“I am not pompous.” He deliberately spoke the words softly rather than roaring them, which was what he actually wanted to do. This woman had always provoked him beyond reason.
“Of course you are,” she scoffed. “Aloof, used to having your own way. The leader of the Deville brothers.” She sneered. “Lofty Lord Raine.”
She was deliberately taunting him, he knew it, but it didn’t lessen his need to shake her silent. He didn’t. One thing Gabe, the eldest of five siblings, had learned early in his life was control. It had been after many hard lessons that he’d finally grasped the concept.
“Get off that bed and come with me or I’ll carry you.”
“Why?”
“I told you why. I’m not doing so again. I will find you a position and lodgings.”
“No. I want nothing from you.”
“I understand pride better than the next person, Dimity, and yet when coupled with stupidity it annoys me excessively.” Gabe advanced on her.
A pistol appeared in her hand, and she pointed it at his heart.
“I believe the penalty for murdering a peer is death.” He kept advancing on her. The pistol wavered. Gabe moved fast, and seconds later he had it in his hands.
“What the hell are you thinking, having something like this in your possession? Do you even know how to fire it?”
“My father gave me that. Give it back!” She glared at him, legs braced, hands on her slender hips. “That is mine.” She charged him, pulled back her fist, and swung. Gabe grabbed it and forced it up behind her back, urging her body into his. Their gazes locked and held.
Taste her again.
He wanted to feel those lips pressed to his, but he also enjoyed good health. Kissing her would likely jeopardize that.
“Let me go.” Her eyes flared. It was not just he who was aware of the heat between them.
“Are you scared of yourself, being this close to me, Dimity?” He leaned closer, touching his lips to hers. He took the soft lips in a slow kiss again; to hell with his health. Gabe only just managed to turn his hips as her knee searched for his groin.
“That’s not very nice.”
“Don’t kiss me again. Don’t think you can take advantage of me because I am alone, because I am never defenseless, my lord!”
He released her, mourning the loss of her curves pressed to his body. Their second kiss had lasted seconds, but the impact was no less intense.
“I would never take advantage of a woman,” Gabe said, hauling in a deep, steadying breath. “And you are the least defenseless one I know.”
“Then what was that?” she spat at him. Her eyes were shooting sparks of fury.
“My second bout of temporary insanity. I assure you it will not happen again.”
“Give me my gun back.”
“I will when I’m ready.” Gabe slid it into his pocket, enjoying the anger in her eyes. It was far better than vulnerability. Fire he could cope with. “Once I know you won’t shoot your foot off.”
“I can fire it, and if you give it to me, I will show you how accurate I am by instead shooting you in the foot!” Her eyes shot sparks at him. “I am not a family member for you to boss around. I am nothing to you. Why are you doing this?”
Why indeed?
“I’ve told you why. Now gather what you need; we are leaving.” He was finished with this discussion. “Now, Dimity.”
“I don’t understand why you care,” she choked out.
“I don’t. My sister does,” he lied. “If you won’t pack your things, I will. I’m tired, hungry, and have no wish to stand about in this place a minute longer than necessary.”
When she didn’t move, he began to prowl around the room with Walter on his heels. Four long strides to the left brought him to a wooden box on the floor. He found a large bag in there. Pulling it out, he brought it back to the bed.
