How To Seduce A Pirate (The Hawkins Brothers Series) by Alexandra Benedict Page A

swift
refusal turned her delicate features into ominous storm clouds. “I wasn’t going
to ask you to ‘bed’ me.”
    His heartbeat
steadied at the assertion. “Then what do you want, wench?”
    “A kiss.”
    “No.”
    “And not a peck
on the cheek,” she resumed as if he hadn’t just denied the request. “You once
welcomed my artistic study.” Her voice dropped to a seductive octave. “You once
offered me the opportunity to take my hands and lips and study you until I was
satisfied. Well, I’m accepting the invitation. And then I will tell you
my source.”
    He stiffened at
her proposed “trade.” His blood burned in anticipation of her downright
extortion—and the pleasure he would feel in giving her what she demanded: a
bloody kiss that could ruin him.
     Quincy girded
his muscles as his brain flooded with memories of that night in his coach, and
he knew, he just knew he wasn’t strong enough to resist her, not when he was
drunk and in need of a woman’s touch.
    He shut his
eyes, about to refuse her again, when she offered:
    “I want just a
kiss, I promise.” She whispered, “I won’t take more than that.”
    He had to be a
bloody fool to trust her with keeping the kiss from becoming a thorough
bedding, but what other choice did he have? He wasn’t going to lock her in the
studio and starve her until she confessed her source. He even shuddered at the
violent image. He would never hurt a woman, much less Holly. It seemed there
was no other way to get what he wanted except to charm his conniving wife.
    He said not a
word. Instead, he lifted his thumb to her jaw line and smoothed away the
charcoal smudge. At first, she appeared confused. But as the silence stretched
between them and he stroked her soft skin more and more, her eyes widened in
understanding.
    A glow spread
across her cheeks. Her breathing slowed, deepened.
    “Sit,” she bade
him.
    A tremor wracked
him before he dropped back into the armchair and waited.

CHAPTER
14
     
    Holly maintained
a distance from her husband, breath trapped in her throat. A part of her had
expected his outright refusal at her proposal. Another part of her had hoped .
. .
    Well, she had
her wish. A real kiss.
    The pressure on
her lungs was so great, she finally released a long, measured breath. Her heart
thumped, deafening drumbeats in her ears. The room warmed with unbearable heat,
and she removed her leather apron. Still flushed, she pulled the fasteners from
her knotted hair, allowing the tresses to tumble free.
    Quincy watched
her every movement, his eyes dark pools of swirling emotions, and his riveting
stare twisted the already tight muscles in her belly. Raking her bottom lip
with her teeth, she wondered what she should do next, but he offered her no
guidance, remaining silent and unmoving in the chair.
    Her gaze flitted
toward his hands, his fingers digging into the armrests, and she felt the same
restless energy, the same nervous want.
    She took a bold step
toward him and heard his quickened breath. As her own pulse pounded, she
approached him again and nestled between his splayed thighs.
    The man’s hot
breath now bathed her, and she closed her eyes, reveling in the intimacy. She
loved to feel his presence, to just listen to his fevered intake and exhale of
air. She only missed his touch.
    Holly remembered
the night she’d held her husband in her arms, after his disturbing dream had departed
and only peaceful rest remained, their hearts beating in unison. She would have
that moment again, she thought with shivering delight. And this time, he would
share the erotic moment with her.
    Her eyes
fluttered opened and she met his still fiery stare. Heavens, he was beautiful.
Blood swelled in her veins as she slowly lowered herself into his lap.
    His muscular
legs flinched, as if she’d scorched him, and she gasped at the almost electric
spark that snapped between them. Her quivering hand went to his chest, cradled
the muscle above his rampant heart, and she