Free The Billioniare's Bought Bride (Contemporary Romance) by Michele Dunaway Page B

quenching of the heated fire raging through her like a wanton inferno. She was married. Lovemaking was something married couples enjoyed.
    But she couldn’t turn her emotions or sexuality on and off the way he could. Making love signified commitment of the heart and soul. She was married, but because she’d sold herself to save Summerhaven. She could not bear to lose her heart.
    Dylan Blackwater had been her grandfather’s nemesis. Dylan had wanted Maddy, and he’d set out to get her. Despite Summerhaven ’s new glory and security, too many skeletons existed to forget the facts in a slaking of lust. While Dylan had upheld his end of their deal, she couldn’t perform hers, not without feeling extremely cheap and tawdry afterwards. No matter how good the chemistry.
    “I think I would like some real food to eat,” she said, her actions a deliberate time out. “Shall I go get it?”
    Dylan opened his mouth, and then snapped it closed. He’d shed the tuxedo jacket and bow tie. He shrugged, the unbuttoned white tuxedo shirt providing a glimpse of his smooth, rock hard chest. “I’ll do it.”              
    “Thank you.” Her bare footsteps fell on the refinished hardwood as she moved to the front windows and placed her hands on the glass. Before tonight the view of the mirror-still lake had never failed to provide repose; it had always been the one thing she could count on to bring peace.
    She heard a slightest rustle as Dylan returned with two covered plates. They sat across from each other and Maddy lifted her fork and sampled the cold chicken salad. She had eaten very little for lunch or during the reception, and she was hungry. Buttering a roll, she glanced at Dylan. “Do we need to get our things from North Star?”
    “I had all our stuff moved over here. It’s our wedding night, Maddy. This is our home now.”
    She dropped her roll, which hit the floor with a thump and left a yellow smear of butter before stopping by the table leg.
    Dylan arched an eyebrow. “What’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost. Is there a problem with sharing a bed? We are married.” He wiped his lips with his napkin.
    With the excuse of reaching for the roll, she dipped under the table. She wiped the floor with her napkin and put both the roll and napkin on her plate and pushed dinner away. She’s lost her appetite and her nerves stretched taut.
    “This is terribly cold-blooded,” Maddy burst out. “I never imagined my wedding night to be so business-like. I’ve sold my soul.”
    “To me, the devil,” Dylan said softly, his voice containing a husky undercurrent. His laugh sounded hollow and he shoved his plate away. A lock of black hair dropped across his forehead.
    “Yes. All I know is that when you touch me…”
    “You want me to stop.”
    “Yes.” No. She wanted something primal. She wanted heat. Sex. Coupling. But she couldn’t tell him that.
    “You’re lying.” 
    “I…”
    His gaze bore into hers. “You want me. I can feel it every time we kiss. You have a body built for pleasure, Maddy, and I’m the guy who’s going to make you come until you scream.”
    His words excited her. “I’ll be screaming in pain.”
    “Again you insult me. I would never hurt you.” He frowned and his gaze narrowed. “Stop lying to yourself and denying what you feel. You tremble at my mere touch. I could kiss you and you’d be begging me within minutes to take you, begging for the release only I can give.”
    He was right. He was the one who could switch gears without flinching. Maddy was a Mack truck—impossible to stop on short notice. But pride dictate she fight, and so she stood and shoved her chair in. “I wouldn’t bet on that if I were you.” 
    “Oh, but I already have, Maddy. I already have.” 
    His words iced her veins. “What do you mean by that?” she asked sharply.
    Dylan averted his eyes, staring over her shoulder at the now darkened lakeshore. “Nothing. It’s not every