Free Tempted by Her Innocent Kiss by Maya Banks

aren’t able to travel. We’ll have dinner with Ryan and Kelly while we’re here and I’m sure we’ll have the occasion to meet Rafe and Bryony before long.”
    “I can’t wait.”
    “I couldn’t care less about them at the moment,” Devon murmured. “I’m more interested in our wedding night.”
    Heat exploded in her cheeks at the same time a delicious shiver wracked her spine. “I have to get ready,” she said in a low voice. “I have something special. It’s a surprise.”
    “Mmm, what kind of surprise?”
    “Umm, well, it was a gift from my girlfriends. They assured me no man alive would be able to resist me in it.”
    “Oh hell, remind me to thank them.”
    She raised an eyebrow. “You haven’t seen me in it yet.”
    “I’ll like it. I’m sure I’ll like it. I’d like you in sackcloth.
    Whatever it is they bought you, I’m sure I’ll appreciate it. Right before I peel it off your delectable body.” She all but wiggled in excitement. She was barely able to contain herself. “Okay, you wait here. Give me fifteen minutes at least. I want to look perfect. And no peeking!”
    He held up his hands. “Would I do such a thing?” Her eyes narrowed. “Promise me.”
    He sighed. “Okay, okay. But get moving. I’m going to go down and arrange for a very good bottle of wine and also give them our breakfast order for the morning. You have until I get back to do your thing.” She went up on tiptoe, kissed him and brushed past him into the suite. She waited just until he walked by and out of the bedroom before she hurriedly retrieved the bright pink, totally girly gift box from her suitcase.
    At her lingerie shower, her girlfriends had delighted in making her eyes grow wide at all the things they’d bought her. The gifts had ranged from totally classy and elegant to absolutely outrageous and daring.
    For her wedding night, she’d chosen a gown that was the perfect blend of elegant and sensual. It was sexy without being over-the-top siren material, although Ashley had no objection over the siren part.

    Being a seductive temptress for an evening had its merits and she was determined that she’d eventually work up the nerve to pull that one off.
    She hurriedly changed and then went to survey herself in the mirror in the corner. The gown was beautiful. She felt like a princess and she liked that feeling very much. A pampered, cherished princess.
    She reached for the clip holding her hair up and let the strands tumble down onto her shoulders. She fluffed it a bit, ran her fingers through the ends to straighten it and then took another step back to survey her reflection.
    The bodice plunged deep between her breasts and offered just a hint of a view of the swells. If she turned just right, her nipple was almost bared. Almost, but not quite.
    The skirt of the gown was sheer and it shimmered over her legs like a dream. Maybe she’d underestimated the siren quality of the lingerie. It seemed innocent enough in the box, but on her…? It took on a more seductive air and made her look less innocent and more brazen.
    Not a bad look to achieve on one’s wedding night.
    She flashed herself an impish grin and turned away from the mirror. Impulsively, she swirled around, outstretching her arms as she pretended to dance with an imaginary partner.
    Humming lightly she twirled again, sighing dreamily as she performed the steps to the waltz she and Devon had danced at her reception. He was a good dancer. He didn’t seem entirely comfortable with dancing as a rule, but he’d been more than adept at it.
    He moved like a dream. Commanding. Graceful with a hint of arrogance that made her all giddy inside.
    She closed her eyes and whirled again. Her outstretched hand smacked against something hard and pain flashed over her knuckles at the same time a crash jolted her out of her fantasy.
    Devon’s laptop that had been resting on the mantel of the fireplace along with his wall et, keys and the contents of his pockets,