Free Educating Aphrodite by Kimberly Killion Page A

permission to take the stage. I own the
theater. But I lack the confidence and the experience to play the role, which
is why I need you to hypnotize me.”
    Delacroix paused for long moments, no doubt contemplating
her request.
    “Please, Vincent. I cannot continue to live like this. I
feel like a widow in the latter months of her mourning period.” This shell of
isolation grew colder every day and she feared she would freeze to death
waiting for Sebastian to warm her again.
    Delacroix exhaled a fierce breath then removed his cravat
and waistcoat. “Let it be known that I’m doing this against my better
judgment.” He pivoted on his heel and splayed his long fingers toward a
fainting couch. “Lie down, Alexandra.”
    The single thud of her heart punched her ribs—a final
warning. Between that beat and the next, she experienced a frisson of
uncertainty. She ignored it and flattened herself atop the burgundy velvet
cushion before Delacroix changed his mind.
    He started a metronome then sat atop a small stool at her
side. “Close your eyes and count backward from one hundred.”
    “One hundred, ninety-nine, ninety-eight…” While she counted,
he drew tiny circles round and round her palm. The numbers matched the ticking
of the metronome, and as seconds passed to minutes, her body seemed to sink
deeper and deeper into the cushion. The desire to sleep pulled at her. A thick,
heady weight veiled her mind and drew her into blackness.
    “Alexandra Falkner, Countess of Warwick, you are under my
command.” An echo accompanied his words. “You will accept what I tell you as
truth. Is that understood?”
    Alexandra felt herself nod.
    “You are the mistress of your own being. You are seductive
and beautiful, elegant and enticing. You will not show fear in the presence of
women. Nor will you show insecurity in the company of men. Do you accept your
new strengths, Alexandra?”
    Again, she nodded. Her pulse beat in time with the ticking
as Delacroix continued to empower her.
    “’Tis your desire to become the temptress. Nothing will
prevent you from achieving your goal. Men will want you. Women will want you.
Their attention will arouse you, and you will submit to your body’s demands
without reserves. No fear shall hinder you. No qualms will sway you. No sexual
act is taboo.”
    Tick. Tick. Tick.
    “And you will trust me to instruct you until I free you from
my control.”
    Three loud snaps popped beside her ear.
    “Awaken.”
    Her eyes snapped open.
    “’Tis done,” he announced with confidence.
    She sat up and mentally searched for a sign that she’d been
transformed. She didn’t feel any different. “How do I know if it worked?”
    Half-cocked, Delacroix’s grin was wicked. His dark eyes,
sparkling with mischief, slid downward to her breasts. “I s’pose we can test
it.”
    For reasons she couldn’t explain, she felt uncomfortably
attracted to him. “What do you propose?”
    “Kiss me.”
    “I beg your pardon.” Alexandra blinked repeatedly and opened
her mouth to deny him.
    This was all the invitation Delacroix needed to press his
lips to hers. The spicy taste of liquor accompanied the twirl of his tongue. It
was intoxicating, overwhelming, exciting. Tingles spread over her scalp as she
stretched her mouth wide to explore his kiss without inhibitions. His beard,
both tickly and rough, felt coarse against her skin, but wasn’t altogether
unpleasant.
    He pulled back slightly, dragging a little of her lip with
him, making her think he would end it, then leaned into her again, this time
with both hands cupped around her head. His mouth was moist, not wet, soft, yet
demanding.
    Lost in his kiss, Alexandra didn’t register the hand
slipping into her bodice until he squeezed her breast. A sudden rush of desire
coursed through her. Her skin flushed hot. Her muscles tightened. And her nipples
turned into hard, aching stones.
    Delacroix pinched the sensitive bud.
    She moaned into his mouth wanting him to do it