Vanished Pride (The Seven Sin Sisters 4) Read Online Free

so
much of her life was filled with noise.
    “What
about dessert? I have another useful talent, a keen sense of smell, and I smell
chocolate,” Donovan said as he raised his eyebrows in a silly gesture.
    “I
made them this morning. Chocolate lava cakes are Gracie’s favorite. She’s been
blue lately so I thought they’d cheer her up,” Paige grinned at Donovan and bit
on her lower lip. “But since she’s not here, I guess we get to enjoy them.”
    “They
sound delicious.” Donovan scooted closer and placed his hand on her knee. It
felt good. Paige wondered again how much longer she could hold out.
    “They
look even better.” Paige bit down on her lip again, realizing her comment was
laced with innuendo.
    “I
just bet they do.”
    Oh
Goddess, Paige shot up so fast the chair fell backwards. If she didn’t move
away from the heat they were creating, her plan to wait was not going to work
at all. “Let me get our dessert and make some coffee. We could sit in the
living room.”
    “I’ll
clear the table,” Donovan offered as he tried to keep from laughing at her
antics. How could he not? She wanted to crawl under a rock at how she was
reacting to him. Head high, girl, keep your head held high.

 
    * * * *

 
    Donovan
dangled his fork laden with chocolate cake in front of Paige. “Take a bite.”
    “I
can feed myself,” Paige snipped.
    “I
know. I just wanted to have some fun. Play along, Principessa .”
    With
the slightest hesitation, Paige opened her mouth and took in the bite. She
moaned her pleasure as she closed her mouth and savored the rich decadence as
Donovan pulled the fork from between her lips. His eyes were fixated on her
mouth even as he took another forkful and placed it in his own mouth.
    “Delicious,”
Donovan’s voice was deep and rough, full of the lust he was finding difficult
to reign in.
    He
fed them alternating bites and watched as she enjoyed the moment. For once, she
almost seemed unconcerned, unhurried and, dare he suggest it, relaxed. Unable
to stop himself, Donovan leaned in to lick a tiny smudge of the chocolate sauce
from her lip. When she didn’t flinch—thank the Goddess—he brushed his lips
against hers, this time for a kiss. It was gentle and slow at first, until she
responded with her own need, and then he couldn’t help but deepen the kiss. Paige
sighed ever so gently and opened to him. He ran his tongue along her lips and inside
her mouth. She was delicious; a tempting blend of chocolate and desire.
    Touching
her after being denied all this time made him tremble with need. She was an exquisite
beauty and yet…magical. It was as if he held a fairy in his palm, so delicate
and soft. Donovan wanted to feel this power between them for all time. His mate
was spectacular.
    Suddenly
she pulled away. “Stop this,” Paige said as she pushed against his chest with
her tiny hands. Donovan was huge, broad compared to her slighter frame, and his
muscles bulged as he took deep breaths to steady himself. He reigned his power
in and sought self-control. Perhaps bringing her around wasn’t going to be as
easy as he thought. He needed a way to show her she needed him as much as he
needed her.
    “Principessa,
that was a close call. I can’t play this game of red light-green light with you
without ramifications.” Only a fraction of the warning contained in Donovan’s
eyes was conveyed by his tone.
    “I
need to focus on the Coupe du Monde. Once it’s over, once I’ve accomplished
that, I can give myself to you.” Paige used her high-pitched, sweet-as-sin
voice that seemed always to get him to agree. He was on to her now though, and
it was not going to work this time.
    “Here’s
the thing about that, Princess, you don’t get to choose the when.”
    “Yes,
I do,” Paige actually crossed her arms in front of her chest and pouted, “And
stop calling me Princess. I know you don’t mean it nicely.” She actually
sounded hurt. Goddess, he wanted to bite her pouty lips,