Taming of Mei Lin Read Online Free

opening of her tunic.
    His hand closed over her breast and he stroked her nipple with his thumb. She arched into him, her eyes squeezed shut to savor the feelings he was showing her. The first time anyone had shown her.
    “ Shen Leung .”
    “I like that.” He worked the sash at her waist. “Say my name again.”
    His mouth found her throat, seeking out a spot that was especially sensitive. She lifted her chin to give him access, to give him anything he wanted. He kissed her neck before biting gently and she jumped at the shock of the touch.
    “I imagined this.” His fingertips trailed down over her stomach. The exploring touch sent ripples down her spine. “While you stood across from me in the town square. I could barely concentrate.”
    “I…I felt the same.”
    She didn’t know what to say to him that wouldn’t sound inept. How could she tell him that she’d never felt so close to anyone? That she’d felt this way the moment they stood across from each other, swords drawn. What would he think if he knew the extent of her surrender?
    Her breath caught as his hand traced a line to her other breast and circled lazily, stoking a slow fire in her. He watched her so intently, breathing harder with each caress. Her body grew damp down below, responding to him in hidden ways she’d never known.
    His voice was low and sensual. “I wish I could promise you anything you wanted.”
    She reached for him, her hand curling around the back of his neck to pull him back down. He yielded and kissed her with a raw edge of hunger that thrilled her.
    He was so strong and wonderfully…male. She couldn’t think of any other words. His hard member pressed against her hip. She only had vague notions of what this all meant; the secrets between men and women. The mystery of it excited her even more.
    He forced himself apart, still fighting her. “I won’t let this happen.”
    He should have known better than to challenge her like that. She raised her hips to him and Shen Leung groaned. His hands fisted in her hair and his eyes closed, the look on his face caught between pleasure and agony.
    “I can’t stay,” he said through gritted teeth.
    She held onto him. The feel of him hard against her was too wonderful to relinquish. She wanted his hands on her again, his mouth on her, touching her everywhere. Boldly she reached for the edge of his trousers. Her fingertips skimmed the hard muscle of his stomach.
    “No.”
    He snatched her hand away, once again pinning it over her head. But this time his fingers threaded through hers. The savage tenderness of it rendered her heart in two.
    Every muscle in his body strained above her and his breathing came in ragged bursts. “I have to go. There are…there are duties I’ve sworn to fulfill. If we gave in and made love tonight, what would happen to you when I leave?”
    “What if you swear to me?” she asked.
    “What?”
    “Tell me you’ll return and I’ll believe you.”
    She burrowed her face against his neck to hide from the reckless need coursing through her. She’d never begged anyone for anything. The shame of it.
    “Mei Lin, you’re worth more than this.”
    His words only made her burn for him. She choked back tears of frustration.
    “Must you be so honorable ?”
    Slowly he eased her away so that he could see her face. “I can’t promise you anything when I don’t know what the next day will bring for me. I don’t know if I’ll be near or far or if I’ll be fortunate enough to be breathing.”
    She touched a tentative hand to his cheek. “Are you saying there’s a chance you can be killed?”
    His eyes had grown dark and serious. He hesitated before answering. “Nothing is certain.”
    “It’s dangerous work you do for the empire, isn’t it?”
    From the way his jaw tightened, she knew she was right and that he would say nothing more. Her desire faded only to be replaced by an even greater longing; the need to remain close to Shen Leung and know that he was