Scandalous Liaisons Read Free Page A

place,” she murmured. “To please my father, to run my own household, to have children and the security of a man’s name.” She ran a fingertip over a delicately arched brow before locking gazes with him again. “No one knows your secret, and I certainly won’t enlighten anyone. I will have the protection and status of your name, with none of the inconveniences of a husband. In fact,” she said, obviously warming up to the topic, “if you are indeed Sebastian Blake, the situation pleases me in a way it didn’t before.”
    He stroked his hand down the center of his chest, noting the way her eyes followed the movement with ravenous attention. “You would maintain my house, bear my name and my children?”
    “Of course,” she replied, blushing as her gaze returned to his. “I am aware of my responsibilities as your . . . er . . . Lord Merrick’s wife.”
    “You would have to welcome me to your bed.” He paused for emphasis. “Often.”
    Her eyebrow lifted. “If you are who you claim to be, I would welcome you eagerly.”
    Sebastian stilled at that. In fact, he couldn’t move. The image her words brought to mind had him throbbing painfully. “My title would elicit eagerness in you?”
    “I am not that shallow,” she said, with a lift of her chin.
    “Then my form is what you find so attractive?”
    Olivia snorted. “Attractive? You are a heathen.”
    He shot up, setting the hammock swaying perilously. “A heathen ?”
    “Yes, look at you.” She waved in his direction. “Your hair is unfashionably long. Damn near as long as mine.”
    “It is nowhere near that long!” he argued, put out. “And don’t swear!”
    “And your muscles,” she continued, as if he hadn’t spoken at all.
    “What about my muscles?” he growled.
    “They’re huge. You look like a savage.” She rose from the chair and moved to stand in front of the window.
    “A savage ?” he sputtered, his feet hitting the floor with a thud.
    “Most definitely.” She coughed, her shoulders shaking.
    Sebastian stalked toward her. “I’ll have you know, most women find me irresistible.”
    “Really?” she drawled, sounding unimpressed.
    “Yes, really. I was quite the rake when I resided in London,” he bragged, unaccountably upset by her dislike of his appearance.
    “I’m certain you thought you were,” she choked out. “Or perhaps you were more civilized at that time.”
    His eyes narrowed with suspicion. He spun Olivia around to face him, only to discover she was laughing, her lovely eyes sparkling with wicked amusement.
    “You’re mocking me.” He smiled against his will.
    “Just a little,” she gasped, clutching her stomach.
    She was either mad from the stress of the day’s events or . . . enchanting. Sebastian became engrossed in the intimacy of their shared amusement, the rest of their problems fading into obscurity. His hand came up and drew a line down the bridge of her pert nose, which she wrinkled when he tapped the tip.
    Olivia stared at him with admiration in her dark eyes, a look that salved the sting his ego had felt mere moments ago. “A savage with a delightful dimple,” she murmured under her breath, brushing her fingertip along his cheek.
    “Why are you out here?” she asked almost breathlessly. “You, a nobleman of vast wealth and prestige. Why turn to piracy?”
    “Ah . . .” He ached to pull her closer. His throat tight, his hand dropped to her shoulder. “You believe me.”
    She snorted again, a thoroughly unladylike sound that he found charming. “I’m just foxed is all, and willing to indulge you for the moment.”
    “My lady, you should pay greater attention to your choice of wording. You have no notion of the indulgences I require.” At her confused frown, Sebastian clarified, “I am no gentleman.”
    “You are an earl, my lord.”
    “It’s a title, Lady Merrick, and it has nothing to do with my character.”
    “You have been trained and bred for your—”
    “I have been