Sinful Liaisons Read Online Free

wrong with this state of affairs. It wasn’t the first time she’d been in an inappropriate situation. It wouldn’t be the last. She certainly hoped it wouldn’t. This man had lit something inside her that had remained dulled for so very long. And he wanted her, did he not?
    His mossy gaze travelled over her body, lingering on the curves of her breasts before coming back up and locking with hers. She eyed the whiskers on his jaw and wondered what they’d feel like against her skin. Her fingers itched to press into the slight dip in his chin then between his lips to feel the warmth in there.
    Breaths heavy, she lifted her chin and kept her gaze on his.
    “Evelyn,” he murmured, the word a seduction in itself.
    Kiss me, her mind begged. It didn’t matter that she hardly knew the man. Her body knew what it wanted. It strained against her corsets to get to him.
    You kiss me, his gaze seemed to say.
    And so they were at an impasse. She couldn’t say for how many more minutes they remained like that, the quiet tick of the mantel clock reminding her of the passing of time. All she knew was that by the time someone knocked on the door, jolting her, she had memorised every fleck of brown in those green eyes and knew beyond all doubt this man would be her match in the bedroom, and perhaps in other ways.
    It was risky.
    “Yes?” she called out, her voice but a harsh shadow of itself. She realised her mistake when her maid answered in stammering tones.
    “I-I brought some...”
    Evelyn chuckled. “Betsy will no doubt have some of my late husband’s clothes for you. He was about your size. I hope you do not find it morbid.”
    “Beggars can’t be choosers.”
    “You are far from a beggar, Cynfell.”
    Indeed, a man like himself likely never had to beg for anything. Women would take one look at him—as she had—and offer him everything. She’d have to remain cautious. It wouldn’t do to let herself be vulnerable around him.
    She turned to put her hand to the door and a strong set of fingers curled around her upper arm. “I’m willing to wager you can make a man beg.”
    She eyed him over her shoulder. “Perhaps.”
    Was this him begging? Did he feel the same heat curling between them? He had to. It was impossible to miss. But whether he had any thoughts of pursuing it, she didn’t know.
    “Dinner is at eight. Please explore at your leisure,” she told him in an attempt to put them back on a formal footing. For the moment at least.
    Evelyn needed some time away from his naked body to straighten her thoughts, and she had no concerns of him finding her in her favourite spot in the house.
    “Good day, Your Grace.”
    Somehow those four words felt like the most seductive and beautiful words she’d ever heard. Her stomach twisted itself into knots that would never be undone. She pulled open the door to find an astonished Betsy, trying to look as though there was nothing unusual about her mistress occupying a room with a naked stranger.
    Evelyn didn’t say anything to the maid. She didn’t even feel like offering explanations. What explanation was there? She was curious, and she didn’t think her curiosity had been fully satisfied yet.
    She strolled down the hallway. There was time, however.

Chapter Three
    “So what exactly was this wager that caused you to end up losing your clothes, Cynfell?”
    Pierce paused, leaving his fork halfway up to his mouth before he lowered it. He eyed the woman at the head of the long table, her fiery hair gilded by the lights. She fit the room perfectly. Bold, like the gold and red damask wallpaper. Beautiful like the elegant arrangement of whatever these flowers in front of him were. Curvaceous like the exquisitely made furnishings. And yet, she did not fade amongst these decadent surroundings. No, instead they only seemed to work to draw his gaze to her. He suspected she knew it well if her performance in his bedchamber was anything to go by.
    “You are a curious