Free Fiery Pursuit (Passionate Pursuits, Book One) by Jean Hart Stewart Page A

A shocking amount of money later, the head of the establishment was persuaded to make another for the customer who was coming to collect her purchase soon, and Lars walked out with exactly what he wanted. He’d even persuaded the madame to make up the client’s outfit in a deeper shade of blue, and to tell her client there had not been a sufficient amount of the material she’d chosen. He didn’t want anything his Sophie wore to be identical to another’s.
    Bringing the dress back to the boat and presenting it to Sophie made the extravagance well worth it. Sophie gazed at the beautiful cloth with awe when he presented it to her. She stretched out one hand to touch it, and then pulled back.
    “Lars, it’s gorgeous. I’ve never had anything half so fine. What you must have spent! And the underthings are as fine as gossamer.”
    She finally fingered everything delicately, then rushed to him, threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. Delighted with her reaction, Lars swooped her up and held her body against his, returning her kiss as he pressed her hips against him. His instant erection widened her eyes, but she didn’t back away. Instead, he did.
    “I want to get you off this boat and take you to my home. Can you dress and call me when you’re ready? I wasn’t sure of your boot size, so I hope they fit.”
    He’d noticed before how small her delicate feet were, but looking at them now he thought maybe the boots would still be too big. Still, they were rather dressy boots and would hold stuffing better than delicate shoes.
    “Don’t worry so, Lars. I can ram paper in them if I must. Now go away, I’m dying to dress like a lady again. Although I’ve never had anything nearly so gorgeous.”
    “Sure I shouldn’t stay and help? I’m a dab hand with buttons.”
    He grinned and she batted one hand at him. “These buttons look easy to manage. Now go away.”
    She fingered the material of the dress and camisole, her expression dreamy. When he didn’t move she shoved him toward the door and Lars grinned, went to the hall, folded his arms and waited.
    Sophie didn’t take as long as he’d expected. But then when did she ever do what he expected?
    She opened the door and he straightened to full attention. So damned beautiful she literally stole his breath, she motioned him back into the cabin and looked at him anxiously. She’d braided her hair and now wore it in a large coiled bun at the back of her neck.
    “This dress is so gorgeous.” Her breathy sigh of appreciation brought his cock to full attention. “But I can’t finish fastening the back buttons after all. Will you do them for me?”
    He’d instantly gone hard as a stone. Touching her without ravishing her was going to be damned difficult. She looked so happy, glowing with the feminine delight of beautiful new clothes. She might very well respond if he pushed her back in the cabin and made love to her. He had no doubt she’d always found satisfaction with him and that he could pleasure her again. Then he shook his head at his foolishness. He was an idiot. The last thing she wanted right now was to take off her lovely new clothes.
    He silently went to work fastening the buttons.
    She looked quite regal with her coiled hair, but he could hardly wait to loosen it and watch it flow in sinuous waves around her nude body.
    Angels in heaven, he’d never dreamed he’d fall in love this deeply. He’d never even thought it possible.

Chapter Four
     
    Lars directed his captain to take the yacht a little farther east to his private dock. He had wired ahead to make sure his carriage and driver were waiting for them. He’d given instructions to the captain to keep a watch for an attempt of revenge by Smythe, and to post extra guards around the Angelina when they were in dock.
    Hand in hand they stood on deck, watching the sights of Dover grow smaller. They docked at his private harbor as deckhands with smiles rushed out to help pull the small ship in and