Free The Princess and the Pauper by Nancy Bush Page A

remarked. “You’re on days now.”
    “Was that what you want to talk about?” he asked softly in a mocking tone.
    April glared at him. She was standing to one side, letting the moonlight dapple one bare shoulder. She’d specifically worn this pale blue wraparound sundress to impress him – she knew it looked good on her. Her long black hair hung straight and covered most of her bare back. Now, under Jesse’s stripping scrutiny, she couldn’t help but wrap her arms protectively around her waist, spoiling the effect. He could make her feel so ill at ease.
    “No. I… just wanted you to—”
    “What?” he demanded, when she broke off.
    “I don’t know!”
    “Kiss you?” She could see him smile; his teeth were flash of white. “Again?”
    “No!”
    “Really. His tone was flat. “Then what do you want?”
    “Look, Jesse. I guess I like meeting you, okay? I’ve wanted to see you again.” April felt her lips tighten. “That’s all.”
    She didn’t move for the longest time. Finally, he heaved a deep sigh and removed his jacket, tossing it onto the ground. Then he ran his fingers through sweat-dampened hair and shook his head. “I shouldn’t be here.”
    “Why not?”
    “Because I don’t want to be here with you!”
    He’s lying , April suddenly realized, her pulse leaping. She slid him a look. He does want to be here! Otherwise he wouldn’t have come at all. Half afraid he might bolt if she came too close, she tentatively walked up next to him. She tipped her chin to look into his shadowed eyes.
    He watched her closely, but she couldn’t read his expression in the gloom. All she wanted him to do was take her into his arms and assuage that sweet, secret ache that pulsed deep inside her.
    “I’m not thinking straight,” he said, his gaze holding hers.
    A strand of April’s ebony hair wisped upward, falling across his bare arm. In a voice she scarcely recognized as her own, she said, “I know we only have a few weeks, but I want to see you again. I’m tired of chasing you.”
    “Then stop.”
    “Why can’t I see you?” April asked.
    “Because it’s a big waste of time. It’ll go nowhere.”
    “How do you know? You are afraid of me!”
    “Damn right!” he said.
    April laughed, and the sound rippled through the sultry air. She doubted Jesse Cawthorne was afraid of anything. She’d just wanted a reaction from him. “You’re a liar,” she said, grinning. “Jesse…”
    She made the mistake of placing a hand on his arm. His muscles hardened. It was like an electric shock burning through her. April jerked back, eyes wide.
    Before she realized it, his hand was cupping the curve of her jaw, his knuckles grazing her cheek in an incredibly thrilling way. The pad of his thumb touched her dry lips and her heartbeat thudded hard and painfully.
    April’s lips parted automatically in fear and excitement. He swore softly, but it only added to her heightened awareness. When his thumb dipped into her mouth, she tasted its saltiness with the tip of her tongue.
    He groaned and slid his hands into her hair, then leaned over her, his blond head bending toward hers. The softness of his mouth belied the urgency of his kiss. He crushed her to him.
    April knees buckled. It wasn’t long before she felt the soft sheepskin lining of his jacket against her bare back, the hard tingle of jean clad legs as he bore her to the ground. Jesse’s mouth claimed hers with the possessiveness that made her head roar.
    “April,” he murmured. “April…”
    She thrilled to his voice. It was a heady sensation, knowing she affected him the way she did. She kissed him back as wildly as he kissed her. Twisting her body, she strained to be closer to him.
    His tongue thrust between her teeth. Shock slid down her spine like lightning, touching the most feminine part of herself, leaving it throbbing. Her arms around his waist, she moaned weakly. His shirt had come off and she slid her hands experimentally over the taut