She narrowed her eyes at him. “We don’t need to sit for this discussion. Answer my question: how did you know I would be here?”
Deciding he had nothing to lose, he told her. “After you left Lady Fayne’s yesterday, she sent a note to this establishment. Out of concern, I kept an eye on you. Sure enough, you headed here tonight.”
“In other words, you were spying on me,” Pippa said grimly.
“I am looking out for you.”
“Spare me the semantics.” Tossing him a contemptuous look, she stalked to the blazing hearth.
He tried not to notice how her movements caused the swing to rock subtly back and forth.
“You’re ruining everything, and I want you to stop,” she fumed.
Had she wanted to be bedded by that blond bastard then? The notion forced a growl from Cull. “What am I ruining? A cozy little romp withBaldur? Was he the one you were looking for just now?”
“For your information, I was on my way out when I saw a cl—” She cut herself off. “Someone I know.”
Relief eased the knots in his chest. Running through his mental list of her clients, he deduced who was most likely to be in attendance.
“Lady Hastings?” he surmised. “I thought she terminated your services a week ago.”
“How did you…” She planted her hands on her hips. “My business is none of yours.”
“Was she why you were peering around the corner?”
“I was notpeering. I was simply looking for her because I was worried.”
“Because you think her husband has dastardly intentions toward her?”
She heaved out a breath. “Do you ever tire of being such a know-it-all?”
He laughed; he couldn’t help it. He’d been called many things, but a know-it-all? Never.
“You’re delightful,” he said, earning another huff from her. “And, yes, I do get tired of it. Of knowing things I’d rather not. Such as the fact that the woman I recently kissed planned to spend the evening with another man.”
“You have no claim on me,” she said. “I am my own woman. I can do what I want.”
“Aye, you are, and you can.” He strode toward her, and she froze like a cornered doe. He brushed his knuckles lightly along her jaw before dropping his hand. “And if you are in the market for a lover tonight, I’m applying for the position.”
What is happening?Pippa thought dazedly.
One moment, she was annoyed; the next, she was…captivated. Unable to look or pull away.
The sincerity smoldering in Cull’s dark-brown eyes was magnetic. Or maybe it was his humility, the way he cut to the truth of his desires without pretense or prevarication. It was the opposite of the nuanced flirtation that she was used to. Cull was telling her point-blank that he wanted to be her lover…and that it was up to her whether she wished to take him up on his offer.
If she wanted to have this man, she could. The choice was hers. The notion made her feel heady, as did his nearness. Baldur, for all his perfection, had affected her senses like a mild breeze. Cull, however?
He hit her like a thunderstorm, every part of her crackling with awareness.
Why should she deny herself what she wanted? It was why she’d come here, wasn’t it? To exercise her freedom and experience desire free of emotional entanglements. And to do so on her own terms.
“What do you have to recommend you?” she asked. “As a lover, I mean.”
A startled look came into his eyes, followed by an appreciative gleam.
“I know how to pleasure a lady,” he murmured. “To my knowledge, I have never left one unsatisfied.”
From another man, the reply could have come off like a boast. Yet Cull was clearly in earnest—clearly cared about his partner’s pleasure. The fluttering in Pippa’s belly increased.
