A Daring Passion

She gave a shake of her head. “Philippe has no affection to reveal. He…” She was forced to suck in a sharp breath as Carlos trailed his fingers down the opening of her robe. Whatever her complicated feelings for Philippe, it did not prevent her body from reacting to the practiced touch. “He does not want to care for another,” she struggled to continue. “I think his mother’s death when he was so young frightened him.”

Carlos pressed even closer. “Frightened him?”

“He is afraid of being hurt and left alone again.”

“Perhaps, but that does not mean a determined woman could not teach him to trust again.”

His warm breath brushed over Raine’s ear, and with a choked sound Raine abruptly turned to regard her companion with wide eyes.

“Why do you defend Philippe?” she demanded in a voice that wasn’t quite steady.

Carlos shrugged. “Philippe is as close as any brother to me.”

“Yes, but…” A blush touched her cheeks. She was surely not misreading the man’s intentions? He had, after all, had his hands beneath her robe. “I mean, you seem to want…”

“You in my bed?” He cut off her awkward stumbling with a wicked smile. “You spread beneath me as I find paradise?”

Raine licked her dry lips. “Do you?”

“Desperately.”

He did not even bother to try to hide the slumberous heat in his eyes as he lowered his head to brush his mouth lightly over her lips.

She gave a bewildered blink. “I do not understand.”

Carlos paused, his dark male features fiercely striking in the flickering candlelight.

“I want you, anjo, but I am not so desperate for a woman that I would seduce one who is in love with another man.” His inherent arrogance edged his words. “If you come to my arms I want you thinking of me, not Philippe.”

Raine’s brows drew together. “You want me to be your mistress?”

A small, mysterious smile played about his mouth. “Who can say what the future might hold?”

She gave a shake of her head. “Carlos…”

“No.” He touched a finger to her lips to halt her impetuous words. “This is not the time. But know that I am near if you have need of me.”

He claimed a brief, searing kiss before he turned to walk from the room, leaving behind a decidedly bemused Raine.

Good heavens. Men were truly the oddest of creatures.

Still, she could not deny there was a measure of comfort to be found in Carlos’s promise.

Someday, no doubt someday very soon, Philippe would grow bored with her, or just as likely, discover another woman more beautiful and more tempting. He would have no more use for her and she would have need of assistance to return to her father.

On that day she sensed she would be turning to Carlos.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

PHILIPPE SMILED WRYLY as he locked the glittering necklaces in the bottom drawer of the desk located in the corner of his bedchamber.

He had not been surprised to discover the priceless gems tossed on the bed when he had awakened from his nap. A part of him might even have been disappointed if he had not found them there.

The Lord knew he might never comprehend the tangled reasoning that led to Raine’s burst of outrage, but he had to admire her unwavering sense of honor. By God, what other woman would turn up her nose at a fortune in jewels just because her pride had been wounded? Especially a woman who had never been allowed to enjoy such pretty baubles in her entire life?

Miss Raine Wimbourne was without a doubt the most exasperating, annoying female he had ever encountered, but she was also the most unique. Even if he had her at his side for a lifetime, he was convinced he would never discover all the fascinating complexities to her character. She would intrigue him for an eternity.

He was not quite certain why the thought pleased him, or why the smile on his lips refused to be dismissed as he left his bedchamber and went in search of Raine.