Wild Roses by Hannah Howell

he would probably be willing to hand her the key just as long as she did not leave too soon.
    He sat on the bed, hesitated a moment, then stripped down to his drawers. He carefully set his clothes on the chair next to the bed and slid under the covers. Harrigan briefly considered using the manacles to secure Ella to the bed, but decided there was no need. She could not get out of the room without the key and he would certainly know it if she took that away from him. There was no way to get out of the window and it would take time for her to pick the lock. A little smile touched his lips as he glanced at her stiff back. There was also the very alert pair of youths he had hired to watch for her. She might still try to escape, but he was confident she would not get very far. Crossing his arms beneath his head, he decided he could rest easy for at least one night.
    When Ella shifted slightly on her side of the bed, one of her small feet fleetingly brushing against his leg, he grimaced. His body’s reaction to that light, innocent touch was swift and fierce. He wanted her a lot more than he had realized. There was a good chance that having her so close yet so untouchable would prove to steal a lot of the rest he needed. He closed his eyes, took several slow, deep breaths, and tried very hard to convince himself that he was alone.
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    Ella murmured her pleasure and curled her body around the hard warmth she had bumped up against. The sunlight pouring in the window was trying to force her eyes open, but she ignored it. Beneath her cheek was smooth skin and around her shoulders was a comfortable weight that inspired a sense of security. It was not until she felt lightly calloused fingers stroke her cheek that she woke up enough to realize the precarious position she was in. Sometime during the night she had turned to Harrigan, either seeking out his heat or giving in to the attraction she fought so hard to deny when she was awake. Although it could prove to be embarrassing, her biggest problem was that she had no inclination to move.
    When Harrigan threaded his long fingers into her hair and started to turn her face up to his, Ella knew what was going to happen. The smart thing to do would be to break free of his light hold and get out of bed as swiftly as she could. She caught the warm look in his grey eyes as he lowered his mouth to hers, felt her body respond, and decided she would be stupid for just a little while.
    She had received a few kisses in her short life, stolen and freely given, some inexperienced or tentative and some very nice, but none like Harrigan’s. The feel of his mouth against hers sent a thrilling warmth throughout her body. She welcomed his touch, the way he moved his big hands over her back. When he prodded at her lips with his tongue, she willingly parted them, shuddering as he stroked the sensitive inside of her mouth. It was not until he brushed his thumbs against the sides of her breasts that she began to come to her senses. The feelings that tore through her were so sharp, so exciting, they were frightening. She muttered a sharp “no” against his mouth and abruptly pulled away.
    â€œNo,” she reiterated the word more clearly, as she got out of the bed.
    â€œIt didn’t feel much like a no to me,” Harrigan said a little harshly as he sat up and finger-combed his hair, frustration a hard knot inside of him.
    â€œI don’t care what you felt. You should just pay very close attention to what is said, and this time it was no. God, I can’t believe I allowed you to kiss me again, that I was behaving so cozily with the man who’s taking me to my death. What was I thinking of?”
    Harrigan grew furious, tired of being accused of aiding Harold in her murder. “Probably of trying to seduce me.”
    â€œSeduce you? Are you actually daring to accuse me of trying to seduce you? ” Ella could not believe what she was hearing.
    â€œYes, seduce me.