Heat flashed—shameful, unwanted, undeniable.She hated him for it.
Bea stepped out from under his arm, smoothing her skirts with hands that were only slightly unsteady.“You’re insufferable.”
His mouth curved.“You kissed me back.”
“I did not.”The lie came out too quickly.
Nicholas’s gaze dropped—just once—to her mouth.“Bea.”
Her pulse skittered, but she turned sharply toward the path.“This walk is over.”
She made it three steps before she heard him behind her, unhurried.
“Running away?”he drawled.
Bea didn’t look back.“Absolutely not.I amwithdrawing,” she said through her teeth.“Strategically.”
“Looks quite similar to running if you ask me,” he drawled.
Bea swung around to face him.She could feel the fire in her eyes.“Why are you doing this?”
“Doing what?”he asked, blinking at her innocently.
“Trying to seduce me,” she said in a low, harsh whisper.
Nicholas slowly grinned.“Why, so you’llwantto marry me, of course.”
