Free Tempest of Passion by Elyzabeth M. VaLey

about landing
on his chest. She meant to push him away, but the soft texture of
his shirt coupled with the hard flesh beneath mesmerized her and
she stilled. Her mouth had dried, her anger had fizzled. She was
too close to him. She could smell him, his delicious scent curling
around her like the warmest embrace. William’s hand on her back was
scalding hot, drawing delicious shivers just from the contact. His
eyes found hers and another soundless gasp burst through her lips.
There was fire in his gaze. Molten liquid fire that set her body
alight. His brown eyes were shining with golden flecks and she was
trapped in them like a bug trapped in amber.
    “ Ms. Bunsbury.” His voice came out in a deep hoarse whisper.
They were intended for her, and only for her. “As I understand it
from your rant just now, you have suffered from a betrothal that
did not appreciate your worth. Has it not occurred to you that
perhaps, you had not found the right man?”
    Emily swallowed before answering. Did they have to be so
close? Didn’t this go against all societal rules? A man wasn’t
supposed to touch a woman like this unless they were married … and
even then it was not well seen.
    “ Stop thinking, Emily, and answer my question,” he
ordered.
    Emily jumped at the use of her first name. Again, it sounded
right on his lips. Too right. Too decadent, too much.
    “ Please release me,” she said pushing him
half-heartedly.
    “ Not until you answer me.” He inclined his head closer, the
distance between them so close that she had all but to move another
inch and their lips would meet. Perspiration coated her back at the
thought. Oh, to taste him again. To vividly feel his wild and sweet
taste on her lips.
    “ Ms. Bunsbury?”
“There is no right man,” she spat, glaring up at him, welcoming
back the separation as he said her family’s name out
loud.
    Giving him a mighty shove, she separated their bodies. Cool
air wrapped around her and she shivered at the loss of contact.
Already she missed him.
    No . She ground her
teeth together, her palms itching to slap against his face. “How
dare you take such liberties, Mr. Dalton?”
    He opened his mouth to speak but she shook her head. “Don’t
bother, I don’t care for explanations. You are like all other men
and if you truly must know, I did look for the man that did not
want me just because I was a decent woman with a good dowry. I was
as young and foolish as most women are at certain ages … but I came
to realize that there is more to life than finding a husband, and
accepted my fate with good grace.”
    “ Have you ever thought that a man could be interested in you
for more than your good looks and purse? Have you ever thought
there could be a marriage out of love? Out of mutual respect for
each other? That not all men are like that pig that wanted to marry
you so you could have a brood of children?”
    “ Of course I’ve thought of that,” she cried out. “What do you
think of me? I know the times we live in, I know. Yet, my parents,
perhaps because of their old age or perhaps because I am the only
unwed daughter and they pity me, allow me certain things. Things
which in a marriage I would not be permitted to do. I refuse to
lose this liberty.”
    “ Enough,” he growled, drawing her into his embrace again.
Emily cried out in surprise as her feet left the ground for an
instant. Her hands found safe anchorage in his shoulders as he set
her back down, his hand burning a trace on her waist. He leaned
toward her, his forehead touching hers. She closed her eyes,
wishing him to go away. It was too much. His nearness was too much.
She wanted him to kiss her. She wanted to melt against his touch
and to feel safe in his arms. She wanted him to reassure her. She
was not a weak woman. She’d never been, yet, his overwhelming
presence made her mad. “Look at me,” he growled.
    Emily refused to open her eyes. She was a mess. Her feelings
for him were raining havoc down upon