Page 27 of Sir Hugo Seeks a Wife
Her lips turned down.“Nobody else has.”
“Then those men aren’t worthy of you.”
That did nothing to soothe her ruffled temper.“And you are?”
“At least it’s what I aspire to.”
When she folded her arms, it was a much more defensive act than his.“You have a cunning tongue, sir.”
His laugh was so incredibly dirty that she couldn’t control a shiver of sensual response.“I hope to show you just how cunning.”
She shrugged, as if none of this was of any concern.When with every second, she fell further under Sir Hugo’s spell.“With more kisses, I suppose.”
She didn’t understand the flash of shock that crossed his face.A shock quickly concealed and replaced by speculation.“That would be nice.”
Athene frowned.Something beyond her grasp was going on here.She didn’t like feeling at a disadvantage.“Kisses have already got me in enough trouble.”
It was all very well expressing proud disdain for his proposal.But they both knew that she’d gone up like fireworks, the minute he took her into his arms.He could accuse her of hypocrisy.He’d be right.
Remembered pleasure curled his lips.She couldn’t mistake it.Nor could she mistake the way that her stomach tightened with similar nostalgia.She’d spent ten lonely years suppressing her inner daredevil.Tonight that daredevil had broken free to glory in Sir Hugo’s kisses.That daredevil was well aware that if Athene agreed to his rash proposal, she’d enjoy years of intoxicating kisses.
“Don’t be so hard on yourself.”His light tone grated on her strained nerves.“We were fated to kiss.You couldn’t stop yourself.”
An annoyed huff escaped her.“You have a high opinion of your attractions.”
Justified, she had to admit.
He laughed at her accusation.“Not really.But when I saw you, the air turned to lightning.”
Another extravagant statement.If she wasn’t careful, she might start to believe him when he talked about lightning and fate and commitment.She’d flattered herself that she’d learned her lesson with George.No libertine would lure her into his bed again.She was too clever and she was too wary.God help her, it turned out that she wasn’t clever at all.
“Lightning?Perhaps you should start writing poetry, too.”
Her sarcasm didn’t bother him.Nothing much seemed to.Which was the most terrifying thing of all.He looked unshakably sure of himself.He’d looked like that from the first.“Am I wrong?”
She struggled to summon a denial, but meeting that steady gaze, she couldn’t say the words.Her voice shook as she replied.“You’re an appealing man.”
While he didn’t smile, those fascinating lines at the corners of his eyes deepened.“I’m glad you think so.”
She faltered back, although he made no attempt to touch her.“It wasn’t a compliment.”
“I know.”Those lines became more noticeable.“You’re downplaying the bond between us.”
She waved away his claim.“There is no bond between us.”
That skeptical eyebrow rose once more.“Not even you believe that.”
Damn him, damn him, damn him.Damn him to hell.He was right.When he’d rescued her from Lord Alfred, that immovable self-confidence had been reassuring.Now he turned it against her, she wasn’t quite so complacent.She struggled for a firm tone that would convince him she meant what she said.Which was difficult when everything about him was devilish temptation.“I won’t marry you, Sir Hugo.That promises misery for both of us.”
Her statement didn’t have the dampening effect she’d hoped for.“You think so?”
Athene made a helpless gesture, as the reality of her situation crashed down on her, stealing away all her defiance.She’d had years to count what her youthful escapades had cost her.First on the list was the chance to marry an honorable man and have a family.Tonight’s reminder of that reality was brutal to the point of lacerating.
“You say you don’t care about my past, but I don’t believe you.”Grim certainty edged her voice.“Someday, someday soon, you’ll hate that I’ve had another lover and you’ll start to hate me.I don’t want to be around to see that.”
He stepped forward to take her hand.By now, she should be used to the power of his touch, but the heat that blasted her filled her with shocked dismay.Calling it lightning was no exaggeration.
His hand was so much larger than hers.With the kind of strength that a woman could trust.If she was a woman who believed herself worthy of such care.
