After all, no man had kissed her before and…
Honestly, she’d been a fool to imagine Mr.Croft’s kisses would ever be gentle and sweet when everything else about him conveyed some degree of danger.Men feared him for good reason if he was as unforgiving as she believed.
He wasn’t the sort to mince words, to pretend he was something he wasn’t.And the lack of restraint in this moment was like a reflection of that.It was like getting caught in a storm from which one had no wish to ever escape.
So she curled her fingers around his neck, her other hand clutching his shoulder.Teeth grazed her lips.A warm hand flattened against the base of her spine, scattering heat as he pulled her against the hard, muscular plane of his chest.A new sensation wove its way through her.
She tried to examine it closer, to understand her body’s response, only to groan with frustration when he drew back.Pressing his forehead to hers, he panted for breath.
“Good lord.You must think me feral.”He withdrew even farther, his brows dipping as he met her gaze.“My apologies.I hope you can forgive me.”
The underlying hint of uncertainty lacing his words made her smile.“Doing so would suggest you did something wrong.Or that I was opposed to what happened between us just now.But I’m not, so there’s nothing for me to forgive.”
“You’re certain?”
His question made her begin to have doubts, so she forced herself to say, “Unless you regret it, Mr.Croft.”
“Adrian.After what we just shared, I must insist you use my given name.”
“Only if you will agree to use mine.”
“It would be my absolutely pleasure.”Raising his hand, he brushed a stray strand of hair from her cheek and tucked it behind her ear.“And to answer your question, I could never regret kissing you.As it is, I’m doing my damndest to stop from taking things further.”
“You mean…” She had to hear him say it – to have him confirm that her plan was working and that she had some sort of chance in hell of meeting her deadline.
“I want you.”The words were delivered with raw emotion, his eyes filling with fresh desire as soon as he spoke them.
“As your lover?”He gave a quick nod and she made a show of pretending to give his answer some thought before saying, “My questionable birthright makes marriage unlikely for me in the future.However, I cannot deny being drawn to you or that I’m tempted to know what it might be like to share your bed.”
He gave her a roguish look filled with promise and mischief.“I’d make it worth your while.”
She cleared her throat and glanced to one side, affecting an air of uncertainty.“I should probably give this some serious thought before committing.”
“A wise decision.”He snatched up the reins as if preparing to nudge the horses back into motion.
Samantha stopped him with the press of her hand against his arm.He stilled and turned to her slowly, a question burning in his dark eyes.“I meant what I said.If we make a plan to draw out the killer by using me as bait, I’m confident I’ll be perfectly safe as long as you’re somewhere nearby.”
He shook his head.“What you’re suggesting goes against my every instinct.I’ve already lost my sister.I’ll not risk losing you too.”
“What’s the alternative?To hope he’ll slip up and reveal himself?”She grabbed his hand, lacing their fingers together.“Other women may die before then.”
The look he gave her was pained.“Samantha…”
Her name was a heartfelt plea filled with dread.It proved more than anything how much he cared for her safety.
“I won’t forgive myself if that man claims additional victims, knowing I could have done my part to stop him.Will you?”
“Of course not.I want him caught as soon as possible, but I will do so without you getting involved.”He squeezed her hand.“You’re too important to risk.”
“No more so than anyone else.”Leaning in, she pressed her mouth to his in a gentle caress.“Please.Let me do this.”
“Your resolve and courage surprise me.”He placed his fingers against her chin, cradling her there while studying her with incredulity.“You don’t seem the least bit afraid.”
Samantha’s mind raced.She was supposed to be a gently bred lady, not a woman trained to do battle.
Aware he waited for some explanation, she picked the argument she believed in the most – the truth she’d have found in this moment had she lacked the skill to fight for survival.“Will you come to my aid the instant I need you?”
“Of course.”
