Free The Seduction of Lord Stone by Anna Campbell Page B

“Silas, let me go.”
    His grip firmed. “No true friend would want to see you deprived.”
    “What—”
    He caught a fleeting glimpse of eyes shooting sapphire fire before the barely leashed beast inside him overpowered the last shreds of restraint. On a surge of furious triumph, he swept Caro up against his body and his lips crashed down onto hers.

 
    Chapter Five
     
    H eat like she’d never known before engulfed Caroline. Forbidden excitement streaked through her. Good sense went up in flames as her temper and desire rose to meet Silas with equal fervor. She was lost to the storm raging between them. Anything beyond this moment faded to insignificance.
    With sizzling intent, his mouth moved on hers, demanding participation. Helpless to resist, she parted her lips, sighing surrender. He dragged her closer and his tongue dipped into her mouth, making her shake with reaction. She moaned and curled her arms around his neck.
    With a suddenness that left her bewildered, he jerked free. Ruthlessly he hauled her arms down. Then his hands circled her upper arms, hard enough to hold her, soft enough to feel like a caress. He glared down at her as if he hated her.
    “Slap me. I deserve it,” he said roughly.
    She fought to find her balance. The abrupt end to that fiery kiss left her reeling.
    “Curse you, I should,” she hissed as her lips tingled for more kisses. She felt so torn—until this moment, she’d had no idea he even wanted to kiss her.
    Well, now she knew, and the knowing was dangerous. If she had any sense, she’d scurry out of this greenhouse as fast as she could run. But confused and unsure, she lingered. Her pride had crumbled so low that right now, she almost didn’t care if he kissed her in anger or pity or passion. She’d take anything as long as he didn’t leave her teetering and dizzy on the edge of this chasm.
    “Then do it.” He still looked half mad.
    She had no idea what he wanted. To send her away? To throw her onto one of those cluttered benches and toss her skirts up? The wanton image of Silas thrusting inside her made her belly twist with such anticipation, it felt like pain. A whimper escaped her as she fought the need to pull him down and kiss him until he satisfied her ravenous hunger.
    “Caro, for God’s sake…” His eyes were black and lightless. Deep lines extended from the corners of his lips to his nose. A muscle jerked erratically in one cheek. He looked close to shattering. After one little kiss.
    She sucked in a deep breath and felt her senses expand. Silas smelled different today, his familiar male scent mixed with earth and plants. The combination was heady, made her mouth water. He smelled wild and primitive, not like the man who drank tea and traded witticisms in his sister’s elegant drawing room.
    She read arousal and shame in his strained features. Right now, he wanted her, and he despised himself for it. His hands tightened and his eyes focused on her lips with such searing attention, it felt like another kiss.
    “You have no right to manhandle me.” She straightened and stared back at him, imperious as a queen.
    “No.”
    The universe of despair in that one low syllable astonished her. The blood pounding in her ears muffled rational thought, but in some dusty corner of her mind curiosity stirred. He wasn’t acting like a man in love with another woman.
    “Then release me.”
    Immediately she was free. She staggered and fumbled for the bench behind her. For a giddy second, she wondered if her knees would hold her up.
    “Lord, Caro, forgive me,” Silas said bleakly. “I’m a barbarian.”
    “Yes, you are.” And she’d had absolutely no idea. What else was hidden under his polished exterior?
    “Slap me.”
    “I’d love to.”
    He closed his eyes and stood still as a post. She stiffened her spine and drew back her hand. Her heart beat so fast, she felt lightheaded. Outrage fed frustrated desire. She couldn’t precisely say why. It wasn’t because