Thirteen

His hands came down lightly on her shoulders.

It was meant as the highest of compliments.

"A compliment!

She burst out, pulling away from him yet again.

You have a warped set of morals.

"That is certainly a bizarre statement, coming from you.

"I am not the one who spends all of my free time seducing innocents.

He countered with,I am not the one who tried to sell my life and body for a fortune and a title.

You're a fine one to talk.

You, who have already sold your soul.

"Explain yourself," he bit out.

And then, just because his tone annoyed her so much, she said,No."

"Do not defy me, Sarah.

"'Do not defy me,'" she mocked.

You are not in any position to give me

orders.

You might have been—"

Her voice broke, and it took her a moment to

regain her composure.

You might have been, but you gave up that right."

"Is that a fact?"

"It's no use talking with you.

I don't know why I even try."

"Don't you?"

"Don't touch me, "Sarah bit out.

She could feel him drawing near.

He radiated heat and a certain maleness that was his alone.

Her skin began to tingly

"You keep trying, he said softly,because you know that matters between us have never been resolved.

Sarah knew it was true.

Their relationship ended so abruptly.

This was probably why seeing him after all these years was so difficult.

But she didn't want to face him now.

She wanted to sweep him under the rug and forget about him.

Most of all, she didn't want her heart broken a new,which she was fairly certain would happen if she let herself spend any time with him.

"Deny it,he whispered.

I dare you to.

She said nothing.

"You can't, can you?"

He crossed the room and put his arms around her, resting his chin on the top of her head.

It was an embrace they'd shared a hundred times before, but never had it felt so bitter sweet.

Edward had no idea why he was holding her.

He only knew that he couldn't not do it.

"Why are you doing this?

She whispered.

Why?"

I don't know."

And God help him, it was the truth.

He'd told himself he wanted to ruin her.

Part of him still wanted revenge.

She'd cut his heart to ribbons.

He'd hated her for years for that.

But holding her felt so right.

There really wasn't another word for it.

No other woman had ever fit quite so perfectly in his arms, and he'd spent the past seven

years filling them with other women, trying desperately to blot this one from his

memory.

Was it truly possible to love and hate at the same time?

Edward had always

scoffed at the notion, but he was no longer so certain.

He let his lips trail along the warm skin of her temple.

Have you let other men hold you this way?

He whispered, dreading the answer.

She had wanted only his fortune, but his heart

still raced with jealousy at the thought of her with another man.

She made no reply for a moment, and Edward's entire body tensed.

Then she shook her head.

"Why?"

He asked, with just a touch of desperation.

Why?"

"I don't know."

"Was it the money?

She stiffened.

What?"

He moved his lips to her neck, kissing her with a feral grace.

No one rich enough to keep you satisfied?"

"No!" she burst out.

I'm not like that.

You know I'm not like that."

His only reply was a chuckle, and Sarah felt his laugh directly on her skin.

"Oh, my God," she breathed, wrenching herself out of his grasp.

You

thought…You thought…"

He crossed his arms and looked down at her, the very picture of urbane

elegance.

What did I think, Sarah?

You tell me."

"You thought I wanted your money.

That I was an adventuress."

He made no movement except for an arching of his right brow.

"You…You…" Some years of anger exploded within Sarah, and she launched herself at him, pummeling his chest with her fists.

How dare you think that?

You monster!

I hate you. I hate you."

Edward raised his arms to fend off her unexpected attack, then neatly caught

both her wrists in one hand.

"It's a bit late to feign outrage, don't you think?"

"I never wanted your money, "she said hotly.

It never mattered to me."

"Oh, come now, Sarah.

Do you think I don't remember how you begged me to settle my differences with my father? You even said you wouldn't marry me

unless I tried to mend the rift."

"That was because—Oh, why am I even trying to explain myself to you?"

He moved his face very close to hers.

You are trying to explain yourself

because you want to snare what you missed some years ago.

Me."

"I am beginning to realize that you were never such a spectacular catch to begin with," she ground out.

He laughed harshly.

Perhaps not.

Which would explain your failure to show

up for our elopement.

But my money and title never lacked appeal."

Sarah yanked her wrists from his grasp, surprised when he yielded so easily.

She sat down on the bed, burying her face in her hands.

The fragments of her life

were beginning to fall into place.

When she hadn't kept their assignation, he had

assumed she had backed out of the marriage because his father had disinherited

him.

He had thought—Oh, God, how could he have thought that of her?

"You never knew me,"she whispered, as if only just realizing it.

You never really knew me.

"I wanted to," he said harshly.

Lord, how I wanted to.

And God help me, I still do."

There was no point in trying to explain the truth to him, she realized.

The truth no longer mattered.

He hadn't had any faith in her, and nothing could mend that breach.

She wondered if he had ever trusted any woman.

"Contemplating your sins?

He drawled from across the room.

She lifted her head to face him, her eyes glinting oddly.

You're a cold man,

Edward.

And a lonely one, too, I'd wager."

He stiffened.

Her words cut to the quick, and they were startling in their

accuracy.

With blinding speed he moved to her side, his hands grasping at her

shoulders.

I am what I am because of you."

"No," she said, shaking her head sadly.

You did this to yourself.

If you had trusted me—

"You never gave me a damn reason to," he exploded.

She was trembling.

I gave you every reason," she replied.

You just chose to ignore them."

Disgusted, Edward pushed himself away from her.

She was comporting herself like some kind of noble victim, and he didn't have patience with such hypocrisy.

Especially when every fiber of his being was screaming with desire for her.

That was what appalled him the most.

He was every bit as big a hypocrite.

Wanting her so badly.

Wanting Sarah of all people, the one woman he should have had enough sense to avoid like the plague.

But he was learning that this need was something he just couldn't control.

And hell, why should he have to?

She wanted him every bit as much as he wanted

her.

It was right there in her eyes every time she looked at him.

He said her name, his voice husky with promise and desire.

Sarah stood up and walked to the window.

She leaned her face against the

glass, not trusting herself to look at him. Somehow, the knowledge that he had

never trusted her hurt more than when she thought he was only out to seduce her.

He said her name again, and this time she could tell he was very close.

Close enough for her to feel his breath on her neck.

He turned her around so she was facing him.

His eyes burned blue flame to the very depths of her soul, and Sarah was mesmerized.

"I'm going to kiss you now, "he said slowly, his words punctuated by ragged

breathing.

I'm going to kiss you, and I'm not going to stop. Do you

understand?"

She didn't move.

"Once my lips touch yours…"

His words sounded vaguely like a warning, but Sarah could not make herself heed it.

She felt warm—hot, really, and yet she shivered. Her thoughts were racing at lightning speed, but her mind was somehow a total blank.

Everything about her was in contradiction, and that was probably why she suddenly thought that kissing him might actually not be such a terrible idea.

A taste of yesterday that was all she wanted. Just a taste of what might have

been.

What could have been.

What should have been.

She swayed forward, and that was all the invitation he needed.

He crushed her to him in a stunning embrace, his lips devouring hers.

She could feel his arousal pressing against her, and it was utterly thrilling.

He might be a rake and a philanderer, but she couldn't believe he had ever wanted a woman the way he wanted her this very minute.

Sarah felt like the most powerful woman on earth.

It was a heady sensation, and she arched herself against him, shuddering as her breasts flattened against his chest.

"I need more."

He moaned, his hands grasping frantically at her backside.

I need it all."

Sarah couldn't have said no if God himself had come down and told her to.

And she had no doubt that she would have surrendered herself completely to

Edward if a voice hadn't suddenly sounded in the room.

"Excuse me."

Edward and Sarah flew apart, both whirling to face the door.

An extremely well-dressed gentleman stood there.

Sarah had never seen him before,

although she had no doubt that he was a member of the house party.

She looked away, utterly mortified at having been caught in such a compromising position.

Edward said, his voice cold.

"I beg your pardon, Valley," the gentleman said.

But I thought this was my room.

Sarah's eyes flew to Edward's face.

The lying bastard!

He'd probably had no idea who's room they were in all along.

He'd only wanted to get her alone.

He hadn't given a thought to her reputation.

Or the threat to her position as governess.

Edward grabbed Sarah's hand and pulled her toward the door.

We'll be on our way, ."

Sarah could tell that Edward didn't like this Lord ,but she was too furious with him at that moment to ponder the ramifications.

"The governess, eh?"

Joy said, assessing Sarah rudely.

It would be very difficult for you should the Fairy learn of this little indiscretion.