Free Bloodlust Denied by Christina Phillips Page B

resumed its exploration, circling her taut stomach, teasing her navel, and yet he did not follow the progress of his venture. His gaze never left hers. “What of your fiddler? Is he the assassin, once you have ensnared the enemy with your deadly charms?”
    How close to the truth he was.
    “Thanatos lures our victims to their fate.” She had the urge to laugh again, but didn’t know why. Didn’t know why she was telling him this, except for the fact it didn’t matter because even if he believed her, there was nothing he could do about it.
    Gods, she was dizzy. She tried to flex her fingers but they had disappeared without trace.
    “He plays well.” A fleeting scowl marred the duke’s features. “Too well for a mere street fiddler.” His eyes narrowed. “Perhaps you are an obscure member of the gentry after all.”
    Once she had been a member of an ancient aristocracy, but had no intention of confessing such to him. “Obscure or not, I’ll be missed if you don’t return me.”
    “You may be missed.” He shrugged as if that was of no account. “But you’ll never be found.”
    “What makes you so sure?” Why was she asking? No one but Thanatos would miss her. No one but Thanatos would search for her.
    There was no question in her mind that he would find her. He had to find her. Neither could survive alone.
    But the duke didn’t know that. So how could he be so certain no one had seen them leave together? Had recognized his carriage? Just because he believed she was not related to the Lady Harriet didn’t mean she wasn’t.
    For all he knew, Lady Harriet’s men could even now be moments from staging a rescue.
    “Because,” he offered her a sardonic smile, “I’m the Duke of Havenshire and my word is law. You could be the Regent’s favorite mistress and still they wouldn’t find you.”
    Unease vibrated through her mind as she realized she believed him.
    “You’re very sure of yourself.” Her voice was husky. She couldn’t help it. No matter how his arrogance infuriated her, he still fascinated her and she wanted him more than anything she had ever wanted in her life before.
    “I’m sure of one thing.” His smoky voice licked around her senses, and she struggled against the sultry ripples of desire that tightened her belly. “Before this night is over you’ll writhe with ecstasy in my arms as you scream with mindless pleasure.”
    Her clitoris throbbed at the vision and she tensed her thigh muscles in the vain hope he wouldn’t smell the extent of her arousal. An impossible wish as her desire permeated the cursed bed and she could no sooner control her lust than she could control this maddening man.
    “Release me.” The words were barely articulate. “And I’ll more than fulfill your egotistical fantasies.”
    His dark head lowered and, without breaking eye contact, he lazily flicked his tongue over her swollen nipple. Damp tremors radiated from the tip of her breast to the center of her wet core and she fought against the overpowering urge to squirm…and lost.
    “You’ll fulfill all my fantasies, Morana.” His whisper was a dark caress that flayed her soul. “And you will fulfill them on my terms.”

Chapter Eight
     
    Resentment flared, momentarily consuming everything but the knowledge he wouldn’t grant her this one small favor. She twisted her hips, attempting to throw him aside, but he merely grinned and again trailed the tip of his tongue across her treacherous nipple.
    “I’ll never scream my pleasure for you.” She’d bite off her tongue first.
    His eyes glittered in clear challenge.
    “Then let us have a wager, Miss Craven.” He raised his head and his infernal hair made him look like an irresistible fallen angel. Damn him. “If you survive this night without experiencing orgasmic pleasure at my hands, tongue or whatever else I may choose to use upon your body before I release you, then you’re free to go. I won’t stop you.” He looked down at her, demonic