Sophie's Voice (Sex and the Season Book 4) Read Online Free Page B

her first kiss. But…
    Heaven.
    He nibbled at her lips, his tongue pressing along the seam. He wanted her to open her mouth. She knew a bit about kissing, mostly from Ally telling her things she hadn’t really wanted to hear. And now… She was in the middle of a kiss with a most handsome man, and suddenly, she wanted this kiss more than she wanted to breathe. No worries there, because she couldn’t breathe. Her skin tingled all over, and her heart thumped.
    She parted her lips.
    And all thought fled. Only feeling remained—pure raw feeling. He swept his tongue inside of her mouth, seeking hers, and she responded, letting her own tongue drift outward and touch his.
    Oh, the sparks! Such sparks tickled her skin. Her skin heated, her belly fluttered, and a strange pulsing began between her legs.
    Dear Lord… The tickle, the fresh desire. Her nipples tightened against her corset, two hard little berries aching to be let free of their confinement. Between her legs… She wanted something between her legs… Something hard…
    Something hard? What was she doing?
    With all of her strength, she pushed against Mr. Newland’s chest, breaking the kiss with a loud smack.
    â€œMr. Newland, please!” She placed both her hands on her cheeks. How red must they be! “In the middle of the street. And I…I hardly know you!”
    â€œWe can certainly remedy the latter, my lady.” Mr. Newland arched his eyebrow and smiled. An adorable dimple appeared on his left cheek.
    Sophie attempted to back away from Mr. Newland but stumbled, her knees like jelly.
    Mr. Newland caught her, gripping her upper arm. “Easy, my lady. Let’s get you inside for moment.” He led her back into the theatre lobby.
    Sophie yanked her arm away. “I can look after myself.” But she stumbled again.
    Mr. Newland chuckled and took her arm again. “Please, come with me.”
    He led her back into his office and helped her sit down on a lush leather chair. “Sit here for moment. I will get you a drink of water.” He returned seconds later and handed her a cup.
    She drank thirstily, the water soothing her parched mouth. What had gotten into him? More importantly, what gotten into her? Why had she allowed the kiss in the first place? In broad daylight? In public?
    Zach sat down in the chair next to her. “Are you feeling better?”
    Sophie was certain she was turning twelve shades of red. “Yes, thank you.”
    â€œGood. Because I meant it when I said I wanted you to take the lead role in my new musicale. You have such an exquisite operatic voice, unlike anything I’ve ever heard. I can make you a sensation.”
    A sensation? Sophie had no desire to be a sensation. She wished only to stay at home, doting on tiny cousins and a soon-to-be-born niece or nephew, reading, singing, walking about the grounds. It might not be a glamorous life, but it was hers, and she was used to it.
    She knew firsthand how wretched life could be when she had a man’s attention. Ally had shielded her for most of it by taking their father’s punishment for her. Sophie had tried to repay Ally in the past, but had finally come to the conclusion that she just couldn’t. The best she could do for Ally was stay out of harm’s way, be a recluse, a spinster.
    â€œI do appreciate your confidence in me, sir, but I must decline.”
    â€œYou have no idea how much it pains me to hear you say that, my lady.”
    Sophie winced a bit. She hated causing anyone pain, especially this man who had just given her the amazing gift of his kiss—something she never thought she would experience—no matter how inappropriate it was. “I am not meant for the stage, sir. I am meant for a simple life, a life at home helping to care for my loved ones. That is my destiny, and it is one I am happy to fulfill.”
    Mr. Newland took her hand. Shivers ran through her at his touch. She tried to