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Besides, until she had analyzed whatever this was, she felt for him now—well, her thoughts and emotions were a messy, gnarled confusing knot. And it might take some time to pick the threads apart and sort them all out. To identify whatever had her in a jumbled snarl.

He’d kissed her. And she’d kissed him back. And it had been divine. Something, for certain, she’d never expected in a lifetime.

She still tingled at the strength of his corded muscles as he’d held her in his arms. She’d pressed her palm and breasts against the granite wall of his chest and reveled in it. The man was all sinewy muscle, strong angles and lines. Primal masculine virility ready to burst loose and devour.

God help her, she wanted—yearned—to be devoured by him.

He’d smelled of soap and clean linen and Broden.

Masculine, the merest bit musky, with a hint of cloves and bay.

She still couldn’t rid her mind of the vision of his scrumptiously naked chest and the mesmerizing light brown hair covering the even ridges marching along his hard-hewn torso. Oh, how she wanted to touch that delectable flesh. Run her fingertips along the rigid planes. Fan her palm on or rub her nose in the tempting hair on his chest.

Good Lord.

How could she have gone from reviling him to admiring his physique like a lusty, experienced tavern wench?

Her nape hairs tingled, and Kendra glanced upward through her lashes.

Yes, he watched her. His rich brown eyes trained on her mouth.

He recalled their stolen kiss, too.

Was he as bewildered as she? As much at a loss to understand the unexpected magnetism escalating between them?

She took a sip of her chocolate, needing to steady her unruly pulse and irregular breathing. This new manner in which Broden upset her world was even more disturbing than when he’d continually miffed her.

A most unpleasant thought burrowed its nasty way into her mind.

God above.

Was she back to being the silly, besotted girl that she’d been years ago?

Remembered humiliation suffused her, and only with a supreme force of will did she keep her face impassive.

Nae, I willna make the same mistake again.

Wear her heart on her sleeve.

She mightn’t have a great deal of experience with men and kissing—none, except for him, truth to tell—but she was female enough to recognize Broden’s arousal. Quite amorous arousal if the hard length nudging her belly while they kissed was any indication.

But did he desire her?

Or would any woman do?