Blue Velvet Read Online Free Page A

short term and gratifying to both parties. Like the very satisfying terms we recently negotiated.”
    She nodded, her expression thoughtful. “Yes, I can see you’d hate any curb on your freedom.” She sensed there was something wild—a charged restlessness that was almost explosive, perhaps—beneath his droll speech and behavior. “I think perhaps you may be the type of man Jeffrey has tried to be all his life. You don’t have any pirate blood in your ancestry by any chance?”
    “Well, now that you mention it, there was a Lantry who was a privateer during the War of 1812,” he said lightly. “A very efficient one I understand. He founded the family fortune on booty he wrested from the British.” He winked. “As well as the French, the Spanish, the Dutch,and everyone else on the high seas. All in the name of patriotism, you know.”
    “You and Jeffrey would probably get along very well. You’re obviously kindred spirits.”
    She suddenly smiled at him and he inhaled sharply. Lord, that was a lovely smile, he realized once again. It was like a ray of warm sunlight on a cold winter’s day.
    “It’s more than likely he’ll try to talk you into going into business with him,” she continued. “Would you be interested?”
    “Smuggling?” He shook his head. “There’s only one aspect of your Jeffrey’s little operation that intrigues me—and I’m looking at her.” His gaze was lingering on the high curve of her breasts outlined beneath the blue chambray work shirt. “Though not nearly enough of her at the present time.”
    Kate felt a heat start in her breasts and begin to spread slowly through her body. It was as if he’d unbuttoned her shirt and caressed her. Her response to his look was so raw, so primitive that it shocked her. If a glance from those odd golden eyes could do that to her, then what would it be like when he actually touched her?She was suddenly glad that the street was lit only by the occasional dim street lamp. There was no way she wanted him to see the warm flush that was mantling her cheeks or to notice that her breathing had become a little shallow. She glanced away hurriedly. “When?”
    His brow lifted inquiringly. “When?”
    “When do you want me to go to bed with you?” she asked clearly. “And how many times before you feel the bargain is fulfilled? I’d like to know, please.”
    “You don’t believe in being coyly retiring, do you?” There was a trace of annoyance mixed with the amusement in his voice. “Would you like me to draw up a contract and set out precise terms and conditions?” He suddenly chuckled. “That could be pretty erotic! We could list all the positions I’d require and then go on to—”
    “I just like to have things open and above-board,” she interrupted. She could feel her cheeks burn even hotter. “I don’t think that’s so amusing.”
    There was an endearing little-girl awkwardness about her that aroused a queer protective tenderness in him. “No, it’s not really amusing,”he said gently. “I’ve been accused of having a rather puckish sense of humor upon occasion. You’ll get used to it. As for your passion for laying the cards on the table, let’s see if I can satisfy you.” His eyes twinkled roguishly. “I really didn’t mean that as a double entendre. Now that it’s popped out, though, let me promise I
will
satisfy you as well. Let’s see, your first question was ‘when.’ ” His smile faded and she was once more aware of the smoldering sensuality below the surface. “As soon as possible. I’d take you right now if I could. I want you so much I’m aching with the need of you.” He glanced down into her startled eyes. “It’s surprising the hell out me too,” he said grimly. “I can’t remember ever feeling quite this degree of sexual urgency. Particularly when the woman in question is selling her body for a price tag that could possibly get me killed.” Then the grimness was gone, replaced by that now