Free Seducing the Chambermaid [Notorious Nephilim 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) by Carolyn Rosewood Page A

survived the death of her mother at such a young age and then grown up among bookies and triggermen was proof enough. But she’d also escaped it with her virtue intact, and what had he and Leo done? Taken it with as little regard as they’d take an extra piece of bread at dinner.
    “You’re safe now, Blair. No one will find you here.” She picked at her food like a child might. “I wish you’d eat something.”
    “I’m sorry. I guess I’m just not hungry anymore.”
    He couldn’t blame her there. Talking about her father and Lenny Wilson wasn’t exactly the pleasant dinner conversation he’d had planned. “Don’t apologize. It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have asked about your childhood.”
    “But how could you have known? I’ve never even told my father all the things Lenny said or tried to do to me.”
    Andras felt sick to his stomach as he imagined what Lenny had said to Blair. “Tell you what. I’ll have the staff clear the plates and food. Then we can take a walk in the moonlight.”
    The smile that lit up her face sent his heart soaring. Trouble or not, he intended to enjoy the company of this beautiful woman tonight, the consequences be damned. He was going to make it up to her, even if that meant letting her get under his skin more than she already had. He owed her that much, at the very least.
    The patio only took up a portion of the private courtyard, which was surrounded by a ten-foot-tall brick wall. He and the others had several of them built on the property when they renovated it, and they were for the exclusive use of the twelve owners. There was no view of the lakes from any of them, but they offered complete privacy and the advantage of being outdoors as well.
    The moon was nearly full, and its brightness accentuated Blair’s honey-blonde hair. She’d pulled it back into a ponytail, and all Andras could think about was taking out the hair band and letting it spill over her delicate shoulders. Did she have any idea how delicious she looked?
    He tucked her arm under his and led her away from the patio, along the flagstone walkway. “Tell me something else about yourself, Blair. Something not related to Frankie, Lenny, or your father.”
    She gave him a shy smile. “I don’t know. There’s not much to tell, really.”
    “You mentioned you worked in a bakery. Did you enjoy the work?”
    “It was all right. I didn’t get to make anything. I took orders and rang up purchases.”
    “No ambitions to attend university?”
    She laughed. Not a derisive sound, but not exactly carefree either. “Me? My father wouldn’t even entertain the possibility. He said college wasn’t for the likes of me.”
    “What does that mean? You seem like an intelligent girl.”
    She stopped walking and looked at him as if she were trying to figure out a puzzle. “Andras, forgive me, but I know you and the owners…um…keep the female guests satisfied. You’ve no doubt talked with a lot of women. Surely you’ve noticed most of them have no further ambition than to find a husband.”
    A fierce blush stole over her neck and face. Even without the moonlight Andras would have been able to see it.
    “What I mean is…that’s not to say that’s my ambition, but most women…”
    Andras didn’t have the heart to tease her about how uncomfortable she was discussing this subject. He also reflected those were the longest sentences he’d heard her utter in the three weeks he’d known her. “I have to disagree, Blair. All through your—our—history there have been women who have done extraordinary things. Joan of Arc and Catherine the Great come to mind. Or how about someone more recent, like Amelia Earhart?”
    She stared at him as if seeing him for the first time. He put his arms around her and pulled her close then frowned as confusion passed over her pretty face. “If you could be anything, or do anything, what would it be? Forget about what’s considered proper or right for women. What would you be,