Free The Next Mrs. Blackthorne (Bitter Creek Book 6) by Joan Johnston Page A

become achy. Felt her throat swell with emotion. Felt her heart beat a fast tattoo of fright and desire.
    Not a word had been spoken between them, but she knew what he wanted. All that remained was for her to decide whether she was willing. He’d given her a seven-day respite. But Jocelyn suddenly realized it would be unbearable to wait so long, knowing she must inevitably give herself to him. She let her eyes and hands speak for her.
    And North got the message.
    Jocelyn felt the fragile strip of cloth at the edge of her silk panties give way under his hand, and felt them slide away, replaced by his callused fingertips against her bare bottom. Her breath rasped against his cheek as he turned his face and captured her mouth with his.
    The moment of no return had come. If she wanted her seven days of grace—only six of which remained—she had to act now. This instant.
    She found herself unwilling to let go. Unwilling to cry off. There was no turning back. She wanted him. Desperately.
    Both of his hands were on her bottom, lifting her, and then she felt the head of his shaft against her, seeking entrance, pushing, and the feeling was exquisite. She shoved against him, and felt him grunt and tighten his hold until he realized she was reaching down to position him, to help him accomplish his goal.
    Their eyes met, as his body slid into hers. She was aroused enough to ease his entrance, but he was big, and she winced as he broke through the proof of her virginity. Once he was fully seated inside her, she hid her face against his neck, unwilling to let him see the surprising tears that had appeared in her eyes.
    “You okay?” he asked gruffly.
    She nodded, because she couldn’t speak. She felt his hand on the back of her head, soothing her. His lips were warm and gentle against her neck. And reawakened her desire.
    She moved her hips and heard him make a sound in his throat. Then his hands were on her hips again, pulling her up so her legs clasped his hips. Her hands circled his neck as they moved together, seeking the pleasure that came from being joined, man and woman together, as nature had meant them to be.
    Jocelyn had a fleeting thought that she wasn’t protected, but it came and went, obscured by the enormous pleasure of what he was doing to her. His mouth had captured hers, and his tongue was mimicking the action of their bodies below, while one of his hands was stimulating a spot between them that made her moan and writhe in his arms.
    She could feel herself moving toward a precipice, and North’s throaty voice urging her toward it, asking her to embrace the danger, to take the risk. And then she was over the edge, crying out and clinging to him, as he thrust one last time inside her and made a guttural sound of triumph and exultation.
    Jocelyn felt completely limp afterward, and her cheek fell on North’s shoulder as she clung to him, their bodies heaving as they gasped air to keep them alive. Her hips were cramping, and as she moved to ease them, he helped her straighten her legs and walked closer to the bank until she could stand.
    Even then, she clung to him, since her knees threatened to buckle. “I had no—” She had to clear her throat to finish her sentence. “I had no idea…”
    She heard him chuckle.
    It was amusing, she supposed, that she could have stayed so ignorant for so many years. And he surely must feel proud of himself for having seduced her so quickly after she’d demanded time to get to know him. It was embarrassing to realize what an easy target she’d been. A little skinny-dipping. A little playfulness. And she’d allowed North Grayhawk to take what she’d given to no other man. And now could never offer to the man she loved.
    Jocelyn realized the enormity of what she’d done. And felt ashamed. And humiliated. And furious.
    She covered her breasts as she stepped back, unwilling to expose herself to the villain who’d seduced her. She looked him in the eye as she said, “You’ve