Page 39 of Seduced By the Rakish Duke

David dipped his head in apology. “Would you care for a drink?”

Jenny shrugged. “Sherry, if you have it.”

David poured some into a glass and offered it to her. As she reached out for it, he pulled it back.

“There is always an opportunity to show your interest in someone, kitten. Don’t let the moment pass you by.”

She tilted her head in question. “How is taking a glass from someone a moment to show interest?”

David tsked. “Brushing of fingers can be very seductive, kitten. When you reach for the glass, over-extend your hand a little. A slight touch here and there will go a long way, trust me.”

He once again held the glass out for her to take.

She blew out a breath and reached for it, this time letting her fingers stretch out a little further than she intended. Her fingers brushed against his as she took the glass.

David blew out a breath. Through her gloves, he could feel the heat from her fingertips as they wrapped around his. It was as if her fingers were branding his—it was intoxicating. If he could have her touch everywhere, he would gladly wear her brand.

Her pupils dilated. She felt it too, he was certain of it. Alarm bells rang in his head, so he dropped his hand once she had the glass firmly in her hand.

“Well done.” Blast it. His voice came out low and broken. She had too much power over him.

She brought the glass up to her mouth. He watched her lips close over the rim and her throat work as she swallowed. Hetried to suppress a moan, but he couldn’t. She was a siren of the worst kind, one who didn’t know how her magic worked. He was falling for her song, and if he wasn’t careful, he’d be lost to her forever.

“So, now that I have mastered the art of touch while dancing and drinking, what is next?”

“Conversation.”

Jenny wrinkled her nose. “Please don’t make me touch people when they’re talking. I see ladies do it all the time, and quite frankly, I get embarrassed for them.”

David chuckled. “What do you mean?”

Jenny pursed her lips. “You know exactly what I mean. These silly ladies who giggle and touch a man’s arm in hopes of catching his attention, when really it just sends him running for the hills.”

She then did an impersonation of those women by letting out a high-pitched giggle while grabbing his arm as if it were a life raft in the middle of the ocean.

David couldn’t help but laugh. “Yes, those chits are quite annoying and not at all what I’m referring to.”

Jenny persisted with her act.

“Good Lord, will you stop?”

David was about to double over in laughter. He couldn’t remember a time when he enjoyed another’s person company as much as hers.

“I’m just saying, whenever a woman touches a man during a conversation, it makes me annoyed. They are trying too hard. I could never,” she sniffed.

David pointed at her. “Exactly, they are trying too hard.”

He put his drink down, or what was left of it—he spilled most of it while he was laughing at her performance.

“Tell me, when we were dancing and you touched me, were you trying?”

Jenny shook her head in earnest. “No, it just happened.”

“Young women who try too hard are just that, trying, and it feels most inauthentic. But a touch that happens accidentally…” He lowered his voice to a whisper as he leaned in. “Nowthathas the ability to elicit strong emotions from both sides.” He ran his fingertips down her arm. “‘Did she mean to touch me?’ ‘Does she want to touch me again?’ ‘Can I reciprocate?’ It’s all a part of the game.”

Jenny stared back at him, unblinking. She was hanging on his every word. The need to act on the growing need within her was becoming too strong to ignore.

Just then, she said the two words that would send him straight to hell if he obliged.

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