He wanted to howl.
“I…did you remember anything?” She gazed at him, eyes wide with what looked like…shock? No. That couldn’t be right. Then again, what did he know?
In any case, he couldn’t think right now beyond the desire thrumming through his veins.
Think, Ted.Hadtheir kiss shaken anything loose? No. It felt all new, incredibly potent, and, of a certainty, addictive. He began to see why he’d asked her to marry him. She feltright,for lack of a better word. Like she was meant to be his.
And yet she would have him believe she’d filed for annulment.
“No,” he finally answered when he could speak. He scrubbed a hand over his beard. He hated the thing, but, from the moment his father demanded he shave it off, he’d taken some perverse pleasure in keeping it.
She bit her lip and looked at her feet.
He probably owed her something more, he thought with a stab of guilt—and a simultaneous prick of annoyance.She’drejectedhim.
“It was a fine experiment,” he said coolly. “If unsuccessful.” As far as his memories went. He still wanted to ravage her.
No, that wasn’t right. He wanted to make love with her. Wanted more of her lavish affection poured out on him.Bloody hell.
He drew himself upright, tugged on his waistcoat, left the confines of her desk and the wall she’d pressed herself against, leaving her still in too-easy reach, and thanked his lucky stars the fall of the pantaloons he wore kept his aroused state at least somewhat obstructed, should she chance to look.
He sauntered to the bank of windows and gazed out. Not only did the ocean fascinate him, his stance had the benefit of keeping his back to Georgina while his erection subsided.
“I’m sorry,” she said in a small voice, that somehow left him feeling caddish. “I’m not surprised my kiss did not jar anything free.”
That spurred an immediate frown, which he aimed at her over his shoulder. “Why on earth would you say that?”
“We didn’t have much practice—before you left,” she murmured, gaze averted.
“Hm.” He watched her as, hands linked behind her, she started toward him.
She moved with a sultry allure, hips swaying gently, that he would bet his last farthing—if he had access to his money—she was not aware of.
The thought, the realization, struck him with some force. Why? Why assume did she was not aware?
Because, her lack of coyness—thatdidseem familiar.
She paused mid-stride, as if she noted how his gaze sharpened on her and searched his face. Whatever she saw there caused her lips to curve in a slow smile that hit him like a punch to the gut. His cock twitched.
For God’s sake. What was wrong with him? He turned away from her, tunneling a hand through his hair. He needed to get away from her, at least until he got his body under some semblance of control. He needed a good shake. He needed air. Hell, he needed a soak in an ice bath.
Huh. Luckily, there was one in walking distance, as well as a plethora of bathing machines to choose from. An ice-cold swim would sort matters nicely.
And just like that, a memory emerged. “I can swim,” he announced, with some wonder.
She laughed. Not at him, but in celebration. “Yes, you can. You love the ocean. It’s one of the reasons I purchased the villa.”
“Oh?” Teddy said with a questioning lilt, still gazing out the bank of windows.
“Yes, indeed.” Here, at least, she could be honest.
Unlike a moment ago, when she’d kissed him.
She should’ve found a way to decline his request. After all, he’d stated very clearly his goal in the endeavor was to find clues to his past. Little did he know that kiss had been their first. She should feel guilty for leading him down a false path. And she did.
She also felt utterly, deliciously alive. The kiss had blown away any concept she’d had about how wonderful, how enthralling kissing Teddy might be. Her entire bodystilltingled with awareness.
“You and my brother, Drake, were friends,” she said when she reached his side. She waited to see if Drake’s name might spark another memory.
