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It had to be Mulligan. Rumor held there was no more beautiful criminal in the entire city—and now Justine knew why.
But how will our daughters change the world if there are no more daughters?”
Her gaze flicked to his mouth on the word pleasures and even the dark interior could not hide the color now staining her cheeks. Interesting. He hadn’t meant the comment as innuendo but it seemed the little do-gooder was not so innocent.
“You . . . and Justine Greene. Friendly?” He scratched his jaw. “What am I missing?”
“You with Justine Greene at the Metropolitan Opera House in front of all New York high society? I wouldn’t miss that spectacle for the world.”
She’d had her share of fantasies lately about Mulligan. Lewd and exciting fantasies where he kissed and touched her everywhere, his bright blue eyes burning with desire. His hands eager, his body hard. Dark words of appreciation and encouragement.
“Impure thoughts,” he rasped. “About you.”
“Mon ange, if anyone hurts or disrespects you, I shall grow very angry. Then they will have to deal with me.” He bent closer. “I will protect you.” “Do not call me that.”
“Jesus Christ. If I had known you were planning to sabotage the evening, I would have kidnapped Hatcher and brought him to you myself. My wife will never recover. Her entire fundraiser will be ruined.”
this crowd wouldn’t dare socialize with the Irish or Italians. Sneered at the Jewish businessmen. They forced the free African Americans and the former enslaved from their homes, using their land for parks and fancy houses. They voted for politicians who’d signed the Chinese Exclusion Act into law. The hypocrisy made Jack nauseous.
Hatcher glared at Tripp. “You are lucky I like your wife better than I like you.” “Everyone does. Now get on with it, Mulligan,
more money and power were always worth the trouble. Qui n’avance pas, recule.
“You do not need to worry about that. He flat out declared I am not his type.” Mamie’s eyes rounded. “I don’t believe it. I saw how he looked at you. How he treated you. He’s interested. Mark my words.”
Justine would never appeal to a man like Mulligan. Her sister Florence, a vivacious and beautiful vixen, was more his type. Justine wasn’t a woman to command a room; she was happiest in the background, helping people.
he’d wanted nothing more than to protect her. Soothe her. To hold her close with one hand while he ripped the offenders apart with the other.
Anger was a dangerous emotion, one he worked hard to suppress. Anger clouded a man’s head. Took away his ability to reason. Jack prided himself on remaining cool no matter the situation. It had kept him alive more times than he could count.
“You said I wasn’t your type.” Her voice was barely above a whisper. “I lied. Shall I prove it to you?”
he marveled at her concern. For him. When was the last time someone had worried about him? His throat tightened and he cleared it, shoving away any pesky tenderness. “Stop coddling me and get to your questioning.”
“I hadn’t realized we were so intimate, mon ange.”
“It’s decidedly less fun on my side, though. Are you certain I cannot crawl onto yours?”
He took full advantage—how could he resist?—by removing his cufflinks, slipping them in his pocket and slowly rolling his shirtsleeves up his arms. Look your fill, little do-gooder.
she was perfectly aware that she wasn’t the kind of woman to inspire passion in a man, but it would be nice just once to drown in desire.
“Jack.” “Perfect.” He gave her a swift kiss. “Christ, you are utterly perfect.”
“Asking for what you want is not selfish. None of this is about who wins or loses. We don’t keep score. If any man ever tries to tell you otherwise, he deserves to be beaten.”
“You think you can handle Mulligan? Don’t you think you are a little out of your depth, Justine?” The words squeezed her chest, shrinking her airways. Making her feel small.
“You are the smartest and bravest woman I’ve ever met. When you want something, you go after it. So, what do you want?”
No, he wanted to say. You have me.
Her eyes were full of hope, looking at him as if he could do anything. Could solve any problem. It made him feel like the most powerful man in the world, a god among men. He’d give his entire fortune to avoid disappointing her.
He pressed his lips to her cheek, the slope of her brow, the edge of her mouth . . . tiny kisses to reacquaint himself with the taste and feel of her skin.
“Keep going,” he whispered into her throat. “Use my leg to make yourself come.”
“There is no right or wrong, not with me. Only what makes you feel good.
“Mulligan trades in favors and bribes. The more help you ask him for, the more he’ll demand from you in return.” But I’ve already given him everything.
the lawyer wasn’t alone. Behind him was Clayton Madden, the former casino owner and Jack’s biggest rival until Florence Greene came along.
“We all have an hour of need, Jack. You’d best hope you still have some friends left when yours arrives.”
“Something to say before you fetch Mrs. Jenkins for me?” “I think it’s sweet, is all. Rye and I both like her.”
Yes, I like her, too. More than he’d ever believed possible . . . and he wasn’t quite certain what to do about that.
IMPOSSIBLE. I ALWAYS MISS YOU WHEN YOU ARE NOT HERE. WHICH MISSION? She bit her lip. The charmer.
“I do not understand.” “There’s nothing to understand. I wanted to see you and this is where you are.”
“Thank you.” “You’re welcome. I’ll let you properly thank me later.”
She wished the world knew him as she did: a sweet, funny and kind man. Who else would have rushed here to help tonight, merely because he wished to spend time with her?
He’d come to look forward to their time together. She was enthusiastic and adventurous in bed, sweet and gentle out of it. They talked about everything, from his childhood and her charity efforts, to their families and aspirations.
Please, let him live. He wasn’t a terrible man. Underneath that fancy suit beat the heart of a caring and gentle soul.
It was the only way to explain her sheer terror at the thought of losing him. In a very short time he’d come to mean everything to her. His sly smiles, the rough tone he used when he forgot himself. The way he saw her as no one else ever had.
I think you are a woman who gives much of herself to others without considering what she wants most. You are the smartest and bravest woman I’ve ever met. I’ll kill any man who even looks at you funny.
She did not want to lose him, not when she’d just found him.
“So you like my whisker-free face, do you?” “You know that I do, you vain man.”
“Not for vigorous activity. I merely want to hold you. On my good side, I swear.”
“I miss touching you.”
Lying here, smelling and feeling her, almost made being injured worth it.
Consequently, I really need to kiss you right now. Come up here.” “Absolutely not. You need to rest, not get all worked up.” “I promise not to get worked up. All I want is a kiss.”
