Quinn's Undying Rose (Scanguards Vampires #6) Read Online Free

slanted his mouth, diving into her, his passion unleashed, his control shattered. This was the third time he kissed her, and just like the first two times, the moment she responded to him, he was lost.
    His other hand went down to her buttocks, palming her curves through the thin layers of her ball gown. A shocked gasp escaped her, but a moment later, she molded her heated body to his, her soft breasts rubbing against his evening coat. And lower down, where his trousers were bulging with a shaft as hard as a blacksmith’s iron rod, he nestled against her soft center. Was it the summer air or the fact she’d danced all night that he perceived her so hot there? Or did the heat have an altogether different reason?
    The thought nearly drove him to madness. But he couldn’t take her here, where any moment now, another amorous couple or some unsuspecting guest might stumble upon them. Reluctantly, he released her lips. Yet he couldn’t let go of her body.
    “We must be careful,” she whispered, her voice hoarse, her lips looking thoroughly red and abused. He was responsible for that, but by God, he couldn’t regret it.
    “Papa will soon notice that I am gone.”
    “Nonsense, your father is occupied at the tables. And I’ve made sure your chaperone is otherwise engaged.”
    Her eyes widened. Was it surprise or delight he saw in them?
    “Pray tell, what did you do?”
    He winked at her mischievously. “I made sure she had an ardent admirer this evening who will claim all her dances and ply her with punch.”
    She flicked her fan lightly against his waistcoat. “You are cruel. What if she believes in his insincere attention?”
    Quinn took her hand and led her fingers to his lips, kissing them one-by-one as he replied, “Who says his attention is insincere? Mayhap he simply needed a little encouragement to overcome his shyness.”
    “You, my lord,” she said in mock-reprimand, “have not a single young man in your acquaintance to whom the label of ‘shy’ might apply. The company you keep is considered most . . . ” She hesitated, looking for the correct word. “ . . . debauched.”
    “Does it matter what company I keep? All I truly desire is yours. And once you grant it, I shall be with only you.”
    “You mean to say, once my father grants it.”
    Quinn sighed, his chest heavy with what he had come to tell her tonight. He’d thought long and hard about it, had even discussed it with his older brother, who had thought the idea a viable one.
    “What is wrong?” Her voice carried the sound of concern.
    “Ah, perceptive as always. Is there anything I can hide from you?”
    Rose gave him a coquettish smile, one that made his heart melt. “Do you want to hide anything from me, my lord?”
    He pulled her closer. “If you call me ‘my lord’ one more time, I certainly shall. But when my name crosses your lips, I will be utterly incapable of doing so.”
    Her eyelids fluttered as her cheeks colored in a deeper red. “Quinn.” More breath than sound, the word tumbled from her lips.
    Capturing her chin between thumb and forefinger, he brought her mouth to his. “Ah, Rose, you tempt me so.”
    He sensed her lift herself onto her tip toes, and he had no restraint left. All he could do was kiss her, take her soft lips, caress her wicked tongue, all the while pressing her soft curves to his body, fueling the fire inside him until he realized that he could not take leave of her tonight.
    Nudging back from her lips, he put his forehead to hers. “My love, I will be leaving tomorrow. For the continent.”
    A shocked gasp escaped her as she pulled her head back to stare at him in surprise. “Leaving?”
    With his knuckles, he brushed over her cheek. “I purchased a commission and shall be joining Wellington’s army.”
    Her lips quivered. “You are going to war?”
    She pulled from him, but he dragged her back.
    “It’s the only way. Your father won’t give his consent. I spoke to him. He simply laughed