Her Shameful Secret by Susanna Carr Page A

brother you were kissing.”
    Her palms stung with the need to slap him hard. She had surrendered to Antonio against her better judgment, but he’d seen it as another way to insult her. She shook with anger as she curled her hands into fists. “Get away from me.”
    Antonio ignored her command and grabbed her wrists. She tried to break his hold but he easily raised her hands high above her head. He held her captive and she was at his mercy.
    He leaned against her until his body was flush with hers. As much as she tried to fight it her body softened, welcoming him closer. His heat, his scent clouded her mind. The fierce pounding of her heart matched his.
    “Were you thinking of him when you kissed me?” he asked in a drawl.
    “No!” How could he think that? Couldn’t he tell that all she wanted—all she had ever wanted—was him? She rocked against Antonio in an attempt to break free.
    He captured her earlobe between his teeth. Isabella stilled as the nip sent a shower of sensation through her veins.
    “Does he kiss like me?” he whispered in her ear. “Do we taste the same?”
    Fury and lust whipped through her body. “You are disgusting.” But most of all she was disgusted with herself. How could she respond to his touch so immediately while he said those hurtful words?
    “Did you think of me when he was deep inside you?”
    “Stop it!”
    Antonio rested his forehead against hers. “I want to erase his claim on you,” he confessed in a harsh whisper. “I want to take you to bed and make you forget Gio.”
    “I am not going to bed with you.” She wanted to. Oh, how she wanted to drag him to his bed and make love all night long. But her heart would never recover. Isabella knew he would kick her out in the morning. The hurt, the pain of his rejection, would overshadow any pleasure he’d given her.
    He didn’t reply. Instead he dipped his head and trailed a row of soft kisses along the line of her clenched jaw. Isabella shut her eyes, her anticipation escalating as intense sensations billowed through her.
    “I mean it, Antonio ,” she said, emphasizing his name. “I will not sleep with a man who thinks so little of me.”
    She felt his mouth curve into a smile. “Bella, we both know that’s not true.”
    He was right, and his certainty was humiliating.Antonio knew the power he held over her. One touch, one kiss and she wouldn’t deny him. She would make love to him anywhere, at any time. And she had.
    Antonio met her gaze, his dark eyes blurred with desire. “I only have to say the word and you would surrender completely.”
    Her skin flushed hotly. The only thing that kept her glaring right back at him was the reminder that there had been times when he had surrendered. When she had tapped into his fantasies. Once she’d had this power over him .
    Antonio claimed her mouth with his. Just when she thought she couldn’t take it anymore Antonio captured her tongue and drew on it hard. She moaned as she felt the pull go deep into her pelvis. Pleasure spilt through her.
    “So responsive,” he murmured against her mouth. “You must have learned a lot in my brother’s bed.”
    She turned her head sharply and avoided his mouth. If only she could avoid his words. She couldn’t protect herself from his anger. From his accusations. He wanted to get close enough so she could share his pain, but she suspected he was getting caught in his own trap. And, even though he treated her like the enemy, she still clung to him.
    “I could take you right here against this window, but I can’t be sure whose name you’ll cry out.”
    Isabella flinched. She desperately wanted to retaliate. Make wild comparisons between Antonio and his brother. Call out Giovanni’s name. She wanted to hurt him so badly he would never recover.
    But she wouldn’t. His torment was hers. She was stillin love with Antonio and had already caused him so much pain. She couldn’t forgive herself for that.
    “Are you done with this little