Under Her Brass Corset Read Online Free

abstinence. His ache to pounce was overwhelmingly strong as his mind replayed his fantasies. There was no counting the number of times he had awakened in a feverish sweat, drenched by orgasmic dreams. It would all start with him entering Abigail’s house, stealing quietly into her room, and finding her there naked on her bed—waiting for him.
    Jasper looked at her now, wondering what possessed him to come forward for something as inconsequential as helping get her foot unstuck from the harmless pavement. There was no future with her, no matter how much he wished for it to happen. How would he keep his eye on her after tonight without her recognizing him?
    “Are you in port for very long?” Her voice shook him from his reveries.
    The question smoothed the way for him to tell her outright who he was and why he was there. Except if she was aware of everything and accepting of his affections, what would stop him from pulling her into his arms and kissing her?
    “No,” he answered, sticking to his decision to stay out of her life.
    Immortality came with a burden—to lose those near and dear to the heart. Over a hundred and fifty years ago, one woman, Isabel, taught him the pain involved in losing someone. Since then, he forced himself to stay clear of all long-standing associations with mortals.
    “Hmm, that’s too bad.” Abigail’s sigh hinted of disappointment.
    At least that’s what he wanted to think. His fondness for her had entrenched him too deep to avoid overanalyzing her words. He had watched out for her for an old friend. Along the way, he found himself wanting to take care of her on a regular basis. He never expected his guardianship would move to a level of obsession.
    “This is it.” Abigail stopped at the walk leading up to the porch of the familiar dark green house. “See, only a block from where you found me.”
    “Yes, so it is.” He stared at the wine-colored fretwork and the dirty, white-framed windows. “I like it.” How could he not? He had spent many years watching the place.
    “So do I.” She fingered one of the rusty wrought iron pickets on the fence enclosing the yard. “Unfortunately, I cannot afford to keep the place.”
    “That’s a shame since it’s been in your family for a long time.”
    “Yes, it has.” She looked at him sadly. “But how did you know how long my family has had this house?”
    He touched a rose vine on the fence remembering how he had watched Abigail smelling the bright red flowers several times over the years.
    “Your talk of the dog,” he said, covering his slipup about the house and her family. “I just assumed you’ve been here all your life since you said you were given a dog here.”
    Abigail’s eyes watered with a shimmer of tears. Offering to help her directly was out of the question. It didn’t mean he had overlooked her problem. In fact, he had already arranged with his solicitor to buy the house the moment it went on auction. Afterward his solicitor was to offer her the house at an outrageously low rent and a lifetime lease.
    Jasper glanced away from Abigail when a very short man emerged from the dark shadows.
    “A few coins for the poor?” the fellow asked.
    Jasper reached inside his coat pocket and pulled out his leather coin purse, knowing immediately what the troll came for. “What can I expect for this?” He dangled the heavy pouch in front of him.
    “What do you ask?” the troll replied, scratching his crooked nose while he studied Abigail.
    “Only which you are capable to offer,” Jasper answered, wishing to make the deal a brief exchange.
    Obviously too intimidated by his ugly appearance, Abigail didn’t speak. Or had she encountered this troll before? It was doubtful since members of the breed seldom showed themselves to anyone.
    “Done,” the troll said with a nod.
    Jasper tossed the money to him. “A fair trade.”
    The troll gave him a nod again and strolled away, disappearing back into the darkness.
    “I think you