Read Stranger in Camelot for Free Online Page B

specific,” she mimicked in an English accent. “I’m confused.”
    “You’re a coy one, my lady.”
    “Look who’s talking.”
    “Let’s stop talking all together.”
    He kissed her and she couldn’t move, couldn’t raise a hand to push him away or a foot to step backward. He enchanted her with only the taste and firmness of his mouth, and she clasped her hands behind her to keep from reaching for him.
    So he reached for her. While his mouth played slowly over hers, tugging at her lips and opening them only enough to provoke her, he carefully slid one arm around her waist. She was stiff with resistance until his hand fanned across her lower back, rubbing circles on her spine through the soft T-shirt. Aggie sighed and her body relaxed on some natural inner cue that she couldn’t control.
    Sometimes she forgot how lonely she was, and how much she wanted a man in her life. Now John made all that emptiness gather into a glowing center as hot as the Florida sun.
    “Agnes, it’s all right to play,” he whispered. “One second more, please. Would you mind if I held you closer?”
    Did men still ask permission for these things? She couldn’t remember any in her experience. She looked into his patient eyes and knew this was a first for her. And suddenly, she didn’t want to ruin it.
    “Yes, I’d like that,” she whispered.
    She stepped into the tightening circle of his arm and slowly raised her hands to his shoulders. The feel of his hard chest and stomach merging with hers was asdelightful as she’d expected. A warm morning breeze curled around them, and she couldn’t tell if she was swaying with it or dizzy from emotion.
    She touched his lips with the tip of her tongue and he tickled hers in return. Aggie half expected him to crush her mouth and slide deep inside; after the invitation she’d given, most men would take charge. Instead he began to kiss her face. One of his hands rose to her hair, pulled the bandanna down, and stroked the tangled strands. He cupped her head so that his thumb lay against her cheek, then caressed it.
    Holding her that way, he kissed her nose, her chin, her cheeks, and finally her forehead, even feathering her lips over the swollen spot.
    “I’ve never been married,” he told her, putting his head beside hers so that he could kiss her ear. “Because I’ve never met a woman who was irresistible. Until you. I hardly know you, but I know that you’re unique.”
    Distrust and surprise surged through her. She drew her head back. “Why do men think that women will do anything at the mention of the M word?”
    “The M word?”
    “Marriage. Do men think it’s some kind of aphrodisiac? Is mentioning it supposed to make women feel flattered? Is hinting about it supposed to change a casual kiss into something serious? Or maybe give a gal an excuse to let her guard down?” She looked over his shoulder as if addressing someone else. “ ‘But mother, he was so nice! Before he turned into a jerk, he mentioned marriage!’ ” She shot a cold look at John. “There was no need for you to overdo your flattery. Be honest.”
    He stepped back just enough to glare down at her easily. “What ugly suspicions you have.” His voice was hard. “Your husband must have hurt you terribly for you to be so cruel to me.”
    “So cruel to you?”
    “Yes. Isn’t it possible that men get hurt as easily aswomen do? Did I deserve that painful little whipping? It would have done no harm for you to accept my compliments and keep your doubts to yourself, then give me a chance to prove my sincerity.”
    Her mouth open, she gazed at him in surprise. He was genuinely hurt. But he didn’t retreat behind pride and anger, he admitted that he was wounded. “Oh, come on, you’re no kid, and I’m sure you have a long history with women. Don’t tell me you haven’t used that marriage’ line before.”
    “Why is it that women think they’re the only romantic ones?” He let go of her but took her