The year is 1806. Bastard-born jewel thief David Lambert has few rules in his personal life. Never bed the staff, never more than once with the same man, and never, ever, kiss. Attending an aristocratic party and relieving some of the wealthy of their possessions should be easy, but in the space of a weekend, one by one all his rules are shattered by a footman with a secret.<br><br>Jeremy Naylor thought he had found the man of his dreams, the one man who might understand him. Someone passionate, handsome, and respectable. But in one shocking moment his world is destroyed, and he is forced to run for his life.<br><br>Flung together to escape the hangman’s noose, the passion between David and Jeremy burns fiercely. But Jeremy yearns for respectability, and David refuses to admit what lies in his heart. Will they find a way together, or will their differences lead them to the very brink of disaster and the shadow of the gallows?

Thief of Hearts

David let his eyes close as he responded.


“Let me look after you,” Jeremy whispered, between soft kisses. “Just lie back and let me take care of you.”


David pulled away and looked up into his eyes. In the dark, he couldn’t read his expression. Jeremy stroked David’s hair, ran his fingers over his face, brushing his thumb over his cheek, cupped his jaw and kissed him again. David wanted to weep. Jeremy pulled back again, and this time wriggled out of the robe and then slid over so that he lay in the cradle of David’s thighs. The feel of him there was almost too much. David raised his legs either side of Jeremy’s hips and held him whilst Jeremy continued stroking and kissing. David wrapped his arms around him as the ache inside grew. The emptiness became all-consuming and pushed at his soul, demanding all the things never allowed himself to want.


David reached out to the bed stand and grabbed a vial of oil. He closed his eyes and pushed it at Jeremy.


Chapter 48