Her head angled in his direction, her smile as sharp and delicate as a scalpel. “You so readily identified me as one, so it speaks to your experience with the breed, does it not?”
“I do not discuss my personal affairs,” he said stiffly.
“And that makes you a hypocrite, sir, since you seem to have no compunction meddling in mine.” She set the feather down, looking bored. “Now is there anything else you wished to discuss? I have other appointments today.”
He prided himself on his self-control, his ability to keep a cool head. He’d seen and done too much to let anything or anyone get under his skin. But he’d overestimated his forbearance—or underestimated Primrose. He’d embarked on this time-consuming, effort-intensive quest to protect an unspoiled girl; instead, he was confronted with this insouciantbrat.
Irritation simmered. She didn’t want his help? Then he’d wash his bloody hands of her.
“Don’t let me keep you,” he bit out.
“I shan’t. This will be our last meeting, I hope?”
A scathing rejoinder was on the tip of his tongue. But then she turned, and the heightened sheen in her eyes slammed into him like a battering ram. His wall of anger crumbled, and he was moving toward her before he knew it.
She retreated a step, hissed, “Stay away from me!”
“I’m sorry,” he said, his voice pitched low. “I meant no insult.”
“I don’t believe you. You’re like the rest. You think that because of my reputation, you can treat me any way you wish.” The hitch in her breath stabbed him like a blade. “That I’m a strumpet you can dally with and toss aside—”
“No, sweetheart,” he said, “I think the opposite. You’re a jewel.”
“I don’t believe you!”
“It’s the truth. You’re beautiful, but more than that, you’ve courage and spirit to spare. You light up any room you walk into. Any man would count himself blessed to have you by his side.”
Something flickered in her face. “You’re lying.”
“I’m not. You’re precious, Primrose,” he said hoarsely. “Beyond words.”
“If what you’re saying is true,”—her voice quivered—“then why does no one want me?”
The naked vulnerability in her gaze tore down the remnants of his resistance. He closed the distance between them. At the whiff of her unique floral scent, need clawed his belly.
“Iwant you.” His words were raw, guttural. “So goddamned much.”
Her lips parted, her lashes fluttering.
He didn’t know who made the first move, but in the next heartbeat she was in his arms, his mouth descending hungrily upon hers. She kissed him back with equal abandon. Her sweetness laid waste to his good intentions, and the kiss raged into a fever.
~~~
Rosie felt herself being lifted onto a table, her back propped up against a wall. Things fell—but the world could have come crashing down for all she noticed. Because there was only him.
This man who wanted her.
Who said she wasprecious.
Who made her feel treasured—and safe.
Fear’s hold on her loosened. Guided by instinct, she kissed him with all the passion awakening inside her. Eagerness and inexperience made her a bit clumsy, but it didn’t matter because he was in control. Masterfully so. No one had ever kissed her with such finesse before. With such care. His mouth courted hers with discipline and skill, and longing sizzled through her.
When he tossed aside her bonnet and crowded into the lee of her thighs, she shivered with primal delight. It felt right;everythingabout him did. His dark male taste, his spicy scent, his virile strength. Her hands clutched his hard shoulders, her knees bracketing his hips, and still she was desperate to get closer. When his mouth left hers, she made a sound of protest. His soft laugh heated her ear… then he drew the lobeintohis mouth. Shock faded to bliss as he suckled the sensitive flesh. His tongue flicked back and forth, the caress hardening the tips of her breasts, causing a flutter between her thighs.
Desire made her dizzy. She could barely breathe.
And she wantedmore.
