Free THE DUKE’S MATCH GIRL: A Christmas Fiery Tale Novella (Fiery Tales Series) by Lila DiPasqua Page B

breeches. Her heart missed a beat. She watched as two water droplets dripped from his hair onto his shoulder. And ran down his skin.
    One along his chest.
    And the other down the length of one muscled arm.
    It was the most riveting sight she’d ever seen.
    Her cheeks grew hot. Her whole body warmed. That familiar hunger roared through her senses. She couldn’t tear her gaze away, devouring every devastating inch of him. Seized by the urge to run her hands over every dip and ripple on his chiseled chest and sculpted abdomen.
    Upon seeing her, a slow smile formed on his lips. He raked a hand through his hair. “Good day, Suzanne.”
    Her mouth felt dry. Her nipples were tight, pressing against the inside of her chemise.
    Dear God… Focus!
    “What…” Her voice came out as a mortifying squeak. She swallowed hard and tried again, with a more forceful tone this time. “What do you think you’re doing?” she demanded.
    He leaned his forearm against the doorframe. She tried ignoring the appealing flex of his bicep that came naturally with the movement. “I just finished my bath. What a shame. You could have joined me.”
    Her sex moistened at the mere suggestion.
    Standing this close to him, seeing that wicked gleam in his light green eyes, and with nothing more than the simple cloth of his breeches covering his muscled form, it was very difficult to give him a piece of her mind.
    Not when her mind was on his skin—remembering how warm and delicious it was. His strong arms, and the incredible feel of being in their embrace.
    And then there was that generous, utterly noticeable bulge in his breeches. Knowing he wanted her made her clitoris pulse in time with her quickened heart.
    How was it possible that he drew her just as powerfully as he had all those years ago when he’d melted her heart?
    “I have a question,” she said, pushing away the past.
    “Ask whatever you like. I’ll be truthful.”
    “That’s excellent. What I want to know is—are you deranged?”
    “I don’t believe so.”
    “Do you know I cannot leave my shop? I cannot even BE IN my shop, for I am assailed with people trying to convince me to come with you to Montbrison—just to win the fortune you have dangled before them!”
    Amused, he cocked a brow. “Have any succeeded?”
    “Only in inspiring thoughts of your demise.”
    He chuckled, reached out, and captured her hand. “Don’t just stand there. You can tell me all the things you want to do to my body inside.” With that, he yanked her into the room and shut the door.
    She was suddenly alone with the all too alluring Duc de Mont-Marly. Suzanne’s gaze shot to the large bed a short distance away.
    Oh, this is bad. Very, very bad.
    Especially with how responsive she was to him. Anticipation was mounting by the moment—as was the fever in her blood. Putting her at a disadvantage. She silently cursed Leo for introducing her to sexual pleasures.
    And what it was like to be this man’s lover.
    This was a situation perilously fraught with potential heartache for her.
    Suzanne drew in a deep breath and let it out, then pulled her hand from his. Her skin tingled where he’d touched her. Distancing herself from Leo was so foreign to her, when for so long all she ever wanted was to draw near.
    They’d been so close once, he felt like a piece of her.
    And she’d carried on just fine without that piece for the last seven years.
Liar!
a small voice from deep inside her heart vehemently objected. She quashed the voice.
    “What if someone is in need of medical care urgently? How in the world is anyone going to approach me—or Rolland—for help when you’ve caused pandemonium in the streets and in my establishment?”
    “You underestimate me. I had my men visit every home, informing them about the contest, and what to do should they need medical attention. They were directed to come here to the inn and speak to Joseph. They would then be escorted immediately through the crowds, directly to