a soft little mew in her
throat. Her legs seemed to weaken and she clutched his neck to hold
herself up. Bloody hell--he couldn't deny the truth a moment more. The
girl was no whore. She was an innocent--a babe in the woods who'd most
likely never been kissed. He muttered a curse as he set her away, his
body hard and throbbing. "M-Matthew?" She raised a shaky hand to her
lips. "You-You kissed me." He almost smiled. She was lucky that was
all he had done. It had been all could do not to push her down on the
desk and take her right there in her makeshift school room. You have
my humble apologies, Miss Fox. I should not have taken such
liberties." She straightened, the dazed look fading from her face.
Perhaps she had heard the insincerity in his voice. He wasn't sorry at
all.
◄top
of page► |