Jaded Moon (Ransomed Jewels Book 2) by Laura Landon

startled and consumed her. Then, with a low growl, he lifted his mouth from hers and ended the kiss.
    As if he knew the effect his kiss would have on her, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to him. With her arms clamped tightly around his waist, she rested her cheek against his chest and listened to the violent thundering of his heart beneath her ear.
    For several long moments Josie didn’t move. She knew when she did she’d be forced to face what she’d done. It was as if she’d traveled too far down the wrong path and now it was too late to turn back. As if he’d shown her something it was impossible to forget.
    She took a shuddering breath and dropped her hands from around him. Waves of anger built inside her, anger at herself for being such a fool. And anger at him for forcing her to give in to an emotion to which she had no intention of ever succumbing. On legs that were still not steady, she turned away from him.
    “Stay away from here, Lord Rainforth. Nothing good can come from you being where you don’t belong.”
    “This is where I belong. It’s maybe the only place I truly belong.”
    Josie sucked in a breath and held it, then turned to go back to the carriage. She didn’t look at him. Not because she didn’t want to. Oh, she did. She wanted to study his strong, noble features, and memorize the rigid cut of his high cheekbones and angular jaw. And she wanted to drown in the pewter-gray of his eyes, eyes that drew her in like a lush, secret hideaway. And most of all, she wanted to sit close to him and let his quiet strength envelope her. It was this strength she both admired and feared. A strength that had the ability to both save and destroy. And she was so afraid she knew the direction his path would take him.
    They rode back in silence and when they reached the front of Clythebrook House, he jumped down and tied the reins to the brass pole. Before he could return to help her dismount, Josie stepped down from the carriage unassisted. They hadn’t spoken during their journey back from the cliffs. Maybe the marquess was trying to understand why he’d been so foolish and had kissed her. Maybe his silence indicated his regret. Whatever the reason, Josie was glad he hadn’t felt the need to talk.
    As if he realized she wouldn’t accept, he didn’t offer to escort her up the walk. Instead, he nodded politely and let her pass him. Josie was only a few steps away from him when she met Banks coming down the walk.
    “My lord,” he said, stopping before the carriage. “Lady Clythebrook is hosting a small dinner party tomorrow night and would enjoy the pleasure of your company. She has invited several landholders and local merchants from Clytheborough and thinks perhaps the gathering might give you an opportunity to discuss your idea.”
    Josie’s heart thundered in her chest. This couldn’t be happening. Didn’t Lady Clythebrook realize how opposed Josie was to this?
    “Tell Lady Clythebrook I shall be honored,” the marquess answered, the confident tone of his voice sending a shiver down her spine.
    “Very good,” Banks answered and returned to the house.
    A blinding flash of fury raged through her. She spun around to face him and was met by a blinding smile. “You haven’t won. I still intend to stop you from proceeding with a venture I consider fanciful, even dangerous for Lady Clythebrook to become involved in.”
    “As you intend to stop me from finding Carrie Gardner’s child?”
    “Yes. The child is happy and content where he is, and I intend for him to remain that way. It will be a cold day in hell before I divulge any information concerning his whereabouts. And a colder day still before you lay eyes on him.”
    Before he could reply, Josie spun on her heels and stormed to the house. With a loud crack, she slammed the door behind her.
    Her head throbbed, her chest ached. And her lips burned from his kiss.
    She’d never been more miserable.
     
     
     
     

Jaded Moon
by Laura