Free Sweet Bravado by Alicia Meadowes

“Do you think I am some
     common tart from the streets that you speak to me so? You insult me!” She turned her back to him.
    Reaching out and grasping one of those tawny shoulders, he swung her around to face him. Annoyance was still visible in his
     set features. “My future wife resides there.”
    “You led me to believe
I
would be the future Viscountess,” she snapped.
    “Never!” he denied emphatically. “You knew from the beginning what our relationship would be. You never wanted or expected
     anything more.”
    “I could kill you for such indifference,” she stormed. What he claimed was once true, but no longer. She wanted him for her
     own.
    He chuckled softly. “Could you, love? Well, I could have almost killed you for upsetting my family tonight.” Encircling her
     slender throat, he added half in jest, “Don’t ever put me in a spot like that again.”
    Catching his change of mood, she playfully simpered, “Created something of a stir, did I?”
    “Heed my warning, you minx,” he said ominously, but laughter was in his eyes.
    “And if I don’t?” she taunted.
    “Don’t tempt me too far.”
    She moved closer to him, pressing her body against his and smiling temptingly up at him. The heat of her flesharoused his own sensual appetites. Crushing his lips to hers, he groaned, “You witch, it’s too bad I still want you.”
    “Ah, Ardsmore, we both know what we want. You want my body, but I… I want all of you.”
    “Liar,” he said softly and refused to listen -to any further protests as he carried her to the bed.
    Much later, as Tessa casually stroked his muscular chest, she asked in what she hoped was a nonchalant tone, “This girl, the
     one you are to marry, what is she like?”
    Sitting up abruptly, he answered curtly, “She is what she ought to be.” He rose from the bed and began to don his clothes.
    “That could mean many” things. I wish to meet her,” she stated flatly.
    Before she realized what was happening, he was towering over her clasping one of her thin wrists cruelly.
    “I wasn’t joking when I told you earlier to stay away from my family… especially her,” he threatened.
    “Darling,” she cajoled, “you know I only wish to please you.”
    “Let’s keep it that way.” He increased the pressure on her wrist.
    “Valentin, you hurt me,” she cried.
    His fingers relaxed. “Sorry, my pet, but let that be a reminder to you that I mean business.”
    “You are terribly ferocious about this one,
mein Schatz.
Why? What does she have, I wonder?”
    “Just leave her out of our discussion.”
    “Ah, you are cruel. I fear this girl already has some hold on you. Perhaps she is the one to capture that elusive heart of
     yours, eh?” There was a melancholy note in her voice, as if she were becoming aware of the fleeting hold she had on his affections.
    “No woman will ever own that,” he joked. “But enough of this. I must be on my way.”
    She clung to him.
Liebchen,
do not go yet.”
    “But I must.” He removed her clinging arms from about his neck. “Now be a good girl,” he murmured.
    “Will I see you soon?” she asked, sadly realizing their relationship was nearing its end.
    He hesitated, then spoke rather sharply. “I doubt it. Certainly not before Vienna. The wedding is in a matter of days, as
     you know.” Grasping his discarded coat, he bent quickly and kissed her cheek. For a moment he paused and regarded her fondly,
     but the next second he straightened and, crossed to the door. He turned to look at her and said quietly, “Take care, Tessa,
     my love.” And he was gone.
    Sleep did not come easily to Nicole that night. Thoughts of her impending marriage harried her remorselessly. Could she honestly
     convince herself that she would be able to overcome the odds pointing to the failure of this union? Wasn’t it foolhardy believing
     it would all work out the way she wanted it to? Throwing back the bedcovers, she got up and crossed to the window to