A Rogue to Ruin (The Pretenders #3) - Darcy Burke Page 0,92

feel like talking—just not to her sister. Anne wanted to say many things…to Rafe. She’d held the conversation several times in her head.

Stop. Sleep.

She closed her eyes more tightly and willed her body to relax. This shouldn’t be difficult. She was exhausted.

Clearing her mind, she focused on the weight of her limbs, the softness of the bed, the scent of lavender from her pillow. Yes, this was better. She was so tired…

The sudden press of a hand over her mouth and the weight of a large, warm body against her back filled her with a desperate panic. She tried to breathe but couldn’t. Terror streaked through her veins as her eyes flew open.

“Shh. It’s me.” Rafe’s voice was soft and deep beside her ear, sending a shiver of longing down her spine. Her fear receded and was instantly replaced with an equally strong emotion—lust.

“Will you be quiet, or do I have to tie something around your mouth so you’ll listen to me? Nod if you’ll be quiet.”

She nodded, and he eased her to her back. Keeping his hand against her mouth, he threw his leg over her and straddled her thighs. She bit the inside of her lip to keep from moaning. She was an absolute wanton. After he’d lied to her, she wanted him more than ever.

He slid his hand down her neck and kept his palm pressed against the base of her throat. He wasn’t wearing gloves, so his flesh was bare against hers above the edge of her night rail.

Anne gulped air, her chest moving rapidly as her lungs filled and emptied. She stared up at him, her eyes wide so she could drink in the shadowed planes of his face, only partially illuminated by the moonlight.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured, his hand moving down between her breasts over her heart. His pinky finger stretched over her right breast. Her nipple tingled, aching for his touch.

“How did you steal into my room?”

He gave her a lopsided smile that would have made her sigh. But that was before. As aroused as she currently was, as much as she wanted him physically, she was still angry.

“I’m a thief, remember? I’m quite good at stealing into places I shouldn’t be, though I haven’t done so in quite some time.”

“Yes, I remember. It seems, however, you forgot to tell me.” She kept her hands at her sides, but considered pushing him off her. Except she doubted she’d be able to. “Do you plan to sit on me all night?”

“No, just while I explain.”

“I’m still angry with you.”

“I can tell. You’ve every right to be.” He pulled his hand from her, and her body rose slightly off the bed, following the appendage as a disappointing cold washed over her. “I’m so sorry, Anne.”

“I want to be angry.”

“Do you want to rail at me? I would only ask that you not wake the household. Unless you want company. I would prefer to suffer your verbal flaying in private. Or would you rather have an audience?”

“No.” Nor did she want to castigate him. “Damn you.” She pushed at his chest.

He grabbed her wrists and pinned her arms on either side of her head. “Yes. I am and have been quite damned.”

He had. More than anyone should have to endure. Gritting her teeth, she glared up at him. “I still love you.”

His breath caught, and his teeth flashed in the moonlight. “Good, because I love you too.”

Anne gasped just before he lowered his head and kissed her. His lips commanded hers as he pinned her to the bed. Holding her fast, he plundered her mouth, each lick of his tongue and graze of his teeth igniting a new fire of longing inside her. She arched up, wanting more, and moaned with need.

Tearing his mouth from hers, he kissed along her jaw and down her neck. Hot, frenzied kisses that ravaged her flesh.

“God, I want you in every way,” he rasped. He held her wrists as his mouth descended, finding its way to her nipple where he licked and sucked her through the thin lawn of her night rail.

Anne whimpered as she rose off the mattress and pushed herself into him. “Please.”

He growled against her and released her hands. Cupping her breast, he pulled at the top of her chemise, making a small tear in the fabric just before he latched onto her.

She cast her head back, squeezing her eyes closed and giving herself over to the mad sensation of his lips and tongue. He plucked her