Free Eye of the Beholder by Emma Jay

to identify. “Why?” he asked brusquely.
    She folded her hands primly in her lap.
“Because you needed help.”
    “Not from you.”
    Her eyebrows arched. “Why not?”
    Little fool, she had to know the answer.
“Because my reputation is destroyed and yours will be as well if
anyone associates you with me.” He let that sink in a moment before
his curiosity got the better of him. “Where did you get the money?”
She’d come to pose for him for the money to travel, after all.
    Even in the dim light inside the carriage, he
saw the blush tinge her cheeks. “I took it from the household
funds. I am assured you can replace it before my mother notices
it’s missing.”
    The last was said as something of a question.
Shock rolled through him. “You stole from your mother?”
    “I borrowed,” she said, stressing the
word.
    “Why?”
    “I didn’t want you to spend any longer than
you had to in that place.”
    “I have been taking care of myself for some
time now.” He couldn’t resist softening toward her, after the
chance she took for him.
    “I understand.”
    “I thank you.” He reached across the carriage
and took her gloved hand in his. “But you should not risk so much
for me.” He wasn’t worth it.
    She lifted those beautiful eyes to his and he
saw something in there that frightened him more than the concern
for his paintings, for his reputation. Christ, was the girl in love
with him?
    “I’ll take you to my home and get you the
money to replace your mother’s funds, then you need to be on your
way.”
    She nodded, her fingers tightening on her
purse.
    He’d wanted to go by his apartment first, to
see what paintings remained from the raid, but the longer he spent
in Sarah’s company, the more dangerous for both of them, a danger
that went far beyond his reputation.
    The carriage pulled alongside his townhouse
and Grayson was out of his seat before the conveyance swayed to a
stop. “Wait here. I’ll bring the money to you. What was the
sum?”
    She shifted forward on her seat as if to
follow, but one look from him had her shrinking back. She told him
the sum and he slammed the door decidedly.
    He had not gone five steps in his house when
he heard the swish of skirts behind him. He pivoted to see Sarah in
the entryway, hands clasped over her purse, appearing undecided for
just a moment before determination brightened her features and she
crossed the floor toward him. She curved her hand around the back
of his head and brought his mouth down to hers. He stiffened for a
moment, but the sweetness of her mouth, the generosity of her
gesture melted his resolve to keep away from her. He curved his
hands around her waist and parted his lips for the tentative foray
of her tongue.
    The pure innocence in her kiss should have
had him shoving her out the door, coin in hand. Instead, it
enflamed him and he brought her closer, encouraging her
inexperienced caresses. His cock grew heavy as her fingers curled
through his hair, stroked the back of his neck, as her breasts
rubbed against his chest.
    Virgin , he reminded himself, even as
his hands slid up to cup her breasts through the silk of her dress.
No corset here, only firm breasts, tight nipples, and he swirled
his thumbs over the sensitive tips, causing her to gasp into his
mouth. He took over the kiss then, tasting her lips, her tongue,
sliding along it in the rhythm he craved.
    She whimpered and broke the kiss and for a
moment he thought she’d bolt. Instead, she pressed her body closer
to his and angled her head back, inviting his kisses on her long
white throat. He obliged, running his lips up and down the line of
soft skin until she shuddered, clutching his arms. He trailed his
lips across her exposed collarbone to the hollow of her throat, and
felt her breathing grow faster, tempting him to brush his lips
across the tops of her breasts. She released her grip on his arms
to tangle her fingers in his hair, guiding him downward. He allowed
himself just a