Blushing, she gestured toward the doorway. “It’s a personal matter.”
Lucien went hard. “Of course. After you.”
He followed her out the door, down the hallway, and into the small corner sitting room. “What is it?”
Alexandra paused by the far window. “Close the door, please.”
Curious, aroused, and a little worried at her odd behavior, Lucien complied. “Alexandra?” he said, facing her again.
She wrung her hands together for a moment, clearly agitated and not at all like the calm, collected female she’d been two minutes ago. Then, with what sounded like a combination of a growl and a curse, she strode back across the room, grabbed him by the lapels, lifted up on her toes, and kissed him.
The effect on him was astounding. In their previous encounters she’d been curious and eager, but never the aggressor. Sweeping his arms around her back and waist, he allowed her to push him backward against the door.
Alexandra continued to push and pull at him, molding herself to his body as though she wanted to be part of him. He wanted to drop to the floor and rip her clothes off, but she had started it, so he would let her dictate the terms—this time.
Finally she moved back a little in his arms to look at him, her lips rosy and swollen from the kiss.
“What was that for?” he asked.
“I almost like you today,” she said, and kissed him again.
Being nice definitely had its benefits—at least, he assumed that was why she was being so friendly. “Wait until you see me tomorrow,” he murmured against her mouth.
She backed away again, panting. “You’re not behaving just because of me, are you?”
He didn’t think he could have answered that if he wanted to. “Would it matter?”
Alexandra ran her fingers across his lips. “I don’t know. I think it does.”
“Regardless of either of our motivations,” he said, running his palms down her hips to her firm, rounded buttocks, “I like the results. I’m beginning to think I should just marry you and get this nonsense—”
She ripped out of his grip. “What?”
“—over with.” Despite her shocked expression, he was more interested in his own reaction. He was a bloody genius! He just needed to convince her their union would be in her best interest. “I can’t believe I didn’t think of this before. You need protection from your family, and I need a wife. It makes perfect s—”
“You need a mother for your heir, not a wife.” She backed away farther, putting the couch between them as though she feared he’d gone mad. “You said so yourself, Lucien.”
“What does that matter? You and I deal well together, and you’re certainly of good family.”
Alexandra jabbed a finger in his direction. “Stop that! I said Ialmostlike you today. I don’t need your protection; I can look after myself.”
“I can do it better. Like you said, Alexandra, your next employment prospects look rather grim. This benefits both of us. Don’t be a nodcock.”
“I am not a nodcock, andyouare the reason I’ll have so much difficulty finding employment!” Her eyes narrowed, she stalked back to him and tried to shove him away from the door. “Move!” she demanded when he didn’t budge. A tear ran down her cheek, followed by another.
“Why should I?”
“Because I changed my mind; I don’t like you at all! And here’s another lesson for you: you can’t have everything you want, especially if it doesn’t want you back!”
His jaw clenched, Lucien stepped aside. Alexandra bolted through the door and slammed it behind her.
“Damnation,” he growled. Ithadbeen a perfect idea. They were perfect for one another. And besides, he loved her.
Lucien froze, letting that one, very large word tumble about in his mind. It didn’t break anything there, and he rolled it around his chest a little more.He loved her—which didn’t help things one blasted bit. “Damnation,” he said again.
He had never expected his prospective bride to be more reluctant to wed than he was. Nor had he expected to care for, to love, the woman he’d selected to marry. One of them was insane—and he didn’t think it was Alexandra.
Chapter 14
