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  Her response delighted him. Provoked him. Tantalized, tempted and teased him. He wanted more. He pulled her down to the bed beside him and kissed her. Once this way, as a young man tests his first maiden, then that way, as a lover caresses a virgin, and then again, like that, as a man arouses the woman he intends to bed.

  She gasped and quivered and made little noises in her throat. He swallowed them along with the taste of her, hot and sweet and passionate. His hand went to the mother of pearl buttons at her neck and opened the first two. Her hand came up to stop his, even as she murmured deep in her throat and arched against him.

  Her small hand enclosing his was torment. His was the greater strength; he could overpower her and take what he sought, what she unconsciously offered, but those slight, delicate fingers on his stopped him more effectively than raw power would have done.

  He drew in a deep, cleansing breath and pulled himself up to a sitting position. She lay sprawled, half beneath the bedcovers, her hair tumbling around her shoulders, her cheeks flushed and her mouth

  Snowbound 35

  swollen and red from his kisses. Her chest heaved as did his.

  Her fingers still enclosed his hand. He lifted them away from him, marveling at their delicacy, at their shaking, and lifted her hand to his mouth. He kissed each trembling finger in turn, and when done, he folded her hand and laid it against her breast.

  She inhaled, a small, jerky sound that told him she was as affected as he. "No more. Please."

  "I am sorry if I have offended you."

  "I did not say you offend me, sir." She bit her lip, then whispered, "When I look at you, I am quite pleased with what I see."

  He pressed a kiss to her throat. "Elaborate, if you would, Miss Wilder."

  "Hmm. You are suitably tall. You do not slouch, nor does your stomach protrude."

  Justin chuckled as his stomach muscles contracted as though she'd touched him. So she approved of the hours he spent in physical exercise, did she? "What else?"

  "You are pleasing to the eye and the ear. Except that is," she hastened to add, "When you are issuing orders and expecting to be obeyed."

  He kissed her. When he let her go, he murmured into her mouth, "Shall I perhaps suggest that others do my bidding?"

  "That would be a beginning, sir."

  He chuckled. "And what other facets of my character need improving?"

  She studied him. His skin warmed under her gaze. "I shall have to think on that. For now, I can tell you that I do not care for your hair in this style. I do not think Lord Byron an admirable character."

  Justin winced. "I shall tell, no suggest" he amended when he caught her eye, "to Pruitt that he change it."

  "Very good. Do you wish to hear more?"

  "Oh, indeed I do. This is most enlightening. Just look at the improving effect you have on me."

  36 Bonnie Ham re

  She cast a glance down his body. His erection bulged.

  Her eyes widened as she gasped, "You are shameless, sir." She averted her eyes. "Stop that!"

  He smiled at her stunned expression. "It is merely my body's reaction to yours. I have no control over that part of myself."

  She wrapped her arms around herself. "You must not be here, not like this, sir. You must leave."

  He studied her defensive, protective posture. To come this far and then frighten her into retreat. Anger at his lack of self control made his voice harsh. "Have I frightened you so badly, then?"

  She flinched. "This is not right. It is most unsuitable."

  Justin blew out a breath. By rights he should thank her for keeping her presence of mind. "You are correct," he said heavily, forcing himself to think with his head and not his engorged shaft. He moved away from her. "I apologize for forcing myself upon you."

  "That is not necessary, sir. I am equally to blame."

  Her remark halted his abrupt retreat. He paused to study her face. "Do you attach fault to kissing me, Sarah?"

  She looked away to the far reaches of his chamber, anywhere but at him. Her distress cut him deeply. He should be whipped for tormenting her, but he could not allow her to think ill of herself.

  He reached down to take her chin in his hand, forcing her eyes back to his. "Do you, Sarah?"

  Her chin trembled under his touch. "I should—"

  "But you do not?" Hope made his voice tender.

  "I cannot." She blew out a shaky breath. "I find it.. .difficult to keep my mind when you are near me."

  He felt his mouth drop. "You do?"

  "You know you are most attractive."

  "I am?"

  "Sir, you look like a fish, yet you bleat like a lamb."

  Justin stifled a chuckle at her tart comment. "I pray you, do not repeat that in company. I am reputed to be something of a wit."

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  "It is your reputation that I wish to preserve. And mine."

  He turned to face her more directly. "Your reputation shall come to no harm at my hands, but why do you concern yourself with mine?" Justin was flattered, half amused, that she'd worry about his standing in Society, he whom half the haute ton buzzed about.

  "You must be aware that your appearance commands the attention of women. I am quite convinced that you have them swarming like bees."

  His stomach tightened. "Why do you say that?"

  She tilted her head. "Surely you have heard this before? You know you are a handsome sight, sir. You must take pity on my lack of experience. I do not have your worldly wisdom."

  "I like you just the way you are, Sarah."

  She hid her gaze from him, but not before he saw her contented look. "I like you too, sir." She spoke softly, her words barely audible, but he heard them all the way to the innermost man.

  Curiously pleased, he wondered at the intriguing turnabout to their dialogue. Most women demanded to be complimented and he used honeyed words and soft comments to caress and seduce. How strange to be on the receiving end. How delightful a change. "And what is it about me that most pleases you?"

  She gave him a tiny, secret smile. "I think it is your eyes, and these hollows to your cheeks that add to the fascination." She demonstrated by touching the corner of his eye and the line of his jaw. “You look quite forbidding, very romantic, with your brooding black eyes and that mysterious cast to your visage. I am sure you must have females swooning at your feet trying to make you smile at them."

  The women chased and dropped at his feet, but not for his face, he thought bitterly. The title was far more attractive than he.

  What a wondrous balm for his soul that Sarah liked him, Justin Stowe, the man, not Justin, Earl of Howden.

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  Chapter Six

  "Pay attention," Pruitt snapped his foil under Justin's chin. "Begging your pardon, your lordship, but I could have ripped your heart out."

  Justin lowered his fencing sword and wiped his brow. "Never."

  "You're going through the motions, sir. I thought you wanted to practice. Your lunges are off. Your parries are clumsy." Pruitt snorted in disgust. "A child could have gotten through that quinte."

  Justin forced his mind away from Sarah. Frustration made him grind his teeth. "Anything I'm doing right?" he asked dryly.

  "The flèche wasn't too bad. Shall we try again, my lord?"

  Justin dropped into en guard stance, executed a feint and immediately scored a touch. 'There, Pruitt! See if you can stop me now."

  His valet leaped into the fray. Their footfalls thudded on the parquet floor of the ballroom-turned-fencing-salon. The clash of foil against foil rang in the air. No sooner did Justin gain the advantage with a riposte than Pruitt created a counterattack.

  Justin's breath came hard and fast. He ignored the sweat dripping from his forehead and beading on his chest under his half-opened shirt. This was what he needed. Hard exercise to work his body and empty his mind of all but the next move. He'd been lax of late. He panted and forced himself on.

  He had Pruitt on the defensiv
e now, parrying his thrusts with a lightning fast second when Justin spotted Ordway enter the room.

  Justin slowed enough to allow Pruitt to even the score.

  "Attention!" Pruitt rapped out. "You cannot take your eye from

  40 Bonnie Hamre

  your opponent, not even for a moment!"

  Ordway inclined his head. "My lord, Miss Wilder is departing."

  Justin dropped his foil and ran for the door. "Why didn't you stop her?" he shouted over his shoulder.

  "It is not my place to hinder a lady, my lord."

  Cursing Ordway, cursing himself for leaving her alone and above all cursing Sarah, Justin raced down the hall until he spotted her on the wide staircase.

  "Where the hell do you think you're going?" he roared.

  Wearing her heavy cloak, Sarah halted, one foot extended to descend to the next step. Guilt flashed across her face.

  Justin pounded up the steps until he faced her. Standing on the riser above him, she still barely came to his shoulder, yet she looked him unflinchingly straight in the eye.

  'To the village, Mr. Stowe."

  He planted his fists on his hips. "Why?"

  Her gaze drifted to his chest. In his hurry, he'd neglected to button his shirt. The sweat cooled on his torso but didn't calm his temper. Or his desire, as he noted the quick way she licked her lips. Instead, it grew more sharp as it fueled his anger. She wasn't going to sneak out of his house like some demimondaine.

  At last, she lifted her gaze to his. "I intend to hire a conveyance."

  "Why?" he repeated, not bothering to hide his emotions.

  Her eyes had a soft, languid look to them. A blush stained her cheeks as her mouth parted, her breathing erratic. His pulse raced.

  She drew her cloak closer about her throat. "I cannot stay. Not after..."

  Justin moved closer to her. Good intentions be damned. He wasn't going to let her go. "You forget the storm."

  "I forget nothing!"

  "You cannot go out in the blizzard."

  Her chin rose. It couldn't have been easy, but she managed to look down her nose at him. "Accompany me to the door, sir, and

  Snowbound 41

  you shall see that I can."

  No one questioned his authority. Narrowing his eyes, Justin leaned forward until his face was inches from hers. She didn't retreat. He lowered his voice. "I will not allow it."

  "You cannot stop me!" She moved to walk around him.

  He put out a hand to restrain her.

  She feinted to the right, then to the left. He parried easily, amused now, until she executed, a compound attack, darting to the left again and raising her hand to ward him off. When he hesitated, she slipped his guard. In moments, she was running down the stairs.

  Admiration for her spirit and quick thinking delayed him for only an instant. He turned and gave chase. He jumped two and three steps at a time and caught her arm.

  She spun around in his grasp, her cloak billowing about his knees. Her mouth fell open in surprise.

  Before he could think, he'd stopped her protest with his lips. He plunged his tongue into her mouth, capturing and possessing all in the same moment. Her quickened breathing inflamed him. He felt his rod swell and harden as the heat from his body rose up to envelop them both.

  She broke loose. "Sir!" she panted. The cloak fell open to reveal her breasts rising and falling in her agitation. Her gown seemed to have shrunk, for it clung indecently to her curves. He saw the nipples pushing against the fine black wool and immediately hardened even further.

  "Your clothing is still damp. Is catching your death in the storm preferable to being with me?" He pulled her close to him and plundered her mouth again.

  She tasted sweet and dark, like the finest chocolate. She was hot and fiery, more potent than brandy. He couldn't get enough. Again and again, he kissed her mouth until she whimpered.

  He relaxed his grip on her, just enough to let go of her arm and slide his around her back. With one hand gripping her hip, he kept

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  her immobile in his grasp. He caught her chin and forced her to look at him.

  "You are not leaving. Do you understand?"

  She tried to shake her head. "I must."

  Justin eased his hold on her face. "Without Emmy?"

  She swallowed. He felt the movement of her throat against his palm and was almost undone. "I shall return for her once I have a carriage."

  "Why didn't you ask for one of mine?"

  Sarah jerked her head out of his grasp. "I want nothing more from you, sir. Please unhand me."

  He turned her by the hip until her back was pressed to the wall. "And if I choose not to?" He kept his voice low and seductive.

  She stiffened. "A gentleman does not keep a lady against her will."

  He didn't bother to hide his smile. "You take me for a gentleman, then?"

  She glanced over his shoulder. He saw her gaze roam the hall, no doubt taking inventory of the contents. "You must be. This house—"

  "Others would say I am no gentleman. They would swear I care little for rules."

  "I know you better," she averred, sounding desperate to convince him of his better nature. "You saved us from the storm. You even offered to help Emmy and me."

  "Perhaps I have a payment in mind."

  Her eyed widened as she took his meaning. It had to be difficult not to, when he let his cock push into her soft belly. She gasped.

  "Mr. Stowe!"

  "Miss Wilder," he murmured as he lowered his head to taste her again. He flicked little kisses along the tight seam of her lips, laughing when she refused him entry. Next he dropped kisses on her jaw, her cheek, her temple as she stood stiff and unmoving in his arms.

  He chuckled as he let some of his weight rest against her and he felt her knees buckle. Immediately, he pressed his advantage and used his body to anchor her to the wall.

  Snowbound 43

  When she opened her mouth to object, he kissed it. When she raised a hand to slap him, he stopped it with a love bite to her palm. When she moaned, he swallowed it with his mouth.

  "Stay with me," he commanded against her closed eyes.

  Her eyelids fluttered under his lips. "No."

  He arched his pelvis into her. "Yes."

  She caught her breath, then exhaled it in a long, shuddering sigh. "I can't think."

  "I shall think for you." He moved slowly toward the staircase, propelling her against the wall by touch and kiss. Her warm breath against his neck seared him. Desire rode him hard and fast.

  "I must go," she cried. "I cannot do this!"

  He murmured against her mouth as he lifted her to the first step. "It is snowing."

  "I shall manage."

  "You will take cold." He propelled her up another riser, then the next.

  "I am too warm already," she whispered.

  On the seventh step, he kissed her until she moaned. "I will warm you even more."

  She broke away and held on to the railing as she all but slid down several steps. Her breath came fast and shallow.

  He lifted her in his arms. "I did this last night," he reminded her. "I put you in my bed then, too."

  Halfway up the staircase, he lowered her down his body until she stood once more on the riser above him. His kiss this time was slow and provocative, deliberately seductive and compelling.

  She sagged against him, then slowly, her arms lifted and embraced him. Justin felt the change in her and tempered his kiss, teasing her, tempting her to kiss him back. When the tip of her tongue touched his, delicately, shyly, he exulted.

  On the landing, he stripped her cloak from her. "You will not seed this."

  44 Bonnie Hamre

  She clutched at it as he sent it sailing over the balcony. "What are you doing?"

  He swallowed a laugh. "I thought it would be very clear by now, Miss Wilder. I am going to make love to you."

  "But, sir, I..." Her words were lost as he picked her up and strod
e down the long hall. Last night he had cursed every step of the way, today he used the time to kiss and fondle her until she all but purred under his touch.

  Her eyes were half-closed, dreamy and slumberous. Satisfied, he dropped another kiss on lips already red and swollen. If she looked this way now, how much more satisfied she'd be later.

  Much later.

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  Chapter Seven

  Justin kicked his bedroom door shut behind him. He put Sarah on her feet long enough to turn the key in the lock but he didn't free her.

  She turned her head, looking at him with wide eyes. Deliberately holding her gaze with his, he unbuttoned her buttons, slowly, one by one. Her breathing quickened.

  The gown parted, revealing the pale skin of her back. He slid a hand in, caressing first the line of her spine, then slid it around to press her to him by her midriff.

  Justin put his mouth on her neck and shoved the gown to her waist. She shivered. Ignoring her soft cry, he loosened the ties to her chemise and pushed it off her shoulders. It caught on her breasts. He flicked it free, then cupped one breast.

  Oh, God. She felt so good in his hand, warm and soft and blooming. He rubbed her nipple between the tip of his finger and thumb, exulting when her nipple kerneled at his touch. Her head fell back onto his shoulder.

  He kissed her temple, then her shoulder. She shuddered and pulled out of his embrace.

  "Are you frightened of me, Sarah?" Deliberately, he used her Christian name for the first time.

  "No." Her golden brown lashes hid her expression from him, but the telltale flush visible at her throat gave her away. Sweet Jesus, did she know what that did to him?

  Color rose to her cheeks as she whispered, "I should be."

  Justin wondered whether she tried to convince him, or herself.

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  Either way, he determined to slow down, to handle her as cautiously as a maiden. "Because we are going to make love?"

  She swallowed convulsively. "Because of the way you make me feel," she whispered. "It is wrong."

  He touched a loose tendril of hair at her temple. "You are concerned for yourself, or because Society says you must reject my advances?"