SeducetheFlame Read Online Free Page B

body, after he’d finally fucked her into the
mattress.
    “I’ve had enough years to practice.”
    She ran her hands up the outside of his suit-covered arms
and on the way to his neck, squeezed his biceps. “You feel young and virile to
me. Now shh.”
    “This isn’t a good idea.” He stopped and dipped her, slowly.
She stretched back, secure in his arms, and her breasts straining.
    “Damn, you’re going to fall out of that dress.” He held her
there, stretched out over the floor, and stared at her erect, barely covered
nipples and her exposed, hotly flushed cleavage. “Let’s get out of here.”
    With a smooth move, he brought her around, completing the
long dip and crushing her against him.
    “Okay,” she breathed.
    “You like the guy you were dancing with?” He shifted and his
fingers pressed into the small of her back again. They both panted as their
bodies brushed against each other. The unmistakable ridge of an erection
prodded against her and her core pulsed with lust and need. “’Cause I’m not
sure he had the best intentions toward you.”
    “I didn’t want him to.”
    “Good thing I put a stop to it then.” He frowned down at her.
“You nearly had to drag him out here to dance. He clearly didn’t know what he
was doing.”
    “Think so?” She laughed. “He felt like he had everything he
needed. I could have led him, if you know what I mean.”
    The room spun around her and her laugh took on an edge. She
was drunk. Had gotten so when the happiness she had for Griffin had turned into
insidious jealousy for the happiness she wanted for herself. Stumbling away,
she shrugged off Ray’s grip when he reached for her again. “I don’t have to
explain myself to you.”
    She’d find the good-looking dude again. He was perfectly
willing. No reason to waste the night.
    “Just where do you think you’re going?” Grumbled Ray from
right behind her.
    She’d already stumbled away from the large white tent all
decked out on the front lawn. The mansion, strung with white lights, wavered in
her vision.
    “Do me a favor. Get me another flute of champagne, would
you? Might as well toast to the newlyweds. They’ll be getting some.” She tried
to murmur but it came out loud and jeering, “I sure won’t.”
    “You’re drunk,” he accused.
    Clarissa tried to slam the front door behind her but the
satisfying clunk never happened. “Why are you following me?”
    “To make sure you get to bed okay.”
    She snorted and stumbled. “Just a little tipsy. Besides. Do
you even know what to do in a bed? That’s what’d make me okay.”
    “Listen.”
    His hand slid down her back. His rough palm sent shivers
over her bare skin. She let out a strangled sound and ran, tripping out of her
heels and slamming through the first door she could find.
    The sounds of the outdoor wedding reception drifted away as
she stepped into the clinic. Since the party mood had left her, she couldn’t
resist checking on the only patient here. Had the music brought him around? Not
likely. She stepped through reception and into Vince’s room.
    Bleach and an astringent scent assaulted her. She clamped
her hand over her mouth and wrapped her other arm around her middle. “Vincent.”
     
    A grip on her arm halted her and she turned, knowing from
the rich hickory scent who held her. Frowning, Ray stepped around her. “You
don’t need to pick up some random guy to…”
    “He’s not random. He’s Astrid’s cousin or something.”
    “You don’t even know his name.” Ray had gone quiet and
level, as though none of this had any impact on him whatsoever.
    Like it did on her. She stomped, hard, and her foot slapped
on the tile. Her shoes had gotten lost back there somewhere. “What do you care?
You’re never going to do anything about this…this mess between us.”
    “It’s not a mess. We’re friends. I care about you.”
    “I could do with less caring and more fucking. I’m going to
dry up. Just an old brittle shell