Only Mine Read Free Page A

breasts and tried to understand his good fortune at having found a fiancée who was so eager forhim she sought out his rooms while the house slept.
    “Just look at those bubbies, by God,” he said heavily. “Lord Stewart drove a mean bargain for you, but it was worth it to the ha’penny.”
    Gore bent down to Jessica’s breasts, staggered, and ended up shoving her against the wall with a force that knocked her breathless. That was the only thing that kept her from crying out in pain as his teeth closed over one breast. Grunting with growing excitement, he ignored her struggles as he flattened her against the wall and fumbled to undo his pants. Desperately, Jessica remembered what Wolfe had taught her just before they parted four years ago. With a silent prayer she brought one knee up hard between Gore’s legs. Instantly, his hands fell away and he staggered backward.
    Clutching her ruined peignoir around her body, her hair streaming like dark fire behind her, Jessica fled to Wolfe’s room. The door opened easily beneath her shaking hands.
    Wolfe came out of the canopy bed in a single flowing movement. He had just enough time to recognize Jessica and drop his knife on the bedside table before she threw herself at his chest. Her arms locked around his bare waist and she shook as wildly as she had when he had found her huddled within a haystack.
    Automatically, Wolfe lifted Jessica onto the bed and sat holding her close, trying to soothe her. A few feet away the storm beat mindlessly against stone and glass.
    “Gently, little one,” Wolfe murmured. “You’re safe with me. The storm can’t get you now. You’re safe. Here, I’ll light the lamp so that you can see. The storm is out there and you’re in here.”
    Wolfe leaned over, lit the lamp one-handed, and resettled Jessica in his lap.
    “There, elf. Is that better? You can see that you’re safe, can’t you? You can see…sweet Jesus Christ!”
    Wolfe fell silent, unable to speak. Jessica’s breasts were bared and shockingly beautiful despite the bright drops of blood and blue-black bruises forming on her skin.
    From somewhere in the house, raised voices could be heard. Wolfe barely noticed. The realization that a man had broken Jessica’s soft skin with his teeth and bruised her delicate flesh with his fingers enraged Wolfe.
    “What bloody bastard did this to you?” he asked savagely.
    “Lord G-G—” Jessica took a long, shuddering breath and tried to still the shaking of her body so that she could speak. “Lord Gore.”
    Very carefully, Wolfe pulled the torn ends of Jessica’s peignoir in place, covering her breasts. “Hush, elf.” He kissed her hair gently. “Hush, little one. You’re safe. I won’t let him hurt you again.”
    “P-promise?”
    “Yes.”
    Jessica let out a broken sigh. For a few moments there was no sound but that of the wind and Jessica’s slowly calming breathing.
    Gore burst into the room through the open door. His face was sweaty and he was somewhat less drunk than he had been, for pain could temporarily sober a man.
    “You need a taste of the rod, you little baggage,” Gore said coldly, stalking toward the bed, “andyou shall have it. Get your arse out of that savage’s bed.”
    Wolfe put Jessica aside and stood up in a single motion. For the first time she realized that Wolfe was naked from the waist up—and from the waist down, as well. Lamplight ran over his body, outlining the power that ran through him like leashed lightning.
    “I take it you’re the bastard who mauled my Jessi?” Wolfe asked in a soft voice.
    Jessica forgot Wolfe’s nakedness as his voice sank into her. She had never heard that tone from him. She shivered and realized that Wolfe could kill—and he would, to defend her.
    Before Gore could answer, Lady Victoria came rushing into the room, followed by a distraught Betsy.
    “I’m sorry,” Betsy said, looking at Jessica. “I just couldn’t let you come to Mr. Lonetree’s room. The man has