Sweet Temptation by Cora Reilly

then darted my tongue out, tasting the liquor clinging to his mouth. Smoky and
sweet.
Cassio stiffened, but the look on his face became even more intense than
before. “What was that?” His voice was a low rasp that I could feel everywhere.
“A kiss?” I didn’t have much experience, but I doubted anyone could mess
up a simple kiss.
“Are you trying to influence me with your body?”
My eyes grew wide. “No. I could smell the liquor on your breath, and I was
curious how it tastes.”
Cassio chuckled. “You are a strange girl.” His mouth twisted. “Woman.”
He looked down at the dog in my arms. It was snuggled against me
peacefully. Without a word, Cassio turned around and returned to his glass of
whisky on the table. I stepped inside and closed the door. Stroking the dog, I
followed my husband.
“What’s its name?”
“Loulou,” Cassio said, a strange note to his voice. I stopped beside him.
“Can I have a sip of your whisky?”
Cassio’s eyes bored into me. “You’ve never had whisky before?”
“No. My father didn’t allow me to drink alcohol. I had my first glass at our
wedding.”
“Many firsts for one day.” A small shiver passed down my spine at the
contemplative growl. “You aren’t old enough for hard liquor.”
My lips parted in indignation. Was he serious?
He downed the remains of his drink, and before I could say something
snarky, he cupped the back of my head and pressed his lips to mine. Gently at
first, his eyes searching mine. I grasped his bicep and stood on my tiptoes—his
permission. Then he really kissed me, his tongue stroking mine, discovering my
mouth. The taste of whisky swirled in my mouth, intoxicating—not as much as
the kiss though. God, his kiss set me aflame.
When he pulled back, I was dazed. Only Loulou squirming in my other arm
brought me back to reality.
Cassio glanced over my head. “What is it, Sybil?”
I whirled around. Sybil hovered in the doorway, wringing her hands and
looking anywhere but at me. She must have caught us kissing, and even though
we hadn’t done anything indecent or forbidden, considering that we were
married, acute embarrassment washed over me.
“The children are asleep, and I cleaned up. Is there anything else you need
from me?”
“No, you can go.”
His clipped voice rubbed me the wrong way. Even if Sybil was working for
him, that didn’t mean he had to sound like a drill sergeant. Sybil nodded and
with a fleeting smile at me, she left.
“Can I see your children?”
Cassio’s brows furrowed. “The dog stays here, and we have to be quiet. I