Page 10 of Her Rogue to Kiss Good Morning
Grant hated that she seemed so enamored with the marquess.She was supposed to be talking to him and exchanging witty barbs.This was not at all going how he had envisioned.He had to do something to turn the conversation back to one between the two of them.How could he make that happen?
Grant’s eyes flicked to Lady Cocwood, noting the subtle tilt of her chin and the sharp glint in her gaze as she conversed with the marquess.He could feel the pull of her presence, the effortless way she commanded attention, and yet he also knew she was deliberately keeping him at arm’s length.That defiance—it was like a challenge, and he had never been one to resist a challenge, especially one so exquisitely wrapped in the form of a woman.
Stepping slightly closer, he lowered his voice just enough for her to hear.“I see, Lady Cocwood, that you have quite a talent for monopolizing the conversation.”The words were light, teasing, but beneath them lay a clear intent.He wanted her to notice him again.
Her eyes flicked to him with a quick spark of amusement or was it irritation?—dancing across her features.“And you, Lord Oakwood, have a talent for stating the obvious,” she shot back, her tone sharp, yet not unkind.She was testing him, and he smiled inwardly at the familiarity of their verbal fencing.
Grant allowed himself the barest bow, a mock flourish.“Perhaps.But I assure you, my talents extend far beyond commentary.Though it seems I may need some convincing that you are worth the demonstration.”His gaze lingered on her just long enough for the heat in her cheeks to betray her composure.He had her attention where he wanted it again—on him.Now he just needed to separate her from the crowd that had gathered and spend a little time alone with her.He was not certain how he would achieve that goal yet, but he would.
Lady Cocwood arched a brow, her lips twitching as if suppressing a smile.“Convince me, Lord Oakwood that it is you that is worth the effort and perhaps we might find some common ground.Though I do believe that would be no small task.Even for a man of your considerable charms…”
A low, quiet thrill coursed through him.This was the dance he had been anticipating, the careful balance between charm and restraint.He knew that a misstep could undo everything, yet the danger of her sharp wit only made the engagement more intoxicating.“I do enjoy a challenge,” he murmured, letting his gaze sweep over her as if appraising her entirely.Her poise, the way she stood with such quiet authority, the flashes of fire that lit her eyes when she spoke...he wanted to revel in it.“Especially when the challenge is as…compelling as this.”He lowered his tone a fraction.“When it is you, I find it irresistible.”
For a brief instant, her composure faltered, and he saw the subtle flash of curiosity behind her guarded expression.It was enough.It was the opening he needed.“Perhaps, Lady Cocwood, you might allow me the honor of proving that my talents are not merely idle boasts.”
She narrowed her eyes, lips pressing into a thin line.“And if I refuse?”
“Then I shall have no choice but to redouble my efforts,” he replied smoothly, his voice low, deliberate, each word weighted with intent.The subtle promise in his tone did not go unnoticed, and he saw her fingers tighten around the teacup she held, a slight flush coloring her cheeks.“I promise you that it would be a night you would not soon forget.”
He could feel the tension in the air, the subtle tug between them, a magnetic pull neither wanted to admit.Grant knew he had to tread carefully—push too hard and he would risk angering her, pull back too much and the moment would slip.
“Very well, Lord Oakwood.You have piqued my interest,” she said finally, her voice softening just enough to betray the faintest trace of acknowledgment.“I maybe be willing to be convinced to see what your talents are worth… though I expect nothing less than arrogance and irritation.”
He allowed a slow, private smile, savoring the tiny victory.“Then perhaps, Lady Cocwood, we are perfectly matched.”
And in that small, charged exchange, Grant understood that this was only the beginning.He would not be denied—not by society, not by circumstance, and certainly not by her.
A slow smile formed on her lips.“That is yet to be determined, my lord.But I must put this conversation on pause until a later time.We have a dinner to attend.”She winked.“But rest assured, I am keeping what you have said in mind.I do want to see if you can live up to my weighty expectations.”With that she turned and walked away heading toward the dining room.The rest of their party had left before their little flirtation had taken a turn to the sinful.He had not even noticed he had been that enwrapped in her… She had too much of a pull on him for him to lose all sense like that, but he could not regret it.He wanted her.He would have her, and he hoped he would also be able to keep her.Forever had never sounded to right to him before.All he had to do was convince her of that and he would have everything.
Seven
The house was quiet, the echoes of the dinner party long since faded into the polished halls of Sinbrough House.Clara lay awake in her chamber, the moonlight spilling across the floor, painting silver patterns on the carpet.She had tried to sleep but the relentless comments, the teasing innuendos that Viscount Oakwood had uttered continued to gnaw at her thoughts with a persistence that would not be denied.Sleep was an impossible companion tonight.She did not what to do to help herself relax and forget everything he had said to her during the dinner party, but it was a futile endeavor.She could not forget, and she was not entirely certain she wished to.That man sent her blood afire with a need she had never known could exist.
She pushed back the silken covers and slipped from her bed, careful not to wake the gentle hush of the house.She slipped into her dressing gown and tied it closed over her nightrail and shift, she moved silently out of her room and down the hall.She had a destination in mind.The library where she had left a book abandoned on the table.She would retrieve it and read to help give her mind something else to occupy itself with and perhaps she would finally be able to sleep after an hour or so of losing herself in the book.No candle would be needed as she knew the way in the dark.She was familiar with the curve of the corridors that guided her steps like a memory now.
When she reached the library, the doors stood open before her, and the faint glow of a lone candle flickered atop the table near the settee.It mingled with the warmth of the fire in the hearth.But it was not the firelight or the soft candle that drew her attention—it was him.
Viscount Oakwood sat in the deep armchair, the book she had abandoned before their walk a few days earlier clutched loosely in his hand.His focus was on the pages of the tome as his gaze slid over the words printed on the pages.He looked up then, and their eyes met.His gaze held a slow, deliberate intensity that made her pulse quicken despite herself.That same infuriating, maddeningly charming smile curled across his lips.A smile that ignited a spark of anticipation in her chest, mingled with the sharp prick of apprehension.
Clara’s mind froze for a heartbeat.She had a choice—to demand he give her the book and retreat quietly or to deny the stirring desire within her and avoid the temptation of this man whose presence unsettled her more than any storm.But as the moment stretched between them, taut and electric the decision was made for her the instant he tilted his head toward her.His eyes twinkled with that mischievous brilliance that made her knees suddenly weak and need pool within her.
A slow, almost imperceptible smile spread across her face.The fight that had consumed her since their first meeting and the stubborn insistence to guard her heart started to fade.The insistence that she had to deny him any power, seemed suddenly less important than the pull of the man before her.Tonight, she decided, she would no longer deny the desire that had taken root and grown within her.Tonight, she would stop fighting.Tonight, she would let herself have him.She doubted he would resist her overtures either way…
“I believe that is my book,” she told him.
He glanced down at the book and then back at her.His lips twitched as he fought a smile.It was a useless endeavor as he had already played his hand with her.She wasn’t fooled by this act.“Is it now?”That grin slipped into place.So cocky and sure she wanted to wipe it away and show him it was her that had the power.“I thought it belonged to my cousin as this is his library.”
She rolled her eyes.“You know what I meant.”
“I would never make any such presumption about a lady,” he said in a self-satisfied tone.“It would be ungentlemanly of me.”
“And you are always the perfect gentleman, aren’t you?”She cocked a brow.“If that is true you will allow me to take that book.As we both know it is the one I started reading the other day.You did promise to allow me to read it in peace.”
“You are correct,” he agreed.“I did make that promise.But it was for that day.”He put a ribbon in the book to mark his spot and closed it.“But I made no such promise it would extend past that day.”
Drat the man and his fine details.As if she needed him to unravel her argument and demands so easily.She sighed.“It is still the book I was reading.Give it to me.”
“Are you in a hurry then?”he asked.“Is that why you are being so rude?”
