Page 7 of Reluctantly His

His hand wrapped around my upper arm again, holding me steady. “Shhh, babygirl. Everything’s going to be fine. As long as you obey my rules.”

“Rules?”

“Actually just one rule. You never—ever—exit this house without me by your side. Understood?”

Sliding behind the comforting shelter of propriety, I whispered, “It’s not appropriate for you to call me babygirl.”

“You’re absolutely right. It’s not appropriate.”

His thumb swept over my skin in an intimate, daring caress—deliberately crossing the line.

I shook off his hold and backed up. “I have to go.”

“Where?”

My splintered mind scrambled to come up with a lie. “Just upstairs. To my bedroom.”

There it was again, that flare of white-hot awareness in the silvery depths of his eyes.

Was everything a double entendre with this man?

His hot gaze moved over me. “Perhaps I should accompany you?”

“No!” I cleared my throat. “You said yourself I would only need your services outside the house.”

He tilted his head to the side as his hands moved to his hips.

Without volition, my gaze moved over his chest, then lower, catching a glimpse of the rigid bulge in his pants.

Oh. My. God.

He followed my gaze, then grinned. “Actually, my services would be available to you at anytime… and anywhere.”

Dammmmiiitttt. Another double entendre. It was as if we were sparring with double-edged swords, and I was losing.

My back hit the newel post. “That won’t be necessary.” I then turned and scurried up the stairs.

He called after me, “Don’t forget, princess. Not one foot outside this house without me.”

CHAPTER 4

CHARLOTTE

Ignoring the suggestive giggles of the servants, I ran past them into my bedroom.

After slamming my door shut, I leaned against it with a hand over my heart.

It took several minutes for my breathing to even out.

What had just happened?

Already, my mind was rebelling against the facts.

No. He did not just almost kiss me.

No. He did not suggest he wanted to take it further.

No. He did not just imply he was remaining my bodyguard because he wanted me.

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