I stalk closer, some urge I can’t set aside driving me forward.
I slow my feet long enough to find an explanation for why I’m interrupting. She’s an important part of my plan. I need her focus and her attention.
She can’t be drawn away by some upstart. And she definitely can’t find a man who wants to play her hero.
All set in my mind, I approach, stepping right into their intimate circle. “Kat.”
“Win.”
“Your Grace,” the man takes a definite step back.
I smile then, not a real smile, showing all my teeth. He takes another step back.
Katarina notches up her chin, narrowing her gaze at me. “Don’t be a cad.”
Grabbing her elbow, I start steering her out of the ballroom. We need a word and here is not the place.
She lets me pull her out of the ballroom, across the entry, and into a small sitting room at the front of the house.
It’s dark, and I don’t bother to turn on a light. “What are you doing tonight?”
“What are you doing?” she parrots back.
“Behave.” I grit out through clenched teeth. I haven’t let someone irritate me like this since I was a boy.
“For you? Nope. Besides, aren’t you supposed to be wooing some unexpecting lamb? Finding your next wife?” Even in the dark, I see the curve of her pleased smile. Does she like goading me?
From dragging her in here, the strap of her dress has fallen down her shoulder. I reach for it, sliding it back up, the silk of her skin so soft under my fingers.
“I think I’d rather devour you,” I grit back, irritated for reasons I don’t want to explain.
“Oh my,” she feigns fanning herself. “Don’t frighten me so.”
A noise, that sounds distinctly like a growl, rips from my throat. “Don’t tempt me.”
She stares into my eyes, pausing for a moment and then two, before she answers, “Is that the problem, Win? Am I tempting you?”
I reach for her then, her jaw between my thumb and forefinger, my fingers fanning out on her neck. “Is that your plan? Tempt me? Make me your instrument?”
“My plan? I thought this was your plan. Me on your plane, me in this dress…”
Fuck. She’s right. And she’s fucking out-maneuvering me…again. If I wasn’t so pissed, I’d be impressed.
I dip my face until my nose is an inch from hers. That’s when her eyes dilate and her breath hitches.
Is she attracted to me or afraid? Slowly, I push her chin higher. “Then be a good girl and?—”
“Oh. I’ve never been one of those.”
My cock is already hard, but at those words it throbs. Grabbing one of her wrists, I raise it up above her head, opening her body to me.
Her back arches, her torso pushing against mine. My lips are a fraction of an inch from hers as I growl out, “Behave.”
I know I’m being an ass. This is not an embrace meant to tempt but to intimidate.
“I think you ought to be saying that to yourself.” Her champagne breath fans my face, smelling delicious and enticing. “I was minding my own business when you dragged me in here.”
Damn her. I ought to kiss her. Wrap her legs around my waist and show her who is in charge.
