A Scandalous Bargain (The Pretenders #2) - Darcy Burke Page 0,75

Would that help you?”

“I can’t see how it would. You…sold it?”

“Fenced it is the proper term.” Heat flushed her face and neck once more. “I can try to buy it back tomorrow.”

He shook his head. “I don’t think it matters, and honestly, good riddance to the damn thing. You said your father would tell everyone about your past. He knows?”

She nodded, anger and frustration beating at her chest. “I was caught at the school, and they notified him. He then tracked us after I left Mrs. Goodwin’s. He knows that Selina and I are frauds. Swindlers.” The heat of her ire cooled and was replaced by a searing cold. “She pretends to be a fortune-teller. I pretend to be sick and in need of money for treatment. We pretend we’re starting a charitable organization and collect donations.” She looked him in the eye. “I’m not proud of it, but surely you agree it’s better than selling myself.” It was as if her body had been immersed in ice. She twitched and shivered as her skin turned to gooseflesh.

He still held her shoulders, but now he drew her against him. Wrapping his arms around her, he lifted her until she was on his lap as he settled back against the headboard. He pressed his lips to her temple and massaged her flesh, bringing warmth back, slowly, to her body.

“As you said, we are definitely a pair.”

“Yes, but a pair of what?” She rubbed her cheek against his chest.

“Unfortunate souls.” He chuckled, and she closed her eyes, grateful for this man and what they shared.

“This has been a very educational night,” she said wryly. “However, I must admit that I am feeling rather fortunate. Aren’t you?”

“Yes. More than I have in years. Perhaps forever. And that is due to you.” He cupped her cheek and tipped her head up so he could kiss her, his lips seducing hers with a gentle sweep and press. His tongue entered the fray, and her defenses—of which she had none against him, nor did she want any—were completely lost.

She kissed him back in ardent abandon, twining her arms around his neck. The revelations of the night gave way to a keener understanding, perhaps a more insistent craving. The more she knew of him, mentally, physically, emotionally, the more she wanted.

“What will your father do?” Tom asked softly. “Do I need to call him out?”

Beatrix smoothed her palms over the muscular planes of his chest as her gaze met his. “You would do that?”

“I think I might. He has no right to expose you, not after the way he’s treated you. He’s despicable.”

“It seems we were both burdened with terrible fathers. How remarkable that you are the complete opposite.” She smiled as she continued to explore him, her fingertips gliding along the ridges of his muscles and the small peak of his nipples. He sucked in a breath.

“So long as I leave him alone, he’ll leave me alone. I don’t trust him, but I’ve no reason to believe he’ll expose my or Selina’s secrets. If he does, I will tell everyone he is my father, and that he does not want.”

“You don’t want that either,” Tom said, brushing his thumb over her lower lip. “Society is cruel, but then you know that from the girls at the school.”

Yes, she did. And no, she didn’t want her past or the circumstances of her birth laid bare for all to see.

Bare… She stared at the expanse of his chest before her. She leaned forward and licked across his nipple. His cock, already stirring beneath her, hardened.

“Beatrix, I—”

She scooted down his thighs and moved her hand to stroke his length. “Yes?”

“I should probably go.”

“Why? Selina and Harry aren’t here. Just leave before dawn.”

“There are reasons I shouldn’t stay longer.”

She kissed his throat. “There are reasons you should.” She tipped her head back and looked up at him. “Tom, it’s only tonight. I think we both deserve it.”

His expression flickered with uncertainty.

“Will you stay?”

There was nothing he wanted more. In the end, he allowed desire to overcome reason.

Clasping her waist, he turned her so that she straddled his hips. He lifted one hand to her temple and brushed her hair back from her face. He tangled his fingers into her curls and pulled her to him for a blistering kiss.

Their mouths slanted together, lips and tongues eagerly devouring. He tugged at her hair, and she dropped her head back, stretching the column of her throat. Thomas licked down her flesh. She