CHAPTER 4
Stage Three: Physical Reactions
Mechanism: Involuntary Autonomic Response
Aim: To prove that blushing, trembling, and accelerated pulse are symptoms of hysteria, not “sparks.”
Method:
Physical touch with Subject. (A brush of a hand, a waltz)
Measure pulse before and after proximity to Subject.
Compare to adrenaline-inducing stimuli (exercise, fear, or sport).
Expected Conclusion: The body reacts to stimulus, not sentiment.
“I would never do the physical stages with anyone!” she protested but her unsteady breath and red skin proved her wrong.
Alexander chuckled. He should have known she would not give in that easily. He had mastered the art of seduction with many, but even within the brief time of knowing this woman he could tell she was not like most others.
Miss Dowell.
He did not need her to tell him her name; it was written elegantly at the back of her notebook. Alexander wondered if she knew who he was. Surely, Anna had told her. But regardless of their names, he decided to stick to calling her a sorceress.
She is quite enchanting.
“Are you reneging on our deal already, sorceress?” He teased.
Her shoulders scrunched at the mention of his nickname for her and a warm sensation rushed through his body.
Toying with her will be fun.
She lifted her chin in defiance that stirred something deep and primal within him.
“While the physical act is on my list of stages it is not one I aim to pursue just yet… or ever,” she added quickly.
“I am curious…if you are not interested in the practical side of your experiment, then why did you ask me to kiss you?” He raised a dark brow at her and struggled to suppress his amusement.
“The opportunity presented itself at the right moment, time, and place so I agreed to it.” She argued stubbornly as her skin blossomed with color.
Alexander’s eyes roamed over the petite woman in front of him. So far, he’d only had two conversations with her, yet she continued to intrigue him in ways he never thought possible.
“Is that so?” He leaned back just enough to see her expression. “I thought you would want to conduct a thorough investigation into this love nonsense. Would that not include experimenting with all of your proposed stages?” He quipped with a rakish smile.
Her cheeks reddened even further at his comment. He watched as she narrowed her eyes and her hands balled into tight fists at her sides. She was definitely more upset over him questioning her ability to conduct an experiment properly than insinuating improper behavior.
