The Harlot Read Free Page A

get you out of here, in exchange for a favor.”
    â€œA rescuer,” Jessie said, with a soft laugh. In truth, she did not need anyone’s help, but it suited her well. If he thought he could get her out of here, then there would be no need to use her magic.
    He inclined his head. “With a price.”
    â€œAh, I see.” She would readily offer him her favors in return for such aid. Besides, he was an uncannily attractive man, despite the hard, assessing glint in his eyes and the scars on his face. His body was fit and strong, and he held himself well. He had the look of someone who had traveled abroad, as she often saw when the ships came in and the travelers alighted. The man whose custom she had been fighting for earlier was rich, but this one was also handsome, and looked potent, as if he could give a woman a good seeing-to.
    Nevertheless, Jessie considered him cautiously for a moment longer. He had some money on his person, of that she was sure—and she would find out how much soon enough. Why was he doing this? He did not need to be gallant and rescue an accused woman in order to gain her attentions. There were easier ways to procure carnal gratification, especially for a man of his appearance. Why did he want her? Perhaps there was a secret thrill in the act for him, something to do with the nature of their current situation. He had put himself in danger, coming here in such a costume, especially when the bailie might return at any moment to question her.
    At that very moment he glanced down the corridor, watchful for the guard’s return. Yet he did not seem overlyconcerned, and when he looked back at her it was with humor in his expression. Was he a man who liked a challenge? If so, she was the woman to give it to him.
    With her hands on her hips, she approached him. In the candlelight his angular features were cast in leaping light and shadows. “I’ll pay your price, in exchange for my freedom.”
    Before he had a chance to respond, she dropped to her knees and rested her hand over the bulge at his groin. He opened his mouth as if to speak, but paused, his eyebrows lifting as he realized her intention. She couldn’t help smiling. His plan must have been to take the tumble after the rescue. That would be safer, but rebellion pumped in her blood. Would he chastise her? Knock her hand away and hush her?
    He had not stilled her hand, and his handsome mouth moved in a suggestive smile. She knew the signs well enough, and it appeared this man was not deterred by their surroundings. Anticipation for a taste of him made her blood pump faster. She would pleasure him right here in the tollbooth. Tightening her grip on his bulge, she gazed up at him. “You do not fear discovery?”
    â€œI was aware it was a dangerous undertaking when I came here,” he responded, “although this was not quite what I had in mind for the order of proceedings.”
    She’d been right about his intentions. Well, if he liked danger, he would surely like this. Shaking back her hair, she slid her hands beneath his cassock and ran them up the outside of his breeches as high as his belt, weighing his purse briefly in her hand as she did so. It was impressively heavy, even more so than she might have guessed from the quality of his boots.
    â€œYou’re a wild lass,” he commented.
    â€œThat I am.” Again she ran her hand over his groin, her cunny tightening when she found his bulge had grown biggerand was now hard and ready for her within the confines of his breeches.
    â€œYou are large, sire,” she whispered, a teasing note in her voice.
    â€œAnd I grow larger by the moment under your skilled fingers.” His gaze was on her breasts and his body was taut with lust.
    She laughed softly and moved her hands around his thighs, measuring and squeezing them. The muscle was strong. He could easily lift and carry her. Working her way down around his boots, and then back up,