“No one asked you for such a critique.”
“Why not? I am, as rumors have it, an expert on the subject.”
Prim was one moment before snapping in a feat of rage that would surely be heard throughout the vast estate. She was shaking with anger, and her palms were in curls by her side.
The sudden need to scream, stomp, throw something came over her. She had never felt such a profound ire in her whole life. And all the while, he was gazing upon her with that lazy, easy way, his body leaning back on the marble handrail. She would not give him the satisfaction.
“Very well, Your Grace,” she said in a voice so saccharine, it was obvious it was fake. “Would you care to enlighten me on the art you so well possess?”
Leo tilted his head, accepting her open challenge. He moved closer to her, clearly to unsettle her. it was her anger that gave her the resolve that she needed.
“First of all,” Leo leaned in. “You kept looking at the man anywhere but his eyes. Men like to be seen.”
Prim nodded too earnestly.
Leo chuckled.
“Then your smile. So strained it was almost painful to watch. I know he wasn’t nearly entertaining, hell, the man was barely alive, but you could have tried a warmer smile.”
“Warm smile. Noted,” Prim said, full of sarcasm.
“And lastly, your conversation. Granted, Nathaniel was not giving much other than those one-word, dreadful responses, but you could have coaxed him. Nathaniel is a lot, but he is an intelligent man. He would have responded.”
“Is that all?” Prim smiled in sweet irony.
“Just what I could think of on the top of my head,” Leo leaned back to the handrail.
“So, I should look at a gentleman to make him feel seen, smile to make him feel at ease, and talk to make him feel intelligent.”
Leo narrowed his eyes and smirked dangerously.
“A crude summary but accurate.”
“Let’s see if I understand,” Prim said softly.
She swayed closer to him, her anger still fanning the flames in her eyes.
“First, make him feel seen,” Prim said
She looked the Duke in the eyes and held his gaze. She saw the arrogant arch of his brow soften in a restrained frown.
“Then, the smile, am I correct?”
Prim swayed closer, and her lips dropped the fake smile. They now curved with a daring intent, a dangerous smirk that mirrored his.
“Now, talk to make him feel intelligent,” Prim said, even closer now. “I am afraid even the most skilled flirt would fail at that when it comes to you.”
She saw the moment Leo realized that he was not in command that particular moment and basked in it.
“Thankfully, I have other flirting techniques.”
Before Leo could react, Prim stood on the tip of her toes, her hands steadying her on his chest. And kissed him lightly on the lips.
It was quick and awkward. Because, all bravado aside, Prim had never flirted before and had certainly never kissed a man. A mere stamping of her lips on his, hasty and sloppy, that’s what it truly was.
When she leaned back, Leo looked at her with surprised astonishment. But that didn’t last long. His eyes hooded and darkened, laced with intent. He leaned to her slowly,deliberately, as if claiming every inch between them, his look flicking from her eyes to her lips.
Prim realized in terror why one should never make decisions based on anger. She allowed her temper to poke the lion’s den, and the lion was awakened. Her heart raced as his hand raised to catch her chin. Fire spread throughout her body, her knees got weak. She toyed with forces beyond her comprehension.
