Beautiful Distraction by Jess Michaels Page A

with her fists as she let out a low cry. With a grin, he drew back and began to grind into her, rotating his hips in smooth circles as he reached around her body to flick at her nipples with his forefingers.
    “Touch yourself,” he ordered, his breath short when every thrust made his already edgy body move ever closer to explosion.
    She whimpered, but did as he decreed, sliding a hand between her legs and stroking herself as he took her. Their rhythms merged and he squeezed his eyes shut as her body tensed and released around him, welcoming him in, letting him go, tightening so that he felt hot, sharp pleasure, releasing so that he didn’t come too soon.
    She was a master, made for sex, sin. Made for him. And he took full advantage of that as his hips jerked faster. Suddenly her sheath tensed and she let out a keening wail as her body twitched with release. She tugged at him, urging him to let loose his seed and he could no longer deny what she did to him.
    With a bark of pleasure, he pulled from her body and milked his own release with a hand. Then he collapsed over her, pinning her to the bed as he scattered kisses along her neck and shoulders.
    She caught his hand and held it against the coverlet near her face as her breath returned to normal. Finally, he rolled from her body and let her turn on her back to face him. She was smiling, no hint of shame on her face, no whisper of regret. There was only lazy, sensual pleasure there.
    “Mmm,” she said as she touched his cheek with the tips of her fingers. “I’m certainly glad I joined Violet if this is to be my welcome. Are all your other guests treated in such a manner?”
    He laughed. “Not quite. Although we haven’t had many guests as of late, so perhaps this should become the standard of the household.”
    She swatted his arm playfully. “Then I wouldn’t be special. How tragic.”
    His laughter faded as he stared down into her face. “I think it would be impossible for you not to be special.”
    Her expression changed, softening with surprise. Then she cupped the back of his head. “How long until we have to meet Violet and the earl for supper?”
    “Eight o’clock,” he said as his lips lowered.
    “Just enough time, then,” she said, then drew him to her for a deep kiss filled with even more passionate promise than before.
    And as he surrendered, randy and ready as a green lad, he couldn’t help but wonder what spell this remarkable woman had woven over him. And if he would ever be free again.

Chapter Six
    Olivia sighed with pleasure as the servant set yet another beautiful dish before her. Their supper had been magnificent thus far, at least in flavor and appearance.
    The company, on the other hand, was another story. Since the earl and Violet had joined her and Malcolm in the dining room almost an hour ago, Liam’s state of mind had been clear. If the way he jabbed at his food was any indication, he was frustrated and angry. Meanwhile, Violet held her face very still and hardly seemed to notice the meal before them.
    It was clear the two had had some kind of quarrel. Normally, Olivia wouldn’t involve herself in such things, but she knew how much this meant to Violet.
    Olivia swallowed hard and smiled in the hopes she could lighten the mood and help her friend in some small way.
    “You do have a splendid cook, my lord,” she said as she took a bite and hummed out pleasure at the explosion of flavor on her tongue. “I envy you these delicious meals every single day and night.”
    Liam looked up to answer, eyes narrowed, but if he had an answer for her, he didn’t speak it because Malcolm leaned closer to her. She tensed at his invasion of her space and at the memories the scent of his skin put into her mind.
    “Wait until you taste dessert, pet,” he murmured, his eyes meeting hers with a message that could not be ignored. He wanted her and, God help her, but she wanted him just as desperately.
    And right here at the table, utterly