Free Sins of the Past by Elizabeth Power

to brush the corner of hers, so lightly the action might not even have warranted being called a kiss. The barest contact of that slightly roughened jaw against hers was more arousing than she could ever have dared to contemplate. That, with those hands that could turn to steel and yet whose touch was spine-tinglingly tender now as they lightly shaped her shoulders, turning her head to mush and her legs to jelly.
    A sick excitement trembled through her as his mouth breathed a sensuous path along her hairline, holding her rigid, poisoning her self-respect and every last principle she held dear.
    ‘Let me go.’
    He laughed softly, aware from the gut-tight tension in herand the way her voice faltered that she could no more hide the way he affected her than she could fly.
    ‘Why? Because you can’t accept you want me? You’re still a liar, Riva, whether you like it or not—to yourself, if to no one else. Admit it,
carissima,
when you tricked me into making love to you, with your feminine wiles and your amazing act of sophistication, you finally bit off more than you could chew.’
    Yes, he was right, she thought, despairing with herself, because nothing she had ever fought for in her life was as insurmountable as her battle against this lethal attraction to him.
    Refusing to acknowledge that, at least, she murmured, ‘I didn’t try to trick you.’
    ‘No? Pretending to be experienced and far less gauche than you actually were? But that isn’t the case now, is it, Riva? From the way you responded to me the other day I should not be surprised if you could match my own level of expertise. If I remember correctly, you were keen to get started. But has it lived up to all it promised, that loss of innocence you were so eager to sacrifice? I can’t say it sits too well on my conscience that I was the one who led you on to that path.’
    ‘Don’t let it bother you,’ she breathed, wondering what he would say if he knew there hadn’t been anyone else since her reckless behaviour with him. ‘I’m sure you’ll get over it.’
    ‘Sì, forse.
Maybe. The question is,
cara,
will you? A woman, I believe, always remembers her first lover, and the imprint of my hands are like brands on your body, are they not? Still burning—scorching the life out of you as the memory of your untutored hands on my body still leaches the life out of mine.’
    Incredulity widened the green eyes looking up into his. Had she made that much of an impact on him? Despite all his motives? In spite of using her as a pleasurable tool for his own premeditated ends?
    Soft laughter fanned her hair as the hand travelling downher back slipped under her tunic and cupped her small buttocks, pressing her shockingly against him.
    ‘See,
cara,
if you don’t believe me.’ The warmth of his hand burned through her skirt beneath her tunic, and she closed her eyes so that he wouldn’t see the flame that sprang to life in her from the rock-hard evidence of his arousal. ‘Small you might be, but we fit superbly,
carissima.
How long will you hold out, I wonder, before you’re forced to admit that you want what you had no qualms about taking from me last time. Pleasure—and of the highest order—regardless of the price you had to pay to get it.’
    And he alone knew what that price had been!
    But he would wear her down if he could. Overwhelm her with his dangerous persona and his heart-stopping promises of paradise—just as he had done before. Only she was much too scarred by her previous involvement with him ever to fall under his spell a second time.
    ‘Not any more, Damiano. As you pointed out,’ she added, remembering how this conversation had started, ‘there’s someone else now, who keeps me far more amused than you ever could!’
    She didn’t know if she managed to break free, or if he simply let her go.
    Back in the house, she spent the next hour or so unable to concentrate—especially when he came in and stood looking over her shoulder while she was