Holmes Read Online Free Page A

undone and he got a nice hint of what lay beneath. The scent of her reached him—warm woman, something lush and feminine.
    It had been so long since he’d touched a woman. So long since he’d been touched.
    And he knew it was a slippery, addictive slope.
    One stolen touch would never be enough. He released a long breath and tried to piece his vaunted control back together.
    She reached out and touched his bare chest again. “This is not old or unattractive.” Her fingers drifted downward. “Quite the opposite.”
    He grabbed her wrist. “I’m not playing games with you, Liberty.”
    “I’m not playing.” There was a deep well of patience in her gaze…but also something else that made his stomach clench.
    Heat. Desire. For him.
    His control snapped.
    He grabbed her hips and tugged her closer, pulling her to stand between his legs.
    Her red lips parted and Adam’s cock went painfully hard. It was all too easy to imagine what he could do with those pretty lips.
    “I don’t have relationships.” His voice was a growl.
    “I never asked you for one.” Her hands rested on his shoulders, kneading again. “But we all need someone. Even just for a little while. Especially now.”
    Her scent was swamping him, leaving him feeling like a stallion scenting a mare in heat.
    Her nails gently scored the skin of his neck. “It’s hard being alone,” she murmured. “Trapped, with no one to reach out to.”
    Adam blinked, could hear experience in her voice, drenched in something painful. He couldn’t imagine a woman like Liberty ever being alone.
    “I don’t have friends.” As her hands drifted over his skin, every last ounce of his blood went south. “I…can’t have friends.”
    “Bullshit.” She leaned down and nipped his ear. “You have friends, even if you won’t acknowledge them.”
    He yanked her closer until she straddled his lap. As soon as she pressed up against his hard cock, they both groaned.
    “Liberty…I can’t do this.”
    She wiggled her hips, rubbing against him and Adam gritted his teeth.
    “Seems like you can do it just fine.”
    “Fine. I shouldn’t do this.” Damn, his control had all but crumbled to dust.
    “Adam…I’m not asking for more than you can give. I try to live my life by a few simple rules. Be nice to others, and do whatever the hell I want. Enjoy the hell out of life.” She moved against him, starting a rocking motion that almost made his head explode. “This feels good, and I think you like it, too, and I’ll be honest with you. I like sex. And I usually try to find men who don’t mind the fact that I like it.”
    “God, Liberty, you’re driving me out of my mind.” He clamped his hands on the curves of her ass.
    She smiled, and it was a wide, feminine smile that was designed to make a man think of sex. “How about you just stop thinking?”
    “I can’t…ever. We are in a precarious position with the convoy, I have to be ready—”
    She leaned forward and pressed her mouth against his.
    ***
    God, she wanted him. She wanted General Adam Holmes.
    She moved her lips over his. He tasted good and for a second, he sat there, letting her take the lead.
    Then something in him…snapped.
    He cupped her head, his tongue sliding into her mouth. He kissed her like a drowning man searching for air. Soon, Liberty was shocked to hear little choked moans coming from…her. He was like a man possessed…and she was his obsession.
    His hands were clamped hard on her skin, but Liberty had plenty of experience of judging a man’s rough touch. This wasn’t anger, evil or meanness.
    It was raw, primal need. Hot, molten desire.
    With a moan, she broke free, panting. His newly cut hair was mussed, and color rode along his cheekbones. His bare chest was heaving as well.
    She slid off his lap and stood. She watched his face shutter, going from aroused man to controlled general.
    Oh no, you don’t. She undid the buttons on her shirt and dropped it on the floor. It took her a few