Once Upon a Rake
Samantha Holt
Language: English
Pages: 224
ISBN: B00Q0VE662
Format: PDF / Kindle (mobi) / ePub
Once upon a time, Little Ellie Browning swiftly discovered happily ever afters did not exist and rakes were simply rakes. When the man she had adored for years kissed her and left her heartbroken and she was forced to marry an elderly earl to save her reputation, she resolved to put any dreams of fairy tales aside.
Seven years later, the now widowed Eleanor, Countess of Hawthorne, has returned to England after years of travelling and is now part-owner of a cotton mill left to her by her late husband.
But the owner of the mill, and the very same handsome rake who hurt her years earlier, has no desire to let a woman interfere with his business, let alone little Ellie Browning--no matter how fascinating he finds her since her transformation from coltish scarecrow to almost graceful countess.
Lucian is still recovering from the after-effects of one of his mills succumbing to fire, and now he's fighting to save the other in a tough economic climate. He doesn't need this new distraction, especially when, after a series of accidents, it becomes clear someone wishes the mill to close and he has to find the culprit--fast.
With things heating up between Ellie and Lucian, it's apparent that not only is the mill in peril--they are both at risk of getting burned...
pulling some of the leaves with her. Many moments longer and it would be too late. His lips were so close. Would one kiss hurt? Yes. “I’m not doing this again.” She flattened her hands to his chest. “I will not let you do this to me again. I am not a toy, Lucian. You can’t play games with me.” Regret shuttered his gaze but he did not move back. “I know very well this is no game. I would be a fool to play it if it was. Hell, I am a bloody fool.” He closed the gap with a muttered curse.
dismissive look his way and turned to peer out of the window. Lucian studied her profile. More to life than bed sport? He’d heard women speak in such a way—some of the beautiful widows he had seduced had made similar declarations. They had believed as much until he had coaxed them into his bed. Was Ellie like one of them? An unsatisfied woman, unaware of the pleasure a man and a woman could share? Edward had been very old. It was not surprising Edward could not please her though Lucian thought
with a grin. “Something these gentlemen care little about.” She smiled placidly. “And nor do I, thank you. I shall stay with these gentleman.” Lucian flung down his napkin and pushed the chair away, ignoring his annoyance at having to leave Ellie with either of the men. Both were gentleman—far better men than he probably—and would treat her with the upmost courtesy, but Newcombe was a handsome man with his fair hair and smooth jaw. Would he charm her? Would she enjoy his company? Dipping his
what should she do with this knowledge? Was pursuing anything with Lucian worth the risk? A woman like her could never keep Lucian forever. But, oh Lord, did she want to feel that delicious ache again, and enjoy his hot kisses over and over. She wanted to touch his skin and feel his muscles roll. She wanted him between her legs. “Will you stay?” Eleanor opened her eyes. “Mama is at home. I am neglecting her.” “She will understand.” What was he asking of her? She wasn’t sure, yet she could
you, Ellie, where are you?” Had he been wrong? Perhaps she wasn’t here, and his body was lying to him, but he did not believe so. Every part of him told him she was in danger. The smoke had begun to clog his nostrils and made him cough. His lungs ached for fresh air and his scars itched at the sensation of remembered heat and the very real heat that flickered too close by. A crack resounded from above and he was sure the floor had shaken. He glanced up and the knot of fear in his stomach