Free To Refuse a Rake by Kristin Vayden Page A

covered him as he increased the distance.
    Her eyes fluttered open and she blinked at him. Her eyes were wide with wonder and confusion.
    “I thought…” The husky quality to her voice caused his body to tighten to the point of pain.
    “I will not take that which is not freely given, Miss Kingsly. Consider your debt paid in full.” Hudson bowed and began to walk away, willing his body to relax from its painful state. He closed his eyes for a few steps, calling himself ten kinds of fool for not taking the chance to taste the flavor of her lips, the honey under her tongue. When he opened his eyes once more, he let out a tight breath.
    “I will not.” Her voice echoed across the stone balcony.
    Hudson paused mid-step. After a heartbeat, he turned to find her striding toward him with purpose-filled steps.
    “Pardon?” Hudson questioned.
    “I will not consider myself paid in full. I gave my word. I’ll keep it,” she whispered as she came closer. With trembling hands she reached up and rested them on his shoulders. Rising up on tiptoes, she placed a warm kiss directly on Hudson’s slightly parted lips.
    His shock only lasted a moment and then he took control of the kiss. Her lips were deliciously soft as they molded over his. Without thought, he wrapped his arms around her waist, instinctively guiding her into his embrace. She followed his lead willingly. Hudson savored her spicy honey flavor. He teased her lower lip and flicked his tongue against her teeth as she gasped. Gently, he invaded her mouth and vowed to remember her taste, the million sensations of her body pressed into his and willingly surrendering. Her hands reached around his neck, pulling him in closer and Hudson willingly obeyed.
    Through the fabric of her dress he could feel her pounding heartbeat that was certainly echoed by his own. Never before had a kiss so consumed him. All that existed was her. Slowly she pulled away, as if reluctant. Hudson gentled his hold, but continued to tease her lips with increasingly tender kisses. With a final lingering touch of her lips, she released her hold on his neck and Hudson opened his eyes. Her own gaze was drunk with passion and her lips were swollen and cherry red from his attentions. Never had she appeared so beautiful.
    “I believe now… my debt is paid in full.” She spoke with a husky and deeply alluring quality to her voice, sending Hudson’s self control almost over the edge.
    More than anything, he wanted to press her against the stone wall and take far more than nectar-laced kisses, but he wouldn’t.
    “Yes. You are indeed.” Hudson’s own voice was deeper and more gravelly. Slowly he reached up and trailed a finger down her soft cheek. She closed her eyes for a moment then seemed to remember herself. With a delicate cough, she backed away and smoothed her dress with her hands.
    “Yes, well. I believe it’s time to return.”
    “Of course. I’ll wait here and follow you in a few moments, Miss Kingsly,” Hudson offered with a slight bow.
    “Thank you, Lord Daventry.”
    “Believe me, it was my pleasure, Miss Kingsly.” He tried to suppress the grin fighting to be free, but when she grinned back instead of raising an eyebrow or tossing an annoyed expression his way, he lost the battle and smiled broadly.
    As Hudson waited for the correct time to return to the ballroom, he replayed the kiss over and over. How she had shocked him when she had strode over and declared herself not paid in full! There was no sweeter taste than her lips, nothing more alluring than her flushed face after being thoroughly kissed. His pursuit of her had been sincere before, but indeed, now he was more determined than ever to win every ounce of her affection. Even then, he doubted it would be enough to satisfy his growing hunger for her. The kiss simply had fanned the flames that had started so many years before.

Chapter Six
    Emma closed her eyes for a moment before entering the ballroom. She waited behind a