Claimed: The Pregnant Heiress Read Online Free Page A

I can do about it, is there?”
    â€œNo, there isn’t,” he stated. Okay, warned her.
    â€œBut that doesn’t mean I want to sleep with you. Not now that I know you’re Rafe’s brother.”
    â€œOne has nothing to do with the other.”
    Her eyes narrowed in clear assessment. “How can I be certain you’re not seducing me so I won’t cause trouble?”
    â€œFirst, because there’s nothing you can do to stop the sale of Worth Industries to Rafe. It’s as good as done. Second, when we made love that night in New York you were unaware of my connection to Rafe Cameron the same as I was unaware of your connection to Worth Industries.” The sound of his pants zipper being lowered grated against the stillness in the room. “And finally, you know damn well that what we’re experiencing tonight is identical to what happened two months ago.”
    â€œExcept it isn’t.”
    The instant she said the words her breath hitched and he knew she’d give anything to snatch them back. “No, it isn’t,” he agreed. He stripped off the last of his clothing and approached the bed. “This time it’s far more intense.”
    She stared at him, riveted. He waited to see whether she’d attempt to evade him, but to his surprise she didn’t. One minute she sat on the edge of the bed and the next she came into his arms. The silk of her dress flowed across his flesh like a teasing caress, while the curves that lay beneath it impacted against him, warm and delicate and deliciously feminine.
    â€œThis is a mistake,” she informed him.
    He could barely contain his groan. “How can it be when we feel like this whenever we touch?”
    He scorched a pathway of fire along her bared shoulder to her neck. Cupping the back of her head, he drew her up for a kiss. A low, delicious moan escaped her and her lips parted, surrendering beneath his. She tasted amazing. How had he survived two whole months without tasting her again? Without having her in his arms. And soon—very, very soon—he’d have her beneath him, be inside of her again. One way or another, before he left Vista del Mar, he’d quench the insatiable thirst she roused in him.
    He pulled back and smiled down at her. “You’re overdressed, sweetheart.”
    â€œOh, I don’t know.” She offered a swift, gamine-like grin. “I rather like having you naked and at my mercy.”
    â€œAnd what do you plan to do with me?”
    â€œThis…”
    Her hands slid downward, over steely abs, and lower still. She cupped him, her hands unbelievably soft, shaping the length and breadth of him with gentle strokes. He almost lost it. But when he attempted to pull away, she shook her head in mock disapproval.
    â€œAh, ah, ah. You’re at my mercy, remember?”
    Hell. “Is there any point in begging you to be gentle with me?”
    â€œNone.” A sultry smile drifted across her mouth and deepened the color of her eyes. “Since you’re one of those types who likes to be in charge all the time, you have to play this my way or we don’t play at all.”
    â€œI’m not sure I like those rules,” he complained.
    Just when he thought he couldn’t control himself a moment longer, she slid her hands upward and wrapped them around his neck. “But you’ll play by them, won’t you?”
    He shot her a look filled with a combination of threat and warning. “For now.”
    She tilted her head to one side in assessment. “Something tells me you’re a dangerous man to cross,” she said slowly.
    â€œThat something is called sheer self-preservation. I’d listen to your instincts.”
    She simply laughed. “You wouldn’t hurt me.”
    â€œHow can you possibly know that? We’ve only been together for a handful of hours.”
    Her laughter faded beneath the challenge of his statement