The Devil's Thief Read Free

want your word. If I . . . stay here tonight,
with you, I want your word that you will give me the pearl in the morning.”
    He
took a moment to study her. When he’d first heard her voice, he’d gotten the
impression of delicacy—an impression that was strengthened when he stood
over her, touching her. She seemed small, fragile, with big, luminous eyes, a
small nose, and a wide, generous mouth just made for love. Surely a mouth like
that couldn’t lie. But he’d almost forgotten that she was a thief. She had
broken into his home with the intention of stealing from him. No matter how
guileless and innocent her face, she lacked moral character. For some perverse
reason, that made him want her all the more.
    “I
have said I will if that is what you desire.” He could see that his answer
didn’t satisfy her.
    “Say
it,” she demanded. “Say, ‘I will give you the pearl tomorrow morning after you
have lain with me tonight.’ Give me your word of honor.”
    Ah,
so the immoral little cat hoped to tangle him in his own honor, did she? Well,
he had no qualms about making promises to thieves in the night. “You have my
word of honor, my dear. I will give you the pearl in the morning after you have
lain with me tonight.” He knew the words were a lie even as he spoke them. But
he also knew that the money and gifts he would give her in the morning would
more than make up for it.
    He
took a step closer and saw her eyes widen. Her gaze seemed to be in constant
motion, as if she was too nervous to let it alight on any one part of his
exposed person. He found it charming regardless of whether it was true or a
performance for his benefit.
    “But
you will do more than lie with me, my dear,” he whispered, noting with
satisfaction the shiver along her shoulders. She licked her lips again, and
Alasdair went from firm interest to hard desire as he followed the path of her
tongue along the plump folds of her lips, now wet and glistening in the
moonlight. “I will make you cry tonight, little thief. I will make you moan and
beg and cry out with pleasure.” With each word her eyes grew larger and more alarmed.
“Now, are you still willing to make this bargain?”
    *           *           *
    Julianna
was terrified. Because some part of her, some clearly perverse and heretofore
unknown part of her, desperately wanted this beautiful naked man to make her
cry and beg. But it wasn’t about what Julianna wanted, was it? It was about
what she needed. And she needed that pearl. She had no other options. It was
too late to look for funds elsewhere. And if she didn’t pay the solicitor
within the week, the children would all be out on the street. She had worked so
desperately to shield them from the harsh realities of their life, to provide a
safe home and a happy future for them. All would be lost if she lacked the
courage to accept this bargain. Truly, it would ruin her if she failed to produce
the rent. Ruin her chance at independence, her chance to prove she was capable
of taking care of herself and others. The failure would hang over her head,
branding her incompetent and unworthy. And that would be the ultimate failure
on her part. She would lose the children and so much more.
    She
nibbled on her fingertip as she debated with herself. Her virginity certainly
hadn’t ever helped her up until now. After all, it wasn’t as if she was saving
herself for someone. True, she was untouched, but that had been by choice. She
had never wanted to give herself to any man before, either in bed or in
matrimony. She very much doubted that would change after a night in bed with
Mr. Sharp, who most certainly did not have matrimony on his mind. If she was honest with herself, she’d admit her attraction to him
was part of the reason she’d decided on this mad scheme. Surely this weakness
she harbored for him would pass if she surrendered to it for one night? Then
she could move forward, take care of business, and forget Mr.