CodenameAutumn Read Online Free Page B

her up for failure whether they
realized it or not.
    He hesitated outside his quarters, debating how to proceed.
Should he let her attempt to seduce him? She would be humiliated when she
failed. Worse, she would be in danger. He hadn’t missed the threat in the
madam’s tone. If Autumn returned without a hefty transfer of credits, she would
be punished severely. Which left them at a perilous impasse because he didn’t
pay for sex, never had and never would.
    Scanning open the door, he found Autumn curled up in his
favorite chair. She was mostly covered by one of his dress shirts. The soft
white material skimmed over her body, hinting at curves he was anxious to
explore.
    “I borrowed one of your shirts,” she said with a cautious
smile.
    “I can see that.” He could also see her shadowy nipples
beading against the fabric. Unable to suppress the urge, he stalked toward her.
She started to speak then caught her bottom lip between her teeth and averted
her gaze. “What’s the matter? Do you need more energy?”
    “No, and thank you for healing me. I really appreciate it.”
She sounded sincere, but her gaze continued to dart about the room. She looked
at everything but him.
    He caught her chin in a light grasp and gently lifted her
face. “Then why are you so jittery? I didn’t frighten you before.”
    Her pink tongue swept across her lower lip, then she met his
gaze. “I don’t want to go back to the embassy. Rebecca twisted everything
around and Belietta is furious.”
    Ahh, she was appealing to his protective nature. Smart girl.
“Rebecca is the one who beat you?”
    “Yes, but she convinced our madam that I provoked her.”
    “How did you provoke her while you were bound and gagged?”
    She fiddled with the hem of his shirt, inadvertently revealing
a nice expanse of toned thigh. At least it appeared inadvertent. Was she better
at this than he’d first thought?
    “Belietta didn’t know I was gagged, and all the other girls
were too busy to notice.” She unfolded her legs and stood, moving toward the
viewport on the far side of the room.
    “And what were you supposed to have said that warranted such
abuse?”
    “According to Rebecca, I bragged about not having to
pleasure anyone. She told Belietta that I think I’m worth more than anyone
else, and I intended to remain a whipping girl as long as possible.”
    “You are, and you do.” Her strategy was clever. She coaxed
him into pursuing her while she stayed just out of reach.
    “You make me sound like a tease.” She casually strolled back
toward the sitting area as he neared the viewport.
    “Is it an unfair assessment of your role?” Even knowing why
she was avoiding him didn’t hinder the hunter. Predatory urges surfaced and he
stalked her, closing the distance between them. “You display your body—which is
damn close to perfect—in a sexually charged atmosphere, yet refuse to let
anyone touch you. Is that not the definition of a tease?” She’d reached the
sofa and started to sit, but he caught her upper arms. “Don’t start something
you’re not willing to finish.”
    Her brow creased and her lips parted. “Are we still talking
about last night?”
    “Were we ever talking about last night?” He lowered his
face, inhaling her scent as he gazed into her eyes.
    “I thought we were.” Her tone became whisper-soft and she
melted into his embrace. He wrapped his arms around her and brushed his lips
over hers. She allowed the kiss longer than he’d expected. Their lips pressed
and slid, caressing. But as soon as he touched her with his tongue, she twisted
away. “I can’t do this.”
    “Are you a virgin?”
    “No.” She crossed her arms over her chest but didn’t move
out of reach. Tempting and vulnerable, she neatly baited her trap. “I thought I
could do this, but I can’t. My emotions won’t disengage.”
    All he had to do was reach out and touch her. Despite her
denial, her nipples were hard and her cheeks were flushed.