A Daring Passion

“If you do not approve of the gardens, meu amor, you are at liberty to alter them in any manner you desire,” a soft voice whispered from behind her.

With a tiny gasp, Raine spun about, her hand pressed to her pounding heart. “Philippe. I did not hear you approach.”

In the fading light he looked as handsome as ever. He was dressed casually in a blue jacket and buff breeches with his cravat loosened to reveal the strong column of his neck. As he stepped closer, however, Raine was startled to note that there were unmistakable lines of weariness marring his countenance.

Perhaps understandable considering what he had endured over the past months, but it still came as something of a shock. He always seemed…

invulnerable to the normal human weaknesses.

Unaware of her inane thoughts, Philippe studied the unmistakable dampness of her cheeks, his arms crossed over his chest and his eyes hooded.

“No, you appeared quite occupied with your thoughts. Would you care to reveal what are you thinking of?” he demanded.

She turned her head to regard the sweeping beauty before her. “I was thinking that you have a lovely home. It is little wonder you were so anxious to return.”

“Lovely, but not lovely enough to tempt you, eh, Raine?”

Raine turned back at the unexpected edge of bitterness in his tone. “Would you truly desire me to marry you simply to gain a lovely estate and garden?”

His expression was inscrutable in the fading light. “Women often marry for such things.”

They did, of course. A woman had little choice but to offer herself to the highest bidder to gain a measure of security. Thankfully, she had her father and his small cottage until she managed to discover a means of supporting herself. She would have no need to sell herself to a man certain to break her heart.

“You are no doubt right, but I am not interested in bartering my future for a comfortable home,” she said.

“Then what do you desire for your future?”

A wistful smile touched her lips. She knew precisely what she desired, what would offer her the happiness she sought.

“I want to find a place where I can feel needed,” she said softly. “Truly needed.”

The green eyes smoldered with a dark emotion. “You believe I do not need you?”

She swallowed the urge to laugh at the thought of this man ever making himself so vulnerable.

“Of course you do not. You are completely independent and certain of yourself. You are not a man who allows yourself to need anyone.”

Without warning he grabbed her hand and yanked her to her feet. Raine stumbled in surprise, unable to halt him from wrapping his arms about her waist and pulling her against the length of his body.

“You are wrong, you know, meu amor. I need you,” he rasped, his face buried in her golden curls. “I need you quite desperately at this moment.”

The manner that he needed her was rapidly evident as she felt the stir of his erection. For a mad, crazed moment Raine arched against his hard, deliciously warm body. They were all alone in the garden, surrounded by the lush perfume of the night. She ached to be close to him. To lie beneath him as he made her feel as if she were the most important woman in the world to him.

It was only the knowledge that the illusion would be all too fleeting that made her lift her hands to press against his chest in denial.

“No, Philippe.”

His brows snapped together at her rejection. “No?”

She sucked in a deep breath, ignoring the fierce heat that flowed through her blood. “What you need is a physical release that could be provided by any woman.”

“Not, I trust, any woman,” he mocked, clenching his jaw.

She shrugged her shoulders, wrapping her arms about her waist. “Any woman who happens to capture your fancy.”

“Dammit,” he ground out, shoving his fingers through his hair as he stared at her in stark frustration. “I do not want any woman but you.”

“For now.” She resisted the temptation to step back from the danger that smoldered in his eyes. “Once we are wed, however, you will swiftly tire of me.”