Lover Be Mine A Legendary Lovers Novel - By Nicole Jordan Page 0,6

spark, too, he could tell, for she raised her fingers to her lips, eyeing him in wonder.

After a long moment of silence, she cleared her throat. “Did you learn what you wished to know?”

“Not in the least,” Jack replied, cursing mentally. Kissing her had left him even more conflicted. There might be something to Kate’s bloody theory after all.

Sophie let out her breath slowly. “It makes no difference. There could never be a match between us.” She sounded rather wistful.

“Why not?”

“The feud, for one thing.”

“I’ve always thought the feud to be rather silly.”

Sophie frowned at that. “My father certainly doesn’t consider it silly. It affected his entire life in a most detrimental way.”

“In what way?”

“When his grandfather died, Papa’s line lost the barony. The terms of the letters patent were peculiar. Inheritance went through the baron’s younger brothers instead of his sons. Therefore, both the title and accompanying fortune passed to Papa’s great-uncle rather than his father.”

“So he still holds a grudge after all this time? For a quarrel that dates back more than half a century?”

“I fear so. He will never forgive your relatives for depriving him of his birthright. And even if he could, he would never countenance a marital union between us when he has his sights set on my marrying a duke.” She sighed. “I should return to the masquerade. My family will wonder what has become of me.”

She rose from the couch, intent on leaving, but Jack stopped her by catching her hand.

“Don’t go yet.” The intensity in his tone surprised even him.

“I must.”

“At least allow me a better kiss.”

When she hesitated, he rose to his feet.

As he gazed down at her, those lovely blue eyes locked with his again and something primitive arced between them.

Something heated and alive.

Shivering, she took a step backward, but Jack tightened his fingers around hers, his resolve renewed.

If this one kiss would determine his fate, he intended to make it unforgettable.

It was rare that Sophie found herself rendered speechless by a man, but Lord Jack Wilde’s provocative declarations had already left her gaping several times this evening. And now his demand for a better kiss set her head spinning.

She ought to resist him, she knew very well. He was pure trouble, in addition to being strictly forbidden to her. But he would not release her hand, and when she tried to retreat, he matched his steps to hers.

He guided her backward until she came flush up against a library table. Her flight arrested, Sophie stared up at Lord Jack, into eyes that were dark as midnight and heavily fringed with black lashes. Even with that cool, slightly cocky smile curving his mouth, he was so devastatingly attractive she could barely think straight.

While she struggled to find her tongue, he grasped her waist and lifted her onto the table, then braced his hands on either side of her hips, effectively trapping her there.

“My lord, this has gone far enough—” Sophie began breathlessly.

“Hush, love. I want your full attention when I kiss you properly.”

He certainly had her full attention, Sophie thought dazedly, staring up into his hypnotic eyes. If only for his audacity. He was bold, brash, brazen … and utterly fascinating.

As he leaned closer, however, the cutlass he wore at his waist clanged against the table’s edge. Amusement laced the low oath he muttered.

“Weapons are hardly conducive to romance,” he commented. “Pray give me a moment.”

He removed the cutlass and laid it on the table surface beside her, then returned his keen focus to her.

“Now, where were we?” he asked, his hands reaching up to lightly skim her arms.

He was contemplating her seduction, quite obviously. His possessive look sent a dangerous thrill down her spine. He was every inch the pirate, prepared to claim what he wanted.

She ought to summon the will to protest, Sophie warned herself, but the disturbing promise of his mouth made heat race through her veins. Then his hand rose higher to cradle her jaw. Her breath was already erratic from the effects of his caressing fingers on her skin, but when he rubbed his forefinger over her lower lip in a light tease, she ceased breathing altogether.

Perhaps she was merely dreaming, but if so, she didn’t want to wake just yet. The truth was, she had never been kissed by a rake before, and she badly wanted to know what it felt like. And when this particular rake smiled at her with that devilish charm, how could she possibly resist? Especially when she was feeling