Wicked Deception by Karolyn Cairns

The need for her burned within him,
his eyes lingering at her fuller breasts straining in the gown. His
response annoyed him and marked his words.
    “ What is it now, Catherine?
All this sniping of yours is giving me a headache,” he complained
as he rubbed his forehead. He was still sore from his argument with
Nicholas and their boxing match at the saloon where they sparred
earlier. They pretended they were the best of friends once more and
seen together at various locations about town. It was bound to
cause a buzz in Rudd’s ear.
    “ I found your three street
urchins smoking, drinking, and playing cards in their room. I went
to find out why they were not in the schoolroom with the boys. Do
you think it healthy they fraternize with my brothers and our son?”
she asked coolly. “It appears your new pets are not housebroke, my
lord.”
    Gabriel glared at her, despising her
chastising tone and her obvious displeasure her siblings were
mixing with his new wards. His dark eyes grew black as he
considered her words. He wanted to rile her now. It annoyed him she
still had such a hold upon him. Just looking at her made him
remember the last time they argued in his study. He was repulsed to
feel himself grow aroused by it.
    “ My, aren’t we the snob
these days, Lady Catherine,” he remarked nastily, noting the way
she stiffened at his biting words. “I will certainly speak to
Winston, Billy, and Oliver about their vices directly and deal with
them. Do not question me again on what I deem fit for my son or my
wards. You have no say in it. They reside with me. If you want to
see them at all; I suggest you cease to plague me with your
opinions.”
    “ I have every right to
question who you bring into this house and expose my child too, and
my family,” she snapped harshly, her green eyes glowing as she
smacked her hand upon his desk. “It would appear you have let in
many strays here, Lord Iverleigh. I will be taking the children
with me when I leave. You have no right to treat me unkindly
because I point out that you have obviously been distracted from
noticing what goes on around you, enough to merit my
concern.”
    “ I can only assume by your
ruffled feathers you use this concern only to get me alone,” he
noted in a taunting voice, seeing her flush and enjoying seeing her
composure slip, if only for a moment. She glared at him and stood
up. “It pleases me to know how much you’ve missed me, Catherine.
Don’t bother denying it. I can see how much you wanted to see me.
You don’t need excuses, my dear.”
    “ Oh shut up! That is
ridiculous!” she raged, seeing the light of challenge in his dark
eyes.
    “ Is it?” he taunted and
stood, stalking her with a definitely predatory intent.
    She made to leave. He blocked the door,
forcing her to back away into the room. He reached out and jerked
her to his hard chest, looking down at her with desire in his eyes
before his mouth swooped down to take her lips. At the first touch
of their lips, he moaned and deepened the kiss, his arms holding
her captive against the door they backed up to.
    ~ ~ ~
    Catherine went limp the moment his
mouth touched hers, heat and incredible passion gnawing at her
belly. She strained against his chest to get closer, her arms
winding around his neck. He turned and forced her higher against
the door of the study, never breaking the passionate
kiss.
    A myriad of sensations made her realize
the dreams were nothing like the reality of being in Gabriel’s
arms. His tongue stroked hers slowly making her gasp as sharp stabs
of undeniable pleasure stole through her. She felt drugged, heavy,
her blood molten as he eased up her skirts. The feel of his hand
cupping her heated mound made her moan and arch closer.
    Gabriel didn’t hesitate as he ripped
her drawers off and jerked her up and undid his breeches. He yanked
her legs up around his hips. His dark eyes met hers as he thrust
hungrily inside her then, making her cry out before his mouth
covered