Awakening Read Online Free Page B

black dress caught her eye and she was determined to wear it at least once on their trip.
    Grabbing the hem, she started to tug it over her hips when there was a knock at the door. Wondering who it could be, she smoothed the material of the dress over her thighs and crossed the short distance of the room, opening the door and forgetting how to breathe. The stranger from the museum stood there, leaning against the door with his arms crossed over his broad chest and smiling down at her. Celeste raised her head, and raised it higher still, looking at the man who towered over her, knowing that she would feel safe in his arms. Even if looking at him made her feel anything but safe. He was much taller than a mere six feet; he was probably pushing six five, nearly a foot taller than herself. She smiled, or tried to, as her lips trembled, “Hello.”
    His lips curved into a sensuous smile as he gazed down at her with black eyes, “I never got the chance to introduce myself at the museum this afternoon. Allow me to rectify that most unfortunate oversight. I am Adamanteros Vespari.”
    Celeste swallowed hard, his voice impossibly sexy and warm, erotic, and felt the heat pooling low in her belly. She automatically placed her palm in the hand he offered, catching her breath as he brought it up to his mouth and lightly kissed her fingertips. Sucking in a painful breath, she rasped, “Am I dreaming?”
    “Not at all, my dear,” he murmured, his words caressing her skin.
    “ Adamanteros,” Celeste whispered getting a feel for his name on her tongue. She wanted something else of his on her tongue…. Smiling up at him to cover her lascivious thoughts, she said, “Celeste and it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
    H is breath was hot and moist against her shivering skin as he kissed her fingers once more. She dismissed the fleeting thought that she should be concerned that he somehow discovered where she lived, that he had followed her back to her room. Instead, goose bumps trailed up and down her arm as he continued to hold her hand, her gaze. “The pleasure is mine.”
    His smile widened, making her heart do a little jig in her chest. Holding out their joined hands to the side, he looked down at her and his color burnished his cheeks. “You are a vision; did you know I was coming?”
    “I had hoped,” she said softly, realizing how true the words were as she spoke them. Lowering her lashes, she felt the heat creeping into her cheeks, “It’s silly, I know, but I had hoped to kiss you at least once.”
    Smiling indulgently, he bent his head down and placed a chaste kiss on her lips , sending little tingles of electricity into her mouth and through her body. It was over before she even registered it had begun. As he straightened, she stared at his mouth, his smile. When she didn't speak, he arched an eyebrow. “Well?”
    “I was expecting more,” she admitted before slamming a hand over her mouth to shut up her wayward tongue. But it continued wagging, “Not that your kiss was lacking; it wasn’t, but….”
    His eyes darkened as he pulled her against his hard body and a gasp escaped as her breasts pressed against the hard planes of his muscled chest. “Then allow me to indulge you, sweetheart.”
    Their hands separated as his went to her shoulders to steady her and hers went to his waist. He tightened his hold on her and she had to remind herself to breathe. His body was solid, crushing her breasts and stealing her breath. Closing her eyes for just a moment, she took a breath, his intoxicating aroma filling her senses leaving her even dizzier than before. Her cheeks were rosy as she looked up at him through long lashes, wetting her lips with the tip of her tongue. Wanting nothing more than to taste him, she reluctantly murmured, “You don’t have to do this, Mr. Vespari….”
    H is hand moved from her shoulder to her cheek, his thumb brushing across her moistened lower lip. Her mouth parted slightly and his thumb caressed