Page 46 of Signed, Sealed, Married

Adam’s kindness.

Who knew he could be that way? Each time she thought she knew what to expect he confounded her.

Looking at him now, sprawling and relaxed, he looked even more imposing than usual.

Imposing or attractive?

Both. And more than attractive. Gisèle’s gaze traced him greedily. This was the only time she’d had the luxury of surveying him at leisure.

Her pulse quickened as she drew in that familiar, indefinable scent that intrigued her. Then there was his big, hard body, even more imposing up close. Even the sharp angle of his chin and the dark smudge of his unshaven jaw beckoned her interest.

How would it feel to be intimate with him? It wasn’t part of their on-paper marriage deal but that was where last night had been heading.

Adam sighed in his sleep and she jerked back guiltily, putting her hands out to lever herself up. One hand planted on the sofa cushion and her other palm landed on his solid thigh, her fingers discovering something equally solid.

CHAPTER NINE

ASECONDPASSED, then another. Gisèle told herself to pull back. To say something, apologise.

But she didn’t move. Looking into that searing gaze as his eyes snapped open, she couldn’t form the lie. Because it would be a lie. She didn’t want to apologise for touching him.

As if her body acted independently from her brain, her hand left his thigh to wrap around that proud erection.

A jitter of nervous excitement registered at his size. But what had she expected? He was a big man.

Heat blasted her cheeks until they glowed. Could he read her thoughts? It felt that way as his long-lashed eyelids lowered to half-mast, making him look even more like a sexy buccaneer.

‘I didn’t mean to touch you,’ she rasped out eventually.

‘And yet,’ his voice was a rumble that she felt in her womb, ‘you haven’t let go.’

Impossibly, her blush intensified, burning her throat, ears and breasts. But when she would have snatched her hand away she couldn’t, for Adam’s hand covered hers, holding her against him.

She shivered at what she saw in his face. At the throb of his arousal beneath her touch. And the aching, edgy sensation that made her lower body hum with need.

Gisèle swallowed then moistened her lower lip, but whatever she was going to say was drowned by a low masculine groan. ‘Don’t look at me that way, Gisèle. I’m only human.’

Hewas only human?

‘You’re the one holding my hand there.’ Her voice sounded scratchy.

‘You don’t want to touch me?’

Of course she did. He knew that. It had been obvious last night when she’d been swept away by excitement. Now she forced herself to think it through. How she’d struggled so hard against him, feeling overwhelmed from their first meeting. And still this moment between them felt inevitable.

‘I shouldn’t. Considering the devil’s deal you’ve pushed me into.’

Yet she couldn’t conjure anger. Her feelings for Adam were too complex for that. Her earlier indignation paled against the visceral need he’d awoken. Then there was his kindness last night. But it wasn’t kindness she wanted now.

The pressure of his hand disappeared as he sat straighter, putting distance between them. Deep grooves carved his forehead. ‘I wouldneverforce you into intimacy.’

Gisèle nodded and drew in a sustaining breath. ‘I know. This has nothing to do with our business deal. I want you, Adam.’

He said nothing. Had mentioning their differences doused his ardour?

Maybe he regularly wakes hard with sexual arousal.

Maybe it has nothing to do with you.

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