Page 67 of A Tempest of Desire
He grunted, cursed, and struck with a final thrust that made her feel both conquered and like a conqueror.
Gently he lowered himself until his chest was a whisper’s breath along hers. He kissed the once injured corner of her mouth. Slowly he freed her hands.
When he made a move to roll away from her, she stopped him by tightening her legs around him. “Not yet.”
Several minutes later, resting on his side, Langdon watched as Marlowe slid out of bed, picked up hisshirt from where he’d tossed it on the floor earlier, and slipped it on.
“You’re welcome to take a fresh shirt from the wardrobe.”
She smiled broadly. Damn, but he loved that smile. “It will be freshly laundered and won’t carry your fragrance.”
“If you want my fragrance, I’m carrying it right here.” He waved his hand over his naked body, in demonstration.
She laughed. “I can never have too much.”
She began sauntering sexily back toward the bed. His cock reacted. That shirt wasn’t going to stay on her very long. “Did you find the shirt I placed in your balloon?”
“I did.” She climbed onto the bed.
“Did you like the barometer?”
“I love the barometer.” She lowered herself and snuggled up against him.
With one arm, he drew her more closely against him, while his other hand eased beneath the hem of his shirt and cupped her incredibly luscious arse. “Has your balloon been repaired?”
“Not yet. Can’t afford the basket.”
“You can now, sweetheart. Whatever you need, whatever youwant, I’ll provide.” Because so very much of her was pressed up against so very much of him, he was incredibly aware of her going stiff and still.
“I... I don’t want you providing for me.”
They were not words that should have made him feel like a sword was piercing his chest. Helooked down at the top of her head. “Did I not pass your audition?”
He kept his voice light, teasing, when so many awkward emotions were swirling through him. Confusion, hurt, jealousy.
Tilting her head back, she met his gaze. “You passed when we were on the island. I just... I don’t want you paying for me.”
“But it’s all right for Hollingsworth to pay for you?” Apparently, anger was also slicing through him, and had taken up residence in his voice. She jerked as though he’d taken a lash to her back.
“It’s different. You and I as opposed to me and him.”
“How so?”
She shook her head. “If I try to explain it, it makes it all sound worse. Makes me appear... cheap. Can’t we just be lovers tonight?”
“So you can fuck him tomorrow?”
Pushing away from him, she sat up. “I told you that it’s over between him and me.”
“How many were you planning toauditiontonight?”
Her jaw taut, she glared at him, so much fire in her eyes that he wanted to take her then and there and feel the heat burning them both to cinders. “Twelve.”
She leapt out of the bed, leaving him momentarily too stunned to move. How had bliss suddenly turned into hell?
She whipped off his shirt and began gathering up her clothes. “I’ll need a maid to help me dress.”
“I’ll help you.” He began to roll out—
