Taming A Duke's Reckless Heart: Victorian Historical Romance by Tammy Andresen Page A

continued his assault, his hands roamed across her body. They were in her hair and down her back, rubbing it. The ache in her core built and she pressed closer to him. She forgot everything but the comfort and excitement of his arms around her. She held on tighter to him.
    His hands moved further down until they cupped her buttocks. He lifted and pressed her lower body closer to his own. She could feel his manhood against her belly. It was like a bucket of cold water being dumped on her.
    “Barrett!” She muttered as her lips broke free and she yanked herself away. She stepped back and hit the chair she had been sitting in with the back of her legs. It knocked her off balance and she was forced to sit on the seat to not fall.
    He stepped closer and put his hands on the arms of the chair. His faced leaned down towards hers. “Are you sure?”
    “Yes.” Piper tried to duck under his arm to get out of the chair put some space between them but he grabbed her wrist. He pulled her back into his arms as she tried to push at his chest. “Barrett, what are you doing?” She wasn’t afraid of him. But she did need to put a stop to this.
    “Bloody bullocks, I don’t know,” he buried his face in her neck again, his lips kissing her sensitive skin.
    “You have to stop. You know I can’t do this. My mother would be…” His lips stilled on her skin.
    “Do you need some assistance, miss?” A voice called from the door. A deep young male voice. Piper stilled, frightened at being caught in a man’s arms.
    “What the hell are you doing in here?” Barrett lifted his head but continued to hold her. She tried to pull away but his arms turned to bands of steel.
    “I could ask you the same,” the voice returned.
    “Barrett,” her voice was a soft whisper but it held her fear. She balled her hands into fists, holding the front of his shirt.
    “Hush love, he is a far worse rake than myself and therefor very good at keepings a lady’s secrets. But he is intruding where he is not wanted so I am going to have to pummel him as soon as you leave.” Barrett gave her one more squeeze. Then slowly he unfurled his arms from around her.
    She felt like her legs were made of jelly but she forced herself to stand and turn to face the man in the doorway. Barrett kept his hands at her waist and when she had turned, he pulled her back against his body.
    The man in the doorway was the most classically handsome man she had ever seen. Blond hair and sparkling green eyes assessed her over a straight nose and full lips. Piper resisted the urge to check her hair with her hands. She was sure it was mussed after Barrett’s attentions.
    “Well, aren’t you a picture of perfection.” He smiled angelically.
    “I highly doubt it. Do you always flatter the ladies so?” Piper cocked one eyebrow at him.
    He laughed, rumbling from his chest and she felt Barrett laughing too, although he was silent.
    “Ladies as stunning as you, always.” He moved from the doorway. “I’m Ethan Wright, it’s a pleasure.” He bowed slightly and Piper acknowledged it with a nod of her head.
    “Ethan, this is Miss Piper Baker. Piper, Ethan is a business associate of mine.” Barrett was tucking her hair back into some of her pins as he spoke. Ethan didn’t seem the least distracted by it and Piper momentarily felt as though she had entered another world.
    “You are both so calm, do you do this often?” She half turned toward Barrett.
    “No,” Barrett said. At the same moment Ethan said, “Yes.”
    Piper sighed and tried to push herself away from Barrett but his arm wrapped around her waist and held her fast. “Why won’t you let me go?” She stamped her foot in exasperation.
    “He’s afraid to let you lose in my presence.” Ethan smiled even more angelically.
    Piper looked back at Barrett who was actually grimacing. “Why?” her voice was incredulous.
    “Why are there dress boxes stacked in your entry?” Ethan responded with a question of his