Carpathian 00 - The Scarletti Curse

deep in his throat. Her hand moved now on its own, gliding over the hard length of him, stroking and caressing, finding the sensitive tip where he seemed most vulnerable to her attentions. He let her explore, clenching his teeth against the waves of hot desire pouring through him like molten lava he could barely contain.
    As he stood slowly her tongue swirled along his chest, then lower, to find the tiny droplets running down the ridges of his stomach muscles. Another sound escaped, a husky growl torn from deep within him. It was erotic, hungry, so sensual that she couldn't find it in her to stop herself from tasting him. He shuddered visibly as her mouth skimmed over his engorged tip, hot and ready with his great need. Her warm breath was making him half mad.
    Giovanni had experienced such pleasures many times in his life with practiced women experienced at their craft, yet no one had stirred him as Nicoletta did. She was so naturally sensual, born passionate, her every gesture innocently erotic, even the way she turned her head or moved her hips when she walked.
    And the way her mouth slid so shyly over him, hot and tight and perfect. His hands caught her head while he reminded himself to be gentle, not to thrust savagely into her as he so desperately needed to do. Very carefully he began to guide her, his head back, his body taut with self-control.
    A loud banging on the outer bedchamber door jerked Nicoletta upright. She stared at Giovanni in a kind of horror. She backed away from him, her eyes wide with shock at her own wanton behavior. She pressed a hand to her mouth.
    Giovanni reached for her, but the banging became louder, more insistent. No one would dare interrupt Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
    his wedding night unless it was of dire consequence. "Nicoletta, I must answer the summons," he said softly, holding out a hand to her.
    She looked around for something to cover her nakedness, ashamed and humiliated at her performance.
    Don Scarletti hadn't forced her. He hadn't even asked her. She had behaved in a manner no decent woman would have. Her sins had to be great. And it didn't help her conscience that her body still burned with a fire she couldn't extinguish, that she wanted him buried deep inside her, that he was a hunger in her blood now, impossible to ignore. Nicoletta crossed herself and sent up several quick prayers in hopes the good Madonna was listening this night.
    Giovanni moved in haste now. The knocks were drum-like, the summons urgent. He tossed a robe to Nicoletta while he pulled on his breeches. Casting a brief look over his shoulder to ensure she was out of sight, he crossed the bedchamber and jerked open the door.
    "What is it?" His tone was low and furious, a threat to the group of men waiting for him.
    Nicoletta peeked around the edge of the alcove where she was hiding and spotted Antonello in the midst of several of Giovanni's elite guards. She could see that they were agitated, but their voices remained low, so she had no hope of hearing what they said.
    At length, Giovanni turned back to her, closing the door. He began to dress, his black eyes fixed on her pale face. "I regret that I must leave you, piccola. Go to sleep, and I will return as soon as possible."
    She pulled the robe more tightly around her, her eyes alive with injured pride, her face flushed nearly scarlet. "You mean to leave me on our wedding night?" After the humiliation of what she had been doing to his body? She couldn't think it.
    "I must. Affairs of state call to me. I will return, and we will ease all your fears."
    She lifted her chin. "I do not think I want my fears eased. You bewitched me to do such things. You go to your work, Don Scarletti. I will return to my own bedchamber."
    She sounded faintly haughty, but he heard the tears choking her throat. His face darkened. "I have said you will remain in this room. It is your bedchamber now, Nicoletta. I do not have time now to teach you all the things you must know."
    Her eyes smoldered at him. "I do not want your 'teachings,' signore, if that is what you call them. And I will not remain here like a naughty child sent to her room."
    He muttered something beneath his breath and shook his head. "I will return later. You will go to bed and sleep in my absence."
    She stood in the center of the room, watching as he deserted her to accompany his guards and his brother. She crossed to the door and watched as he started down