Simply Scandalous by Kate Pearce

provide that assistance.”
    â€œIf you are so inclined, sir. With you, Lord Keyes, and Madame Helene on our side, I believe we can establish ourselves quite credibly.”
    â€œAnd what do I get in return?”
    â€œYou don’t wish to help us?”
    His mouth twisted. “You haven’t changed at all. You still answer my questions with questions of your own. What of Mrs. Lennox?”
    â€œMy mother?”
    â€œIf that woman is your mother, I’ll eat my hat.”
    Violet let out her breath. “Sylvia is also in need of help. We agreed to aid each other.”
    â€œShe is another poor spy?”
    â€œNo, she is my father’s second wife. He died about three years ago.”
    â€œHow convenient for you all.”
    Violet shivered as she recalled Jack’s version of what had happened to their father and how he’d barely escaped with his life trying to save the older man’s wife.
    â€œI am not lying.”
    He cupped her chin. “As if I could ever tell the difference between your lies and your truth. I’m not sure even you know. When we first met, I thought you an innocent.”
    â€œI was.” She jerked away from his touch. “I still know what is true.”
    His mouth descended and caught hers, nipping at her lower lip until she let him in and he deepened the kiss. She moaned as his tongue tangled with hers, making her arch helplessly toward him. He ripped his mouth away, but he didn’t retreat.
    â€œThis is true, your response to me. It always has been.”
    The male satisfaction in his voice as he dove in for another kiss made her recoil.
    â€œHow do you know that? If I am such an accomplished liar, how do you know I don’t lie about this?”
    He pulled back, his expression lethal, one hand attacking the buttons of her trousers until he cupped her wet, needy sex.
    â€œYou can’t fake this, Violet.” He plunged one finger deep inside her. “You’re wet for me.” His tongue slid into her mouth, mimicking the thrust and retreat of his finger.
    She couldn’t escape him, could only drown in the complex emotions he aroused in her and surrender to the determination of his kiss and the rhythm of his probing finger. He grabbed her hand and pressed it against the front of his trousers.
    â€œI cannot lie about this either. I want you.”
    Her fingers curled around the throbbing heat of his shaft and he groaned.
    â€œIf this is the truth, Richard,” Violet whispered, “it is just lust, and it means nothing. ”
    â€œNothing?” He withdrew his finger from the heat of her core and sucked it into his mouth. “Lust is more than nothing. It is the most basic need a human has, the need to copulate.”
    â€œDon’t you mean to procreate?”
    â€œYou’re a man, now, Violet, and I’ll fuck you like one. There is no need to worry about us procreating.”
    She shoved at his chest, but he didn’t move an inch. “And what if I don’t want to fuck you?”
    â€œWe’ve already established that you want me.” His stare was pointed. “But do you want me enough to play by my rules?”
    She stared at him, her mind trying to recover from the haze of desire and work out what he was trying to say.
    â€œAre you suggesting I trade my body in exchange for your help?”
    â€œI hadn’t thought of it in quite those terms, but I’m quite willing to go along with it.”
    â€œBut you’ll only fuck me like a man.”
    He nodded, his gaze drifting down to her still-open trousers. She wanted to cross her legs to placate the ache there but knew he’d enjoy it too much.
    â€œYou’ll not betray Jack either?”
    â€œMuch as it pains me to say it, no, I will not betray Jack.”
    â€œThen if this is the only way I can persuade you to help us, I will agree to your terms.”
    Richard’s smile was slow in coming. “Thank