Page 97 of The Trouble with Anna

He tilted her face toward his, trying to catch her eyes. “Anna, what’s wrong?”

“It’s just… I’m sure it’s all meant to be very nice…”

“Nice?” he said incredulously.

“I don’t think I can do this!”

His body went iron. “You can’t marry me?”

“Not that! Tonight. This… staying with you.”

The tension drained out of him and his eyes began to shine again. “?‘Staying with me’? Lightning, I have a few new phrases to teach you.”

Anna pulled her hands away and wrapped her arms around her waist, curling in on herself. “I don’t know what to call it, and I don’t want to do it!”

The bed, massive and dreadfully masculine, seemed to leer at her. Julian urged her toward it and she tensed.

“Just to sit.” His voice was soft as a feather. “Nothing more.”

Anna perched on the farthest edge.

“What’s wrong?” His big body was turned toward her, as if the width of his shoulders were a shield. As if he’d shield her even from himself, if he had to.

Anna’s cheeks burned even hotter and she concentrated on the floor, hoping the carpet had secrets to tell her.

He waited, quietly and patiently. He always gave her what she needed, and today at the track he’d given her even more. She owed him honesty.No, she corrected herself. Shewantedto tell him how she felt.

“I’m nervous.” Anna tried for a laugh. “Quite petrified, really.”

“I see,” he said gravely. “Then you’re not ready and we must change our plans.”

Anna’s eyes flew up to his. “Change our plans? How? Why do I suspect a trick?”

Julian kissed her hand solemnly. “You, my darling, always suspect a trick.”

Anna studied him and her frown smoothed away. There were alone together in his bedchamber and Julian had the strangest glow about him, the strangest intensity, as if he couldn’t look away from her if he tried.

A tiny smile tugged at the side of her mouth. Her next thought smothered it.

“I suppose I’d better go?”

Julian’s hand tightened on hers. “Stay. Please. Just be with me for a while.”

Her smile grew and his unfurled to match it. He reached over and scooped her up, lifting her gently back against the pillows. Her head found the most marvelous spot on his chest and his arm curved around her, tucking her up tight against him.

“All right?” Julian asked.

Anna gave the tiniest nod. She had a pillow of warm, firm Julian beneath her, could feel the rise and fall of his breath under her cheek. His scent wrapped around her and she took a quick inhale, tried to sneak a whiff of him before he noticed.

He noticed. He rumbled in satisfaction.

Anna lifted her head to peek up at him. “Are you always so… warm?”

His wolf grin was back. “Do you always sniff people?”

Anna’s face went hot. “It’s not my fault that you smell strange!”

His eyebrow rose. “Strange? Shall I make your complaints known to my valet?”

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