Andrea Kane

A slender figure emerged from the evening mist along Scarborough beach, diamond-like droplets shimmering on raven black hair, and there before Braden Sheffield, Duke of Sherburgh, was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. His anger against the jaded ton had driven him to the seaside to be alone...but his bitterness vanished when he beheld this vision of loveliness. Unexpected, unsought but unmistakable, the purity of this young woman would rekindle his faith and capture his heart.

Kassandra Grey had run to the deserted strand to escape her father's rages and her recurring nightmare of a yawning abyss and a screaming fall. Now she found safety with this strong, handsome lord, whose arms offered a haven from wrenching anguish and an awakening to blazing passion. But the deeply buried secret that caused Kassandra's fear was also leading them toward danger...to a towering cliff where terror once began...and to the dark places of the soul where love could become a torment...or the fulfillment of all their most glorious dreams.

"Let go of me!"

There was no fear in either Kassie's voice or her flashing eyes, only anger.

"Not until you explain yourself." Braden dragged her up against his powerful body.

"I think I made myself perfectly clear, your grace," she snapped back, still struggling. "But apparently you think I have no right to know who you've taken to your bed!"

"I wouldn't need to take anyone else to my bed, if you weren't so damned untouchable!" The words were pouring out before he could censor them, his rage making him reckless. "Damn you, Kassandra, I'm constantly aching, burning alive. And for whom? For you, my naive little wife. For you."

"You have a very strange way of showing that you want me, Braden." She threw back her dark hair defiantly, her eyes twin jewels of fire.

"Want you?" he demanded in a rough, deep voice. "Do you want to see how much I want you?"

Before Kassie could speak, Braden had captured her mouth with his, devouring her with all the pent-up passion and none of the restraint of the past.

Uncontrollable hunger took over...