Free My Lord Eternity by Alexandra Ivy Page B

deep within him. Then he offered her a wry smile.
    â€œI cannot help but desire to protect you, Jocelyn. It is simply in my nature.”
    Her fingers tightened upon his arm. Surprisingly she discovered that she was far from offended by his confession. Instead, a warm glow threatened to fill her heart.
    â€œYes, I know,” she said softly.
    His lips twisted. “You are determined upon this?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œYou will not leave my side?”
    Her brows lifted at his commanding tone. Now he was going too far.
    â€œI have been caring for myself a long time, sir. I no longer depend upon others when I am perfectly capable of seeing to my own needs. It is, in fact, how I prefer my life.”
    Without warning, his hand shifted to cup her chin in a gentle grasp. “Stubborn.”
    She grimly ignored the flare of pleasure that tingled through her. It would be all too easy to become addicted to his touch.
    â€œStrong-willed,” she corrected him.
    His soft chuckle filled the foyer. “Is there a difference?”
    â€œOf course.”
    â€œIf you say,” he murmured, his fingers slowly moving to trace the firm line of her jaw.
    The danger in the air shimmered with a sudden heat. “I . . . we should be on our way,” she whispered.
    His eyes swept over her flushed countenance, lingering for a tantalizing moment upon her unsteady lips.
    â€œYou are always eager to be hurrying away when things become interesting.”
    Interesting?
    Perilously insane, more likely.
    â€œInteresting for you, perhaps,” she forced herself to retort.
    â€œI think for the both of us if you would just lower your guard.”
    â€œMy guard is staying precisely where it is,” she warned in what she hoped were firm tones. “You might as well resign yourself to that fact.”
    He gave a shake of his head, the tawny hair that framed his lean countenance shimmering in the candlelight.
    â€œNever,” he swore softly. “I will wait all eternity if need be.”
    â€œAn eternity?”
    â€œYes.”
    Her breath once again became elusive. “You are being absurd. Let us go.”
    His fingers searched along the curve of her neck, slowly testing the softness of her skin.
    â€œYou cannot run from me forever, Jocelyn,” he warned in husky tones.
    It took far more effort than she cared to admit to abruptly thrust away from the wall and step from his tempting nearness. She felt bewitched, and not at all herself.
    In an effort to disguise her odd trembling, Jocelyn made a great show of smoothing her plain gray gown and ensuring her expression was calm.
    â€œI can run an eternity if need be,” she retorted in thankfully steady tones.
    He smiled ruefully at her swift retreat, although a shimmer of determination remained in the golden eyes.
    â€œAh, no, that I will not allow,” he warned as he moved to place her hand upon his arm and escorted her out the door and down the steps to the darkened street. “Where shall we go first?”
    â€œTo the warehouse,” she said, having made her decision earlier in the day. “I wish to ensure the children are safe.”
    Lucien gave an understanding nod before stepping forward and at last hailing a passing hack. They rode in silence as they made their way the handful of blocks to the derelict warehouse. Jocelyn was soon lost in her concern for the children and women who were forced to sell themselves upon the streets. They were unfortunately vulnerable and all too often the victims of violence. A violence they possessed few means to oppose. Her distraction, however, was ruthlessly pierced as they moved closer and closer to the warehouse. A shiver raced through her as she felt an odd prickle of evil crawl over her skin.
    It was ridiculous, she attempted to tell herself. One could not feel evil. And yet, her fingers instinctively reached up to touch the amulet around her neck, as if it were offering her a warning she