Free Devil Disguised by Karolyn Howard

comfortable. Then her stomach rumbled. Yet another dinner had been unfinished. She sighed, recalling that the few bites of the roast had been delicious. Angrily, she grabbed the thin robe that matched her nightgown and went downstairs to get something to eat.
    The trip to the kitchen was now so familiar she did not need a candle to light her way even without the moon’s light. At the bottom of the stairs, she paused hearing a strange noise, but then pushed it aside not wanting to repeat what occurred many nights ago. Entering the kitchen, she found a blueberry pie on the counter andtook a slice. After finishing her second piece, she started back to her room.
    At the bottom of the stairs, a movement above caught her eye. Dimly she could make out a figure crouching low and moving across the top of the stairs and it was heading towards her room. Covering her mouth to keep from screaming she froze in stunned silence. Her heart pounded as she crept up the stairs. She had no candlestick this night and could think of only one thing to do; she hurried to Duncan’s room.
    Turning the doorknob, she entered the room and quickly took in her surroundings. Light flickered from the hearth as she saw a figure in the bed to her left. Duncan was asleep. Rushing to his side she whispered, “Lord Cavanaugh.”
    He did not stir. One hand was above his head and the other under the covers. His chest bare. She delicately shook his shoulder and said, “Duncan. Please wake up!”
    His eyes fluttered open and a grin spread across his face. He looked relaxed and very young as his eyes appeared unfocused. His voice was a low rumble as he said, “Hello.”
    He reached up and slid his arm over hers. He tugged her down on top of him and then rolled over. She gasped at the unexpected action and saw his eyes were nearly closed as he held her under him. She felt the heat from his body as he pressed against her. Squirming under him, she could feel every inch of his bare chest though her thin nightgown and robe. He mumbled, “I like this dream.”
    He brought his lips to hers and began to deepen the kiss while she pushed against him. Lifting his head, she saw disbelief cross over his features and then he looked down at their very compromising position. He looked completely perplexed as he said, “What?”
    “Agh. Get off of me!” She shoved at him. He lifted off of her as she scrambled to stand next to the bed.
    He shook his head, finally appearing completely awake. He looked at her in disbelief. “What are you doing in my room?”
    “I am here because someone just went into
my
room!”
    “Oh my God.” Panic crossed his features.
    He threw the covers off the bed and rose to stand. Naked. He was completely naked. Lily gasped and then spun away from him as her mouth dropped open. She had never seen a man totally bare before except for the statues in museums. The temptation to turn around was too great. She turned her head, just slightly, as her eyes followed Duncan’s backside as he went to a nearby chair to pick up his trousers. She saw his entire form again as he shifted to put on his clothes.
    She inhaled sharply and felt the heat rise in her cheeks. The sharp curves and angles of his muscles were far more defined than any lifeless statue. The hard planes of his chest continued as ripples along his ribs and continued down to sharp angles above his waist and his prominent manhood. She held in another gasp, but could not manage to close her gaping mouth. He did not seem to notice her stare and seemed entirely focused on his task. After pulling a shirt over his head, he brushed by her and went to his nightstand.
    Pulling a small dagger from a drawer, he said, “I would prefer it if you stayed here, but I am guessing you plan to follow me.”
    She nodded and hurried to join him at the door.
    He waited until she was next to him and ordered, “Stay behind me.”
    Strength and power radiated from him and somehow she felt a thrill. Her heart raced as he