Free Sinful Cravings by Samantha Holt

apologies for my behaviour. Life is about seizing opportunities and I can think of no better way of passing my days than in the arms of a beautiful woman. The human connection, Hettie, is powerful indeed and if we do not make use of it, we might as well be no more than barbarians.”
    She eyed him incredulously. “You are saying that if we do not...” she waved a hand about, “spend time with the opposite sex in, well, bed that we are no better than animals?”
    “Animals have sex. Humans make love. It is our duty as the superior beings on this planet to explore all the world has to offer.”
    “You’re telling me that every woman you have bedded, you made love to?”
    The colour in her cheeks increased with every word.
    “I might not have loved them but I treated them far better than they have ever been. To create a mutually pleasurable and memorable experience with another is, to my mind, an excellent way to pass one’s time on this world.”
    Hettie let out an audible breath. “It is a selfish way.”
    “When I was a boy, my oldest brother, Julian, grew very sick. I was only young but I realised then how short life was. I’m grateful for that lesson.”
    “But you could be doing so many other things. Charitable work, real work.” She paused, forcing him to slow his pace and turn toward her. “You write, do you not?”
    “I do.” He shifted the hat box to his other arm. “How do you know that?”
    “Well, you do not use a penname so I can hardly think it is some great secret. But I saw your name in a book on your desk.”
    “In my spare time, I write for journals. What of it?”
    “I would have to believe you are a man of intellect. You disguise it in some ways, though I do not comprehend why, but it is clear you are a thinking man. Why not use that to solve some of the problems of the world?”
    He supposed he ought to be flattered. Few people saw him as anything more than a rogue and he didn’t care enough about their opinion to try to change it. Somehow, Hettie saw more than that. It was strange indeed.
    However, her disapproval of his lifestyle rankled somewhat. Yet again, he couldn’t understand why her opinion bothered him.
    Jasper shook his head to himself and continued up the road. It was carved deep with grooves from carriages and the occasional puddle was left over from previous days’ rain. He had to watch his step while juggling their luggage, giving him a moment to move their conversation away from him.
    “What of you? What do you do with your time?”
    “I am no lady of leisure if that is what you mean. I know Emma plays it well in spite of our humble circumstances.”
    “You father is quite respected, I had heard.”
    “We do well enough and live comfortably, but that does not make me work-shy,” she replied primly.
    “And what exactly do you do for work?”
    “I help at the local orphanage.”
    “Ah, admirable indeed.”
    “I don’t do it for admiration.”
    “No, I imagine you do it for the warm, fuzzy feeling.”
    She opened her mouth and shot a fiery look at him that almost sent his toes curling into his boots. Hettie Foster was quite the woman. Thank the Lord she wasn’t armed with her umbrella. But then her gaze narrowed at him.
    “You’re teasing me.”
    He let his lips twist. “A little. It doesn’t hurt to let yourself smile every now and then, Hettie.”
    “I smile.”
    “I must make you very miserable indeed then for I’m not sure I’ve seen a single smile from you.”
    “You do not make me miserable,” she admitted. “You confuse me.”
    Jasper peered at her and saw her clamp her mouth shut. She hadn’t meant to admit to that, he suspected. The truth was, however, she confused him too, so he could well sympathise.
    “You need to learn to enjoy yourself,” he declared to cover up her admission.
    This incited the reaction he’d expected. The stiffening of her shoulders and pinching of her lips. “I do enjoy myself. In fact, I—”
    “Let’s stop