Velvet Embrace by Nicole Jordan Page A

through her, like nothing she had ever known before. When his lips began a sweet exploration of the rest of her body, time ceased to exist. There was only Dominic's hot, hard mouth working its magic, his warm sensuous fingers stroking her skin.
    Quivering beneath his roving kisses, she was only vaguely aware when his hand roamed downward to caress her flat stomach and slender hips, then gently press her knees apart. But shortly, his mouth moved lower, to the cluster of curls between her thighs. When his tongue claimed her there, the resulting jolt awakened Brie from the spell he had cast over her and she stiffened in shock.
    Dominic paid no attention to her sudden rigidness at first. Most women had never been pleasured that way, he knew, and it was natural for Brie to be surprised. When she began to pull frantically at his hair, though, Dominic realized that he had moved too quickly. For a moment he tried to soothe her by gentling his kisses. Since that had no effect, he reached up to pull her clutching hands from his hair.
    Brie panicked when she felt him grasp her wrists. "No!" she whimpered, flailing at his shoulders with her fists. "Please, no!" When Dominic released her, she scrambled to her feet and fled across the room, sobbing.
    Dominic watched her for a long moment, his eyes narrowed. Brie was shuddering and clutching her robe defensively about her as she tried to catch her breath. Someone had frightened her, he decided. And quite badly, from the looks of it. Unaccountably, the thought filled Dominic with anger, making him conscious of an oddly chivalrous urge to protect her.
    For a moment he debated trying to comfort her, but then he decided against it. He was throbbing with desire, and in his present state he was more likely to attack her than soothe her fears. Besides, he would have other opportunities to overcome her reluctance while they were still snowbound.
    Dominic gave a sigh as he thought of the cold bed that awaited him, but he rose to his feet. When he saw Brie cringe, he hesitated. "I mean you no harm, chérie ," he said softly. "But to ease your mind, I will promise not to enter your room again without an invitation. You have my word on it."
    Oddly enough, Brie believed him. She nodded mutely, unable to speak for the knot of apprehension in her throat. She heard Dominic's footsteps as he crossed to the door.
    And then she was left alone with her fears.

Chapter Three

    Brie stood at her own breakfast room window, staring disconsolately at the bright winter landscape. She had returned home the previous day—although escaped was probably a more accurate word. She had been unable to face Stanton after that late-night encounter with him in her room. As soon as dawn had broken, she had taken a horse from the Lodge stables and ridden home to Greenwood. But at least she hadn't had to feel guilty about abandoning her responsibilities. Mattie's condition had improved greatly and Homer had recovered sufficiently enough to care for her.
    The weather had improved as well. Snow still covered the ground, but much of it had melted under yesterday's sun and this morning's cloudless sky promised another mild day. The view from the window was lovely, although Brie wasn't in the mood to appreciate it. The landscape, normally a sweeping vista of green hills and meadows, was a blanket of white dotted with coverts and patterned with hedges and stone walls.
    There really was no reason for her to feel so depressed, Brie reflected as she stared at the scenic tableau. Indeed, she had very good reason to be cheerful. A letter from the Duke of Mobley had been waiting for her when she returned home. His grace had at last agreed to send a prize four-year-old and a promising yearling to Greenwood in the spring. His capitula tion signified the achievement of one of Brie's greatest ambitions. With her loyal staff and a great deal of hard work, she had been able to maintain the excellent reputation of the training stables started by her