Bound by Bliss Read Free Page A

have left him satisfied, but tonight he felt strangely empty, incomplete.

    The woman rolled her hips, inviting further play. Almost perfunctorily he raised a hand and gave her a hard swat. Her ass stretched back as a happy moan sounded. Blast. He knew every move to make, but lacked any actual desire. It had been this way for far too many days—weeks or months if he was honest.
    The woman turned toward him, heavy breasts falling forward, nipples still swollen from the evening’s play, inviting his touch. A slight smile curved her lips beneath the silken mask she wore. “And how may this humble servant serve you further, master?” Her eyes dropped to where the thick linen of the sheet still draped about his waist.
    Her tongue darted out, wetting already moist lips.
    Eleven.
    Eleven bells.
    Shit. He was late.
    He’d promised his aunt he’d attend the Evanstons’ soiree. And his aunt, Lady Perse, was not one to be disappointed—plus there was always the possibility that Bliss would be there. He pushed the thought from his mind. He’d thought of her far too frequently these last months, fantasized about her far too often. His cock began to swell at even the slightest thought. Blast. Bliss was going to be his wife, not his mistress. Now, if only the unruly beast would remember that fact and not rear his ugly head at every thought of sweet Bliss.
    Without a word, he swung from the bed and reached for his trousers. If he hurried he would make it before the call to dinner. Luckily Lady Evanston believed in a late dinner. Lady Perse would understand. A gentleman could not be expected to arrive early.

    “You’re leaving now?” The woman did not sound happy, not at all.
    “I am sorry. I must.” He laid a careless kiss upon her rounded shoulder.
    She pushed herself up, her breasts almost slapping his chest. “Don’t you want to punish me more? I’ve been a very bad maid. I haven’t completed my tasks.” Her hand reached for the trousers he had just fastened.
    He pushed her hand away. Couldn’t they ever be original? He knew it was all a game; his partner was no more a servant than a lion was a house cat, but some days he tired of all the pretense, wanted something real, something true.
    Why couldn’t a single one of them admit what they wanted without masks and foolery? But he knew the answer to that question. It wasn’t as if he walked about admitting to his own desires…
    “You can’t leave. I am not ready,” the woman complained, her lips forming an unattractive frown.
    Now, that was more in character with her real identity.
    “Sorry.” But actually he wasn’t. It was as much a relief as anything. “I’ve paid Madame Rouge for the room. You can stay until morning if you wish, perhaps seek another companion.” He draped his untied cravat about his neck.
    And then he slipped through the door, his thoughts moving on to the remainder of the night, the woman already forgotten.
    —
    Bliss stared about the Evanstons’ ballroom one more time. Surely it must be nearly time for dinner. If she didn’t receive her invite soon…

    “I still can’t believe what you’ve said.” Angela was not going to let their previous conversation go. “Your brother knows you better than that and since Swanston married Louisa he’s seemed almost human. You need somebody who enjoys a bit of fun. There must be a dozen lords you could marry.”
    Bliss kept her head turned away from her friend’s far too penetrating gaze. She did want somebody fun—fun and undemanding—not that she wished to marry at all. Why couldn’t they all just leave her alone to live her life as she wished? Nobody was dependent on her. And her grandmother had left her more than enough funds in trust to be sure that she was never a burden. If only she were a few years older she would buy her own home and settle far away from everybody, perhaps somewhere in the country where nobody would be watching—certainly not a certain vexing earl who lived next