“
Let's pretend for a moment that I find you attractive. Let's pretend that your very virtue is sorely threatened at this very moment."
"Unlikely," she scoffed.
His warm gaze dropped down to the hand that rested against his warm, bare skin. Then he looked up at her, his eyes showing an emotion she did not recognize. "I want you," he said, then swallowed hard. "And every time you are near me, your scent, your voice, seeps into my soul."
"Oh my," she muttered with a giggle. "You're good at this. You almost sound as if you believe it yourself."
"I do."
Sighing, she supposed the only thing worse than being pursued by a sinfully attractive, manipulative rake, was having one for a friend. "Stop this, Rothbury. It's not funny."
Feeling flushed, she looked down at her hand with a start, realizing she was still touching his chest. She retracted it quickly, then made a great show of studying the tip of her index finger, where a tiny dot of blood had beaded. A thorn had jabbed her earlier during her perilous climb. She hoped it would draw his attention and distract him.
But it only made it worse. He covered her hand with his own in a movement that could only be called a caress.
She swallowed. "Give me back my hand, you depraved hound."
"Mine." Slowly, he drew her toward his mouth, lips parting slightly.
Good Lord. Was he going to put her finger in his mouth? All her breath seemed to sink down to her knees, if such a ludicrous thing was possible. This had to stop. She thought to shove him away, only her muscles refused to respond.
"Now, what would you do?" He leaned down, his lips parting, giving her a tiny glimpse of his tongue.
”
”