Lori Brighton - [The Seduction 02] by To Capture a Rake Page A

whore instead of him.
    He forced his attention from her neckline to her face. The need in her eyes shook him to his very core, threw him off balance so that he felt as if he’d just tumbled off the edge of the earth.There was one thing he understood completely…desire. He knew, in that moment, that she thought about last night. He could practically feel the heat pulse from her body. She’d wanted him last night, and she wanted him now. His hands curled, his body growing hard as pure lust surged through his veins.
    Frantic to understand his own emotions for this woman, he studied her face in the morning light. All he saw was a pert nose…innocent freckles…the full, lush lips…that fiery hair that hung in a long plait over her shoulder and down the side of her left breast. Milkmaid or seductress? He still wasn’t sure. But of one thing he was positive, Elizabeth greatly intrigued him and it had been a long, long while since anyone had interested him so. Dangerous woman indeed.
    Flushing, she turned her gaze to the window. The curtains were drawn back. She did not hide in the shadows as most woman would have, shielding their pale skin from the harsh day. She shone in that light, she became part of the morning as if she was the very sun. If she hadn’t stripped in front of him and demanded he seduce her, he would have sworn she was some inexperienced country lass. But she’d come to him, she’d hired him, she’d wanted to mate with him…so what was her game?
    Elizabeth cleared her throat and looked down at her lap, suddenly that shy lass. “I greatly enjoyed last night.”
    He released a wry laugh, making her frown. Really, she was ridiculous, amusing, and seductive all in one. It was much like watching a play; he wasn’t sure which character would appear next. “Enjoyed?”
    She glared, as if he’d hurt her feelings. “Greatly.”
    “Wonderful. Perhaps you can give me a reference for future clients?”
    With a huff she crossed her arms, sending those beautiful breasts so high, he swore he could see the edges of her pink nipples. “Why must you be so contrary? Why can you not accept a compliment?”
    He leaned forward, bracing his elbows on his knees, annoyed and frustrated at the same time. “A compliment? A compliment would be, dear God, I loved how you sucked my breasts last night.”
    He found immense satisfaction when her face grew a brilliant red. With a smirk, he leaned back against his seat and stacked his feet next to her upon the worn bench. “Or perhaps, I can’t believe how huge your cock is. Or perhaps—”
    She shoved his feet off the seat. “Enough!” The outburst left her panting, those lovely breasts trembling with each harsh intake. “Obviously civil conversation is an impossibility with you.”
    Gideon quirked a brow. “My dear, people do not hire me for my civil conversation.”
    She pressed her palms into the worn seat and leaned toward him, narrowing her eyes. “I’m paying, and if I want polite conversation, I shall get it.”
    “Very well.” He glanced toward the windows. “The weather is fine this day.”
    Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “Do not be tedious.”
    His game was up, but he didn’t mind. He released an exaggerated sigh. Why was it so bloody fun drawing her in? He could remember a time long ago when he’d jested with his friends. They’d considered him an amusing chap. What would they think of him now? Hell, most of them were probably in Newgate, if not dead.
    “I’ve tried. You do not wish to discuss the glorious way I fucked you last night, nor do you wish to discuss the weather. I am merely a whore. My social education is sadly lacking.” He shook his head as if gravely disappointed. “Perhaps you should choose the topic.”
    She crossed her arms over her chest and, with a huff, slumped back into the seat. “Oh do shut up.”
    He laughed, almost startling himself. Uneasy, he focused on the window. He wasn’t quite sure who he was since leaving Lady